Decorating for Christmas in South Florida

 

Poinsettias in the Garden
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2022

It has been since I went to college at the University of Miami during the mid-1970s that I have lived in South Florida during the Christmas season. 

I have always enjoyed the Christmas light-wrapped palm trees, but this year I have noticed a different outdoor decorating aspect: poinsettias!

The poinsettias are everywhere in gardens. They are primarily used as border color, like impatiens and pansies are used during other seasons. They are stunning because of the bright red color.

And because I grew up in the north I always thought poinsettias were strictly indoors plants--of course I did; freezing temperatures kill them.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friends

Finnegan and Riordin Together
Tequesta, FL
December 6, 2022

 

I love the line from Ghostbusters where the end of time is being described and the character played by Bill Murray says: "Dogs and cats living together."

Actually, dogs and cats can live together and even thrive and like each other. 

Case in point, shortly after our new sofa arrived Finnegan and Riordin napped together. They were trying out the new sofa for sleep-ability. It passed the test. 

Finnegan has been growing into his new role as the primary dog in the house. With Makayla's passing he went from auxiliary dog to primary dog and I have noticed that is behavior has changed. He is more affectionate towards me. 

I can't believe that it is Friday again already. Christmas is creeping up on us.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

New Furniture - Unveiled

The New Living Room
Tequesta, FL
December 8, 2022

It arrived the other day--our new furniture.

The gray sectional sofa that I dubbed the Great Wall of China is gone! When fully together, the three pieces were exactly 10 feet long! I sold it in one day on Facebook Marketplace. I was happy to see it go to a nice young couple because it was in very good condition and only lightly used.

Accent Chair
Tequesta, FL
December 8, 2022

The new furniture opens the room, displaces the former darkness, and the sofa is a reclining sofa that took over two months to receive. We also bought a new carpet and an accent chair. 

I believe that we are finally achieving the Coastal look that we desire for the house. 

It guess the delivery was an early Christmas gift. It was the reason we returned from Baltimore after Thanksgiving. And it was worth it. We get a chance to get the arrangement just right.

I wonder what we will do today?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back to the Beach

Arriving on Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter Island, FL
December 6, 2022

 We felt we just had to go to the beach last evening to enjoy Happy Hour. And we were not disappointed. 

It was a beautiful evening with the sun setting and the moon rising over the ocean amidst the reverse sunset. 

Moon over the Atlantic
Jupiter Island, FL
December 6, 2022

The temperature was a moderate 79 degrees and the winds were light. There were a couple drones flying over the beach, reminding me that I have not flown Radio Flyer in a few months. I guess I will have to charge the batteries and get it out for a flight.

The moonrise was beautiful to watch as it cleared the clouds and the colors of the reverse sunset deepened. 

Chris and I along with a friend enjoyed talking, watching the osprey, and listening to the crashing of the waves on the beach. It is, after all, why we moved to Florida. 

The sunsets here are beginning before 5:30 PM and continue for about 30 minutes. In some respects the reverse sunset is almost as fun to enjoy as looking west into the setting sun. The color palette is more subdued.

Here's hoping for another great sunset tonight!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

50 Degrees

Frost on the Grass, Ice on the Pond
Odenton, MD
December 5, 2022

 

It was a successful travel day. 

The temperature in Odenton was 26 degrees when we woke. A heavy frost covered the land and the water in the holding pond had a thin layer of ice. In a word, it was cold. The sky was clear and the day dawned bright.

The hardest part about travel days is the waiting. We waited to go to the airport, we waited at the airport to board our plane, we waited on the plane to depart, we waited for our luggage after arriving, and we waited for our transportation. 

Finnegan at the Window
BWI Airport
December 5, 2022

Finnegan, however, was fantastic. He was very interested in the luggage loading process going on outside of our cabin window as we waited for departure from BWI. The scheduled 2 hour 25 minute flight was reduced to 1 hour and 50 minutes--which was very nice. When I added all of the waiting time and compared it against the actual flying time, we waited longer than we actually flew. But it was still much less than the 15 hours it takes to drive.

It was good to get back home, although we miss our family and friends in Maryland. We are receiving furniture today that we have waited literally months to arrive. And we are going to enjoy 2 weeks of warmth before returning to Maryland for Christmas. 

Polar Express Wreck
Tequesta, FL
December 5, 2022

Upon arriving home we discovered that there had been a train wreck while we were away. The Polar Express under our Christmas tree was on its side and the track was apart. A serious incident occurred and I attributed it to our robot vacuum, which I had started the night before our arrival. I cleaned the wreck and added some protection around the Polar Express. This morning it was fine and the vacuum had completed it appointed cleaning during the night.

When we walked Finnegan last evening the temperature was 76 degrees. Although it was cool, it was not cold and I noted that it was 50 degrees warmed at the end of the day than when we had begun the day. What a difference a few hundred miles makes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 5, 2022

 

1. Welcome to the first Monday of December. There are three Mondays remaining in the year. Important safety tip--Christmas is 20 days away! Ho, Ho, Ho!

2. Family weekend NFL Report. It was a wild weekend in the NFL for family teams which went 3-0-1.

  Ravens (8-4) defeat Broncos (3-9), 10-9

  Commanders (7-5-1) tie Giants (7-4-1), 20-20

  Steelers (5-7) defeat Falcons (5-8), 19-16

  Cowboys (9-3) destroy  Colts (4-8-1), 54-19

Finnegan Sleeping in a Suitcase
Odenton, MD
December 4, 2022

3. Today is a travel day. Chris and I are headed home to Tequesta. Finnegan saw us packing and decided to nap in the suitcase so we would not forget him. If was kinda funny. He is getting to fly with us! Riordin has been alone in the house with neighbors and friends taking care of him, hopefully he forgives us for  being left behind when we get home.

4. I have noticed that allowed speed on highways have seemingly increased. It use to be that 10 MPH was allowed, but recently I have become to believe that 15 MPH is being allowed by most jurisdictions. And in some places there seems to be no speed limit at all.

5. It is nice to have had a respite from political campaigning. I had grown tired of the political advertisements on the television and in my email. The final piece of the 2022 Mid-term election will be decided in Georgia tomorrow.

6. Today in History. At 2:10 p.m. on December 5, 1945, five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 take off from the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-hour training mission. After having completed their objective, Flight 19 was scheduled to take them due east for an additional 67 miles, then turn north for 73 miles, and back to the air station after that, totaling a distance of 120 miles. They never returned.

Two hours after the flight began, the leader of the squadron, who had been flying in the area for more than six months, reported that his compass and backup compass had failed and that his position was unknown. The other planes experienced similar instrument malfunctions. Radio facilities on land were contacted to find the location of the lost squadron, but none were successful. After two more hours of confused messages from the fliers, a distorted radio transmission from the squadron leader was heard at 6:20 p.m., apparently calling for his men to prepare to ditch their aircraft simultaneously because of lack of fuel.

Dow Shines as Rates Squeeze Tech Stocks Elsewhere - The Wall Street Journal

Billions in Covid Aid Went to Hospitals That Didn’t Need It - The Wall Street journal

In Georgia, Midterm Turnout and Blank Ballots Might Reveal Who Has the Edge - The Wall Street Journal

Tampa police chief placed on leave after flashing badge during traffic stop  - CNN

New dinosaur species discovered in Gobi Desert - CNN

Iran says hijab law is under review, as state media dismisses claims feared morality police has been abolished - CNN

Russia will not export oil subject to Western price cap, deputy prime minister says - Reuters

Magnitude 6.7 quake strikes off Hihifo, Tonga - Reuters

Inflation may be peaking, but doubts emerge about its decline - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Annapolis to Rohrersville

Main Street Annapolis on a Christmas Shopping Saturday
Annapolis, MD
December 3, 2022

 

Although the day started with rain, it developed into a very nice December day with clear skies and a high of around 60 degrees. 

Being the Christmas season, shopping was on the agenda for the early afternoon after suffering through the USMNT 1-3 loss to The Netherlands. It was a good run, but we were all hoping for more. 

Heading off to Annapolis, we were able to actually find parking, which was free thanks to the business association, and stroll the streets looking for the perfect gifts. The rain stopped and the skies began to clear while we were in Annapolis. Many businesses were decorating for the season and we enjoyed lunch at a local shop. 

Chris and Sue Walking to Big Cork
Rohrersville, MD
December 3, 2022

We could not remain long in Annapolis because we had an evening engagement at our favorite Maryland winery. Yes, after Annapolis we drove west to Rohrersville for a fun evening at Big Cork Vineyards.

It was the case club night! We had selected our holiday wines and there was a party with the members of the Case Club filled with food and wine to both celebrate the season and the wines. We had great fun with our friends George and Sue along with the staff at the vineyard. It resulted in another late night where we enjoyed the company of friends along with great wines. that is the best kind of evening. 

What a day!

Today? It is football and packing day. We return to Florida tomorrow for a few weeks before returning to celebrate Christmas. I hope the weather is favorable!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Friday in Maryland

Apps at Lures
Crownsville, MD
December 2, 2022

 Friday marks the end of the workweek, except that I am retired and so standard evening Happy Hour celebration is not so exciting as it once was. But, yesterday was a special day in which I enjoyed two events.

I was able to attend a going away luncheon for a former colleague and catch up on the news of the workplace while reacquainting with those still serving to defend the nation. It was good to see everyone still going to work every day and also a number of those of us who have retired.

Following that, Chris and I headed off to Happy Hour at Lures in Crownsville for a great evening with Nicole and Mike who have been graciously hosting us these past two weeks. The time passed quickly while we were there and we had a very enjoyable Happy Hour and dinner.

And now Saturday has arrived and of course I will be watching the USMNT play the Netherlands this morning in the round of 16 at the World Cup! The expectation is that the US team will be out matched, but as they say that is why we play the game. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Frost on the Vehicles

Frost Out the Back Window
Glen Burnie, MD
December 2, 2022

The heavy frost covering the ground and vehicles this morning reminded me that it is December and I am still in Maryland. It is cold this morning not just below freezing, but really below freezing. My watch is showing 27 degrees. 

The sky is clear and that, of course, contributed to the cold. 

We stayed with Patrick and Jen after attending a Bourbon and Beer gathering at their community center last evening. There was an assortment of wines also present and we interacted with community residents. 

Well, it is Friday. The weekend is at hand!

There is another huge soccer match tomorrow at the World Cup and I am hopeful that the USMNT can overcome the Dutch. I am encouraged after Croatia played Belgium to a draw yesterday sending the number 2 ranked team in the world home! Tomorrow's match, however, cannot end in a draw! One team has to win. 

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Fire in the Sky

 

Sunset in the East
Odenton, MD
November 30, 2022

Last evening, after a dark and dreary day, we were treated to a classic fire in the sky sunset. 

Looking east was where the real scene was built. The sunset to the west was bright and deep, but the east is where the reflection off the clouds was most exciting. 

It was a visually stimulating way to close out the month of November. 

And with that, December has arrived. The dark month is here and daylight is waning daily towards the Winter Solstice. The temperatures are becoming colder as well. But, there is still beauty to be seen and appreciated. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD