Price Gouging

It is a jungle our in marketplace America right now. 

For those who haven't yet figured it out, the COVID-19 pandemic is raging and it is affecting everything--and I mean everything. 

2022 Hyundai Tuscon

One article in this mornings Wall Street Journal really brought that home. The article was about GM and FORD warning dealers to stop overcharging for vehicles. The article confirmed that there are people, even in a pandemic when everyone is suffering, who want to take an unreasonable advantage and try to make a profit. 

I believe the problem is more widespread than the auto industry. It is possible that the inflation problem we are seeing across the board in all areas of consumer products from food, to durable goods, to automobiles. Unscrupulous businesses are preying on consumers in the middle of a pandemic where everyone is hurting in one way or another. 

I am being very wary of purchasing big items right now in the hopes that as we either defeat COVID or learn to live with it, life and pricing will return to normal and the price gouging will cease.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Biking in February

Saturday's Bike Trip
Tequesta, Jupiter, FL
February 4, 2022

I bought a bike last week. It is a Cannondale Quick CX4. This is the first time that I have actually owned a bicycle since I was in college. I did have the use of a bike a few years ago, but it was not mine. One of the things that I was determined to do upon moving to Florida was begin cycling regularly. I like cycling a lot more than walking, but even so Chris and I continue walking about 1.5 miles every day with Finnegan.

Since owing the bike, now exactly one week, I have cycled on six occasions and have logged a few miles while increasing my fitness level. I started slowly and am increasing the distance biked each day--well, with the exception of Saturday when I went out on a 16 mile, over 1-hour tour with a friend. I had a lot of fun and fortunately, I had been riding every day prior and I remember to wear my padded bike shorts.

I do like that my watch records the route traveled on my phone so that I can review it and possibly use portions of it in other adventures. In fact, I have been using some of this trip to ride with Chris as she, likewise, increases her distance and biking fitness. I was surprised when I returned home that I had actually ridden over 16 miles. Although I was tired, I has stayed hydrated and I did not feel as exhausted as I felt that I should. The only thing I forgot was to apply sunscreen and my arms got a bit, very lightly, burned. Well, at least that is helping me to lose the Northern paleness. 

Who would have thought that biking in February could be so enjoyable?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - February 7, 2022

 

1. Greetings. It is the first Monday of February! There are 3 Mondays remaining in the month and 46 remaining in the year. 

Finnegan Protesting
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2022

Riordin in a Box
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2022

2. How do we keep our cat, Riordin, happy? We put a box on the floor and he makes it his own personal space. He has been using the box now for three days. I would like to recycle it, but I believe it has been somewhat permanently repurposed. He is laying in the box as I write this morning.

3. Chris and I took Finnegan for a morning walk the other day. Since we were going biking we decided to stop short and return home. Finnegan had other ideas. He protested the truncated walk by doing the downward dog and stopping. He would not be moved--well, he only weighs six pounds and so he was moved and like a petulant puppy did return home with us in the end. But it was a funny moment where it was clear that Finnegan realized his morning walk was being shortened.

4. The Olympics are a bit of a disappointment. The U.S. is without a gold medal so far and has garnered only three silver medals. The Russian Olympic Committee has six total medals--twice the U.S. count. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that the U.S. team has won medals, but I think everyone expected more.

5. I am continually amazed at the impatience of drivers in South Florida. I do not understand why some people think it is OK to travel excessively fast on residential streets. Here in our small community we have had to erect a speed limit sign to slow drivers down. It is for 12 MPH. Hoping to see results soon.

6. Today in History. On February 7, 1964, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York’s Kennedy Airport—and “Beatlemania” arrives. It was the first visit to the United States by the Beatles, a British rock-and-roll quartet that had just scored its first No. 1 U.S. hit six days before with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” At Kennedy, the “Fab Four”—dressed in mod suits and sporting their trademark pudding bowl haircuts—were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans who caused a near riot when the boys stepped off their plane and onto American soil.

Two days later, Paul McCartney, age 21, Ringo Starr, 23, John Lennon, 23, and George Harrison, 20, made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a popular television variety show. Although it was difficult to hear the performance over the screams of teenage girls in the studio audience, an estimated 73 million U.S. television viewers, or about 40 percent of the U.S. population, tuned in to watch. Sullivan immediately booked the Beatles for two more appearances that month. The group made their first public concert appearance in the United States on February 11 at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C., and 20,000 fans attended. The next day, they gave two back-to-back performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and police were forced to close off the streets around the venerable music hall because of fan hysteria. On February 22, the Beatles returned to England.

Frontier Group, Spirit Airlines Merge in $6.6 Billion Deal - The Wall Street Journal

Climate-Change Concerns Revive Interest in Carbon Capture Despite Checkered History - The Wall Street Journal

Tens of Thousands Still in Dark in Tennessee After Winter Storm - The Wall Street Journal

National Archives had to retrieve White House records from Mar-a-Lago - The Washington Post

In Ukraine’s capital, residents grapple with the threat of war - The Washington Post

Covid isn’t gone. Americans are moving on anyway. - The Washington Post

CDC study shows N95, KN95 masks give best protection against covid - The Washington Post

Exclusive: U.S. calls for 'concrete action' from China on trade deal, article with gallery - Reuters

China locks down city on Vietnam border as COVID cases rise - Reuters

After two years of closed borders, Australia welcomes the world back - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday Night Lights

 It was a very different Friday Happy Hour. We went to the Tequesta Trucks N' Tunes which is held on the first Friday of the month.. 

Tequesta Trucks N' Tunes
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2022

Live music, food trucks, kids, activity, and outdoors fun on February 4th!

It was a beautiful afternoon. Chris and I spent some time at the beach getting "rays" trying to cast off the pale Northern look. For cruising into the weekend, it could not have been a better start. The music and food continued into the evening, well after sunset as the community gathered to celebrate a new month.

Chris and I enjoyed the evening. It was warm and we were wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts. I was very nice to be celebrating the arrival of February in a warm and inviting setting. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Birds of the Beach

Seagull
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 3, 2022

Chris and I enjoyed another great Happy Hour on the beach the other night. The waves were crashing on the beach, the ocean has been very rough this week.

The warm sun and temperatures have made enjoying the beach a great February pastime. Chris and I are attempting to get there everyday and especially when the temperatures are in the high 70s and low 80s as they have been most of this week. 

The birds have been very active as well. I managed this image of a seagull which was hoping for hand-outs from our evening Happy Hour munchies. Frankly, I don't know how I managed this shot as the seagull was moving so quickly and he was so close. 

Osprey with Catch
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 3, 2022

We have also enjoyed watching the osprey hunt. We also saw this osprey after having made a successful catch. I missed seeing the actual catch, but this bird was headed for its nest with dinner. 

Along with being mesmerized by the waves and enjoying the breeze the birds provide something to watch, enjoy, and marvel about. Not to be outdone, the fish sometimes take center stage by jumping from the water. I saw a huge splash which was reportedly a spinner shark, but I did not see the shark in the air as my eyes were focused elsewhere. 

I am beginning to settle into retirement. Walking the dog and biking in the morning. Taking care of projects and business during the mid-part of the day. And then to the beach during the mid- to late-afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Retirement Gift to Me

Cannondale Quick CX
In the Garage
Tequesta, FL
February 2, 2022

I finally decided to buy a bicycle to ride around the relatively flat lands of South Florida. I have always wanted bike and with the addition of the NordickTrac S22i studio workout cycle to my inventory last year, I have been building up to actual riding. I admit I have enjoyed biking through different countries and terrains, but the past two days of actually riding a bike have been very enjoyable. 

Chris and I have not ventured too far as we adjust to riding in different conditions and learn how to not die in traffic. 

Yes, I have appropriate safety equipment. I even have a helmet, which in my life I had never before used when riding a bike. 

I have not yet put too many miles on the bike as I am working up to longer rides, but the bike is awesome. It rides very nice and I feel very comfortable riding on it. I spent a lot of time deciding between a medium and large frame, but in the end I just felt better on the medium and so that is what I bought. It works better with my short legs.

I wonder where I will go today?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Week Wears On

 Temperatures are returning to more normal in South Florida--the reason that I am wintering here. The average high temperature is around 76 degrees. Yesterday it reached, officially, 72 but it was a bit warmer in reality. 

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter, FL
February 2, 2022

Chris and I went to the beach during the afternoon when it was warmer. This was after walking and then biking. We enjoyed having there entire beach to ourselves. I took a panorama to document our "alone-ness" on the stretch of beach. And remember er, it is high season here--all of the other "snow birds" are in town. Sadly, the wind coming off the ocean was a bit cool and so we departed after about an hour; retreating to the intracoastal side of Jupiter Island to enjoy the warm afternoon sun and water.

Today the temperature is expected to reach 76 degrees, or higher. I am watching the ice and snow storm sweeping through the country which is reaffirming my decision to winter in South Florida. 

And to think, it is Friday-eve! An absolute bonus. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Groundhog Day 2022

 

Punxsutawney Phil this Morning
Making the Prediction 
 at Gobblers Knob
Punxsutawney, PA

Happy Groundhog Day!

Yup, it is back again for another year.

I have been watching the livestream from Gobbler's Knob awaiting the prediction from Punxsutawney Phil. Part of me wishes that I could be there to see it in person--but the sane part of me knows that it is just too cold. That written, there was a huge crowd on hand to witness the event in person. 

Ground Hog Day is truly a uniquely American event and that makes it even more interesting and exciting. 

This morning they declared the largest mid-week crowd attending in person in the history of Groundhog Day.

And the prediction was-- Six more weeks of Winter. 

I am happy to be in Florida!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

From Cold to Warm

Chris and Finnegan Afternoon Beach Walk
Jupiter Island, FL
January 31, 2022

Despite the cold temperatures during the morning, yesterday turned into a very enjoyable afternoon which included a beach walk to stretch our legs after hunkering down against the cold temperatures of the weekend. I admit, it was not as cold here over the weekend as farther north, but it was in the 30s to start the days and that meant walking the dogs was an unappealing chore. 

One of the big differences between living in Maryland on our very private lot and here in modified condo living is taking care of the dogs. Unlike Maryland where I can let the dogs run the yard when they have needs, here they must be walked on a leash every time they go outside. That means either Chris or I need to be on the other end of the leash. 

Egret on the Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
January 31, 2022

Being on the other end of the leash is not all bad. For instance, yesterday we went for an afternoon beach walk once the temperatures achieved the mid-60s. It was windy, but the sun was warm and the time on the beach was enjoyable. Truth be told, Finnegan actually gets some off the leash time if the beach is devoid of people, which is usually the case. Yesterday he attempted to herd birds. That did not work too well as the birds simply took flight when they got tired of being chased. That frustrated Finnegan because of course he doesn't to have wings--he is a dog.

One of the birds that Finnegan attempted to "herd" got the better of him. This particular bird was wading the water on the rocks and Finnegan does not like to get his feet wet--that is a problem when it rains as well. The bird craftily placed a pool of water between himself and Finnegan which the dog did not notice. After racing full speed into the pool, Finnegan came to a full stop with his back feet going up in the air much like a bicycle back wheel rises up when the only the front brake is applied. It was pretty funny, although Finegan did not think so. The bird looked at the dog, appeared to laugh, and then calmly flew off to another spot in deeper water. 

And that is how we spent part of the last day of January 2022!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 31, 2022

 

1. Welcome to the last Monday of January 2022. There are 47 Mondays remaining in the year and today is also the last day of January. February begins tomorrow. The New Year is no longer new. 

2. The Super Bowl competitors are set. The game between the LA Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals will occur on February 13th. The Bengals have never won a Super Bowl, but have appeared in two, the last being 1989. The Rams, as St Louis or Los Angeles, have appeared in four Super Bowls, losing three and winning in 2000 as St Louis with Kurt Warner as quarterback. The current LA version of the Rams lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots in 2018--which was their most recent appearance.

3. Driving in Florida is much like being involved in a road race. Drivers speed and swerve everywhere without regard for speed limits and traffic. I have seen some really crazy things happening at high speeds on the Turnpike and Interstate. Wow! No wonder the insurance rates are so high.

4. War and rumors of war. The situation between Russia and the West over Ukraine is dangerous and I do not understand what Putin's goal is in moving to the brink of war.

5. Even though the temperature here was in the 30's on Saturday, the high for this coming Friday is expected to be 80! 

6. I bought a new TV yesterday to replace a decades old one. I was amazed at how easy set-up has become. I remember the old days when it took hours to get a new TV set-up and ready for action. This happened in minutes. The hardest part was inputting the WiFi password. 

7. Today in History. On January 31, 1950, U.S. President Harry S. Truman publicly announces his decision to support the development of the hydrogen bomb, a weapon theorized to be hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II.

Five months earlier, the United States had lost its nuclear supremacy when the Soviet Union successfully detonated an atomic bomb at their test site in Kazakhstan. Then, several weeks after that, British and U.S. intelligence came to the staggering conclusion that German-born Klaus Fuchs, a top-ranking scientist in the U.S. nuclear program, was a spy for the Soviet Union. These two events, and the fact that the Soviets now knew everything that the Americans did about how to build a hydrogen bomb, led Truman to approve massive funding for the superpower race to complete the world’s first “superbomb,” as he described it in his public announcement on January 31.

Rents are up 40 percent in some cities, forcing millions to move - The Washington Post

Ukraine leader’s message is don’t panic. That’s making the West antsy. - The Washington Post

Fed grapples with how to raise interest rates without hurting the economy - The Washington Post

Hillsong pastor steps down to fight charge of concealing his father’s alleged child sexual abuse - The Washington Post

Stock Futures Waver on Final Day of Tumultuous Month - The Wall Street Journal

Russia to Face U.S. in Rare U.N. Security Council Debate - The Wall Street Journal

Omicron Pushes World Toward Accepting Covid as Fact of Life - The Wall Street Journal

Britain warns Russia of sanctions on oligarchs if Ukraine is invaded - Reuters

Rising geopolitical tension and demand send oil price outlook soaring - Reuters

North Korea fires longest range missile since 2017 - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL