Friday, August 10, 2012

Anniversary Number 37

Last evening--it was off to Yellowfin, near Annapolis, for a celebratory dinner.
Looking out the Window of Yellow Fin

Thirty-seven years ago at the tender age of 19, my high school sweetheart and I were married. Really. And it has been an adventure ever since.

It is fun, once a year to reflect on life together because we spend so much time living day-to-day that we often don't have the time to think about where we've been--only where we are going.

Sitting at the restaurant, looking out at the water and the boats as the sun was setting behind a cloud was a great place to reflect on where we've been and plan for the future. You can almost make out the roses in the vase in the corner--I put them in the image intentionally--but now am not so sure it worked.

Every couple needs time to reflect, away from the hassles of life in a spot isolated from iPads and iPhones. Last evening was ours.

Happy Anniversary. It has been 37 years to the same person. Cool. Sometime when asked I remark that I have been married too long, but in reality it has passed so quickly that the time seems too short. I guess it is easier when you are married to your best friend.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, August 9, 2012

All in a Day's Work

Some days are unique just due to  diversity of the activities involved.

Yesterday was no exception.

Weirdly, I went to work for the morning, then off to the dentist, followed by the allergist for one of my twice weekly shots, and the reconnected the Wii for Ethan to play some games followed by more work on the stair railings on the deck--which, are all but complete, finally.

The balusters are all in place and I am doing some final work on the rail and topping for the railings--but it is so close to being done that I am about to say, finally, the project started during the first weekend of June is done.
Bird Sweeps-up

For an encore, it was off to see the now nine games over 500 Orioles sweep the Seattle Mariners, 9-2. It was a hot and muggy evening. Very close, I would describe it. Except for the score. I do enjoy seeing the Oriole Bird with a broom sweeping away the competition.

Muggy is an interesting word. It is of Scandinavian origin it turns out.  Who knew?

Being at Camden Yards last evening was great. The crowd was small but, about 17,000, but it was all Orioles fans and were definitely into the game. Chris and I visited Boog's Barbecue and Boog Powell himself was there signing autographs. I like seeing the great former Orioles first baseman as it reminds me of the great history that the team has, and especially the 1966 World Series sweep of the Dodgers. Maybe lightening will strike like that this year.

After the game, yes, I stayed until the last pitch was thrown, it was back home and into bed a bit past my bedtime, but at the end of an activity packed day. I sure am glad that every day is not like yesterday, but then, I am glad that some of them are!

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Football? Hall of Fame?

For the first time in many years, the NFL Football Hall of Fame game came and went with almost nothing louder than a whimper. It was played last Sunday! Another meaningless pre-season game marking the beginning of the NFL campaign.

Although a number of great football players were inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, we heard almost nothing about the ceremony this year.

The news coverage was drowned out by the playoff inspiring Orioles here in Baltimore.

Yeah--the Ravens, the Steelers, the Redskins and the other 29 teams in the NFL are in training camp and the NFL season opener is less than a month away.

But we are in a play off race for the first time in 14 or more years.  It's BASEBALL, baby!

The O's have a winning record and have their sights set on the evil empire, the NY Yankees, who currently sit atop the AL East. There are 52 games left and it is on, again.

Football can wait--we are extending summer this year! I even have visions of October baseball and trying to get tickets to sold out Orioles games at inflated (rather than reduced) prices.

For the first time in years, we have a contender on the diamond. And i am heading out to the ball park tonight to cheer on the Boys of Summer!

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Standing in the Throng

It happened Sunday. I was in church part of the gathered congregation singing an especially great praise song. It was dark, the band was leading and it seemed that everyone around me was singing joyously. I suddenly got lost in a vision.

I understood, just for a brief moment, these verses in Revelations Chapter 7:

7:9 After these things I looked, and here was an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 7:10 They were shouting out in a loudvoice,

“Salvation belongs to our God, to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” - NET Bible

I was part of the great multitude singing, no we were shouting, to God seated on His throne. I could hear my small voice joining with thousands of others in choruses of praise. And I never tired of singing songs of praise. For a moment, I think I had a vision of heaven.

I realized that I never tire of singing praise songs.

But it was standing in the middle of a great congregation on Sunday that reminded me that I am journeying here. It is not my home.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, August 6, 2012

Monday Musings - August 6, 2012

1. The first week of August is nearly gone and I am still thinking it is July. It is hard to let go of a great month.

2. I think I'll buy something from Chick-fil A today--just because. Did that whole political outcry backfire, or what?

3. Do we like Michael Phelps more because he is from Baltimore? Perhaps. The most decorated Olympian of all time--not a bad signature block.

4. Well it is off to work again. Balancing work and life is one of the most difficult things that I do. Sometimes I spend too much time at work, but at other times, I want to spend too much time at home.

5. Watching the Olympics events, I continue to marvel at the dedication of the athletes. The sacrifices they make to become the best in the world are incredible.

6. Weird events in history--on this day in 1967, the Orioles Brooks Robinson hit into a record 4th triple play.

7. When we hit our lowest point we are open to the greatest challenge. Aang

8. Mars--the red planet continues to intrigue. NASA and the US is there again. Way to go for Curiosity and a safe landing. Now, let's find those pesky Martians!

9. Is where we grew up the same as where we are from?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Heat, Sweat, and Saturday

It was hot and humid yesterday. Almost too hot for working around outside--but that is exactly what I did. I mean, I am the crazy that vacations in Florida during the summer.

The stairs on the deck are still screaming to be finished--so I worked on them. Chris power washed the exterior of the house to remove the built up grime that just is a part of life.

She at least had the cooler job although she did have to play like a monkey on the ladder.

The rails for the stairs are not yet done. It was slow, tedious work requiring lots of measurements and cutting. I used both my table saw (Shop Smith), my compound mitre, and my jig saw to at various times during the day to fit in the pieces.
Stairs Near Completion

We also discovered that one of our hoses needs replacing as do the connectors on the others. It made hooking them together quite an experience.

The house looks good and the stairs are getting closer. I even have one baluster installed--just to see how it looks and how the final project will come together.

This project certainly has dragged on for over two months.  But, I guess when vacations, surgery, and other activities are considered, at least we are still making progress. I just want to be able to say that it is finally done though.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Saturday, August 4, 2012

Olympics Reflection - Near the Mid-point

They are everywhere it seems, the Olympians, the news, the papers, even the social pages. We were out to dinner in Fells Point last evening and the people in the restaurant were asking about how often Michael Phelps visits.

He lives nearby.

I was watching a ping pong match on TV. Why? Just because it was on and there was an American playing. Poorly.

It is nice to see and hear so many people interested in the team representing our country on the world stage. I was even happy to see that the US Team medal count finally crept in front of China--both in terms of total medals and gold medals.

So far, it has been a pretty much a swimming show--but we are transitioning into the track and field part of the Olympics.

But the swimmers have been fantastic.

Why aren't baseball or racquetball Olympic sports?

Who knows. But then neither are cricket or squash. But handball? Rugby? They are. And most Americans don't even know what handball is. And it is not two people in a court whacking at a ball with their hands, either.

I could complain about the TV coverage--but why? It is what it is. We live in a world run not by politics, but by corporations.

So--press on American Team. There are a lot of events yet to be played out. Do your best and make those of us back home proud.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD




Friday, August 3, 2012

Prince Michel Vineyard - Review

Wine on the Vine at Prince Michel
Although not actually placed on one of the Monticello Wine Trails, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery sits at the northern gateway to the region right astride Route 29, the main north-south road into Charlottesville. I always find that as I am traveling into the wine region that this winery is definitely worth a stop--if not just to get into the mood for the day's activities.

The winery is well marked--I believe the first sign is about 8 miles form the entrance, but it comes up very quickly. Don't panic though if you miss the first driveway, there is a second on just past the building and at the bottom of a small road.

As always, check the website for current hours, but one advantage for this winery is that it opens at 10 am on Saturdays and Sundays, making it one of the early openers in the area. This means that driving from the Baltimore area, I am usually driving by the winery right as it opens.

The self guided tour of the wine making process is well planned and allows a nice behind the scenes view of the process. The wine tasting area is large and also contains a large assortment of wine related items which can be purchased.

The wines are good. I found the whites to be the best. Especially noteworthy was the 2009 Chardonnay, which I thought was an especially good value.

Enjoy Prince Michel. Stop and get a day of wine tasting started.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, August 2, 2012

White Hall Vineyard - Review

Along the Monticello Wine Trail, one of the vineyards we visited was White Hall Vineyard. The winery is on the Northern Monticello Trail and a bit of a drive (OK, maybe 15 minutes) to get there but we were rewarded with some very drinkable wines and a generally good time at a very nice facility.
White Hall Vineyard Tasting Room

The whites are very nice, I especially enjoyed the German-style wines like Gewürztraminer, Petit Manseng, and Chardonnay. They also had a nice Bordeaux blend, Cuvee de Champs, which was very enjoyable. I found the remainder of their extensive red wine offerings to be somewhat light and thin. I found the 2010 Pinot Gris and the 2010 Viognier to be good, but not exceptional as compared to other wineries in the region.

The facility is really enjoyable and on the Saturday we visited there was live music to accompany the tasting the wines.

The wine tasting area in in the middle of a large, nicely sized, modern building which serves create an enjoyable atmosphere for wine tasting. The server was knowledgeable of the wines and the grapes form which they were made or blended.

The overall experience was pleasant and I recommend this winery as a stop on a Monticello Wine Trail tasting day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD




Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Next Ban Churches--The Chick-fil A Controversy Continues

I am stunned by the insensitivity and the ignorance of so many political leaders. I believe the current vilification of Dan Cathy and his successful Chick-fil A corporation for saying what he believes demonstrates the true level of threat to civil liberties in America today.

What he said according to the Washington Times:

The current hysteria began after Mr. Cathy, son of the chain’s founder, gave an interview that ran in the Baptist Press on July 16. Mr. Cathynoted that Chick-fil-A’s management is “based on biblical principles, asking God and pleading with God to give us wisdom on decisions we make about people and the programs and partnerships we have. And He has blessed us.” When asked about the company’s positions in support of marriage and family, Mr. Cathy went on to say, “Well, guilty as charged. We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit.”


He never said anything overt about gay marriage as the hysteria (I like that word) would have us believe. He made statements that many Americans relate to and believe.

Now it is a crime to say these First Amendment protected things?

The response (also from the Washington Times)

Acting more like Benito Mussolini than Paul Revere, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said he will block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in his city. Chicago Alderman Proco Joe Moreno said he will stop Chick-fil-A from building its second Chicago store. In Philadelphia, Councilman James F. Kenney sent a letter to Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy advising his company to “take a hike and take your intolerance with you.” Meanwhile, the Jim Henson Co., owner of the Muppets, has canceled a deal to provide toys for Chick-fil-A kids’ meals. This is just the beginning.


Even more concerning is what the former White House Chief of Staff, now Mayor of Chicago said as quoted in the Washington Times:

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel took exception: “What the COO has said as it relates to gay marriage and gay couples is not what I believe. But more importantly, it’s not what the people of the city of Chicago believe.”


Hmm.  So, Mr Emanuel, do you propose to ban churches next? I guess it is good to have free speech rights as long as they don't disagree with the Mayor's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


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