Golf, Finally

 

Chris Waiting at the 3rd Tee
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course, Jupiter, FL
February 22, 2022

It has been exactly a month since Chris and I made our escape back to Florida. It is hard to believe, but it was Sunday, January 23rd when we motored out of Elkridge along I-95 headed for our current location in Tequesta. 

Wow--believe it or not, it seems like a lot longer ago. It has been a busy month of activity. I have not yet been retired two months and I feel as if I cannot fit another activity into our daily schedule.

Yesterday, for instance, I determined that Chris and I needed to get out onto a golf course. We had not made it out for a round since arriving. There have been a few weather issues, but mostly it has been hard to find the time. Yesterday, I took a different approach--I traded our daily bike ride for golf!

We went to a small local Par 3 golf course to shake the cobwebs off our game. Don't misunderstand--this course is tough and really works the short game strategy. The greens are small and most are elevated so that you have to be precise. Even when putting--too strong a putt and you are off the green due to the rolling nature of the landscape. Since I had not swung a club since October 22nd--the day of my retirement golf tournament, it was a way to get back into the "swing."

View of the 5th Hole from the Tee
Jupiter Dunes Golf Club, Jupiter, FL
February 22, 2022

I sucked. I could hit left or right of my target but not where I was aiming. Once, though, I terribly miss-hit the ball, but it went straight at the pin and hit the flag, instead of flying over the green, dropping about 6 feet from the hole resulting in a good putt and an undeserved par. 

Golf is one of those games. Celebrate the good shots and forget the bad. Don't focus on the last shot--work on the current shot.

The weather yesterday was perfect. Broken skies and 80 degrees. That is what Florida is all about--year round golf.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Pelicans Gathering for Dinner

Pelicans Gathered for Food
Jupiter, FL
February 21, 2022

Pelicans are fun to watch. Chris and I love to watch them fly along the beach either above us or skimming the waves in search of their next meal. We often see them diving into the surf to consume some unsuspecting fish.

Our favorite phrase when a squadron of pelicans fly overhead is "Pelicans on patrol" because they fly in formation.

Last evening as Chris and I enjoyed Happy Hour, also known as Must Drink Monday, at one of our favorite local establishments along the banks of the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter, we saw a gathering--a very large gathering of pelicans waiting for dinner near a dock where the day's catch was being cleaned. 

Look closely at the image and the piece of fish that the pelicans are vying to consume is visible just below midway between the back of the watercraft and the upraised pelican beaks. 

The pelicans were entertaining and I was enjoying a heaping pile of nachos at the time so I was eating along with the pelicans--although not, obviously, the same dish. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - February 21, 2022

1. Welcome to the third Monday of February 2022. I don't think I am still fully into the 2022 thing and keep trying at odd times to write 2021. I guess I just cannot get over the mess that was 2021. There are 44 Mondays remaining 2022.

2. Crazy busy/enjoyable weekend. We took advantage of the superior weather and went to ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival--a huge art festival on Saturday and then went to the Jupiter Seafood Festival yesterday. Awesomeness. Both events were extremely managed in terms of parking, exhibitors, and admissions. 

3. Happy Presidents' Day. If you want to have a little mind-bending activity, read the article I highlighted below about Washington having two birthdays. 

4. The Olympics are over. I enjoy the competition and highlighting of sports events that I do not normally view, like curling. Sadly, the US Team which won gold in the previous Winter Games finished 4th this year. Check out the article referenced below about what the extreme cold can do to cross-country skiers. Whoa!

5. Enjoy the Federal Holiday. From what I've been reading, it was a busy weekend on the world stage. 

6. Well, it happened. Major League Baseball officially delayed the start of Spring Training. Opening Day for the regular season is in jeopardy. Greed is a terrible thing.

7. This just in---The Queen of England has COVID. See the article referenced below.

8. Today in History. February 21, 1965: In New York City, Malcolm X, an African American nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated while addressing his Organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights. He was 39. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925, Malcolm was the son of James Earl Little, a Baptist preacher who advocated the Black nationalist ideals of Marcus Garvey. Threats from the Ku Klux Klan forced the family to move to Lansing, Michigan, where his father continued to preach his controversial sermons despite continuing threats. In 1931, Malcolm’s father was murdered by the white supremacist Black Legion, and Michigan authorities refused to prosecute those responsible. In 1937, Malcolm was taken from his family by welfare caseworkers. By the time he reached high school age, he had dropped out of school and moved to Boston, where he became increasingly involved in criminal activities. (Click on the link to read the remainder of the article)

Watch: Russia Test-Launches Ballistic and Cruise Missiles - The Wall Street Journal

Biden Agrees to Meet Putin Provided Russia Pulls Back - The Wall Street Journal

Frackers Push Into Once-Dead Shale Patches as Oil Nears $100 a Barrel - The Wall Street Journal

EV Batteries Hinder Efforts to Fight Fire on Ship - The Wall Street Journal

The hate-crimes trial of Ahmaud Arbery’s killers highlights everyday racism — and casual gun culture in Georgia community - The Washington Post

Nearly half of Washingtonians don’t like Commanders name, Post poll finds - The Washington Post

Why George Washington has two birthdays — and neither falls on Presidents’ Day - The Washington Post

Kremlin says no concrete plans for summit with Biden over Ukraine, article with video - Reuters

Cross-country skiing-Finn Remi suffers frozen penis in mass start race, article with image - Reuters

'God Save The Queen': messages pour in after Elizabeth catches COVID, article with gallery - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Riding the Streets

 

Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
February 19, 2020

Bicycling through the streets and areas around where we live, Chris and I have discovered a number of interesting and expensive communities. We have also seen some very bucolic settings. 

Yesterday, as we crossed the Loxahatchee River in Tequesta the scene was stunning with the light and the nearly crystal blue sky. The river is wide at this point and the houses along the river sell for millions of dollars--most come equipped with docks. The river connects with the ocean and therefore provides one of the best places to live. 

I only wish I could afford a riverfront property. But, we completed a 9 mile ride and had a great time continuing to explore our new area.

It is fun to find new places and I have found that passing through the same area on different days I always seem to find something new. As I become more familiar with an area the details begin to come through.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Starting a Three-day Weekend

Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island, FL
February 18, 2022

I realized that yesterday was the Friday prior to the beginning of a three-day weekend. That is what explained the incredible amounts of traffic we faced doing our normal shopping activities. I hope everyone had a happy Friday. 

From my point of view, it was another day in an unnumbered series of days. But a special day nonetheless.

The day did, however, begin with a beach walk. We have not gone to the beach during the morning lately due to the weather conditions. Yesterday, however, with the mild winds and near warm temperatures was the perfect morning for a beach walk with Finnegan. And we did. And we enjoyed it although the sand was unusually soft and it was a trudge to complete even a mile along the beach. It was a good workout. AS if that were not enough I followed the beach walk with a bike ride--perhaps pushing it just a bit too much. 

During the beach walk, I found Blowing Rocks to be especially picturesque. I love it when the waves crash on the rocks and I must have well over a hundred images of the rocks with the ocean spraying upon them. I guess that I am looking or the image which captures best what I see as the power of the ocean meets the immovable rocks on the beach. The image from yesterday is very close to that image in my mind.

The Presidents' Day weekend holds many exciting things in store. Last evening we went to a play, "I Hate Hamlet." It was a professional production and, frankly, I like Hamlet more than I liked the play. The acting was good, but I found the script to be trite and contrived. Today and tomorrow we will be experiencing an Art Festival and a Seafood Festival. 

We will be busy--but hopefully there will still be beach time and a bike ride. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rainbow Afternoon

Rainbow over the Atlantic
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 17, 2022

Yesterday's return to the beach for Happy Hour was highlighted by a rainbow.

It has been almost a week since the weather was suitable for enjoying some beach time. Between cooler temperatures, rain, and high winds it has just not been suitable for walking or being on the beach. The winds whip the sand into the air and it becomes a stinging sand-blaster when trying to enjoy beach time.

Chris on the Beach for Happy Hour
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 17, 2022

Yesterday, the winds were still present, but the rains helped to keep the sand from becoming airborne. The bright rainbow that greeted me on the beach was perfect. I could see all the way from infrared to ultra violet--or so it seemed. The rainstorm we saw off the beach never came ashore and happy hour was preserved. 

It was a good way to end the day. I had done a few projects and we had had some deep discussions about future plans. It is an amazing time trying to balance all of the things hanging out there. Spending time on the beach and our daily dog walks help us to connect and attempt to be consistent with our plan for the future. 

The rainbow offshore was just the icing on the afternoon's cake. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

My Stupid Cat

 

Finding Water in the Wrong Place

I caught the Riordin, my cat, doing something disgusting the other day. 

He was drinking from the toilet!

For real.

Apparently he was not happy with the water situation in the house. Frankly, I do not understand his desire for toilet water. Chris and I maintain fresh water for the animals in a central location and change it daily. We also provide Riordin with his own bowl of water that the dogs cannot access. We are beginning to understand that Riordin does not like to share and believes he is special!

I was amazed at how he perched himself on the seat to access the water in the bowl. 

Sadly, this is not the only time I have surprised Riordin in the toilet. This was the time I had my phone with me to catch him in the act. We are trying to keep the seat tops down, but sometimes, OK most times, I forget. 

Thank goodness cats, unlike dogs, do not greet people by licking faces.

Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Clouds

 Although so far this week it has been both too cold and windy to spend time on the beach, that will change beginning today as temperatures approach and move into the 80s for the remainder of the week. 

OK Sign over the Atlantic
Jupiter Island, FL
February 3, 2022

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the weather especially since I am not experiencing either sub-freezing temperatures or snow! But, I have been driven from the beach. 

One of the things I do while on the beach is admire the clouds and search for patterns in them. Sometimes I am just fascinated by the complex nature of the clouds. 

The cloud I have pictures looks, to me, like a hand making the OK sign. And that is what that day was--a fantastic OK.

Most days are like that--OK. I have experienced many of them since I retired. I am amazed at both how busy I am and how I still never seem to get everything accomplished. Of course there are some projects, like the taxes and brushing Makayla, that I continue to put off just because they are detest-detestable. Makayla appreciates not being brushed as often as she needs.

But overall, life is OK. I find enjoyment in the clouds and the beach and the projects that continue to arise. I am beginning to move the televisions from cabinet top to wall mounts--that also includes rerouting electric and cords through the walls. It should make for an interesting time. 

I guess I'm settling into the pace of retirement, although I know that when I return to Maryland during April that catching up on the house, grounds, and pool will make life a bit more complicated. For now, I'm enjoying condo life in Florida. 

And looking at the clouds.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Fighting the Wind

 

Chris and I have been trying to bike almost every day after walking Finnegan. It really is quite something, we walk Finnegan on a 1.5 mile route as a warm-up and then hop onto our bicycles for a ride. By the time we are done we have spent about 1.5 hours exercising between the walk and the multiple-mile ride. That is something that I never had time to do before I retired and especially during the winter when the darkness arrives early. 

Crossing the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022

We are located near a large State Park and on the edge of some natural areas that provide some scenic beauty as we ride. Crossing the Loxahatchee River the other morning provided a stunning scene, which I dutifully recorded. The wide river and cloud-filled sky were a beautiful sight. 

Yesterday, however, was a very different story. We fought high winds--in excess of 20 mph, on our ride. It was excruciating in places. We chose a shorter 6 mile out and back ride to Jonathan Dickinson State Park, rather than a longer circuit. The way out it was all against the wind and mostly uphill--OK, as uphill as it can be in South Florida. Believe me, even in South Florida where the terrain is fairly flat any uphill into a stiff wind is an experience. The ride out I averaged about 9 mph. Riding back with the downhill and the wind at my back I averaged almost 20 mpg and at times my GPS recorded that I was flying in excess of 24 mph. 

At least coming back was fun! Fighting the wind on the way out reminded me that I still need to work harder to get into good riding shape.

Fighting the wind is not fun.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - February 14, 2022

 

1. Happy Valentines Day! Did you forget? I hope not.

2. It is the second Monday of February 2022. There are 2 Mondays remaining in February and 45 remaining in the year. Who knew a year could slip by so quickly.

3. Super Bowl 56 was a solid game. The officials stayed out of the contest until the very end, but yet there will some egregious calls that may have changed the outcome of the game. I agree that Cooper Kupp was the Super Bowl MVP. Although my prediction of the score and eventual victor of the game was wrong, it was a solid Super Bowl. I like defensive football and the idea of a dramatic drive to win the game when the chips were down is always exciting. 

Sailboat on the Atlantic
Jupiter Island, Florida
February 12, 2022

4. Saturday, when the temperature eased over the 80 degree mark, Chris and I had a beach afternoon. The ocean was relatively calm and there were many boats out enjoying the afternoon. This one sailboat caught my attention against the blue ocean and sky. It was very picturesque and I enjoyed watching it pass across my field of view.

5. Last evening, Chris and I watched the Super Bowl outside on a lanai. It is February and we had a party outside, around a pool--which was open and potentially ready for swimming. It was a great experience, but we missed our family in Maryland. 

6. Today in History. On February 14, around the year 270 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, is said to have been executed.

Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270.

Key U.S.-Canada border crossing reopens, protests continue in Ottawa - The Washington Post

European, U.S. leaders race to defuse Ukraine crisis amid warnings of imminent Russia attack - The Washington Post

Vaccine mandate protests reach Europe and beyond - The Washington Post

Stock Futures, Bond Yields Drop on Fear of War in Ukraine - The Wall Street Journal

Soaring Inflation Means Britons Face Biggest Fall in Real Incomes in 30 Years - The Wall Street Journal

Wild Horses Are Removed From Government Land as Drought Shrinks Food Supply - The Wall Street Journal

Ukraine hints at concessions to Russia as Scholz heads to region, article with gallery - Reuters

Hong Kong "overwhelmed" as COVID infections hit record - Reuters

Iran foreign ministry spokesman says prisoner swap with U.S. on agenda, article with image - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL