A Watchful Eye

Finn on the Bed
Tequesta, FL
December 13, 2023

Finn, sometimes, just keeps an eye on the activity occurring around him. I think he just likes to keep track of our activity to assess whether he is about to be left alone on the house or not.

Often, he perches on the back of the sofa. That allows him the ability to monitor activity across the entire first floor as well as the entry and, if the shades are open, the approach to the house.

Generally, there is some amount of activity for him to monitor. Usually, however, he decides that he needs to be part of what is happening and then he gets underfoot. 

All-in-all, he is great company around the house. And I know he is looking forward to our upcoming roadtrip! How do I know? He keeps positioning himself atop the items we are preparing to pack.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Christmas Shopping

 

Central Area
Gardens Mall, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
December 14, 2023

Chris and I did something really different yesterday. We went Christmas shopping at the local mall. I have to admit, I have not been in a mall to shop for Christmas in a long while. Not long enough, however.

It was weird. 

Actually we went to check out a Christmas gift for me--I actually needed hands-on to ensure that I both liked the item and to get the correct size and examine some of the other options. Since it is a Christmas gift and I'm not supposed to know about it, I won't write anymore than to indicate that I am very excited about receiving this gift.

Not everything can be done on-line. Sadly.

I was amazed at the mall and its festive decorations. Fortunately, most other holiday shoppers were at home, at work, at school, or on-line and so the mall was not too busy.

But the decorations were stunning. I felt sorry for Santa who was sitting alone in the middle of all that opulence. I did not even see an eager elf assistant when we walked by. 

I also didn't hear a cheery Ho-Ho-Ho!

And I survived Christmas shopping at the mall!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ineffective and Dangerous

 

Have you written to your congressional representative to express your ire at the lack of activity on meaningful critical issues?

I have!

Not that it helped. 

It is frightening that while important bills pertaining to the economy and supporting our allies are languishing that the Republican-controlled House decided to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Biden. I guess they are too busy taking direction from a twice-impeached, sex offender, criminal, megalomaniac former president who has also committed treason and incited an insurrection?

One writer puts it this way:

In a day that was chock full of political stories in which Republicans were launching attacks on Democrats, Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) made a key point. “We have not passed an emergency supplemental, a Farm Bill, or regular Appropriations,” he said. “The story is not what they are doing. The story is what they are not doing.”  

Schatz was referring to specific, vital measures that are not getting through Congress: the outstanding funding bill for aid to Ukraine and Israel, border security, and humanitarian aid for Gaza; the Farm Bill, which governs the nation’s agricultural and food assistance programs and needs to be renewed every five years; and the regular appropriations bills that Congress must pass and that House extremists tossed out former speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) over because they wanted deep cuts that he had agreed with President Joe Biden not to make.  (Letters from an American) (Highlighting mine)

I did not receive a reply from my Republican representative. I did not expect one. 

We are living with what we elected. Make a note to change that.

Oh yes, with so many important issues waiting for action what are our representatives doing? They are going on vacation! Nice optic.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Relative Calm

 I know that I am enjoying the relative calm before the storm. 

A few deep breaths and some relaxation because the holiday rush begins in earnest next Monday as we depart for Maryland and the frozen northlands. 

My drive weather forecaster is showing about a 40 percent chance of rain for almost the entire trip. Those would be the lime green dots on the map at the right. Hopefully the weather will improve between now and then. We are planning a stopover in Fayetteville, NC, which will be followed by a short jaunt the next day to being us into Odenton and miss D.C. rush hour traffic. 

The app I am using, and have used very successfully in the past, is Drive Weather. I use it to avoid snow, ice, and torrential rains. 

Once we arrive back in Maryland it will be great to be with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. There is so much that will need to be done to finalize the preps--but that, after all, is what the season is about. 

So I'm taking a pause, well also because we are getting thunderstorms today, and getting ready for the fun to begin. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It's Relative

 

Cold is a relative thing. 

It seemed cold here yesterday with a morning temperature of 63 degrees as I headed out for my ride. I thought that I had properly prepared for the cold by wearing a long sleeve shirt, rather than my usual short sleeve riding shirts. 

I even waited to start later than normal, hoping that the temperature would improve.

It didn't. 

With the cold wind, I knew the ride was doomed right from the start. I could not keep my core warm and so, after about two miles of being cold I decided to head home. The 4.1 miles yesterday was my shortest ride in a very long time, but, on the good side of the ledger, the ride put me across 100 miles for the month. 

I never even crossed my favorite bridge in Tequesta. 

I am going to have to dress warmer for these low 60- and high 50-degree days. I remember last year it didn't seem so bad, but cold is relative. Given the wind and the humidity 60s cam feel refreshing or frigid. 

Next week when we are in Maryland, I will be longing for 60-degree days.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta ,FL

Monday Musings - December 11, 2023

 

1. Welcome to the second Monday of December. Scary thought--there are two Mondays remaining in the year AND Christmas is exactly two weeks away. 

2. Family NFL Report. It was a winning week for the family teams which posted a 2-1 record. Two of the family teams are sporting 10-3 records and sit atop their divisions!

Cowboys (10-3) soundly defeated Eagles (10-3), 33-13

Commanders (4-9) were on a BYE

Steelers (7-6) could not overcome Patriots (3-10), 18-21

Ravens (10-3) ran past Rams (6-7), 37-31

3. I do not understand why Congress is not ensuring that Ukraine has the money and equipment they need to fight the war. Ukraine is not asking Americans to shed blood for them--I think the following quote from our heroic President says it all: “History’s going to judge harshly those who turn their back on freedom’s cause,” Biden said earlier this month. “We can’t let Putin win.”

4. There is no place for hate. 

5. Sometimes doing the right thing is hard. 

6. Today in History. December 11, 1936. After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII becomes the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. He chose to abdicate after the British government, public, and the Church of England condemned his decision to marry the American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson. On the evening of December 11, he gave a radio address in which he explained, “I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of king, as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.” On December 12, his younger brother, the duke of York, was proclaimed King George VI.

Israeli military says 100 soldiers in total have been killed in Gaza - CNN

News of Zelensky’s visit to Washington got pushback from some Republicans in Congress - CNN

The Math for Buying a Home No Longer Works - The Wall Street Journal

Alarm Grows Over Weakened Militaries and Empty Arsenals in Europe - The Wall Street Journal

Your Cash Is Earning 5% Interest. Is Now the Time to Move It? - The Wall Street Journal

Gazans say hunger is growing, fuelling fears of exodus into Egypt - Reuters

EU set for summit showdown over Ukraine accession talks as Hungary stands firm - Reuters

Ukraine prepares for a long war. Will the West stay the course? - Reuters

The officials weren’t wrong as the Chiefs raged, but does anyone want this? - The Washington Post

--  Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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