From the end of the Dock

Bay Nettle Jellyfish at Ram's Head Dockside
Glen Burnie, MD
July 19, 2023

 Last evening, Chris and I joined Patrick and Jen at a local tavern on Marley Creek for happy hour. We arrived a bit late and were only able to enjoy the last half-hour of happy hour, but we more than made up for it by getting our food and drink orders in quickly.

The tavern is on the creek and has a dock for boaters to motor-up and tie-up. Being a Wednesday, it was not very crowded, which was good. Patrick and I walked out onto the dock and were looking into the water marveling at the bounty of fish which were present. And then, off the end of the dock, I spied one of the most interesting jellyfish that I have seen. Its tentacles were very long and it was leisurely making its way through the water. 

It was a warm, but not excessively humid evening and it was enjoyable, just watching the jellyfish swim in the sill waters of the creek. I was very happy that I have never run into a jellyfish with tentacles a long when snorkeling or swimming. 

Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Is there a Plan?

 

Following the news can be both humorous and frustrating.

As I watch one of the two major political parties in our country implode, it has become clear that democracy is on the line.

The allegations that the Department of Justice and law enforcement have become weaponized are the first step in destroying the rule of law in our country. And that the Speaker of the House immediately jumped on the bandwagon to condemn the "target" letter that was issued without reviewing the allegations and evidence show just how low the party of Lincoln is willing to stoop.

I find some of the statements coming out of members of the party humorous, such as the statement (in yellow below) by Marjorie Taylor Green:

“I approve this message.”

Joe Biden’s Twitter account put that line over an ad using the words of Georgia Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Turning Points Action Conference speech from last weekend, in which she set out to tear down the president’s policies but ended up making him sound terrific. 

The description she intended to be derogatory—that Biden “had the largest public investment in social infrastructure and environmental programs that is actually finishing what FDR started, that LBJ expanded on”—was such an argument in Biden’s favor that the Biden-Harris campaign used it to advertise what the Democratic administration stands for: “[p]rograms to address education, medical care, urban problems, rural poverty, transportation, Medicare, Medicaid, labor unions.” (Letters from an American)

Apparently, except for chaos and deception, there is no plan. The attacks on Women's Rights, the LGBTQ+ community, voting rights, and military readiness continue unabated by the party's members and apparently are condoned by leadership.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Smoke Fills the Air

Clear Gray Sky
Waugh Chapel, MD
July 17, 2023

 Canadian wildfire smoke is again filling the skies in Maryland. 

The days are hazy with a hint of smoke on the nose. The clear sky is not blue, but gray. It is not pretty to look at and there is a fuzzy band around the sun.

The smoke really puts a damper on an otherwise bright and sunny day. It would be overcast--except not the sky is clear of clouds.

Yesterday was a hot day. Humid. And filled with smoke.

The sky was just eerie in its grayness.I longed for blue and imagined how the sky used to be.

We seem to be confronted with airborne problems whether it is the Canadian wildfire smoke or in Florida the Saharan dust.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - July 17, 2023

 

1. And it is here. The third Monday of July is upon us whether we are ready for it or not. There are 23 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. The Orioles continue to roll! Remember the commanding lead in the Divvies that the Tampa Rays had? Well, it is down to one game! Go O's. They have two series sweeps in their last two series following a split with the Yankees. 

3. Air travel in America has become a game of chance. The weather coupled with airline mismanagement seem to be the primary problems. Yesterday, our flight from West Palm Beach to Baltimore was late getting away from the gate because people cannot seem to understand how to get onboard an aircraft. Despite that, we arrived in Baltimore 10 minutes early only to wait almost 40 minutes for a gate so we could deplane. We have friends who were trying to fly from New Haven to West Palm Beach yesterday. Their flight was canceled and apparently they cannot be rescheduled until Friday. What gives?

4. Anyone else notice hot hot it is? Are we enjoying the Dog Days of Summer?

5. Today in History. Disneyland, Walt Disney’s metropolis of nostalgia, fantasy and futurism, opens on July 17, 1955. The $17 million theme park was built on 160 acres of former orange groves in Anaheim, California, and soon brought in staggering profits. Today, Disneyland hosts more than 18 million visitors a year, who spend close to $3 billion.

Walt Disney, born in Chicago in 1901, worked as a commercial artist before setting up a small studio in Los Angeles to produce animated cartoons. In 1928, his short film Steamboat Willy, starring the character “Mickey Mouse,” was a national sensation. It was the first animated film to use sound, and Disney provided the voice for Mickey. From there on, Disney cartoons were in heavy demand, but the company struggled financially because of Disney’s insistence on ever-improving artistic and technical quality. His first feature-length cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938), took three years to complete and was a great commercial success.

A family was driving to a Pennsylvania barbecue when they got stuck in flash flooding. The mother has been found dead, and 2 of the children vanished - CNN

Moscow halts grain deal after bridge to Crimea struck - Reuters

Global temperatures near record highs as US, China meet on climate - Reuters

Berlin aims to have "best equipped" NATO army division in Europe in 2025 - Reuters

China’s Fading Recovery Tests Its Policy Playbook - The Wall Street Journal

Europeans Are Becoming Poorer. ‘Yes, We’re All Worse Off.’ - The Wall Street Journal

The U.S.-Made Missile System Defending Ukraine’s Skies - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Travel Day

 If it is Sunday, I must be on the road. Well, or in the air as the case may be. 

We are winging our way north today. We have little expectation of escaping the oppressive heat, however the mornings could be a bit more enjoyable based upon the forecast. 

It is going to be hot everywhere. The temperatures are very close. However, by next week it appears a cooling trend will begin in Maryland that will not be replicated in Florida. 

We all just need to learn how to live in a hot climate, apparently. 

As for a travel day, well with rain on both ends of the trip expected, we are likely going to get wet and have a bumpy ride. 

And that seems to be the best that we can hope for. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thunderstorm Watching

Chris and Finn on the Porch
Tequesta, FL
July 15, 2023

 I hope everyone celebrated wildly for Bastille Day last evening. 

We really didn't do much--the mood just wasn't there to go out and blow things up to celebrate on of the most famous jailbreaks in the history of the world. 

So we didn't.

Today we are watching the thunderstorms roll through in advance of flying to Maryland tomorrow. Chris and Finnegan enjoyed time in the highest and humidity on the porch. But, they made a nice pose. 

And the thunder rolls--to quote a song.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stupid Driver Nearly Killed me!

Chairs on the Beach
Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno, FL
July 12, 2023

 I was nearing there end of a 17-mile bike ride yesterday and preparing to turn onto my street when a white van aggressively pulled into the crosswalk forcing me to lay my bike down to avoid being stuck.

It really sucks when that happens.

I have scrapes on my knee and arm, but no other damage. 

The chain fell off the sprockets and cassette of my bike, but I was able to get it put back in place to continue riding the short 2-tenths of a mile home. 

I was legally in a crosswalk, yes bikers can use the crosswalks in Florida and abide by pedestrian rules, when the van just pulled up to the intersection. It really sucked. I have clip-in biking shoes and while I always take may left foot out when stopping is imminent, I needed my right foot and I forgot to twist to release the snaps when trying to balance the bike. 

Down I went.

I guess I need to spend more time in my beach chair and less time trying to stay in good physical condition.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Finding Calm Amid the Upheaval of Life

North Jupiter Island Beach, FL
July 12, 2023

 It is amazing how many things have to be done when someone dies--especially unexpectedly. 

Chris and I appreciate all the outpouring of concern, support, and prayers. She was very close to her sister and they had made many plans for the future, once Jodie retired. 

We went to a happy place yesterday to escape, for a few hours, the weight of everything. There is something cathartic about sitting on a deserted beach listening to the sound of the waves washing up onto the sand. Chris actually found a few moments of peace as fixed our gaze looking off into the distance where the ocean and the sky meet. We were the only ones on the beach for the majority of the time we spent there, just sitting under an umbrella in our beach chairs. I told Chris to put her phone away, as I had done, to find a few moments of peace and to attempt to right the world which had gone askew. 

And the waves continued to gently wash up onto the beach. 

We started to depart more than once before we actually packed up our gear and headed off the beach walking down the trail that transported us back to the real world. But we were thankful for the respite.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Shock and Grief

Jodie Meyers

 It is with overwhelming sadness that I report the passing of Chris's sister, Jodie, on Monday. Her passing was sudden and unexpected.

I am writing this because many of our friends my not have yet heard of her passing. 

Chris and Jodie were very close. We had visited with Jodie most recently during our visit to Maryland during early June. Chris last spoke with her the day before she passed. 

Our hearts are broken and we are filled with grief and disbelief. 

Memorial service plans are incomplete, but will likely occur during mid-August in conjunction with the annual golf tournament established in memory her son Troy who passed during 2014 from complications associated with cancer treatment. Jodie resided in Ithaca, NY, with her husband Matt, and son Trevar. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday Tattles

 

Well, the All Star Break is underway in MLB. Last evening's Home run Derby saw an Orioles participant, Adley Rutschman, who did a great job. I think he might have done better had both he and his Dad, who was pitching, not watched the blasts off the bat and were able together a few more balls into play.

B-1, B-2, B-52

A note on the Marine Corps today:

For the first time since 1859, the Marine Corps does not have a confirmed commandant. For five months, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has held up the confirmation of about 250 Pentagon officers in protest of the Defense Department’s policy of enabling military personnel to travel to obtain abortion care. So when Commandant General David Berger retired today, there was no confirmed commandant to replace him. Assistant Commandant General Eric Smith will serve as the acting commandant until the Senate once again takes up military confirmations. 

That a Republican is undermining the military belies the party’s traditional claim to be stronger on military issues than the Democrats. So does the attack of House Republicans on our nation’s key law enforcement entities—the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation—after traditionally insisting their party works to defend “law and order.”  (Letters form an American)

And I thought Republicans supported the military?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL