Monday Musings - April 10, 2017

Trapped in the Open

1. It is good to get away from the daily grind of life and change the scenery.

2. Do you ever feel trapped in wide open spaces? I saw a crab on the beach yesterday that I am sure had some of those feelings.

3. Palm trees are the next decorating fad.


4. Congratulations to Sergio Garcia on winning a thrilling Master's tournament yesterday.

5. The craziness in Washington should subside for a couple of weeks, Congress is on Spring Break!

6. The Orioles had a meltdown yesterday and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. They remain atop the American League East, however.

Headlines

7. With a deadline looming, nobody is threatening to shut down the government - The Washington Post

8. Taxes — the great uniter? - The Washington Post

9. Attacks on Christians in Egypt Undercut Sisi’s Promise of Security - The New York Times

Monday's Quote

The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. - Will Rogers

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Day 3 is Day 1

Palm Trees
I'm in Florida

Today is essentially the first day of my Spring vacation. It is, however, the third day of my vacation. 

Chris on the Beach

We arrived in Florida last evening, uneventfully. The ride from Orlando seemed longer than normal, but at least we finally overcame the scheduling impact from the storms of Thursday. We heard that some people whose travel plans were disrupted by the weather were not getting out until Sunday. We felt lucky when the plane roared into the sky and Baltimore was in our proverbial "rear-view mirror."


Today was almost idyllic. We have been to the beach twice to enjoy the sun, wind, and waves. We even switched beaches from the ocean side to the intercostal side to be warmer and to be able to get into the water. The ocean surf was rough and yellow flags were flying along the guarded beaches this morning.

The Ocean Between My Knees

It was a great start to my first day in Florida. Alas, however, there was a trip to the local grocery store sandwiched in there. But, I guess we need some food to eat.

I am just enjoying the day, the sun and the warmth!

I am happy that we finally arrived!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

My First Day of Spring Break

Every year, Chris and I plan a get away during Spring Break. For Chris, who works in a school, the week provides a much needed escape from the daily grind.

We we're supposed to be in Florida soaking up sun and walking the sandy beaches. 

Due to many flight cancellations on Thursday evening, we are hoping to get out on a flight today and start our early-Spring vacation a couple days late.

A Warm Beach that I Am Not On
Bahamas from 2016

So what did I do on my first day of Spring Break?

First off, I sojourned to Lowe's to get the supplies to replaced the innards of a noisy toilet.

Then, I finally got my tractor started amid a humorous and frustrating series of mishaps to get it out of the shed and into the garage for the necessary work. In the end, I couldn't push it up the yard and had to work on it in the cold 45 degree temperatures of the day. Who knew that tractors with soft tires could be so hard to push. I almost hooked a tow cable to it and towed it with my truck, but that seemed to be a bit excessive.

But, with a little work and tinkering the tractor started and I mowed, yes, mowed, the lawn. I was freezing mowing the lawn in 45 degree temperatures--but the thoughts of soon being on a warm beach kept me warm (in my mind).

I definitely was not relaxing on a beach for my first day of vacation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

I'm Not In Florida

I was supposed to wake up this morning in Florida surrounded by palm trees and 80 degree temperatures.

Due to the rough weather along the East Coast yesterday, I am at home superfine through 40 degree temperatures and will not be leaving for Florida until tomorrow!  Ugh!

Travel was catastrophe yesterday. 

First the flight was delayed three hours. OK--no big deal. But then, it was canceled! And we HAD to go to the airport to try to get rescheduled--for Saturday!

Well, it is Spring Break and everyone who can is trying to escape to Florida, it seems.

We met some nice people, especially the couple trying to return home to the West Palm Beach area after living in Australia for the past three years. They were really in a mess because their dog was being delivered to their house today! They needed to be home. I hope they made it.

I hope we make it tomorrow!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Loss of Privacy

Soon, I expect many more ads to start appearing on my computer because Internet privacy has been repealed. 

My service providers are going to begin selling my browsing history to make a buck.

I feel as if my privacy is being invaded. 

It is like people can rummage through my personal mail and then sell lists of whom I receive mail from to advertisers.

It is wrong. 

I'm thinking about a VPN to try to keep at least some privacy. Big corporations do not need to know when I am planning to go on vacation--that becomes a security issue because I plan all of my trips on line. Cruises, get-aways and the like.

Even my car repairs and home repairs are subjects of internet searches. Also, all of my medical doctors now have web services that I use to schedule appointments and renew prescriptions. Do I really need big business to know these types of personal things?

No.

Just like I do not like having my USPS mail examined.

My Take: What happened to the idea of privacy?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Day Ends

The Setting Sun Illuminating the Tree Tops

Despite all of its hectic abuses of my time, I enjoy the ability to sit around a fire pit and reflect on the day as the sun sets.

Sometimes I am rewarded with a stunning sunset, but more often it is just the slow fading of the light into darkness that signals day's end. 

The Moon with the Setting Sun
on the Tree Branches

Last evening marked the first day of the year where I changed into shorts and a tee shirt from my normal work clothes upon arriving home. It was a novelty and I enjoyed sitting around, chatting while clothed in my normal summertime garb. The temperature topped out at just shot of 80 degrees yesterday. I remembered how much I enjoy the warmer temperatures.

The clear sky last evening added to the enjoyment. It was warm and clear. 

Another day and another fantastic ending.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Opening Day Ends in Celebration

Patrick Walking Towards OPACY for the Game

The Crowd on Eutaw Street

Of course today is going to be about the Orioles Opening Day. Patrick and I invested about seven hours in the festivities and the game--and were not disappointed.

Pre-game Festivities and the Orange Carpet Run

The game was both long and exciting. We were at OPACY with over 45,000 of our new best friends for the 11 inning, 3 hour and 41 minute contest in which only 5 total runs scored on 20 hits. Eleven pitchers were used during the game.  The weather was OK for early April with temperatures in the mid-60's, but overcast with the threat of rain as the game moved into extra innings. 

The Skyline from my Seat

Most importantly, however, was that the Orioles put a 1 in the WIN column and sitting at 1-0 for the season are tied for the American League (AL) East lead. Yes, it is only one game, but I am hopeful that the Orioles will be in the AL East lead for more of the season and especially at the end of the season during October.

After the Walk-off Homer in the 11th Inning for the Win

The game was exciting and I was impressed with both teams desire to win. At one point the Orioles had 5 hits in the game and four of them were doubles! They ended the game with 9 hits and of that four were doubles and then there was one home run, the game winning walk-off dinger by Trumbo!

Final score: 3-2 Orioles! The game had been tied 2-2 since the 6th inning.

There is really almost nothing more exciting in all of baseball than winning a game via the walk-off home run! The hardest part of the play, and especially on Opening Day, is making sure the batter actually gets to touch home plate before the ensuing mob of players express their enthusiasm for the dramatic victory. 

It was a great day at the park. There are still 161 games remaining in the season and 80 of them are home games!

Let's Go O's!!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 3, 2017

Jim on Hole 13 at Patuxent Greens
April 2, 2017

1. April has arrived and outdoor life is resuming its pre-winter pace.


2. Today is Orioles Opening Day! Guess where I am planning to be for the game. Here's hoping for a win!

3. I did enjoy a game of golf yesterday. I didn't play very well, but I enjoyed getting out for a round at Patuxent Greens.

4. It is tax season! Are yours done, yet?

5. I hate tax season, it is the most depressing time of the year. Just saying.

6. On one hole yesterday, a goose was keeping a close watch on my activities.

Headlines

7. Trump ready to 'solve' North Korea problem without China - BBC News

8. Leopard briefly shuts down Nepal’s only international airport - Indian Express

9. Venezuela is Becoming a Failed State - New York Post

Quote of the Day

"Thomas Jefferson was no reactionary, he was a true progressive when he warned, the only safe depository of the ultimate powers of society are with the people themselves. The 10th amendment tells us the Federal Government will do only those things called for in the Constitution, and all others shall remain with the States or with the people."

Ronald Reagan

Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce, April 26, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday Workday

The first reasonably nice weekend of the Spring and coincidentally of the the month provided the opportunity for a work day around the house.

Lucas with the Ball

The leaves that winter's winds had blown into the yard and along the fences needed to be removed to allow for the grass to spring up and fill in the bare sport. There actually were a lot of leaves to move and that they were heavy from the past few days of rain added some weight to the operation. 

Lucas Takes a Shot

Chris and I labored outside for a number of hours on the leaves and and also set up our pool deck, although pool opening day is still about a month away. The blossoms are coming on many of our flowering trees. The weeping cherry is visible near the shed in the picture of Lucas with the ball. 

There was time for some fun along the way. Jeremy and Lucas happened by for a visit and there may have been some basketball played in the driveway. My truck, as usual, served as a partite backstop, ugh. Chris managed one shot which saw the ball hit my truck on three separate occasions. 

It was a busy and enjoyable day outside. As the Springtime continues, there are sure to be many more outdoor days! 

Sunscreen! We forgot the sunscreen!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's April

April showers bring May flowers.

The official first full month of Spring has arrived. 

It is April Fool's Day! 

Weeping Cherry in My Yard

I have been impressed with the recovery of the blooming trees after the frigid weather interrupted their explosion of color for a couple of weeks. 

But the flowers are back and springtime is progressing once again.

The green is back and I have seen leaves on some of the trees in the forests which line the highway that I drive to work. 

Don't be an April Fool--but get out and enjoy the day. 

It is April, after all. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD