Winter's First Causality

And so it has happened already. The first causality of winter. A couple of year old plant in the garden has not made it, already. Three months ago it was green and vibrant, yet today is it brown and dead.

I can hardly believe the carnage that the rainy weather is having on my gardens.

I certainly hope that springtime comes soon--despite knowing that we still have not officially entered the winter season. The last two days have been very cold, though.

Too cold.

Yet, there is more cold and foul weather ahead of us before we break into the warmth and earthy smells of the springtime.

I know of at least one pant that I will be replacing.

I guess it gives me something to look forward to--a trip to the nursery. I wonder if I should leave the dead plant there as a testament to how much I dislike winter?

Nah, I'l dig it up. It is too depressing to look at the once green plant and wonder way it died before its time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas Stories

What a season!

There are stories everywhere about the season. Stories of hope and peace and love and joy abound.

Some of the stories though are hard, and the happy miracle ending that I want to see happen, isn't happening.

Even in those situations where the endings aren't what I would want to see occur, the rest of the story is written in how I respond to the endings and the new beginnings.

The spirit of Christmas is in how I respond to others in the good times and the hard times. And at Christmas, I am more forgiving, more loving, more tolerant, and I realize that life is a team sport, I do not and cannot walk this life alone.

I know people for whom this season is a season of sorrow and pain. I grieve for them. Real life is not all bows and ribbons. I dearly wish it could be. But life is like that.

The TV programs and the commercials would have me believe that spending a bit more money can overcome anything.

It isn't true.

There is real sadness and no matter how hard I can hope that there is a way to turn sadness into joy, it is not that simple. If only the worst thing that happens during the season was that I ran out of egg nog.

But life is how we respond to each other and how we affect each other. Friends support friends--no matter what.

And the joy of the season is in assuring others who are experiencing hard time and difficult situations theat they are loved and not alone, no matter what.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Intolerance--the Initial Reports are In

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I read an interesting article in the New York Times the other day titled The Price of Intolerance.

The article raises some interesting points about how the developing mood in our country against immigration and cracking down on illegal immigrants is having some very clear negative impacts to our way of life.

The scene for this article is in Alabama, and the impact of the loss of the lower working class of the population is significant--not just on the farmers who have crops rotting in the fields--which by the way will not make it to market and therefore drives up the price of food for everyone, but on the businesses which cater to the immigrant population. And here was the punchline for me--"there is no evidence that Alamabaians in any significant numbers are rushing to fill the gap left by missing farm workers or low wage laborers."

So why do it?

The intolerance is resulting in a situation where they are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

I worry about the current intolerance I am seeing across America. I see threads to another time in other countries where classes or groups of people were blamed for economic or national failure. The ressulting scene was not pretty and had some horrific outcomes. We experienced it in our own country with the McCarthy era communist hunts which caught many innocent people up in situations which our Constitution should have protected them from.

I worry about the intolerance of some of the laws being proposed by our leaders in knee jerk reactions to the economy. So far, in my opinion, many of their attempts to fix the economy have only made it worse. I know I am no better off now than I was two years ago.

Our current problems are causing us to look in the wrong places for remedy.

We are not an intolerant people--but we are becoming a scared population which will fling itself against anyone or any idea which offers a glimmer of hope.

We have entered election season--I am afraid that the rising intolerance factor will drive us to elect not the best person for the job, but perhaps the most radical and narrow-minded person who merely has a good-sounding proposal.

And if we are not careful--our whole economy will be rotting in fields right alongside the unharvested crops in Alabama.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

December Rain

It rained overnight.
At least it wasn't snow.

The temperatures are still above freezing and
although the days are short,
I enjoy the prospect of being outside,
even if only briefly.

I know the snows will come,
too soon.

And with the snow,
the cold and ice.

But for now,
I'll enjoy the mild weather
as December slides into January.

The dark is oppressive,
I noticed it last evening
as I was leaving work.

I experience the dark now
on both ends of my daily journey.

But this morning, I am thankful
for the rain is not snow.

And the leaves which still remain on my lawn,
are mixing with the Christmas decorations.

Monday Musings - December 5, 2011

1. My how quickly the year is passing, it is already December and 20 days until Christmas.

2. Writing of Christmas, the next time you are afraid to say "Merry Christmas" to someone and defer to "Happy Holidays" go check the name of the Federal Holiday we celebrate on December 25th.

3. I read this on the net--there is a new law being considered for the internet called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), and under that law, reportedly, you could get 5 years in prison for uploading a Michael Jackson song--which is one more year the the doctor who killed him got.

4. So far this December the weather has been fabulous. I spent a lot of time outside this weekend doing yard work--something I couldn't do during October and November. Chris reminded me that I am actually getting springtime chores accomplisheed. I wonder if I should open the pool? Or would that be pushing it a it too far?

5. Is having two Christmas trees at home excessive?

6. Spending a day alone with a three-year old really provides a new perspective on life.

7. You know you are losing your eyesight when you read a sign and are convinced that a store is open until 11 pm only to find that the sign really said 10 pm -- and you are pulling up in the lot at 10:15 pm. Thank goodness for 7-11.

8. The hardest question I have to answer this itme of year is: "What do you want for Christmas?" I sincerely, don't have a clue.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Decorations for the Darkness

The neighborhood is bursting with Christmas decorations to provide light during the night.

The decorations are nice to look at--although the one house that always over does the decorating has not yet joined the fray. They tend to make it seem a bit gaudy and detract from the season.

Although we tend toward the simpler approach, many of the houses are now sporting the inflatable trees or snowmen--I'm not sure I appreciate those decorations as much as the people who install them do.

And the LED lights--wow, they still seem to be from an alien planet to me with their other world illumination. I much prefer the softer glow of the incandescent bulbs--which soon will be sold no longer, I am told.

Christmas Decorations
to Drive Away the Darkness

What seems to be missing more and more from the decorations. though, is a reference to the real meaning of Christmas. More and more the decorations seem to be advancing the idea of snow men and Santa Claus at the expense of the one who was the first gift.

I love the scene from The Polar Express when Santa holds his hand high above his head and announces the first gift of Christmas--which was a simple reindeer bell. That bell turns out to hold the magic of Christmas in its ring, which adults and many children cannot hear because they do not believe.

It is similar to when the angels announced the birth of the savior of the world two thousand years ago--a newborn baby boy in a garage in a backwater part of the world called Bethlehem. Didn't seem like much of at the time. But,  much like the bell, the people who cannot or will not believe that our God came to earth for them miss the point of the event--and likewise the season. Those of us who recognize the importance of the event continue to marvel at the simplicity and majesty of the plan to save the world from itself.

The first gift of Christmas, given in a barn so long ago, is the reason we celebrate the season. He is the reason to decorate and drive away the forces of the darkness which grow stronger--just for this season. We are children of the light--and we need to proclaim the light to those who are in darkness.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Penguins vs Messiah

What an interesting 24 hours I had that ended at 11pm yesterday.

Thursday night I, accompanied by Jeremy and Patrick, headed off to see the Penguins play (and defeat) the Capitals in D.C. NHL at its best.

Last evening, Chris and I headed off into Baltimore to hear Handel's Messiah performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In a word--inspiring.

In a span of 24 hours then, I went from screaming "Let's Go Pens" to singing (under my breath) "and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords."

That friends, is a huge contrast.

The title of the blog today almost makes it sound like a campy movie (kinda like Cowboys vs Aliens).

But it is all good.


It highlights the complex person that I am--and, for that matter, how complex most people are. I have many interests and need to be careful to cultivate all of them. Yes, I love classical choral music. I admit it.

And with it being the Christmas season, there can be no better way than to review the entire story of Jesus than through the music of Handel's Messiah. Where else can I be reminded of the prophecy of his birth "the glory of the Lord will be revealed" (Isaiah 40:5) and then sing with the angels announcing the birth of Christ in the words "Glory to God in the highest." (Luke 2:14) And then to the joy of the resurrection in the words of the Hallelujah Chorus from Revelations 19:6 and 11:15. Finally, being reminded of his eternal reign in the words "Blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever." (Rev 5:12-13)

In reflecting upon the two evenings, I found that Penguins vs Messiah really isn't a big stretch. It is all just part of a complex and interesting life. A life that is filled with family and friends who keep me from being alone and boring--because left to my own devices, I am really a boring person.  Just ask my dog, Makayla.

Not to be forgotten though--the Penguins played their part, too. They delivered an early Christmas gift by defeating the Capitals. Kinda goes with the spirit of the season, doesn't it?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hockey Night in DC

It was a great evening, last night, traveling into the heart of DC to watch NHL hockey between the Capitals and the Penguins.

I witnessed a close game which was well played ending with the Pens defeating the Caps 2-1.

What was different was that I was cheering for the visitors. In most of my experiences at sporting events, I am usually cheering for the home team. But, as I am a Penguins fan, last night I was one of those guys. The fans from out of town. I am reminded of the Yankee or the Red Sox fans who invade Oriole Park every year.

Fortunately, there were a lot of fans wearing the colors of the Penguins, so I was not alone. The impromptu celebration on the steps of the museum across the street after the game may have been a bit over the top, but it was really neat to hear the gathered throng of fans yelling in unison "Let's Go Pens." we'll, it was all good fun until the DC police arrived to "protect" everyone.

I do want to note that the Caps fans were generally gracious. As always there are some who haven't matured yet above the street fight level, but on the whole, and given the cost of the tickets, everyone remained civil. This was especially nice to experience since the Capitals are currently in the midst of a streak where they are truly under performing.

It was fun to attend the game and sojourn into the heart of DC. Someone suggested that we go to Philadelphia for a game--but I'm thinking that's not a good idea. Even though Pittsburgh fans travel well--going into Philly is not such a good idea.

Best to leave well enough alone.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hockey Night USA

Live from the Verizon center. Penguins versus Capitals. And I'm here in person with the boys. Missing Chris,but can it get any better than this?

Give Thanks--"In" is not "For"

Giving thanks in surgery is one of those hard things that the Apostle Paul tells us to do when he writes "Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks." (1 Thess 5:16-18 NET Bible)

This does not mean to give thanks "for" surgery--I mean who really wants to have surgery? That means that there is something seriously (and  mean, seriously) wrong with the body. It is never a good thing o have to cut the body open and start removing stuff or repairing what's on the inside .

But, giving thanks "in" the surgery helps us to focus not on the bad that is unfolding, but the good surrounding the bad. While we are giving thanks in the surgery we are giving thanks for the skilled medical team, families, and friends. We also giving thanks for the prayers and the support and the speedy recovery from a successful surgery. And not to be forgotten, give thanks for the dreams that the surgery may be saving or restoring!

It is a different mindset. Focus on blessings in the middle of adversity and strife.

Sounds easy? No, not really, it is more like doing the impossible sometimes.

Why am I writing this today?

Because this morning (and much of yesterday) I am giving thanks for the prayer warriors who surround my nephew as he faced another surgery in his fight against cancer. I am giving thanks for the friends and the family supporting him. I am giving thanks for a good prognosis.I am giving thanks that Chris could be there with him to help support him and his Mom in person.

I, amazingly, talked to him yesterday afternoon after his surgery--and mind you this was surgery in his chest on one of his lungs. I give thanks for being able to talk to him and to hear his voice and hear the thanks in his voice for being able to talk to me and feel as well as he was feeling despite knowing that there are hard times ahead.

The real blessing of giving thanks "in" something is to be able to see around the circumstances of the now and to appreciate the "for's" that are everywhere shaping the tomorrow.

-- Bob Doan, Eldridge, MD