Finnegan versus the Shark

It happened yesterday, our small dog, Finnegan took on the Shark. It was a battle to be seen.

It was a sight to see and, in the interest of truth in reporting, the shark was in reality our new Shark Ion robot cleaner.

Chris and I purchased the cleaning robot yesterday to help with basic surface vacuuming.  We had a vacuuming robot many years ago when they were just beginning to be developed and it was marginally valuable. We have not had a robot vacuum in well over 10 years and it seems that the technology has matured. So we are test driving the Shark Ion to help keep the pet hair at bay. And after its first sortie, the Shark seemed to do an admirable job finding and corralling pet hair.

Finnegan, however, saw it as a threat to the household. 

It was a couple minutes of excitement until Finnegan realized that the robot was unfazed by his demonstrative barking.

More excitement around the house, or comic relief.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Life Achievements - Jax

Program for the Induction
September 26, 2018

I was honored, Wednesday evening, to attend a ceremony inducting Jax into the National Elementary Honor Society. 

Jax making his Entrance
September 26, 2018

While I often write about Jax's exploits on the sports field, mostly baseball, but he is also a very good student. 

It was a short but significant ceremony to mark the occasion and I am happy that every so often, scholarly pursuits receive the attention that they deserve. I am guilty of focusing on athletic more than academic achievement. Perhaps it is because as a society we do not appreciate academic achievements in the same way that athletics are worshipped.

Jax with Jack
Academic and Athletic
September 26, 2018

That needs to change.

But, in the case of Jax, he is good at both athletics and academics, and that is rare. Not surprisingly, one of his best friends, Jack, was also at the induction and like Jax, he is also a solid athlete!

Good friends in sports and school!

It was a great evening followed by a good dinner celebration.

Life celebrations. They deserve to be remembered!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Theater of the Congress

Theater of the Congress, Absurd. 

Yesterday will be remembered as the lowest point ever achieved in American political life as the Senate Judiciary Committee grilled two Americans about something that happened 36 years ago while they were in High School.

Many lives were destroyed. There were no winners, only losers. There were no high points. There was no resolution. 

Millions of Americans watched the proceedings hoping for enlightenment.

There was none.

An article in the New York Times titled, She Said. Then He Said. Now What Will Senators Say? suggests that in the Trump era, politics in America has become tribal. 

An excerpt from the article points out:

It has become something of a cliché to say that the United States has become increasingly tribal in the era of President Trump, with each side in its own corner, believing what it chooses to believe and looking for reinforcement in the media and politics. But the battle over Judge Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination has reinforced those divisions at the intersection of sex, politics, power and the law.

It was all on display yesterday, televised live and at the expense of the families and friends of the two people at center stage. 

Now, in my estimation, the man who would be a member of The Supreme Court stands accused of multiple sexual assault felonies and his principle accuser is a heroine to some and while being vilified by others.

Sadly, the toll is much higher than just those involved in the proceedings. There is a loss of faith in our leadership that may never be repaired. The partisanship that cripples our government and our economy was on display for the world to see. 

One commentator opined, perhaps they are both telling the truth as they remember it! 

Frankly, I could not remember almost anything from 36 years ago with the clarity that both of them seem to have.

I was left feeling that he lack of due process, the innuendo becoming fact, and the witch-hunt over allegations that happened while the principals were in high school over three decades ago is hammering another nail in to the coffin that was the America dreamed of and fought for by our founding fathers.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

After the Birthday Reflections

Instead of my almost usual Thursday rant about the Orioles, I am going to focus my thoughts elsewhere.

My Favorite Birthday Cake
September 26, 2018

Yes, my birthday was yesterday. It was all over Facebook. Thank-you to every one who send a note of cheer and I also want to send special thank-you for those who gave  me a birthday gift by donating to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

I am very blessed with things and don't really need any "gifts" for my birthday. I was awed by the response of my friends and family to my decision to ask for donations for a charity. Men's health issues and especially prostate and testicular cancer have really become very important to me. I find it interesting that many of the people I talk to know someone, a father or grandfather, who had prostate cancer.

We need to talk about these things more so that guys can get tested and treated earlier. While we, guys, think we are invincible, we are not and we need to do some basic things to ensure that we can continue to live healthy and fruitful lives.

So for my Happy Birthday, I want to celebrate by helping find a cure for prostate cancer and helping those who need assistance as they work through treatment.

Thanks to everyone who feels similarly.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sitting by the Pool

The YMCA of Pasadena
September 25, 2018

Sometimes it does not have to be my own pool. Sitting by a pool brings back the feeling of summer, especially on a humid evening after the storms have cleared a bit.

The evening ended in beautiful fashion. The skies cleared a bit and sitting  by the pool at the Y watching Lucas practice was not so bad.  It was an hour away from the noise that complicates life, like traffic. 

Chris and I retrieved Lucas about 4:45 PM for a 5:30 PM practice and made it through traffic, with the help of Waze. During the hour that we were waiting, the skies began to clear a bit and the Sun even made an appearance. 

Today is, however, the cross-over day as the Sun rises at 6:59 AM and sets at 6:59 PM. After today, it is all downhill into the dark season.

Hopefully, the rain for clear soon and we can begin to enjoy outdoors activities again. The almost 80 degree temperatures of yesterday reminded me of a nice summer afternoon. 

And I was sitting by a pool. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Activities

With the arrival of Autumn, it is time to begin maintenance activities to prepare for the impending dark season.

I noticed last evening that it was dark by 7:15 PM. Very dark. Officially, sunset was 7 PM, but with the heavy cloud cover darkness descended upon the land shortly after the Sun sank below the horizon. At least I believe there was a sun because I never saw it during the day.

Right Front Tire on Chris's Highlander
September 23, 2018

The maintenance activities are beginning in earnest. Chris's vehicle now has not only new brakes, but is equipped with a brand new set of tires to prepare for the season ahead. I decided her tires were too worn to safely make it though the winter.

There are other activities that will begin to happen. The ornamental grasses around the pool will be cut and recycled, wood will be gathered or purchased, windows and latches will be inspected. These are among the many projects that will be accomplished during the next few weeks.

Through all of it, I will dream of another vacation in the sun and warmth. It is also time to make vacation plans. I was thinking off a cruise across the Atlantic in April to Barcelona, Spain, but when I checked out the return airfare prices I decided that the good deal for the cruise was completely offset by the incredible airfare to return home. The airfare was equal to a balcony cabin on the cruise.

The forecast for the next few days is for more rain, but then, amazingly, for the weekend the Sun comes out! We may even see one last 80 degree day before the temperatures fall into the 60's and below for good.

Maybe there is some golf in my future after all!

Autumn activités are swinging into full gear in preparation for the winter's dark, cold days. I will be ready.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 24, 2018

1. It is the last Monday of September. It is also the first Monday of Autumn and the first Monday since I closed my pool.

Me Diving in the Bahamas
August 27, 2018

2. The forecast for the week is for rain and more rain!

3. I finally got access to some of the images from my Bahamas dive with Patrick and Tina. They are very interesting. I still have not found the video of the shark we saw. The images bring back great memories and remind me that there is nothing better than breathing compressed air and exploring the world below the surface that we can only visit for short periods of time. 

Right Front Brake Pads Replaced
September 23, 2018

4. The Orioles (45-110, .290) actually won a game in New York, defeating the Yankees yesterday. There are 7 games remaining. The Orioles are still on pace to lose 115 games.

5. I figured out what to do on a rainy day: replace the brakes on Chris's vehicle. Which I did, yesterday! The temperature was moderate and the garage kept me dry as I replaced the brakes on all four wheels. My new floor jack was particularly useful in lifting the Highlander, my old jack did not have the necessary throw to get the job done.

Turkey Vulture in Dumpster
Elkridge Fire Department
September 23, 2018

6. Where do turkey vultures go when there are not enough dead things around to eat? Apparently they go to the nearest dumpster and do some dumpster diving. Chris and I found about six of them at a local dumpster yesterday. 

7. The family weekend football team results are in and overall it is better than last week:

Ravens (2-1) defeated Broncos 27-14
Redskins (2-1) defeated Packers 31-17
Cowboys (1-2) lost to the Seahawks 24-13
Steelers play tonight against Buccaneers

8. How about Tiger Woods winning the Tour Championship yesterday. It was spectacular seeing him raise his arms in triumph after so much adversity wearing his classic red shirt and black pants on a Sunday afternoon?

9. Today in History, from History.com. 
The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. That day, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside as chief justice, and John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison, and James Wilson to be associate justices. On September 26, all six appointments were confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Headlines

Over and out: CB radio-maker struggles to adjust to Trump tariffs - The Washington Post

The Republican Party has laid itself bare - The Washington Post

China Is Confronting New U.S. Hostility. But Is It Ready for the Fight? - The New York Times

Hong Kong pro-independence party formally outlawed in first such move since handover - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. It is a continuous revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek alternatives.
    Address to Students at Moscow State University, May 31, 1988



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Arrives

Pool Closing from Radio Flyer
September 22, 2018

Autumn, heralding the arrival of the dark season, arrived last evening and with it the weather has already changed. The cooler air blew in while Chris and I were enjoying dinner with the temperature dropping to 64 degrees as we headed home. This morning the temperature has fallen to 59 degrees. A confirmation of Autumn's arrival.

The Water Level is Lowered
September 22, 2018

With the cooler weather, the rains have returned. We are facing a week of rainy weather.

The big project for the yesterday was closing the pool in advance of the cooler weather, falling leaves, and rains. Frankly, I was tired of hauling leaves out of the pool everyday and I had not swum in the pool during the past few weeks since returning from the cruise. Of course, I would have been swimming on Labor Day, but the pool was green and I was killing the algae bloom that had developed while we were away.

Chris and Finnegan Helping to Close the Pool
September 22, 2018

I flew Radio Flyer to get an image of the pool closing. By about 7:15 AM, I already had the back-up pump running to draw the water down in the pool. I had to use the back-up pump because the primary pump had burned out a few days ago. I also had the pool cleaner, known as the Dolphin, running one last time to rid the pool of leaves and debris. 

Once the water was lowered to the winter season level, I added the chemicals, my witch's brew as I call it, to help the pool make it through the next almost eight months. I used the pump and outlet hose to mix the water and chemicals to be ready for the final act--installing the cover. 

Cover Installed Ready for the Dark Season
September 22, 2018

Finnegan turned out to be very interested in the entire process of closing the pool and was by our sides the entire time. He did give us a scare as he started to run across the not yet fully installed pool cover and Chris was concerned that he would fall into the water and that I would then have to rescue him. You read that correctly, she wouldn't rescue him, I would be responsible for that act of courage and bravery. 

Sunrise, the Last Day of Summer Dawns
September 22, 2018
Radio Flyer

By 11:17 AM, when I took the image of the fully installed cover, the process was nearly complete. All that remained was to fill the lines with anti-freeze and close them off. Then it was clean up time! We were done well before noon. Another successful pool closing.

I still have to get the newly arrived pump motor set-up, but that will not take too much time. I won't actually install it into the pump until Springtime. Pool opening day is about 223 days away, tentatively scheduled for May 4th of 2019!  Of course if the weather seems nice in April, I may open it earlier. 

We may resurface the pool at some point during the off season which will also cause us to take the cover off and effectively open it. Hopefully after the leaves are all off the trees. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Trees Fall

After the Felling
September 21, 2018

Yesterday was a momentous day around the house. 

Looking Through the Backyard
From Radio Flyer
September 22, 2018

Five dead ash trees were felled cleaning up the sight lines from the house. I was smart enough to pay professionals to drop the trees. Some needed to be topped first.

We are no longer looking at dead trees, but rather, at least for a few more weeks, an undulating sea of green.  The way it is supposed to be.

Now comes the hard part--cleaning up the mess. At least I have my trusty chain saw.

We have a lot of ash wood now lying on the ground waiting to become firewood. It was sad to lose the mighty trees, but at least the falling limbs no longer pose a hazard to life and property. 

Just another day at home!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Last Full Day of Summer

The last full day of summer has arrived. Autumn officially begins tomorrow at 9:54 PM EDT. At that time the Sun will cross the equator to preparing to spend the winter season in the southern hemisphere. I never thought about the Sun being a "snowbird" before. I want to be a snowbird when I grow up!

Pool Pump Motor - Non-Functional
September 21, 2018

It is fitting that as summer ends, tomorrow is also pool closing day. To make the closing process more interesting, the motor for the pump burned out two days ago. What a fitting end to the pool season. I admit, I knew the motor was nearing the end of its useful life due to the noise it was making, but I was hoping it would make it to the end of the season. It did not. At least the neighbors are likely happy to have relative silence during the daytime hours now.

Not having a working pump motor makes closing the pool a bit more difficult since I have to lower the water level in preparation for the winter and mix a witch's brew of chemicals into the remaining water. Fortunately, I have a back-up pump which can help me accomplish the task.

Pool closing is a sad day around my house. It marks the official end of the swimming season. It is fitting that it will be accomplished on the last day of Summer as Autumn is preparing to arrive. I am hopeful of documenting the day with Radio Flyer, which has been grounded for almost a month now by weather and my busy schedule.

First, however, I have to make it through another Friday! I don't know why so many people look forward to Friday. I'm a much bigger fan of Saturday!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD