Spring Arriving!

Happy first day of Spring!

At 11:33 AM EDT we will finally say good-bye to Winter and look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. 

I have been enjoying the warmer temperatures here as we hit 85 degrees yesterday with beautiful blue skies and gentle breezes. Today is supposed to be cooler, only 80 degrees. But I am looking forward to another great day. 

Yesterday was a typical Saturday. The usual dog walk, a 13-mile bike ride, watched a movie, grocery store, Happy Hour on the beach, and dinner to close out a great day. 

Happy Hour was interesting as Chris and I watched, and then got involved with, three dogs playing. It was great fun, but the dogs. like petulant children, did not want to leave when the families determined it was time to depart. 

Dogs and Chris on the Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
March 19, 2022

Dogs can be like children and these dogs were a lot of fun. They even invaded our small encampment and spread cheer and sand to us. 

The dogs were everywhere and in the water. I am glad that I did not have to clean them when they returned home. 

They were fun and it was all in good fun even as we watched the owners of the dogs get frustrated. Wet ave b been there. I know Chris felt differently, but I was glad that Finnegan did not accompany us for Happy Hour. 

I am enjoying the thought of Spring beginning and the daylight exceeding the darkness for the next 6 months.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

And the Sky Cleared

Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island Beach, FL
March 18, 2022

I felt bad for my sister and her husband as I was enjoying clear skies and warm breezes on the beach last evening. Yes, the cold winds they had experienced had disappeared and been replaced by warm breezes. The beach was busy, with maybe four other groups, but they provided activity to watch and enjoy. During their too-short visit with us the weather had turned cool, the skies rainy and gray, and wind was fierce. 

All of that changed yesterday. 

The skies cleared and the winds calmed. Even the ocean waves were calm and suitable for swimming. I also notes far fewer Portuguese Man O' War on the beach as well--possibly due to the calmer winds and waves. 

Chris and I had enjoyed a great day with a 9-mile bike ride through a local state park followed by some afternoon shopping. I am getting very good at installing and deinstalling the bike rack on the truck. Given the current price of gas, the truck only gets driven when we are going biking somewhere. 

Another great day enjoying the Florida sun and sand!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Quandary on the Beach

 

Portuguese Man O' War on the Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
March 15, 2022

I found myself in a quandary the other day while I was walking the Jupiter Island beach. Many Portuguese Man O' War were strewn across the beach where they had washed up with the tide. My natural instinct is to help animals in trouble, but in the case of the Portuguese Man O' War, I found myself standing there wondering if they even knew they were dead. Or even more difficult--how could I tell if they were alive? Fortunately they are not sentient. 

But while I had the urge to try to re-float the animals in the ocean, the big question in my mind became: why? If they were not dead it would only prolong the inevitable because they will only wash back up onto the beach to bake in the sun AND they are a hazard to humans. Their long tentacles provide very painful stings. 

So I looked at them on the beach and chalked their demise up to natural selection. For some reason these Portuguese Man O' War washed up on the beach and their genes were being removed from the gene pool. 

After a few moments, I went back to enjoying my beach walk while avoiding the tentacles of the Portuguese Man O' War washed up on the beach and baking in the sun. It is that time of year. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Orchids and Birds

Orchids for Beauty of Orchids Display
Flamingo Gardens, Ft Lauderdale, FL
March 14, 2022

Chris and I made a return trip to Flamingo Gardens the other day. I had been looking forward to the return for a while as there is always something new to see at the Gardens. I was not disappointed. Flamingo Gardens was preparing for their Beauty of Orchids celebration which begins March 19th and runs through May 8th. We were lucky enough to see the gardens getting prepped for the orchids and I am excited that I will have the opportunity to return next week to see the full effect. There were orchids being placed everywhere and it was fun to see the preparations. The last time we were at the Gardens, Christmas displays were being removed and so it was a different view of the Gardens. 

But, birds. There were still birds to see. At one point it was a bit creepy as we walked through the raptor area because there were multitudes of black vultures sitting on the tree branches looking down at us--oh yes, and pooping! We wondered which of us was not going to make it out alive--but we both did survive. 

But the birds and the requisite flamingos are the real stars of Flamingo Gardens. The peafowl were especially enjoyable as the males were strutting their plumage and the females were taking an interest. 

Not-Trapped Goose
Flamingo Gardens, Ft Lauderdale, FL
March 14, 2022

Flamingos are my personal favorites, but there was this one crazy goose that kept honking and sticking its head out between the rails as if it was trying to get out of jail. 

It was an enjoyable day with the birds, the orchids, and the plants. Definitely worth the drive and I am already looking forward to my return visit. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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