Monday Musings - July 10, 2023

 

1. Welcome to another version of Monday Musings. It is the second Monday of July and there are 24 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. The heat is oppressive across much of the country. It is limiting outdoors activity. 

Palms Against the Storm
Tequesta, FL
July 8, 2023

3. I managed a 17-mile bike ride yesterday, but I actually was planning on 23 but shortened it about 4 miles due to the heat which became very concerning. I really felt the heat exhaustion setting in about 1030 and decided to truncate the trek. Fortunately I was riding a loop and was able to take out a 3 mile section of my ride. Wow, it was hot. 

4. Palms against the storm. Evening thunderstorms continue across South Florida. The other evening as the storms approached, Chris and I went outside and the palms across from us were beautiful against the storm darkened sky. So, I took an image. 

5. How about those Orioles? As we are at the All Star break, the Orioles have the third best record in all of baseball.  They have been playing solid and exciting baseball. Let's hope the second half of the season is a much fun as the first half! Just as an aside, the Orioles have won two more games during the 2023 campaign than they did during the entire 2021 season!

6. Today in History. July 10, 1925: In Dayton, Tennessee, the so-called Scopes Monkey Trialbegins with John Thomas Scopes, a young high school science teacher, accused of teaching evolution in violation of a Tennessee state law.

The law, which had been passed in March, made it a misdemeanor punishable by fine to “teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.” With local businessman George Rappleyea, Scopes had conspired to get charged with this violation, and after his arrest the pair enlisted the aid of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to organize a defense. Hearing of this coordinated attack on Christian fundamentalism, William Jennings Bryan, the three-time Democratic presidential candidate and a fundamentalist hero, volunteered to assist the prosecution. Soon after, the great attorney Clarence Darrow agreed to join the ACLU in the defense, and the stage was set for one of the most famous trials in U.S. history.

Kremlin says Wagner chief met with Putin after attempted rebellion - CNN

‘Not what it was’: House Freedom Caucus wrestles with its future amid split over tactics and Trump - CNN

China’s factory gate prices fall at fastest pace in 7 years - CNN

America Is Wrapped in Miles of Toxic Lead Cables - The Wall Street Journal

Disney World Hasn’t Felt This Empty in Years - The Wall Street Journal

Europe faces long wait for weight-loss drugs as governments eye costs - Reuters

North Korea warns it may shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cat Saga

Riordin Sleeping
Tequesta, FL
March 9, 2023

 Riordin, our tabby cat, is beginning to show his geriatric side. 

Apparently, after yesterday's $300 visit to the vet he is being diagnosed with asthma. At least that is one possible explanation for his coughing fits. Although, the vet did put him on antibiotics for some unspecified reason. 

The Gang of Three
Finn, Makayla, and Riordin
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022

Riordin is one of the two surviving members of the gang of three, Makayla, Riordin, and Finnegan, with Finnegan being the youngest. Makayla passed during October, an event which traumatized me. I may have PTSD from it.

We will see where it goes, but geriatric cats generally do not get better although we can support him and hopefully keep him from getting worse. I was encouraged when the vet weighed him and he had not lost anymore weight. 

It seems there is always something happening.

We will have to see where this goes.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Blocking the Way

 

Sand Hill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
July 6, 2023
Photo by Chris

Blockers!

That is what they sometimes become.

Sand Hill Cranes are big birds standing about 3 to 4 feet tall. They make a very disturbing sound, like what I imagine a pterodactyl would make. Fortunately, they are generally sedate birds, except when guarding a golf ball on a course. 

Chris and I came across two of the birds during our bike ride on Thursday. They meandered across the road and were effective blockers. 

I actually enjoy looking at the birds due to their size. I would never eat to disturb them as they seem more than capably of defending themselves and inflicting damage upon anyone who would attack them. 

It was fin to get excited about wildlife other than the tortoises, rabbits, and squirrels that we typically see during our rides. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Watching the Neighbor's Cat

Tigger and Chris
Tequesta, FL
July 4, 2023

 It is more than fair. 

We need people to watch Riordin when we travel and we can help our neighbors by watching their cat when they travel!

The cat, Tigger! He is a beautiful animal and I enjoy going over to feed and play with him twice per day. I am not as enthused about changing his litter box, but that is a necessity. 

Tigger loves to play. He also has a great purr motor and turns it on when he is held. I know that as the time goes on he is going to become more lonely and we will need to spend additional time with him. Fortunately, he is a short walk away. 

More fun to come, I am sure.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Beating the Heat

Bridge Road Drawbridge
Hobe Sound, FL
July 5, 2023

 Chris and I have discovered one almost sure-fire way to beat the oppressive heat which has been holding South Florida hostage for the past few weeks: boating!

The stress index has been running 105-112 degrees for the past few days. 

Yesterday, Finnegan has a grooming appointment and Chris and I decided that since we were going to be in the area anyway that we would check out a boat and spend time on the water. The day was perfect for boating with just a light breeze and nearly glassy smooth water. We enjoyed the intracoastal waterway (ICW) and stopped by our favorite beach for a few minutes. I noted that boating on weekdays is much preferable to weekends given that very often we are the only boat on the ICW. 

We have our favorite boat now, Sea Bean, which is a Cobia 220 dual console. Sea Bean is new. It only had 15 hours on the engine when we departed the Marina yesterday and we put about 3 of those hours on it last week. 

When the groomer called that Finnegan was complete, we were about an hour away from the marina. They agreed to kennel Finn for a couple hours and we were able to spend some time on a northern Jupiter Island Atlantic Ocean beach which is part of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve. 

I was a bit sad when we arrived back at the marina earlier than planned, but we had an enjoyable 3 hours escaping the heat of the day while enjoying the water.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Through the Palms

Roger Dean Stadium
Abacoa, FL
July 4, 2023

 A fantastic 4th of July was observed!

Chris and I spent the day together, hiding out from the oppressive heat and enjoying a two-day movie marathon which included watching both Independence Day movies and The Music Man! Now there is a combination. We also conducted a Zoom-call with the family.

There must be trouble right here in River City!

Actually no trouble, but we headed out last evening to Abacoa and the Roger Dean Baseball Stadium to enjoy a long and exciting fireworks display with a few thousand fellow residents. The city was hosting g a huge party, but we stayed on the periphery. Chris and I were positioned perfectly that two tall palms framed the fireworks. We enjoyed a classic 4th of July dinner of ribs before heading out. We timed the event perfectly arriving about 5 minutes before the fireworks began. Parking was awful--but we were able to smoothly escape from the crowd after the show was over. 

The trip home from Abacoa was highlighted by fireworks everywhere. I think I found a new place to watch fireworks, however. From atop the Alternate A1A bridge looking both ways along the Loxahatchee River. There were still people there as we were driving home.

It was fun to make new traditions!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 

Fire up the 4th

Final Fireworks
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2022

Celebrate the 4th of July.

It is Independence Day.

I wish I could write that we are doing something exciting, but we are not. We are just chillin' in Florida.

Here is hoping that you and yours are having a stunning holiday and are not trapped either in an airport or on a highway.

Here are some Independence Day thoughts:

And on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

The men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, pledged their “Lives, [their] Fortunes and [their] sacred Honor” to defend the idea of human equality. Ever since then, Americans have sacrificed their own fortunes, honor, and even their lives, for that principle. Lincoln reminded Civil War Americans of those sacrifices when he urged the people of his era to “take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

(Letters from an American)

We must be on guard for those who would rewrite these words for their own personal gain and usurp the cause of freedom transforming it into a weapon rather than an unalienable right. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 3, 2023 Independence Weekend Edition

 

1. Welcome to the first Monday of July. July has five Mondays this year and there are 25 Mondays remaining in the year. 

For today, I decided to focus upon Thomas Jefferson, one of the men directly responsible for this Republic and our independence. 

2. "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." - U.S. Declaration of Independence

3. The only birthday I ever commemorate is that of our Independence, the Fourth of July." - Thomas Jefferson

4. The kind invitation I recieve from you on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of the 50th anniversary of American independance; as one of the surviving signers of an instrument, pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable accompaniment proposal for the comfort of such a journey. it adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicings of that day. ... I should indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there, congratulations personally, with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us, on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make, for our country, between submission, or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact that our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made. ... for ourselves let the annual return of this day, for ever refresh our recollections of these rights and an undiminished devotion to them." (Jefferson to Roger Weightman

5. "The fourth of July, the epoch of American independence, is a day when the heart of every American must glow with pride and gratitude. No village, however sequestered, no citizen, however obscure, forgets the celebration of the anniversary of his country's liberty! Through all the land, from the shores of the Atlantic to our mountain-tops, the sounds of gratulation are heard; the roar of cannon, and the peal of bells, announce the auspicious morn, and people of every rank hasten with their festive offerings round the altar of liberty." (Thomas Jefferson)

Have a Happy and Healthy 4th

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Middle of the Holiday

 

Final 4th Celebration
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2022

I am hoping that most of my friends and family are taking the opportunity for a mid-year time out and enjoying a four-day Independence Day holiday weekend!

“We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.” —Will Rogers

It is a bittersweet holiday weekend this year as I look back on the great image that a neighbor took of our final fireworks display held in Elkridge last year.  Family and friends gathered on the lawn, as we had done for many many years, and enjoyed the sounds of music, compliments of Patrick, to the launching of fireworks. It was a perfect space to enjoy the holiday. 

This year we are not going to be together and there is no backyard from which to launch the fireworks. I wonder what the old neighborhood and our friends will be doing? We miss them all. 

But, we must look forward to the new opportunities. Looking backward is like playing a video that can never change.

But it was fun!

Just a holiday note below to six of the justices on the Supreme Court:

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” —John F. Kennedy

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Chased off the Beach

Chris and Mary in the Ocean
Jupiter Island, FL
June 30, 2023

Yesterday was the last day of the first half of the year! Along with four friends, Chris and I determined to make yesterday a beach day. We have been enjoying the beautiful, but changeable, South Florida weather and wanted to enjoy some beach time.

We arrived with friends at the beach about 11 AM, but already to the south the storms were forming. Usually the storms arrive during the mid-to-late afternoon, but yesterday, sadly, they started forming during the late morning. 

Storm Clouds Forming 
Jupiter Island, FL
June 30, 2023

We set up our camp on the deserted beach. Yes, during the summertime in South Florida their care many beaches which can be considered deserted. There were no other beachgoers within a mile of us on this sandy ocean beach. The tide was low and we were able to access a sand bar and walk a couple hundred yards out into the gentle surf. The water was a very pleasant at roughly 85 degrees and we were planning for a full day beach excursion having brought sufficient food and water to support us. 

It was not to be. 

The storms formed to our south and wrapped around behind us to the west. As we had arrived at the beach via boat, I did not want to get caught on the open water while motoring about an hour back to the marina. So, sadly, we left our private beach and began the journey back to the marina. Towards the end of our trip the open water of the Saint Lucie river began to get very choppy and I was happy that we departed earlier than we had planned. 

Were we actually chased off the beach? In point of fact no. It is not like the rains were beating down upon us with lightening and thunder, but the storms did seem to be closing in and we chose to depart upon our terms rather than letting driving winds and rain force our departure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL