Boy, Beach, Sand

 

At a Gulf Coast Beach
Florida
March 13, 2022

It is Spring Break for many school districts across the country. Some of them are in Texas and I received an interesting image of one of my grand-nephews enjoying his first moments on a Florida beach after driving all day from near Houston. 

This is a great image. I love the sunset in the background and the flat water of the Gulf of Mexico. And the small boy playing in the sand. 

But here is what is really funny--the small boy is wearing pants with snowmen on them! Playing in the sand on a warm beach during Spring Break with snowmen!

But, more importantly, this image just reminds me about everything great about being at the beach: water, sunsets/sunrises, playing in the sand, and beach activities!

Happy Spring Break! Keep those toes in the water!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Curiosity

 

Riordin in a Bag
Tequesta, FL
March 14, 2022

Curiosity killed the cat, or so the phrase goes.

We witnessed how something like that could occur last evening as Chris and I along with family and friends were playing cards and enjoying munchies and wine. Riordin decided to explore an empty bag of chips. Yes, he was on the counter while we were at the table. 

Riordin is an inquisitive cat. A bit too inquisitive. As I have documented previously, he likes to explore boxes and bags looking for strategically important locations where he can curl-up and nap. So it is important to note that he was not interested in the contents of the bag, but rather was looking for a secluded place to enjoy. It did not work quite the way he imagined as the bag was not large enough for him and he was having difficulty getting it off his head. 

I removed the bag from Riordin's head and all was well.

If you are interested in the history of the phrase: Curiosity killed the cat, click the link at the b beginning of the blog.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Monday Musings - March 14, 2022

 

1. Welcome to the second Monday of March 2022. The Ides of March are tomorrow. There are 41 Mondays remaining in 2022. 

Juno Beach Fishing Pier
Juno Beach, FL
March 13, 2022

2. I attended an artist show in Juno Beach yesterday. I am becoming familiar with many of the exhibitors. What did I do? I took a picture of the Juno Beach Fishing Pier, the ocean, and the sky to record the day. Although the day started cold, it quickly became a very nice day for outdoors activities including Happy hour on the beach! With long sleeved shirts and sweaters, of course. 

3. With gas prices zooming into the stratosphere, I am carefully evaluating every trip in the car. I am very happy that I do not have a daily commute anymore. 

4. A cool day meant the beach was nearly ours alone last evening. Yes, it was cool, but watching the waves crash on the beach was a great was to enjoy the added hour of sunlight at the end of the day. 

5. I biked just shy of 60 miles last week. It was a good week, but I also had another flat tire. Thankfully, I ordered six inner tubes so it was just a small delay to change out the tube and get back onto the road.

6. Today in History. On March 14, 1879, Albert Einstein is born, the son of a Jewish electrical engineer in Ulm, Germany. Einstein’s theories of special and general relativity drastically altered human understanding of the universe, and his work in particle and energy theory helped make possible quantum mechanics and, ultimately, the atomic bomb.

After a childhood in Germany and Italy, Einstein studied physics and mathematics at the Federal Polytechnic Academy in Zurich, Switzerland. He became a Swiss citizen and in 1905 was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Zurich while working at the Swiss patent office in Bern. That year, which historians of Einstein’s career call the annus mirabilis—the “miracle year”—he published five theoretical papers that were to have a profound effect on the development of modern physics.

Russia requested military assistance from China, US officials say - CNN

Oil Falls, Stock Futures Rise as Investors Track Ukraine Negotiations - The Wall Street Journal

China Is Selling Thailand a Submarine. Problem Is, No Engines - The Wall Street Journal

Saudi Arabia Puts 81 People to Death in Its Largest Execution Ever - The Wall Street Journal

Kyiv under fire as fresh talks begin - The Washington Post

U.S. journalist killed in Ukraine was known for ‘innate humanity and empathy’ - The Washington Post

Bipartisan lawmakers ramp up calls on Biden to give Ukraine weapons, fighter jets - The Washington Post

Russian attacks in western Ukraine prompt more people to flee - Reuters

Russia warns it may be forced to pay foreign currency debt in roubles due to sanctions - Reuters

Iran says U.S. has to make decision on reviving nuclear deal - Reuters

South Korea sees imminent prospect of North ICBM test - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Change in Latitude

One Side of the Palm is Wet
After the Storm
Tequesta, FL
March 12, 2022

I awoke this morning to a 48 degree temperature. It seemed that overnight I was transported to a more northern latitude.

The cooler temperatures were a result of the weather system which came through last evening. The temperature dropped about 18 degrees and we suffered with high winds and driving rain. The weather system delayed the arrival of my sister and her husband by over two hours as Palm Beach International was actually closed due to the high winds. 

The high today is expected to be only about 70 degrees.  Too cold. Yes--70 degrees is cold! I will wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt for the first time in weeks. 

I want my 85 degree temperatures to return! 

I have outdoors activities planned and need the warmth.  

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And the Rains Came

 

Water Pooling off my Patio in the Rain
Tequesta, FL
March 11, 2022

Closing out a beautiful Friday, the rains came about 4 PM yesterday. 

It was not just a little rain, but a "gullywasher" followed by some steady rain. I think the water management system at my condo has some issues as the rainwater pooled significantly in my backyard until it percolated through the sand and down into the aquifer. 

The rain was a wet ending to an otherwise excellent day with a very warm high of 84 degrees and some humidity. Chris and I took a pleasant 9 mile bike ride during the morning and then worked around the condo for the remainder of the day. There were two trips to Ace Hardware to secure items to assist in projects that were underway. The biggest project is that all of the televisions in the house are now hanging on the walls!

We are preparing for visitors--our second group of the year will be arriving later this afternoon and we are very excited. Unfortunately, tomorrow the forecast is for cold (70 degree) temperatures and some rain, but we have plans. Although it may not be a beach day we will have fun! 

For now, I will enjoy another great day and not worry too much about the bomb cyclone ravaging the East Coast!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Hiding in Plain Sight

 

Hiding in Plain Sight
Tequesta, FL
March 10, 2022

OK, sometimes I think I am living on the edge of Jurassic Park. Lizards are everywhere when the temperatures crawl into the mid-80s as they did yesterday. They can be very startling as they zip across in front of me while I am walking or biking. For some reason they feel the race across the sidewalk when I approach. 

I have seen colorful lizards during my biking outings, but generally there are two types of lizards that zip about: the six-lined race runner and geckos. During one of my bike outings, I did see a small iguana and one very colorful lizard that scurried into the underbrush before I cold get a good look at it. I'm not sure what the lizard in the photo is, but it was outdoors on the still warm exterior of the house last evening, hiding in plain sight. As close as I can determine it may have been a Tropical House Gecko.

I don't mind the lizards too much. We do not allow them inside the house, but occasionally one gets into the garage which can be disconcerting. Unlike other areas of Florida, I have not seen any iguanas in our immediate area so we do not fear falling iguanas during periods of cold weather. 

Thankfully, unlike Jurassic Park, the lizards of Florida are not trying to make a snack out of people. Just be ready for them to show up--anywhere.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Hump Day Passes

Friday-eve Dawns
Tequesta, FL
March 10, 2022

Hump Day has come and gone for another week and I scarcely noticed it. Chris and I enjoyed a beautiful bike ride through a State Park and then accomplished errands during the afternoon. Following all of that, we spent a quiet evening alone with the animals. The exciting part of the bike ride was that during the ride we saw four tortoises and a black racer snake and a kestrel, ignoring of course the multitudes of small lizards that scurry in front of the bike tires. We just have to believe that the lizards are faster than we are or we would be stopping every few feet to let them pass. 

And now it is Friday-eve, but my excitement for the day is waning a bit because it is becoming just another day. Today's big event should include a trip to Costco for supplies that we require in large quantities. I do enjoy shopping in Florida because the stores, like Costco, sell wine. Most of America outside of Maryland knows Costco sells wine and that the Kirkland label is generally very drinkable wine at a solid price-point.

Well the weekend is coming--I realize that weekends during the in-season mean that the beaches are full and the traffic is heavy. 

I like mid-week activities.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Along the Water

Along the Intracoastal Waterway
Jupiter Island, FL
March 8, 2022

Happy Hour has moved forward one hour. 

It used to be that Happy Hour began promptly at 5 PM. It seems, however, that with the winter and the desire to be on a beach somewhere to enjoy the day's end, that the earlier sunset times, now about 5:45 PM pushed Happy Hour forward to 4 PM.  

The new earlier Happy hour has remained the new, beach time Happy Hour, which is not a bad thing. I'm not sure what will happen on Sunday as sunset times become 7:30 PM due to daylight saving time. Sitting along the ocean or the intracoastal provides a relaxing ending to the day's activities. We often meet friends and connect about projects and the pace of retired life in Florida.

Last evening as we reclined under the shade of the mangroves, we were able to enjoy the activity on the water. There were boats of all kinds and personal watercraft zipping around. One of the most interesting was the boat puling a large tube where the intent seemed to be to determine who could remain on the tube the longest whilst the boat accelerated at great speed. It reminded me of my many failed mechanical bull riding attempts. 

And it all happens along the water.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Reward at the Halfway Point

 

Sunday morning's bike ride of just short of 20 miles had a reward at the mid-point. The reward, at the very southern tip of Singer Island, was a stunning view of the wild Atlantic Ocean across the shipping channel leading into West Palm Beach.

The View from Southern Tip of Singer Island
Palm Beach Shores, FL
March 6, 2022

The ride was enjoyable beginning near Juno Beach just north of the famous pier. The ride down A1A and then US 1 to Singer Island was not as scary as it might have been, being that it was Sunday morning. Biking along US 1 is always exciting, even with the bike lane, because the lane is too narrow. There is something disconcerting about a large semi-truck passing within a few feet of my handlebars, just saying. 

Once my riding partner and I turned onto Jack Nicklaus Drive leading onto Singer Island proper, the traffic lightened and the bike path widened. I actually did pause in front of Jack Nicklaus' mailbox and looked at his house. From there is was a really scenic ride though John D. MacArthur Beach State Park along the banks of Lake Worth. After leaving the park it was into the resort end of Singer Island. The resorts vary from towering buildings to two story retro sites that can appeal to every taste. The stop for the quick break and image was in the middle of a Marriott complex. 

The ride back to where the car was parked seemed faster and looking at the splits, it was--likely due to the quartering tailwind. Traffic had increased since our earlier departure, but it was still tolerable. 

The 1 hour 36 minute ride was the longest of my adult life. The only time I remember riding longer was one weekend when I was a freshman in college, two friends and I rode from the University of Miami across southern Florida through the Everglades to near Naples and slept for a bit before riding back arriving late Sunday night. We were a bit crazy back then. That we actually survived, since we had only small generator lights on our bikes and were riding through the wilds of Florida during the night, is far more impressive now that I understand the perils than back when we did it. Of course, almost 50 years ago, there were a lot more "wild" and a bit less traffic than now. To this day, I don't remember if it was 90 miles round trip or 90 miles each way--but 90 miles definitely sticks in my mind. Funny, I would never do something like that now without a GPS--but back then all we had was a roadmap.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 7, 2022

 

1. Welcome to March 2022. Today is the first Monday of the month. There are 42 Mondays remaining in the year. Spring officially begins in 13 days!

Marley and the Turtle
Tequesta, FL
March 6, 2022

2. The cat and the turtle. Marley is a cat and she is the clear queen of her home. A new item, a wooden turtle, was introduced into her domain the the other day and it apparently has created some conflict. Marley was noticed trying to decide if the turtle was friend or foe last evening. The turtle, of course being wooden, did not back down from Marley's advance causing her to retreat. 

3. After biking over 30 miles during the past two days, I am going to take a break today. Yesterday's ride, just short of 20 miles, took me to the southern tip of Singer Island where I could look out across the shipping channel and to the Atlantic Ocean with its roiling waves. It looked to be a rough day to be out on the ocean. While facing a left-quartering headwind for most of the ride down Singer Island, it became a right quartering tailwind for the ride back ad resulted I a much more enjoyable and faster return trip. 

4. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is abhorrent. I am amazed at the number of people who have suddenly become foreign policy experts or military experts without any experience in either. Many of these same people were rendering unfounded and incorrect COVID medical opinions just two weeks ago. The situation revolving around Ukraine is very complicated and a mis-step could have dire consequences for the planet. I am watching the Biden administration navigate a complex world situation. This is a war and all of the instruments of national power are being employed as effectively as perhaps has ever been done by the U.S. Remember, war is hell and making this worse, the survival of the Russian Federation is in play making the end game and exit strategy even more complicated and dangerous.

5. Chris returns from her trip to Maryland today. Yay! Finnegan is more than ready to welcome her home.

6. Today in History. On March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama, a 600-person civil rights demonstration ends in violence when marchers are attacked and beaten by white state troopers and sheriff’s deputies. The day's events became known as "Bloody Sunday."

The demonstrators—led by civil rights activists John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference—were commemorating the recent fatal shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a 26-year-old church deacon, by state trooper James Bonard Fowler. The group planned to march the 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital. Just as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge outside Selma, they were ordered to disperse. Moments later, police assaulted them with tear gas, bullwhips and billy clubs. Lewis, then 25, was one of 17 marchers hospitalized; dozens more were treated for injuries. 

Russia detains at least 4,640 people on Sunday during protests, says independent monitoring group - CNN

300 Shots Fired, 280 Russian Tanks Gone: US Missiles In Ukrainian Hands - NDTV

Republicans weigh approach for Ketanji Brown Jackson nomination fight - CNN

Biden Caught Between Inflation and Calls to Ban Russian Oil - The Wall Street Journal

Global Markets Fall After Oil Hits $130 a Barrel - The Wall Street Journal

After Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Moldova worries it might be next - The Washington Post

In rare trip to Venezuela, U.S. officials discuss that nation’s oil exports amid a proposal to ban Russian fuel - The Washington Post

Ukraine decries 'immoral' stunt after Moscow says it will let civilians flee — to Russia - Reuters

Russian no show at U.N. court hearings on Ukrainian war - Reuters

'Putin will not stop in Ukraine', Lithuanian president warns Blinken - Reuters

Note: the "n" key on my keyboard is malfunctioning. If there are too many or missing n's, please excuse the inattention of the editor.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL