Saturday, March 6, 2021

Celebration

Jax Turns 13 with his Brother
Odenton, MD
March 5, 2021
Despite the COVID pandemic, there are still reasons to celebrate. 

Yesterday provided one of those reasons for partying.

Jax transitioned from childhood into the world of being a teenager as he turned 13. 

It was a low-key celebration with family and close friends, but--it was a celebration of his life nonetheless. A great evening was enjoyed. I noted that Jax's birthday was the last one celebrated before the onset of the COVID pandemic last year. It has been that long since a sense of normalcy was enjoyed. Now, with vaccinations underway and many in my family being vaccinated, perhaps we can soon again begin to enjoy life without fear. 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD



Friday, March 5, 2021

Workweek in the Books

 Another workweek is almost in the books. The arrival of Friday is celebrated and the beginning of the awaited weekend in upon us. 

From The Wall Street Journal
Sadly, it has been an abysmal week for the stock market and investments. It seems the bottom has fallen out and the optimism which once was pervasive is evaporating and the bears have come out of their winter slumber. It is weird when I look at the markets and say to myself, "Oh, I only lost that much?" And the outlook is not much better for today based upon comments by the Fed chairman regarding interest rates.

In a foreboding piece of news, it was reported that the 30-year home mortgage rate topped 3 percent for the first time since July. I was really enjoying the hot house selling market. Being a sellers market was really driving up prices. I knew it couldn't last, but I had hoped that it would. 

Well, the weekend cannot come too quickly to give everyone a breather. 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Thursday, March 4, 2021

Fire Pit

First Fire of the Year
Elkridge, MD
March 3, 2021

The afternoon was bright and warm, well warmer. Temperatures almost made 60 degrees, but Chris and I determined it was time for the first fire of the new year.

We had been waiting for a nice afternoon to light a fire and enjoy some wine outdoors celebrating the end of a beautiful day. 

It would have been even more idyllic, had not the dogs been so demanding. But, still, as a harbinger of springtime, the first fire of the new year was a great start. 

I hope there are many more before the season ends. 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Optimism? Finally?

It seems like the Hunger Games for vaccines at times. Trying to get vaccinated for COVID seems to be a difficult task for some, but hopefully that will soon be a thing of the past.

I was encouraged by the announcement yesterday that by the end of May all adults in America will be able to be vaccinated. If only the states and local communities can figure out how to distribute the vaccines. 

With the increase in vaccinations--as of yesterday I saw that 8 percent of Americans were fully vaccinated, the news is reporting that the CDC will be coming out with new guidance soon--maybe even tomorrow. 

Could it be? Are we beginning to turn the corner on the COVID pandemic? 

It is clear that during the past two months the mood of the country has gone from hopeless to hopeful. Where before there was no coherent plan the transformation has occurred resulting in action and results. The focus has changed from concern about one person into concern for all persons. We are beginning to become optimistic about defeating the coronavirus!

Maybe the Winter of our Discontent will blossom into the Spring of Deliverance?


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD



Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The Road to Recovery

The rain finally stopped after about 36 hours. At least it did not persist for 40 days and 40 nights. 

The world is a soggy mess right now. The lawn is so wet that I cannot even walk on it. I yearn to get outside and do something--anything.

I am weary of being a COVID refugee. Perhaps the world will begin to open soon. I saw something yesterday on my journey to work that I have not seen in almost one full year--a school bus. 

The big yellow bus was one of the few that were circulating through the neighborhood, much like they used to do, collecting children for school when life was normal. 

Normal--we are living in a world that is inherently not normal anymore. It is something we are striving for, but that so far is eluding our outstretched hands. 

But, even seeing a school bus represents the next step on the road to recovering our lives. 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, March 1, 2021

Monday Musings - March 1, 2021


 


1. Unbelievably, it is the first Monday in March. There are five Mondays this month and we are 1/6 (16.7%) through the year. 

2. Spring may actually arriving here early despite the prediction by the Pennsylvania rodent at the beginning of last month.

3. The rains of the past two days have cleared the landscape of snow and are beginning to transform the scenery from brown and gray to green. 

4. Rainy weekends are good for recharging. But it has rained for over 24 hours straight. That is a bit much.

5. The Orioles played and lost their first Spring Training game 4-6 to the Pirates. It was good to have baseball back.

6. I am guessing that I am now fully COVID vaccinated since my second inoculation was over a week ago. How will that change my daily activities and masking? It won't, but I feel better about the situation. 

7. Today in History. On March 1, 1932, in a crime that captured the attention of the entire nation, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., the 20-month-old son of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, is kidnapped from the family’s new mansion in Hopewell, New Jersey. Lindbergh, who became an international celebrity when he flew the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, and his wife Anne discovered a ransom note demanding $50,000 in their son’s empty room. The kidnapper used a ladder to climb up to the open second-floor window and left muddy footprints in the room.




Vaccines Yield Breakthroughs in Long-Term Fight Against Disease - The Wall Street Journal

N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Apologizes Over Some Interactions With Staffers - The Wall Street Journal

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Supplies Will Be Limited at First, Officials Warn - The New York Times

Trump’s Republican Hit List at CPAC Is a Warning Shot to His Party - The New York Times

The power is back, but millions of Texans wonder what it will take to fully recover — and who will help them - The Washington Post

Supreme Court to again consider protections for minority voters - The Washington Post

Asian stocks rally, battered bond market tries to steady - Reuters

Oil prices climb after progress on huge U.S. stimulus bill - Reuters



Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week



Now we know that deficits are a cause for worry. But there's a difference of opinion as to whether taxes should be increased, spending cut, or some of both. Fear is expressed that government borrowing to fund the deficit could inhibit the economic recovery by taking capital needed for business and industrial expansion. Well, I think that debate is missing an important point. Whether government borrows or increases taxes, it will be taking the same amount of money from the private sector, and, either way, that's too much. Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes on families struggling to pay their bills. The root of the problem is that government's share is more than we can afford if we're to have a sound economy.

We must bring down the deficits to ensure continued. economic growth. In the budget that I will submit on February 1st, I will recommend measures that will reduce the deficit over the next 5 years. Many of these will be unfinished business from last year's budget.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Aaron and the Golden Calf - Updated

It being Sunday, a particular history lesson from the Bible struck me this morning. It is in Exodus 32.

It is about how the people of Israel, after being led from slavery in Egypt while they were on their journey to the promised land, in the absence of Moses while he was atop the mountain communing with God and getting the commandments, grew fearful and needed something to worship. The made their own god from gold. The golden calf and they worshipped it. 

God wanted to destroy the people for their sin and lack of faith--but Moses interceded for them. Many still died atoning for the sin, but the people continued and remembered the valuable lesson.

Why did this particular history lesson come to mind this morning?

A similar thing in happening in America right now. A golden calf has been constructed and people are worshipping it. One of our political parties, of which I used to be a member, has abrogated its history of service to the Republic and has become a cult devoted to a man. 

And now, the modern day equivalent of the golden calf has been made in order to worship the man. And he has a golden scepter in his hand with a star on it. I can only imagine what this means, but the President of the United States does not rule with a scepter in his hand, only kings and despots need a scepter to affirm their leadership status. 

The history lesson ends as follows:

And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. (Exodus 32:35)


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Saturday, February 27, 2021

It's Melting

 

The Last Snow in My Yard
Elkridge, MD
February 27, 2021
It is melting--the snow, I mean.

Much like the Wicked Witch of the North in The Wizard of Oz, the rain is rapidly melting the snow. 

I am not a huge fan of rain on the weekends, but in this case--I'm good with it because it is hastening the demise of the white scourge. 

I am happy to see it all go--and even though this winter had more snow than the last three combined, it was still a relatively light winter. The snow thrower only had to really work for one storm.

I am fully prepared for warmer temperatures and longer days. 

Baseball is back and so it is only fitting that the snow melt and warmer weather arrives. 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, February 26, 2021

Racing for the Weekend

 

Well, it is Friday again and one business day stands between me and the weekend. 

I look forward to Friday evenings and celebrating the weekend's start with friends. 

With the great weather of the past few days, I'm believing that golf season is not far away. As soon as I am able I need to get out there and start swinging my clubs. I am looking forward to hitting the little white ball around the course again and into ponds, trees, and out of bounds. Occasionally, I even hit important things like fairways and greens. 

Elkridge 10 Day Weather Forecast


Looking out 10 days, it seems that Spring has truly arrived. Every day, with two exceptions is showing high temperatures in the 50's or above! 

For now, it is time to get in gear for the weekend and to dream of the arrival of the month of March with the promise of warmer temperatures and the Springtime.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, February 25, 2021

A Taste of Springtime


Yesterday was a day designed to incite a severe case of Spring fever. It was a glorious day. The official temperature in Baltimore was a balmy 63 degrees. This was the first 60 degree day in the region since mid-December.

It was awesome and a great harbinger of better days to come. 

There was something great about coming out of the workplace at the end of the day and being greeted by a warmer breeze. There was a coolness to it--but not the frigid cold slap in the face that I have been experiencing. 

Chris and I enjoyed the evening, watching the sunset from our back porch with a glass of wine. It is something that we have not done since Winter began. But, the warmer days are coming. 

I hope we see warmer temperatures again soon.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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