New Year's Eve 2021

 

It is New Year's Eve!

We are about to put 2020 firmly into the rearview mirror and shake its dust from our feet. 

For some I know the new year cannot arrive fast enough. 2020 was a year of disasters, pandemic, death, and changed plans. We have experienced things that we never though we would experience. The United States has shown the world that as a society we are unable to unite to defeat a virus. 

To review the year in review, check out:

2020 in Review Fast Facts - CNN

It is amazing to review the year and to see how far we have come. 

The short review is that the year began with an impeachment and ended in a pandemic. In between over 341,000 Americans perished form COVID-19 and the ineffectiveness of the administration was laid bare resulting, partly, in the decision of the American electorate to not reelect the president.

What a year. We can hope that 2021 is better, calmer and more rational.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunrise Sky

Sunrise
Elkridge, MD
December 30, 2020

The sunrise this morning, the next to last day of 2020, was fantastic. It stretched from the East to the West filling my windows with beautiful color reminding me of the beauty of the world. It was a counterpoint to the news of the day about the continuing hospitalizations and deaths resulting from COVID-19.

Sometimes I need to get my head out of my computer or away from the TV to see the beauty around me, like I did this morning. It does not make the bad stuff go away, but it gives me perspective. The world is a big and complex place. There are problems and insane things happen all of the time, but there is beauty and it is worth seeing, enjoying, and protecting. 

The spectacular sunrise has faded much like the year 2020 will pass in less than 48 hours. I can remember the bad things that have happened this past year, the better activity is to find some good and remember the year that way. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

To the Pool!

 

Yesterday was a rare late-December day. The temperature crawled up past 50 and I was able to get outside and do some maintenance.

High Water in the Pool
Elkridge, MD
December 28, 2020

A pool owner's life is never without concern and maintenance. I have a mesh cover and that means that the rain adds water to the pool as the season continues. I had reduced the water volume significantly when I closed the pool, but it has been a very wet autumn and now winter.

I checked the pool yesterday and the water was within an inch of the top of the pool. If you look closely at the image to the right, you can see the line where the water was when I started pumping. At this point the water is still too high. I keep the water below the tiles to reduce damage when the deep freeze arrives. I was happy to find the water clear and I also added some mid-winter chlorine to keep the algae growth at bay.

I was amazed at the amount of rainwater we have received. I am also glad that I picked a warmer day to play in the water! It is really no fun pumping water in 30 degree weather. 

In the end I lowered the water to three inches below the tile line. Hopefully, will not have to perform the process again. 

Always something to do. Who knew that when I was thinking "to the pool" it meant that there was work to do, but no swimming?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 28, 2020

 

1. The last Monday of the year has arrived. There are just four days until the new year begins! Bring-on 2021 and good-bye 2020!

Finnegan's Christmas Photo
Elkridge, MD
December 20,  2020

2. Even though the Christmas Season is not completely over, I know many people are clamoring to get the decorations boxed and out of sight. Maybe it is because the Christmas decorations started appearing in stores during September.

3. Family NFL Report:

    Steelers (12-3) defeat Colts (10-5) 28-24. Steelers win division

    Ravens (10-5) defeat Giants (5-10) 27-13. Ravens win next week will secure a wildcard playoff spot.

    Cowboys (6-9) crush Eagles (4-10-1) 37-17. Cowboys are still alive to win the NFC East.

    Football Team (6-9) lose to Panthers (5-10). football Team can win the NFC East with a win next week. 

4. How has the return season been going? Fortunately, we do not have many returns and exchanges to make.

5. What are your New Year's resolutions? 

6. There are 23 days until Inauguration Day!

7. How were the crowds in the stores for Christmas shopping? I really did not visit the malls or stores to shop and I have to admit--Amazon, UPS, and FEDEX all did their jobs and delivered my packages on-time. 

8. Today in History. On December 28, 1895, the world’s first commercial movie screening takes place at the Grand Cafe in Paris. The film was made by Louis and Auguste Lumiere, two French brothers who developed a camera-projector called the Cinematographe. The Lumiere brothers unveiled their invention to the public in March 1895 with a brief film showing workers leaving the Lumiere factory. On December 28, the entrepreneurial siblings screened a series of short scenes from everyday French life and charged admission for the first time.

Trump Signs Pandemic-Aid Bill - The Wall Street Journal

France and Germany Retake Reins as Britain Leaves EU’s Economic Orbit - The Wall Street Journal

Refugees Come Under Fire as Old Foes Fight in Concert in Ethiopia - The New York Times

New York Investigates Whether Clinics Ignored Vaccine Rules - The New York Times

Authorities identify Nashville bomber, say his remains found in wreckage - The Washington Post

Your questions about the coronavirus vaccines, answered - The Washington Post

Sweden government to get wider shutdown powers under proposed pandemic law - Reuters

Russia reinforces Syrian area where Turkey-backed fighters have clashed with Kurdish forces - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gifts and Golf

 

Playing golf makes choosing some Christmas gifts a bit easier. Golfers are almost always in need of consumables, like tees and balls. 

Of course, if balls are gifted it is important to know which specific type of ball the golfer uses. It is amazing how particular we golfers are about the golf balls we use. I'm not sure whether that make that much of a difference with the handicap that I carry--one or two shots a round are not going to show up that much. But, even I am particular about the brand--unless I get a free one from the golf gods while searching for my lost ball. Even then, more and more I am leaving certain balls where they lie because I believe for some reason they are "beneath" me. 

This Christmas I gifted a few dozen golf balls--fodder for the water hazards and forests. 

I also received a tee shirt that completely defines my golf game. Chris often remarks that I never saw a tree on the golf course that I couldn't hit! And I also received a very blue pair of glasses to help find golf balls hidden in plain sight in the rough. I hope they work because I have a devil of a time finding balls that just missed the fairway. 

Maybe that is what I like racquetball as an alternative, at least the ball is confined to the court--well, mostly, unless playing at outdoor courts.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

After the Celebration

 

And it is over . . . 

Grogu, My Party Animal

While I have the feeling that the holiday is over and now the clean-up can begin, it really isn't over. This holiday carries on until after New Years.

We actually handled most of the clean-up from two days of extended celebration last evening and so there isn't much to do today. 

So I will spend time with my new party animal, Grogu, a/k/a/ Baby Yoda. 

I tried to read the newspapers this morning, but really wasn't into any of it. I just need a break from the bad news that makes the news.

Today is Saturday and a good day to catch my breath and exhale after the celebration. The family cycled through in shifts yesterday and we were all COVID conscious. Christmas 2020 was different, but memorable. I hope we can look back someday and say, "Do you remember Christmas during the pandemic?" and wear the statement as a badge of accomplishment.

I hope all of you are enjoying a safe and happy holiday. 2020 will be fine soon--let's try to make 2021 better.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas 2020 Prayer

 

Father in Heaven 

Hope was born a long time ago, too long sometimes it seems

and we have forgotten the promise was made to us.

We are challenged by the darkness and chaos that confronts us on a daily basis and sometimes we forget that all we see is not all that that there is.

We have a promise and hope.

The promise and the hope that you sent to us on that first Christmas.

We have never needed hope more than right now. We are living in a world reeling from pandemic, fraught with discord, suspicion and hatred. Our world has become much like what your Son found at his birth in the lowly stable so long ago.

Yet, we have hope. We believe your promises. We sing Joy to the World and know that despite what we see, there is a joy that we can believe. 

Protect and guard our military men and women on station around the world and all those who stand watch to protect us from the forces of darkness.

Be with and inspire the first responders and the medical professionals who are on the front lines waging war against the ravages of the pandemic.

On this Christmas Day 2020, thank you for our many blessings and for the peace and hope you have given to us in the middle of a chaotic world.  

Amen 

Christmas Eve 2020

Christmas Decorations
Elkridge, MD
December 19, 2020

 Well, the decade of the roaring 20's is off to a difficult start. Who knew what 2020 would have in store as it began some 51 weeks ago. 

But today is Christmas Eve and even with the modified celebrations and travel restrictions, we must not lose the Sprit of Christmas. And from what I can see, amid the pain, suffering, and pandemic people are holding onto their traditions as best that they can. 

At our house, the decorations are in place and everything is ready for Christmas. We are having a modified brunch this morning and a smaller gathering for our traditional Christmas Day meal. We will zoom with other family members and they will all be in our thoughts and prayers. Some day soon we will get to enjoy seeing and conversing with them in person. But not this year. 

My Christmas wish is that next year we can be together and appreciate each other more because of 2020. 

May you find peace and hope amid the noise and dissonance. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Star in the Sky

 

The Christmas Star through the Trees
Elkridge, MD
December 22, 2020

Chris and I finally were able to get a good view of the "Christmas Star" last evening in the western sky after sunset. It has become quite the phenomenon even making the news. It is not a star at all, however, as it is Jupiter and Saturn in conjunction. 

I guess it only happens like this every 800 or so years. Like I would be around to see it again anyway. 

We were surprised at how low the two planets are from out house. Of course that is because our house sits in a low spot. Chris found the two planets hiding among the trees as we waited last evening. We had been thwarted on other occasions due to clouds. 

The Christmas Star
Jupiter and Saturn
Elkridge, MD
December 22, 2020

Since the planets were so low in the sky from our house, we drove to some high ground for a good view and Chris brought her binoculars. It was spectacular. As it was early and the sky still not fully dark, I could not actually see the rings of Saturn, I suppose I should go out again tonight and see if I can find the rings or even a moon of Jupiter with the binoculars.

I am fascinated by the amount of interest this conjunction has drawn, perhaps because it is Christmas and 2020 has been such a difficult year. People are looking for hope and imagining that this might me the fables Star of Bethlehem appeals to their desire to have something concrete and good to believe in. Of course, astronomers say this particular conjunction was not that fable star of old--but who knows? Something similar. 

O Star of Wonder, Star of Night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading,
Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas Season Happy Hour

 

Happy Hour
Elkridge, MD
December 21, 2020

Last evening Chris had to go out to finish some shopping and I determined that it would a be good time to prepare a special Happy Hour.

The lack of holiday parties has meant that some of the spirit is missing from the season. It was the first day of Winter and the shortest amount of daylight for the year and so we needed a special celebration. 

I felt we needed to get as little of the holiday spirit back and so I put together a small plate of munchies and had the wine poured and ready for when she returned home. 

It turned out that she returned home quickly because the stores were too crowded. We are being very conscious of the COVID threat and will not tarry in a crowded store.  

We enjoyed a quiet start to the evening with some munchies and a nice wine. It was an appropriate Christmas Season Happy Hour. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD