Doing my Civic Duty

 I have been called to Jury Duty in Palm Beach County.

I cannot believe it, I only just earlier this year obtained a drivers license and registered to vote. How can my my Jury number come up already?

The only time during my almost 22 years in Maryland I received notices for Jury Duty, I was not required to report. 

Not so--I actually have to report to the court house in West Palm Beach this morning at 8 AM in business attire. I guess that means no shorts or sandals. 

I haven't worn socks in months, except when I play golf! Maybe sandals are acceptable business attire in Florida--I am going to find out. I haven't worn long pants since April! That is going to be an experience.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 26, 2022

 

1. Happy Monday. It is the fourth and final Monday of September. There are just 13 Mondays remaining in 2022.

2. Hurricane Ian is setting its sights on Northern Florida and, fortunately, our little pierce of heaven remains out of the cone of uncertainty. We will still receive 4-6 inches of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. But, the winds will not be excessive topping out at about 30 mph. 

3. Family NFL Football Results:

    Cowboys (1-1) play Giants (2-0) this evening.

    Ravens (2-1) defeat Patriots (1-2), 37-26

    Commanders (1-2) lose to Eagles (3-0), 8-24

    Steelers (1-2) lost to Browns (2-1), 17-29 (Thursday night)

    Dolphins (3-0) defeat Bills (2-1), 21-19

4. With the major collapse in the 11th inning yesterday to Houston, the Orioles effectively eliminated themselves from playoff contention. I only wish that Seattle and Tampa would stop losing, thereby, keeping our ever growing slimmer playoff hopes alive. 

5. Personal political opinion. I have been reading much about the flying of legally in the United States asylum seekers by Governor DeSantis to Martha's Vineyard. It appears to me to be a misappropriation of Florida tax dollars. The money was appropriated to deal with illegal immigrants in Florida. DeSantis went to Texas and transported the asylum seekers to Florida before flying them from Florida to Martha's Vineyard. See background at: The Washington PostMysteries, legal peril follow DeSantis's migrant flight

6. Makayla had a rough night. Both Chris and I were up at different times attending to her needs and taking her outside. It was much like having a baby in the house again. Not fun!

7. Check out the last headlines entry. Isn't it just like Iran to blame the U.S. for trying to overthrow the regime through the women's protests they are experiencing?

8. Today in History. September 26, 1960. For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, met in a Chicago studio to discuss U.S. domestic matters.

Kennedy emerged the apparent winner from this first of four televised debates, partly owing to his greater ease before the camera than Nixon, who, unlike Kennedy, seemed nervous and declined to wear makeup. Nixon fared better in the second and third debates, and on October 21 the candidates met to discuss foreign affairs in their fourth and final debate. Less than three weeks later, on November 8, Kennedy won 49.7 percent of the popular vote in one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history, surpassing by a fraction the 49.6 percent received by his Republican opponent.

Pound Hits Record Low Against Dollar - The Wall Street Journal

Ukrainian Forces Push East of Kupyansk, Expanding Offensive - The Wall Street Journal

DeSantis Re-Election Campaign Focuses on Florida GOP Base - The Wall Street Journal

Breaking At least 7 children among dead after gunman opens fire at school in Russia - CNN

US warnings against Putin's nuclear threats mark a sobering moment - CNN

NASA spacecraft will reveal first look at asteroid, then slam into it - CNN

NASA calls off Artemis 1 moon rocket launch on Sept. 27 due to Tropical Storm Ian - Space.com

Oil prices fall for a second day on recession fears - Reuters

In China, home buyers occupy their 'rotting', unfinished properties - Reuters

Iran says U.S. trying to use unrest to undermine it, warns of response - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Our of the Cone of Uncertainty

 Tropical Storm, and soon to be hurricane, Ian has been generating a lot of interest here in South Florida as the cone of uncertainty fell squarely overtop of the area. 

As of this morning, actually late last evening, the cone of uncertainty no longer includes Tequesta. As the storm drifts westward and landfall northward, my area of Florida has moved outside of the cone. I am very excited about the prospect of not having to endure a hurricane. Sadly, it appears that northern Florida is going to get slammed with a major hurricane with winds in excess of 110 MPH. 

Thank-you for the concern that many have expressed. And also the good advice. I look at preparing for a hurricane much like preparing for a major blizzard in the northeast. Plan for power outages, inability to move on the highways, and being isolated. The difference in a hurricane is that the winds are incredibly dangerous and the water can become a flood. Our house is equipped with hurricane shutters and we laid-in drinking water and some extra food supplies. Our big failing here is that we are totally electric and are not allowed to have a gas grill, which is what our plan was back in Baltimore to facilitate boiling water and, if necessary, cook. We are not even allowed a charcoal grill because we cannot store starter fluid, but I am going to rethink that for the future. I believe for emergencies we need a reliable heat source. 

Chris and I, and our entire community for that matter, remain wary and continue watching the storm track.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Moving on to New Adventures

 

6155 Rainbow Drive
Elkridge, MD
November 11, 2015

It was a significant Friday. 

Chris and I had been looking forward to this day for well over a month because it was settlement day on our Maryland house. 

According to reports, it went smoothly, although with a 4 PM start time it was not over until almost 6 PM. There were only a few questions on some of the unique items we had deployed in the house that they noticed during the walk through. As we had signed our portion on Tuesday afternoon, we were not directly involved in the settlement. 

In all, we owned our little pot of gold at the end of Rainbow Drive for 21 years, 6 months, and 23 days. I know there is a lot of sadness in my family that we sold the house which was a great home--but, sometimes holding too tightly to the past prevents us from moving on to new adventures. 

The memories of all of the good times, parties, Happy Hours, fire pit evenings, celebrations, reunions, and dinners on the screened porch with friends, family, and co-workers will remain. 

Our best to the new owners, may they have many years of happiness and enjoyment at the end of Rainbow and the house is once again transformed into a home!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 

Changing it Up!

 

Chris in the 10th Fairway
Jupiter Dunes, Jupiter, FL
September 22, 2022

Instead of a long bike ride yesterday, Chris suggested a round of golf!

Wow, I had not even unpacked our golf clubs yet from their travel cases, but I readily agreed. There is a par 3 golf course near the house and it is a good place to work on the short game and get an 18-hole round of golf payed in about two-and-a-half hours. 

I called the course and it was reported wide open. This course does not issue Tee times--it is a show up and play in order. 

We took our push carts and enjoyed a pleasant round of golf. I may have set a record for lost golf balls--initially I was awful losing six balls on the first four holes. I settled down after that by diagnosing my swing problem and actually over the next 14 holes only lost two more balls while carding a string of three pars in a row and playing mostly bogey golf--as I am a bit worse than a bogey golfer, I was pretty happy with that improvement. I guess I need to golf more than once every three months.

Chris did much better. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Riding the Circuit

 

15 mile Ride
Tequesta and Jupiter, FL
September 21, 2022

With the biking that I have been doing, I have developed a basic route from which I can take branches and sequels to increase both the distance and the enjoyment of the ride. The basic circuit is about 8 miles from our home around Tequesta.

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
September 21, 2022

Yesterday, Chris and I went for a ride and I determined to push Chris a bit by accomplishing a 15 mile ride. She completed an 11 mile ride on Tuesday and I wanted to push her just a bit more. That was easily done by adding a stretch on what is called Island Way, which is a long connecting street which remains mostly undeveloped and provides a nice ride. 

Chris was game and in the end we enjoyed a nice ride and she accomplished her longest ride to date. I was as pleased as she was to complete the trek. 

I am looking to push her more and get her into the 20 mile range soon so we can do even more difficult rides and she has the necessary confidence to complete them. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Feeling the Stress Evaporate

Across the Sand
Jupiter Island, FL
September 20, 2022

Chris and I made it to the beach last evening to enjoy some solitary time and Happy Hour. I noticed that as I crested the top of the sand upon which the mighty Atlantic was crashing waves and stood looking at the waves that the stress of the past few days melted away. It was magical.

Yesterday was a busy. We started at the Palm Beach County Tax Collector's office registering the Highlander and cutting our last ties to Maryland Department of Transportation. We no longer have vehicles registered in Maryland. We had a 9:15 AM appointment and were happy to be out of there with everything complete and new license plate in hand by about 10 AM. Not too bad, all-in-all.

Then I had more stuff to relocate to the storage room, which is getting full. We have, as best as I can compute, about 400 cubic feet of storage. I believe we have about 300 cubic feet already stored. Of course, there is no way to use all of the space--but as you might suspect--places to put new stuff are becoming hard to find.

The afternoon was taken with an appointment to sign the settlement papers on the house. That process went smoothly, but was long and I have to admit there are some really weird questions and, without the aid of a lawyer, more than a couple were hard to interpret. The notary was very pleasant and we all enjoyed some of Chris's newly baked banana bread upon completion of the signing. I watched the notary scan the signed documents for review on a very cool high speed scanner. I mean, wow--42 pages scanned in about one minute. Chris made a point of noting that while the machine was really neat, I don't need one. LOL. That doesn't mean I don't want one!

And so, after a busy and emotional day, standing there on the sand with the ocean crashing just a few feet away, I could feel all of the stress leave my body and I was refreshed!

I need to do this more often.

-- Bob Doan,. Tequesta, FL

Monday Evening Happy Hour

Jupiter Lighthouse
From the Square Grouper, Jupiter, FL
September 19, 2022

 It was a welcome Monday afternoon Happy Hour at one of our favorite watering holes in Jupiter, the Square Grouper. The Grouper is situated along the Loxahatchee River and on a beautiful afternoon it is blessed with a nice breeze and the outdoor tables are shaded by tall palm trees. 

We met our friends for an afternoon adult beverage, or two, and great conversation along the river at The Grouper. I was unable to tarry for long as I had a board meeting at 6 PM. Sadly, the one-hour scheduled meeting lasted almost two hours!

The weather was much less humid yesterday than it has been, although I spent most of the day in front of the television watching the State Funeral for Queen Elizabeth--and when I say most of the day I mean the day began before 5 AM and continued into the afternoon. It was quite an historic event to watch. As a result, I did not make it out for my usual bike ride. And I probably will not ride today as we have an early morning appointment to register our only remaining Maryland-plated car in Florida. 

Busy days!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, MD

Monday Musings - September 19, 2022

 

1. The third Monday of September has arrived! There are only 14 Mondays remaining in 2022.

2. I got up early this morning to watch Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. 

3. Family Football Results. It was not a good week for most of the family's teams. Interestingly, they all are now 1-1.

   Ravens (1-1) lost to Dolphins (2-0), 38-42

   Commanders (1-1) lost to Lions (1-1), 26-37

   Steelers (1-1) lost to Patriots (1-1), 14-17

. . . and the bright spot of the week with a stunning last minute field goal

   Cowboys (1-1) defeat Bengals (0-2), 20-17

Rail to Nowhere
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2022

4. Tracks to nowhere. Building an additional rail line at an intersection near my house seems to have run amok. The tracks crossing the road connect to nowhere. They are supposed to be in support of a new passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando. A lot of track has been laid, but there seems to be something missing at this intersection.

5. Lazy weekends are the best. I was able to watch two complete football games yesterday and enjoy some relaxing time. I did get some work done in the garage. I found a way to mount the bikes to the wall, which clears some floor space for other uses. It was tough tripping over the bikes all of the time. I still feel as if we are getting 15 pounds of potatoes into a 10 pound bag. There remain more containers to relocate to storage. \

6. Today in History. On September 19, 1957, the United States detonates a 1.7-kiloton nuclear weapon in an underground tunnel at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), a 1,375-square-mile research center located 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The test, known as Rainier, was the first fully contained underground detonation and produced no radioactive fallout. A modified W-25 warhead weighing 218 pounds and measuring 25.7 inches in diameter and 17.4 inches in length was used for the test. Rainier was part of a series of 29 nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons safety tests known as Operation Plumbbob that were conducted at the NTS between May 28, 1957, and October 7, 1957.

live updates The Queen's state funeral is underway in the majestic surroundings of Westminster Abbey - CNN

Analysis: Winter is fast approaching in Ukraine. Here's what comes next for the conflict - CNN

Hurricane Fiona hits Dominican Republic, leaves heavy rain, flooding and power outages behind in Puerto Rico - CNN

Biden says U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion - Reuters

Russia says ready for U.S. prisoner swap talks but scolds embassy - Reuters

Shelling of Donetsk city kills 13 - Russian-backed separatist mayor - Reuters

Stock Futures Fall as Investors Eye Federal Reserve - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Return-to-Office Rates Hit a Pandemic High - The Wall Street Journal

Putin’s Energy War With Europe Seems to Falter - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Learning About Tomorrow

 I learned a lesson about tomorrow, yesterday. Yes, I learned it when yesterday was today and today was tomorrow.

Possible New End Table
Stuart, FL
September 17, 2022

Chris and I had a busy day. We were able to sneak out for a short 9 mile bike ride in between rainstorms that got the kinks out. We also took time to drive 22 miles to a furniture store in Stuart, FL. We are beginning the next phase of updating the living room from the furniture that came with the house to something different with more of a coastal theme. 

Maravilla Positioning
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2022

Then, we decided to join friends on the beach for Happy Hour, but due to the impending storms (which never arrived) we met at our house for the evening. It was an awesome evening of wine and talking and pizza! I even received some much needed assistance in where to hang one of my favorite fine art prints which we brought from Maryland--The Maravilla by John Kelly. 

Because of the time we spent on those endeavors, I was unable to complete some of the projects that I had scheduled. I began to get stressed about the failure. 

Then, it dawned upon me that since I am retired, I have tomorrow. Duh!

So, I will be doing yesterday's projects today. (or is it tomorrow?)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL