Checking out the new Starbuck's

Finnegan with Pup-cup
Tequesta, FL
October 2, 2023

We were supposed to be on a plane this morning headed to Baltimore. 

We're not!

It's a long story that needn't be told, except to say that complications arose at the last minute forcing me to reschedule the reason for the early October trip. We will miss seeing the family and friends with whom we had planned to visit. 

Yesterday, Chris and I enjoyed our first visit to the brand new Starbuck's Coffee, which is located all of about 500 feet from our home. 

We are not Starbuck's fans, but we needed to check the place out. Finnegan had already visited the new coffee shop while we were on our Alaskan adventure. He definitely enjoyed the pup-cup they provided for him. 

We enjoyed the visit, but it will likely not be a regular thing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - October 2, 2023

 

1. It is the first Monday of October. There are 5 Mondays this month and there are but 12 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Congratulations to the Orioles for completing a magical season and having the best record in the American League (101-61). I was not too amused by the Spring Training quality of the game yesterday, but they are now off for 5 days. 

3. Retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff made one of the most eloquent statements ever made about the motivation and allegiance of the U.S. military when he said the following at his retirement ceremony: 

“You see, we in uniform are unique…among the world's armies. We are unique among the world’s militaries. We don’t take an oath to a country. We don’t take an oath to a tribe. We don’t take an oath to a religion. We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We don’t take an oath to an individual. 

“We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we’re willing to die to protect it.… (Letters from an American)

Rain at the Market
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
October 1, 2023

4. Chris and I went to the first open air market of the season yesterday. The only problem was that the rain also accompanied us. We had only been there a short time when a driving rain began. We huddled under one of the vendors' tents for a while, hoping the rain would end, but it did not and we finally decided to call it a rainout and departed. 

5. Family NFL Football report. It was another mixed day for the family teams with two winning and two losing. The Dolphins are included since they preclude me from watching the Ravens on TV most Sundays and so I am forced to enjoy, or not, their games.  

     Ravens (3-1) smoked the Browns (2-2), 28-3

    Commanders (2-2) narrowly lost to Eagles (4-0), 31-34

    Cowboys (3-1) rode past Patriots (1-3), 38-3

    Steelers (2-2) got roped by Texans (2-2), 6-30

    Dolphins (3-1) were trampled by Bills (3-1), 20-48

6. Today in History. 

On October 2, 1985, actor Rock Hudson, 59, becomes the first major U.S. celebrity to die of complications from AIDS. Hudson’s death raised public awareness of the epidemic, which until that time had been ignored by many in the mainstream as a “gay plague.”

Hudson, born Leroy Harold Scherer Jr., on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, was a Hollywood heartthrob whose career in movies and TV spanned nearly three decades. With leading-man good looks, Hudson starred in numerous dramas and romantic comedies in the 1950s and 60s, including Magnificent Obsession, Giant and Pillow Talk. In the 1970s, he found success on the small screen with such series as McMillan and Wife. To protect his macho image, Hudson’s off-screen life as a gay man was kept secret from the public.

 McCarthy's plight presents Democrats with a dilemma and an opportunity - CNN

Russian forces target Kherson with heavy shelling - CNN

Japan puts the brakes on lucrative used-car trade with Russia - Reuters

Attacked by Trump, New York judge to weigh ex-president's fraud case - Reuters

Temperatures in Spain shatter records as October kicks off with heatwave - Reuters

North Korea blames US for 'grave terrorist' act against Cuban embassy - Reuters

Americans Still Spend Like There’s No Tomorrow - The Wall Street Journal

How Ukraine Tricks Russia Into Wasting Ammunition - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy New Fiscal Year!

For the Federal Government it is the beginning of the new fiscal year AND another government shutdown was narrowly avoided. 

So it is a Happy New Year!

Well, for at least 45 days until the continuing resolution (CR) expires. 

I remember the government shutdown and furlough planning that I was involved in while I was a government employee. I always felt that it was unnecessarily wasteful and demonstrated that the congress had failed to accomplish one of their most basic constitutional duties: to fund the government. 

I was happy to see the bipartisan support for the resolution both in the House and Senate. 

I was disturbed by the stripping out of Ukraine funding to attempt to appease the MAGA Republicans. It is clear that the Republican Party is no longer the Party of Reagan. A vote against Ukraine funding is a vote for Russian aggression and for Putin. It is that simple.

I have written my Representative, Brian Mast, who voted against the CR and does not approve Ukraine funding to express my displeasure on both issues.

The issue of funding for Ukraine is not a small one. Former Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) noted that it was on September 30, 1938, that British prime minister Neville Chamberlain announced he would not stand in the way of Adolf Hitler’s annexation of the Sudentenland, a key move in Hitler’s rise. “Members of the House and Senate who are voting to deny Ukraine assistance on the 85th anniversary of Neville Chamberlain’s 1938 “peace in our time” speech should read some history,” she wrote. “Appeasement didn’t work then. It won’t work now.” (Letters from an American)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Before the Storms

Chris in the Bow
Manatee Pocket, Port Salerno, FL
September 29, 2023

Storms have filled the afternoons and evening every day this past week. Most days have been gray and overcast, but we got lucky yesterday because the morning was more Florida-like: the sky was blue and the sun was hot. 

Chris and I were lucky because I had reserved a boat after cancelling our usual Wednesday reservation due to storms. We decided that, based upon the best weather forecasting available, we would be able to enjoy some boating in the morning if we returned to the marina by about 2 PM.

It was a beautiful day as we boarded Sea Bean, our 21 foot Cobra dual console deck-boat, and headed out. We were introduced to the effects of the King Tides--the dock was about 2 inches underwater. A King Tide is an exceptionally high tide--and this one definitely was and we were heading out right about high tide. The downside? Well, one of the beaches that I enjoy most was underwater and there was nowhere to beach the boat. So we spent some time looking for an entry, but another boater had placed their boat blocking the walking path to the ocean from the intracoastal waterway and there was not a spot to anchor and be able to carry our chairs and beach items to walk the 100 or so feet to the ocean. There was no beach!

We decided to head out towards the St Lucie Inlet and anchor on one of the beaches there. The sandbar, we figured, was likely totally submerged. We enjoyed a short time on the beach, but the small flies were overpowering and we decided to go exploring and traveled up the St Lucie River and into the North Fork. I had planned on exploring some of the smaller parts of the river, but we began to see bad weather building and decided to return the boat to the marina earlier than planned. 

It was, however, a great morning and we were able to salvage outdoors activity during what turned out to be the best part of the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Magic 100

 Last evening the Orioles clinched the American League East Division for the 10th time in the history of the team. 

It was a hard fought game with the O's winning 2-0. 

There remain three games in the season, but the Orioles faithful can take a deep breath knowing that the team has made a statement to the baseball world--from worst to first in two years!

Reportedly yesterday the O's also signed a new 30 year deal to remain at OPACY! 

With the win last evening the Orioles get to skip the Wild Card round of the playoffs and so their first playoff game will be Saturday, October 7th. At OPACY.

I am going to take the day to celebrate!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

One--it is the Magic Number!

 With four games remaining in the Orioles regular season, they begin a series against the Boston Red Sox at home tonight. 

The team's Magic Number is 1. 

That means the Orioles need 1 win or 1 Tampa loss during the remaining games of the season to claim the AL East Division AND the best record in the entire American League for the season. 

And remember, two years ago the Orioles lost 110 games during the season. This year they will, hopefully, win 100 games or more! Their record is currently is 99-59.

Tampa is off tonight and a win by the Orioles gives them the division and first place for the playoffs.

The celebration could begin as early as tonight at OPACY. (Orioles Park at Camden Yards)

Do not expect the Red Sox to roll over and allow the Orioles to win. There is history between the teams in that the Orioles helped to prevent the Red Sox from making the playoffs at the end of the 2011 season by winning 3 of the last 4 games and thereby allowing Tampa to make the playoffs. That season ending series win meant the Red Sox finished 90-72 and suffered through the 2011 Boston Red Sox September Collapse.

The Red Sox will be sending one of their best and most experienced pitchers, Chris Sale, to battle the Orioles tonight. It will not be a cakewalk!   

This year marks the first season since 1966 when neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox made the playoffs--this excludes 1994 when there were no playoffs. 

Should the Orioles notch their 100th victory, it will only be the 6th time in their history that the team has won that many games in a season!

American League East Standings
Including Games through September 27, 2023

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Completing the Day

 

Thanks to all who wished me a Happy Birthday. I appreciated hearing from you.

Looking Alongside the Boathouse
Stuart, FL
September 26, 2023

Today was supposed to be a boating day, but given the morning rain and thunderstorms, I had the good sense, with some prodding form both Chris and the marina, to cancel the outing. Ugh. I love boating. 

Continuing on that theme, last evening, to complete the celebration, Chris and I along with friends enjoyed dinner at the Boathouse in Stuart. It was a great Happy hour and dinner. We were supposed to be outside, but the passing thunderstorms moved us inside and we enjoyed sitting at a corner table surrounded on two sides by windows looking out at the water. 

After dinner, we came back to the house for birthday pie, Key Lime of course, and drinks. It was the perfect ending for a great birthday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Reflections

 I guess I am going go introspective today--it being my birthday and all. 

What a very unexpected year it has been since my last birthday. 

Chris and I completed our first full year living in Florida full-time at the beginning of September. What a year it has been punctuated with joy and sadness! The separation from family has been challenging. But living in Florida has been everything that I had hoped it would be--and that includes going to the beach almost whenever I want to go.

Horseback Riding
Saint Anne, Jamaica
November 9, 2022

Highlights:

 - Travel: 

  -- Caribbean cruise on Holland America in November

  -- Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean in January

  -- Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean in August-September

  -- Weekend in Key West during October

  -- Spring Training Trip

  -- Visiting Charlottesville, VA

Graduation Day
Odenton, MD
June 6, 2023

 - Family:
  -- Ethan, graduated High School and is off to college.

  -- Jax made the JV baseball team

  -- Lucas became a smart 8th grader!

  -- Patrick got married to Jen, a wonderful woman and companion, that was during the January cruise

  -- We visited Dad in Houston

  --  We enjoyed the holidays in Maryland with our family and friends

 - Recreation:

  -- We joined a boat club

  -- We went to a few concerts

  -- I biked over 2,000 miles

  -- Chris got a bike and we bike a lot together

  -- We bought new furniture for the living room

  -- We played golf a lot

  -- We saw fireworks on the 4th of July

  -- We survived multiple hurricanes

Alaskan Cruise
Juneau, Alaska
September 1, 2023

Difficult things:

  -- Jodie passed during July

  -- Makayla, my dog of 14 years, passed during October

  -- Riordin, my cat of 14 years, passed earlier this month

  -- Dad was hospitalized twice--but is doing great

 

I am not sure what the next year will bring, but I am thankful for family, friends, and the health to enjoy being retired. I hope we can all continue the ride.

Be well!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 25, 2023

 

1. It is the last Monday of September! Ugh. The month is almost gone. Summer is gone, Autumn has arrived and there are only 13 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Orioles Magic Number is 3

2. Even though Sunday has become football time, the Orioles magic number is down to 3 to clinch the AL East AND first place in the American League! Clinching first place assures the Orioles of a first round bye in the playoffs. There will be October baseball in Baltimore!

3. Family NFL Report. It was a difficult weekend in the NFL for most of the family teams who had some definite problems. 

    Ravens (2-1) were trampled by the Colts (2-1), 19-22

    Commanders (2-1) were buffaloed by Bills (2-1), 3-37

    Cowboys (2-1) were shot down by the Cardinals (1-2), 16-28

    Steelers (2-1) bested Raiders (1-2), 23-18 

    Dolphins (3-0) obliterated Broncos (0-3), 70-20

4. Failure to understand and respect the Constitution is becoming rampant among vocal Republicans. I read that a Republican Representative, Paul Gosar wrote about retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley, "In a better society, quislings like the strange sodomy-promoting General Milley would be hung. He had one boss: President Trump . . . " (This Week with Paul Gosar) The fact is that Milley's bosses are the American people and his loyalty is to the Constitution, not to any one person. And, btw, his use of the word quisling is totally incorrect as the United States is not occupied by an enemy force. 

5. The sun is shining at this moment. I am feeling a bike ride about to happen. 

6. Today in History. Under escort from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, nine Black students enter all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 25, 1957. Three weeks earlier, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus had surrounded the school with National Guard troops to prevent its federal court-ordered racial integration. After a tense standoff, President Dwight D. Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sent 1,000 army paratroopers to Little Rock to enforce the court order.

On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka that racial segregation in educational facilities was unconstitutional. Five days later, the Little Rock School Board issued a statement saying it would comply with the decision when the Supreme Court outlined the method and time frame in which desegregation should be implemented.

Russian children as young as 7 are getting military training - CNN

6 people dead, including 3 children, after a train hit an SUV, Florida sheriff says - CNN

A sample from an asteroid that may be on a collision course with Earth has landed in the US - CNN

Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenians start to leave en masse for Armenia - Reuters

North Korea says cooperation with Russia 'natural' for neighbours - Reuters

US government shutdown: What is it and who would be affected? - Reuters

McCarthy Takes Final Shot at Avoiding Shutdown - The Wall Street Journal

How U.S. ATACMS Missiles Could Help Push Ukraine Back Into Crimea - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Danger Lurks There

Caution Sign
Weston Lakes, TX
September 22, 2023

 Walking around the Weston Lakes community was an enjoyable experience. The houses are opulent and the lawns, for the most part, are immaculate. 

But, we noticed that in some places when the facade is peeled back that real danger lurks right in people's backyards. 

Alligators!

We had Finn on a very short leash at this point. We did not want him to become alligator bait! But I was astounded at how close the houses and lawns were situated to the alligator infested bayou. 

Of course, here is Florida alligators are a fact of life, but who knew that an hour outside of Houston alligators were also causing problems?

Danger lurking in the back yard!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta ,FL