Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

Friday, February 2, 2024

Spring is Near!

Punxsutawney Phil

 Happy Groundhog Day!

Punxsutawney Phil is predicting an early Spring!

Yay, we need it!

According to the New York Post:

The cold weather and snowfall may soon come to an end, at least according to the region’s fluffiest weather predictor.

Punxsutawney Phil, the 132-year-old world-famous groundhog, failed to see his shadow when he was abruptly woken from his sleep in Gobbler’s Knob in western Pennsylvania early Friday.

I have to say, had I been abruptly woken from my winter nap, my eyes would likely be too bleary to see anything, let alone my shadow. Good on ya Phil!

I am glad that people gathered at Gobblers Knob for the annual rite of Winter. And I am very glad that Phil is predicting and early Spring. That is good news!

So my recommendation is to celebrate this Groundhog Day Friday! Spring is on the way!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL


Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Thrice Christmas

 The Christmas season, it seems, is ending later this year. 

Chris Opening the Final Gifts
Tequesta, FL
January 9, 2024
We arrived safely home early yesterday afternoon. The two-day trip was completed and we managed, somehow, to travel around, but not through the severe storm that smashed the mid-west and east coast. We had some rain and a lot of wind yesterday, but we avoided the worst of the storm. 

Tabletop Fire Pit and Chris
Tequesta, FL
January 9, 2024
When we arrived home, we were greeted by our still decorated for Christmas house. But that was a good thing since we had some presents under the tree that needed to be opened to complete the season. We had decided not to take all of the gifts we were exchanging with each other on the journey to Maryland. We celebrated our third Christmas of the season while opening the last gifts. 

Last evening we put into service one of Chris's gifts--the tabletop fire pit. This one replaces our much smaller cement pit that we were using. 

It was nice to be back in the warmer and more humid South Florida. I had to immediately shed the jeans and long-sleeved shirt that I was wearing while driving and get into shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. 

Today will be devoted to removing the Christmas decorations and returning the home to its more normal configuration. 

In other news:

Today we celebrate my Dad's 96th birthday!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Good-bye Christmas

Chris Taking the Lights Off
Odenton, MD
January 2, 2024

 And it is gone!

Christmas has departed. The decorations are back in the boxes and returned to the storage facility waiting to be unboxed just after Thanksgiving in eleven months. 

It is sad when Christmas with its magic is returned to the storage facility. 

I noted yesterday that in some respects, unless the date is known, it is hard to determine if the decorations are being unboxed for the holiday or re-boxed for storage. I considered the tree as we were nearly complete removing the lights--were they going on or coming off? 

But then, I saw the bare branches from where the needles of the now dry and dead tree had fallen. It was time. We had a carpet of dry needles beneath the tree and out the door after we got the tree out of the house. 

And so it is finished. The decorations are gone, but the memories remain. As the cold rays of the winter sun caress my face, I look forward into the year ahead and wonder, when will be back in Florida to return our decorations to the storage facility? I know out tree still stands and that Santa has left a few presents tucked underneath its branches. Thankfully, we have an artificial tree and so the needles do not fall in great numbers like a formerly living tree. 


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Last Day


 The final day of 2023 has arrived. 

Despite predictions to the contrary, it appears we will actually make it to the arrival of 2024, which should be quite a tumultuous year. 

The new year is a Leap Year and that means it is one-day longer than 2023. 

Unlike the past two years, I will be ringing-in the new year in Maryland and not Florida. It has been just two years since I retired and I am still enjoying life without the necessity of setting an alarm clock.

This week, the flexibility of my retired life was recognized as Chris and I made the decision to extend our time in Maryland by a few days. In the world before retirement that would have been a difficult, if not impossible, ask. I would have been driven, literally, to get back to work.

Chris and the Boat
Sandbar in St Lucie River
August 2, 2023
I reviewed my image archives searching for the image which best characterizes the year, but it is tough with so many memories. I think this one, of Chris next to our boat, Sea Bean, anchored on a sandbar really captures the character of the year. We joined a boat club during the year and I have found great enjoyment learning to handle a boat and exploring the Intracoastal Waterway between Ft. Pierce and Lake Worth. I am looking forward to getting back onto the water when we return to Florida. And that is the beauty Florida life--year round outdoors summertime activity!

So on this final day of 2023, I remember those who have passed this year, and for whom I shed many tears, and the new friends we have made. I also remember the travel and fun that we have enjoyed, as well as the roughly 1967 miles I rode on my bike!

Here's a toast to the past and hope for the future.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

The Day After

What did you do the day after Christmas?

Darn, I missed a holiday celebration. Of course, yesterday was Boxing Day--but we tend not to celebrate that here in the U.S.

It was also the 32nd anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union (USSR), but that is not a holiday and their ghost is currently at war in Ukraine. 

I had a pleasantly quiet day highlighted by watching the movie Oppenheimer, I saw it in the theaters but it is now available on streaming services. It was a lazy day recovering from the adrenalin-filled rush of the holiday. 

Sadly, then I had to hear of and read a diatribe from a disgraced former president which was included in a perverted seasonal greeting on his website, which read:

“Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith,” Trump wrote in the post. He has often called Smith “deranged” and has repeatedly accused the special counsel of working to further what he characterizes as President Biden’s “political agenda.” 

“Included also are World Leaders, both good and bad, but none of which are as evil and ‘sick’ as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their Open Borders, INFLATION, Afghanistan Surrender, Green New Scam, High Taxes, No Energy Independence, Woke Military, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Trump continued. (The Hill)

I really do not need to read or hear this noise from a disgraced former president. He constantly touts how he is being persecuted, but no other former president (possibly no other person) has ever committed the widespread fraud and treasonous activities of this one man. I know he has freedom of speech, but I need freedom from him.

So I slipped back into the spirit of the season and blocked out the nonsense with friends and a bottle of wine.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

And it is a wrap

The Complete Family
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2023

 At the end of the Christmas day, during the Ravens' football game, I realized that I was exhausted. Looking back now, I can understand why. 

It was a Christmas of memories.

There were gifts and food and fun and family. 

The Roast
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2023
One highlight was that we gathered our complete family for the first time in a couple years to enjoy the holiday. 

The weather was mild and I managed to throw a football around for a while with Ethan and Jax. I am feeling the effects of that activity in my arm this morning. It has been a while since I threw a football or any ball for that matter. 

Did I mention the meat? The rib roast was cooked to perfection and was a fantastic centerpiece for the celebratory Christmas meal. 

And so Christmas is a wrap--well almost a wrap. Chris and I have a few gifts to exchange when we return home to Florida. I left most of hers under the tree there so we could enjoy Christmas one final time before returning all of the decorations to the containers and storing them for another year. 

Onto the New Year!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday, December 25, 2023

Christmas Eve Scenes 2023

 Merry Christmas!


Santa at Mosaic
Elkridge, MD
December 24, 2023
Well the day has arrived, breakfast is being cooked and I escaped for a few moments to record a greeting and show two scenes from yesterday's celebrations.

First, we caught Santa on the roof! Yup, there he was as we were exiting church services at Mosaic ringing a bell and sending wishes to all of the gathered masses. I was a bit surprised that we caught him in the act of delivering presents when he should have been across the world where it was already dark--but, he paid a special visit to us. 

Charcuterie Tray
Glen Burnie, MD
December 24, 2023
The second image of the day is the charcuterie tray that Julie made for our celebrations during the football games last night, which was lost by the Cowboys.

The tray was a thing of beauty and I almost did not eat to break it up by consuming the delectable meats and cheeses spread for our enjoyment. 

It was a great Christmas Eve and now the big day is underway. 


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Christmas Eve 2023


 And we are off. 

I am enjoying the calm before the storm as the day starts. Christmas Eve brunch will be upon me in a few short minutes as our family gathers to usher in the celebrations. I look forward to seeing them all and getting the day off to a great start. 

I wish all the best to you and yours during this season. 

Keep hold of the magic--it resides in our hearts. 

May the days ahead find you well and content. 


-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD


Saturday, December 23, 2023

Cookie Baking Day 2023

Chris and Luke Cookie Baking Day
Odenton, MD
December 22, 2023

 One of the family Christmas traditions is to conduct a cookie baking day just before the main event. Cookies are a staple of Christmas and although we do not make the classic frosted sugar cookies anymore, the variety of cookies that come out of the kitchen in a relatively short period of time are truly mouthwatering. 

And of course, I have a strict limit on the number of cookies that I am allowed to consume. Well, that is if anyone is watching. 

Yesterday, in the kitchen there was a very special cool--our youngest grandson, Luke, joined in on the fun with Grandma and Aunt Ginger. I was able to steer clear of the kitchen and only enjoy the fruits of their labors. 

They had a lot of fun for a couple hours and I had some time to myself--to wrap gifts!

It is hard to believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow and that is like the start of a great race. We have nearly every hour of the next two days closely planned and coordinated across numerous family units to get everything accomplished--and, of course, to enjoy the holiday.

Merry Christmas to all! 

I think all of the presents are purchased.

Publishing note: I do not expect to publish a Monday Musings on Christmas Day. 


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Up in the Sky


I have been watching quite a few Christmas movies this season. Some are very sappy and others recount the story of Santa and Christmas. I like those the best, however, my all-time favorite Christmas movie is, It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart. This year, for the first time, I came across the colorized version of the movie. I enjoyed watching it in color and it added a new  dimension to this, released in 1946, classic.

In many of the movies, holding onto the magic that is Christmas, as we were kids growing, up is a central theme. I think we miss the magic!

With so much going on in the country and the world, we need some magic, and Christmas is a natural time for that sentiment.

My daughter has this sign in her kitchen for the season. It really struck me because every year I still tune into the NORAD Santa Tracker to follow the jolly ole fellow as he circumnavigates the world.

Somehow, even though the image to the left is funny, I don't think a KC-10 would be offloading the right kind of fuel for the reindeer or Santa, unless they purge the tanks and deliver hot chocolate!

But it made me smile and think about the magic.

And with just four days to go--I appreciated the magic.

P.S. Happy first day of Winter, arriving 10:27 PM EST. The dark season is ending!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Friday, December 15, 2023

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


Wednesday, December 13, 2023

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

Sunday, December 10, 2023

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 

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

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

Sunday, December 3, 2023

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

Friday, December 1, 2023

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

Thursday, November 30, 2023

'Tis the Season

The Dining Room Ready for the Season
Tequesta, FL
November 30, 2023

 The turkeys and all remembrances of the harvest season are gone and we are full bore into Christmas. 

The tree is up and much of the house has been Christmasfied! Yup. The season has changed and with it not only the decorations but all of the art in out house. We have a complete set of holiday art that replaces our birds and beach-themed wall hangings. We do have some seasonal birds, mostly geese in the snow.

But, we are not done!

We are only half complete and today is Snow Village day. I will install the Snow Village pieces that we retained during the downsizing of last year into the display case and potentially elsewhere as deemed appropriate. 

It is, after all, the holiday season.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Black Friday Tales

 I apparently have survived Black Friday. 

Axis and Allies as the game begins
Odenton, MD
November 24, 2023
First, from the Axis and Allies front, you should begin learning either German of Japanese. My partner and I failed to save the world. We played the allies. It was a difficult day for us as Russia fell quickly and the UK and USA could not coordinate their activities. At one point the Japanese briefly held San Francisco--and if you know anything about the game there is no way that should happen. Thank goodness it was but a game and not reality.

The leftovers were great! Especially the Apple pie, which I did not get a chance to sample on Thanksgiving.

Happy Hour at or son's house was fun. We watched the last quarter of the NFL Black Friday game where the Dolphins crushed the Jets and then sang along to an impromptu Garth Brooks concert that was live from his new bar in Nashville. We are huge Garth fans.

I confess, I did not purchase anything either online or from a brick and mortar store yesterday. Does that put me in the minority of Americans?

And now the weekend is upon us. I am feeling like Christmas decorations will soon be retrieved from the storage room.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Friday, November 24, 2023

Black Friday 2023

 

Shoppers, start your computers or engines. The time has arrived to break open the piggy bank and hit the stores, be they online or brick and mortar. 

Today is also the day we gather to play Axis and Allies. It is a day when most of the leftovers are consumed along with some adult beverages. Today's field of players is smaller than in past years, but it should be a lot of fun. The women will shop and the guys will play games. That seems to be exactly how it is supposed to be. 

It is great that we have traditions associated with the holiday. I know that many of us look forward to the game, although we rarely finish the contest because it takes over an hour per turn. But it is fun!

I hope that whatever your holiday traditions may be that you enjoy them and are with friends and family.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving 2023

 


Happy Thanksgiving!

Wherever you may be, take a moment to reflect upon the blessings you have received this year. I know, it may be hard in the face of tragedy and loss, but there are blessings to remember. 

I hope that you can gather with family and friends to celebrate and reflect. 


Here are my football predictions for the day:

Lions over Packers by 7

Cowboys over Commanders by 10

Seahawks over 49ers by 2


If my record holds, I will be 0-3


Happy Thanksgiving!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

My Zimbio
Top Stories