Return to the Ball Park

 

Roger Dean Stadium
Nationals vs Cardinals
Jupiter, FL
March 25, 2022

I took the opportunity to celebrate the end of the MLB Lock-out by attending a Spring Training game yesterday. It was a beautiful day for baseball and I went to Roger Dean Stadium right here in Jupiter, Florida. Well, the stadium is really in Abacoa with a Jupiter mailing address. 

Although the thermometer said 73 degrees, sitting in the sun it felt more like 80. It was, therefore, a beautiful baseball day. The interesting thing about the game was that both teams were dressed in red jerseys and that made it a bit difficult to track who was on base and where they were. The players were a sea of red everywhere. The difference was the pants: white for the Cardinals or gray for the Nationals.

The game was close--5-4 with the Cardinals winning, but the real winner was me. I attended the game with three friends and we enjoyed a baseball game in warm temperatures. The stadium was not full and amazingly, the parking was free in a downtown Abacoa parking garage. The parking was even better because the car was out of the sun and not roaring hot when I returned after the game. 

Baseball and sun. Wow!

Another great Florida day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Hour Group Re-joins

Happy Hour Group on the Beach
Intracoastal Waterway, Jupiter Island, FL
March 24, 2022

Yesterday, for the first time in months, our entire seven person Happy Hour group of friends assembled. The Maryland members have escaped the cold early-Spring weather and joined the Florida detachment for a few days of fun in the warm sun. And rain! 

Gathering along the banks of the Intracoastal waterway yesterday, because the wind was too strong coming off the ocean, we enjoyed warm 80 degree temperatures and light breezes, being protected in the mangroves. While we were there the weather cooperated. But, a short half-hour after we departed a strong rainstorm engulfed the area. We were happy to be back at home and out of the rain! That, after all, is Florida. It rains. And the sun comes out. Then, it rains some more.

The water temperature was enjoyable and I even went out and fully immersed myself. It was fun to be in the water. Truth be told, earlier in the month I went out into the waters of the Atlantic on a calm day. 

Nine-armed Sea Star
Intracoastal Waterway, Jupiter Island, FL
March 24, 2022

Yesterday was also the first time in a long that we found life in the waters of the intracoastal. A nine-armed sea star happened through while we were wading knee-deep in the water. We paused for a moment and examined the lonely sea star marveling at its nine arms. They really move fairly quickly and it was gone out of view shortly after being replaced on the silty bottom. 

The the day concluded with a splendid dinner and sharing a special wine, from a jeroboam, that was being saved for a just an occasion like we were enjoying.  

March is truly a great month to enjoy Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Waiting

Scene from the US 1 Drawbridge
Jupiter, FL
March 22, 2022

 One of the things that I have had to get used, living in a coastal community, is drawbridges! They seem to raise at the most inopportune times. 

I got caught at one the other day. The warning lights came on and the gates lowered before I could begin to cross. I, as a result, had the opportunity to enjoy the scene from my truck as the boat requiring the drawbridge opening, which is the one in the river in the image, went from full stop to slow and then through the opening. 

It seemed as if it took an eternity for the drawbridge to finally close and the road reopen.

Unexpected waiting feels like an eternity. Yet the other day while in line to check out of a store, a woman in front of me who had a lot of merchandise told me that if I was in a hurry I could go in front of her. I replied without thinking, "no it's OK, I'm retired and I have no place I need to be." 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Hump Day Again

Jupiter Lighthouse from Square Grouper
Jupiter, FL
March 21, 2022

I realized that it is Hump Day! Some of the day designations that I used to employ have become lost as every day is becoming like the day before. I am having the time of my life enjoying the new schedule and not being tied to a job. 

I am free! I worked over 40 years to get to this point and I want to tell everyone that so far, retirement is everything I dreamed it would be. 

Monday is a designated go out for Happy Hour evening. Our favorite watering hole is the Square Grouper across the Loxahatchee River from the famous Jupiter Lighthouse. We enjoyed another spectacular evening on Monday.

And now its is already mid-week and Hump Day. My how time flies!

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Image of the Week

 

Sawfish Bay Park Dock
Jupiter, FL
March 20, 2022
(Image by Chris)

Chris and I take a lot of images during the course of a week. Most remain on our phones or computers and are rarely viewed again. Fortunately, with automatic tagging we know where and when the image was taken, but when I review through old images sometimes the reason the image was collected becomes forgotten. 

We are always searching for the best image of something, which is why I may take another image every time I visit--like of the ocean. It is different every day and I appreciate that difference. 

Chris took this image on Sunday, while we were at Sawfish Bay Park, of the dock--but it is so much more. It captures the mood, the day, the waters of the Loxahatchee River and the sky. I like the way the dock brings the viewer into the picture. 

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon complete with memories of pelicans, a turtle, herons, and boating activity in the river. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 21, 2022

 

1. This is the third Monday of March 2022 and the first full day of Springtime! There are 40 Mondays remaining in the year. Use them wisely, the best part of the year is beginning. 

Green Turtle
Sawfish Bay Park, Jupiter, FL
March 20, 2022
(Photo by Chris)

2. Last evening, Chris and I went to a different place to enjoy Happy Hour. We sat on a nice park bench and watched the birds come and go over Sawfish Bay Park in Jupiter. It was very enjoyable and far away from the Sunday afternoon crowds at the other beaches--not that there are too many people, but the ocean side was too cool and everyone was enjoying the first day of Spring at the intracoastal waterway beaches. While there we watched a small green turtle feasting upon the remains of a kingfish and Chris got some really nice images. 

3. Read the following from the Washington Post item about John Bolton referenced below: Former national security adviser John Bolton told The Washington Post Friday that he thinks former president Donald Trump would have pulled the United States out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization had he been reelected in 2020. My thoughts: had the U.S. pulled out of NATO would Putin have been able to invade Ukraine sooner while the countryside was suitable for armored warfare?  Would the Ukrainians have been able to get an unlimited supply of Javelin missiles to thwart the Russian armored advances? Did Trump promise Putin Ukraine? Inquiring minds want to know.

4. Fun fact--the President does not set oil prices--the world market does. Check out Oil Pricing for more info. 

5. I realized yesterday that my return to Maryland is only a few weeks away. I am looking forward to summer in Maryland and personal family interactions through the summer.  

6. Today in History. March 21, 1965. In the name of African American voting rights, 3,200 civil rights demonstrators in Alabama, led by Martin Luther King Jr., begin a historic march from Selma to Montgomery, the state’s capital. Federalized Alabama National Guardsmen and FBI agents were on hand to provide safe passage for the march, which twice had been turned back by Alabama state police at Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Zelensky tells CNN he's open to negotiations with Putin, but if they fail it 'would mean that this is a third world war' - CNN

Airliner carrying 132 people crashes in southern China, state media says - CNN

Bolton says Trump might have pulled the U.S. out of NATO if he had been reelected - The Washington Post

Senate to begin Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearing - The Washington Post

Putin’s war propaganda becomes ‘patriotic’ lessons in Russian schools - The Washington Post

Ukraine Rejects Russian Ultimatum on Embattled Mariupol - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Sends Patriot Missiles to Saudi Arabia, Fulfilling Urgent Request - The Wall Street Journal

Wheat prices soar on Ukraine fears, but U.S. growers can't cash in - Reuters

Saudi not responsible for any oil shortage after Houthi attacks,  - Reuters

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thomas in hospital for infection, article with video - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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