Christmas in the Village

With the Tequesta Christmas Tree
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2023

 The Village of Tequesta, our hometown, sponsored a Christmas with Santa event last evening. We decided to head over about 6:30 PM, after dinner, to enjoy the festivities. 

The event was well attended with throngs of children enjoying the carousel and other activities. The lines for some of the free activities were very long. But the nice warm evening and the smell of funnel cake made the event a lot of fun, if only for about a half hour. 

It was free fun and the event was only for Tequesta residents--we were asked our address as we entered the area. 

Santa, of course, was there seated in the pavilion and being visited by throngs of adoring children. It was a fun evening and we retired to the house, with friends, to continue the evening over a bottle, or two, of wine.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Open to Opportunities

Rainy Skies over Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
December 9, 2023

 The rain that is falling this morning definitely put a damper on my plans. 

I had panned a 15-mile ride through a local park. But not in the rain. Biking in the rain is just, in a word, miserable!

Last evening, Chris and I enjoyed happy hour at Cooper's Hawk and met a really nice couple that bought our dinner! Wow! When was the last time that happened? We engaged in very wide-ranging discussions about almost everything--including sports, kids, religion and politics. It was great because there were just some places where we agreed to disagree, but did it in a respectful and friendly manner. That is how it is supposed to be. We wound up spending the entire evening with them after meeting them at the tasting bar about 4 PM. 

It is funny how things happen if we are just open to the opportunities.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

December Friday--A Rising Darkness

The end of the workweek brings respite for many.

I think I need a rest as well. It has been a busy week between biking and boating. I have ridden over 44 miles already this week--I had a light ride of only 12 miles on Tuesday and boating on Wednesday meant no ride. 

The weather at least will turn warmer for the weekend here. 

I ran across the following statement during my morning reading and thought I would pass it along for thoughts:

Ultimately, the struggle between fascism and democracy was the question of equality. Were all men really created equal as the Declaration of Independence said, or were some born to lead the rest, whom they held subservient to their will? (Letters from an American)

I was appalled the other morning to see that a former president admitted that he would be a dictator--even if only for one day. That totally ignores the Constitution. Also, hearing his henchmen openly say that they would go after the news media and journalists who didn't to report things the way they wanted is a direct violation off the 1st Amendment. 

There is darkness rising in America.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It's Cold--but on the Boat

Jupiter Lighthouse
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 6, 2023

It is Pearl Harbor Day.

Yesterday was a cold morning, but it was a boating day. Due to the expected cold temperatures, I delayed our usual 9 AM pick-up until 10 AM. Still, the temperature was in the low 60s and we were wearing coats as we motored out of the marina. 

US-1, Federal Highway Bridge Construction
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 6, 2023

Despite the temperature and the wind, it was a beautiful day with a near crystal sky above and blue water beneath us as we headed south in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). The Jupiter Lighthouse was radiant in the sunlight as we motored by on our way south, ultimately to Lake Worth.

Along the way we enjoyed looking at the boats, houses, mansions, and Christmas decorations. It would be awesome to motor the ICW at night to enjoy the lights, but my boat club does not allow nighttime boating. 

I also had the chance to check out the US-1 Federal Highway bridge construction. The work is moving along and the plan is for one lane to be open each way by next November! I certainly hope so. 

Seasons 52
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
December 6, 2023

We stopped for lunch at Seasons 52. It was my first time teeing up at a dock other than one owned by the club. We did really well getting the boat to the dock and tied up even with the stiff wind and strong current. It was a great lunch sitting outside under cover and out of the wind but watching the boat bob in the water.  

Looking to the Jupiter Inlet
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 6, 2023

All too soon, we were off again and headed for our home marina.

I wish the good times could never end, but I am sure I would not appreciate them as much in that case. After motoring for about 45 minutes we were in the familiar waters of the ICW in Jupiter and after passing by the US-1 bridge construction we had an unobstructed view of the Jupiter Inlet and the ocean beyond. The water was very blue due to the clear sky and the rising tide which was bringing relatively clear seawater into the ICW.  We made a left turn shortly after I took this image to continue along the ICW and a short ride later and we were safely back in the marina and heading out for the remainder of our day. 

I have to admit, the wind was strong making the day seem a lot colder motoring north rather than south. Going south we had the wind to our backs and we were traveling about a fast as the wind--so it felt like there was no wind and we enjoyed the bright sunshine. But once we started back north--we felt the 60 degree wind its speed doubled by our motion across the water. 

Another great day on the water!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

St Nicholas Day 2023

Christmas Pyramid
Tequesta, FL
December 6. 2023

Happy St Nicholas Day! Did you leave your boots clean and neat outside your door for St Nicholas to fill with candy and chocolates? 

Last evening, in advance of St Nicholas Day, we lit one of our Christmas Pyramids! Two German-made smokers were standing guard.

The pyramids recount the Christmas Story and the candles make the pyramid turn so the story progresses and repeats.

We have four pyramids that we have collected over the years. That is a bit excessive. The one we enjoyed last evening is the largest. We purchased it in Rothenburg, Germany, at the factory store. 

We enjoyed the patterns of the fan blades on the ceiling as the pyramid turned. And of course there may have been a glass of wine, or two, involved. 

Christmas traditions and decorations help remind me of people, places, and things I have seen.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Train Went By . . .

 

Brightline Train
Tequesta and N. Old Dixie Highway
Tequesta, FL
December 4, 2023

How can you tell? 

I can see the tracks!

Chris and I did a short 12-mile ride yesterday, but managed to sit at a crossing to wait for the Brightline to pass. It is exciting to have the Brightline passenger train zoom by at 60 mph and be gone in less than a minute as opposed to waiting for the lumbering freight trains that also pass through our village a couple times per day. They last, it seems, forever as they move long lines of freight-laden cars along the tracks. 

I learned a lesson about my iPhone while trying to video the train. The video will not work when the cell is on! Chris and I establish a cell connection when we bike to stay in communication and chat. I did not know that I could not be on the cell and use the video feature at the same time. 

Lesson learned. 

I at least managed to get a few images of the train as it whooshed past.

And then we rode off across the tracks as the train rolled across the drawbridge just down the way. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 4, 2023

 

1. Welcome to the first Monday of the last month of the year. There are three Mondays remaining in the year and, well, Christmas is three weeks away.

2. Family NFL Report. It was a rough week for the family teams with only one win. 

Cowboys (9-3) out-dueled Seattle (6-6), 41-35

Commanders (4-9) were drowned by Dolphins (9-3), 45-15

Steelers (7-5) got pooped on by Cardinals (3-10), 10-24

Ravens (9-3) had the week off (thankfully)

Egret on Post
Tequesta, FL
November 9, 2023

3. Riding through Tequesta and across the bridges, we often see birds perched. The other day, this egret stood out against the green background.

4. I must report that my bike now has over 3,000 miles on it. I crossed that threshold on Saturday during a 23 mile ride. Who knew that I could ride that far in almost two years without really trying. 

5.  I have been watching Christmas movies--they almost invariably have happy endings. I wonder if that really translates to real life. 

6. Today in History. On December 4, 1991, Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity.

As chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, Anderson covered the long-running civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990). On March 16, 1985, he was kidnapped on a west Beirut street while leaving a tennis court. His captors took him to the southern suburbs of the city, where he was held prisoner in an underground dungeon for the next six-and-a-half years.

Anderson was one of 92 foreigners (including 17 Americans) abducted during Lebanon’s bitter civil war. The kidnappings were linked to Hezbollah, or the Party of God, a militant Shiite Muslim organization formed in 1982 in reaction to Israel’s military presence in Lebanon. They seized several Americans, including Anderson, soon after Kuwaiti courts jailed 17 Shiites found guilty of bombing the American and French embassies there in 1983. Hezbollah in Lebanon received financial and spiritual support from Iran.

Israel kills top Hamas commander, IDF says - CNN

Turmoil at pro-DeSantis super PAC hits at critical moment - CNN

Trump is showing how a second term would rewrite the rules of presidential power - CNN

Western start-ups seek to break China's grip on rare earths refining - Reuters

Morning Bid: Buoyant markets hold near year's highs - Reuters

White House says it is nearly out of money to help Ukraine fight war with Russia - Reuters

South Korea flies solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Boat Parade 2023

 

Holiday Sailboat
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 2, 2023

I love a parade!

Last evening we did something really different. We walked to the Alternate A1A Loxahatchee River Bridge, which has a great view of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and watched a holiday boat parade. 

Yes--it was after dark. 

Santa and Flamingos
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 2, 2023

The parade was on the ICW and was preceded by a fireworks barge. The boats in the parade were brightly lit and decorated for the holiday season.

There were hundreds of other people crammed onto the narrow walkway of the bridge watching the brightly lighted boats along with us. One of the boats had Santa being pulled along by flamingos instead of reindeer. 

We were at the end of the parade as the boats went past us and turned around to head home just out of our sight past the US-1 Federal Highway Bridge which is being reconstructed. 

Boats passing 
ICW, Jupiter, FL
December 2, 2023

After a while, there were brightly lighted boats passing both ways in the ICW and it was fun to watch. 

We walked the 1.5 miles to the bridge and back to avoid trying to park where there are few spots. It was an enjoyable nighttime walk and we were surprised at the lack of streetlights and suitable sidewalks along the streets. But, we arrived back home after the parade without injury and having enjoyed the evening festivities. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Yup, the Weekend!

Poinsettias Decorating the Grocery Store
Tequesta, FL
November 9, 2023

Christmas Cactus
Tequesta, FL
December 2, 2023

 Well Saturday has arrived yet once again. 

It is weird because I remember distinctly that last Saturday we were sleeping off the effects of Black Friday and a great family Happy Hour. 

Today, I am back in the warmth of South Florida planning a 20-mile bike ride in the sun leaving in about an hour. 

But, we have decorated the house and the Christmas cactus is even in bloom! I also love the poinsettias that have been planted through out the communities providing a bright entry into the season. 

It is that time of year, I guess. 

I am glad and hope that we can all just enjoy the season without too much drama. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Season Arrived

Happy December! Overnight November because history and December arrived. 

The Tree and Snow Village
Tequesta, FL
December 1, 2023

The tree is up and the decorations, over 10 boxes of them, have been displayed. We are in full Christmas mode here.

The tree is up, the decorations are in place and all that remains are to bring out the Christmas dishes and return the containers to the storage room until they are needed in January to repack the decorations and hold them until next December. 

It is a process. 

But, it brings a cheer to the house. 

I just noticed that I have not yet laid the track for the Polar Express around the base of the tree. Oops! And the sandpipers and fake plant atop the display case still need to be changed out. 

So much for being done!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL