Out of the Blue Clear Sky

New Leaves on a Blue Sky
ELkridge, MD
Easter Sunday 2021

 The leaves are coming on the trees. 

That is an exciting development. As I looked into the blue clear sky on Easter Sunday, I was encouraged by the leaves growing on the trees. I began to imagine summer.

The sky was clear, and blue. 

When I have a moment to look into the sky and find it is so stunningly clear I, for some reason, think of an old George Strait song, Out of the Blue Clear Sky. 

I think I like the song because most people say clear blue--but the song reverses the words to be Blue Clear Sky. 

Blue sky days are the best. As I took a moment in preparation for the annual Easter egg Hunt, it was nice to look up and see blue and leaves. I do so enjoy it when the leaves return. And this year, my house is no longer surrounded by day ash trees--they were cut down last year for safety reasons. 

Coming out of my blue clear sky, then, are the leaves which will provide shade this summer. And I welcome them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 5, 2021

1. It is the first Monday of April, it is the 14th Monday of 2021. Yay. There are 38 Mondays remaining in 2021.

2. Happy Easter! It was the first post COVID-19 holiday.

3. I do not understand people who are not going to get vaccinated. Do they not realize that hey could be the demise of the entire human race by allowing to virus to mutate in them? Come on. Protect your neighbor. Get vaccinated. Stop planning to be one of the herd.

Lilly on the Pool Cover
ELkridge, MD
April 4, 2021

4. Guess which MLB team is 3-0 to start the season? The Orioles! today they go to New York and take on the Yankees. Hopefully, the success will continue against their biggest rivals.

5. One of the family dogs enjoys walking on the cover to enjoy the pool before it officially opens. She just cannot wait for the start of pool season. 

6. It was good to feel comfortable enough to return to church for Easter service. The church practiced excellent physical distancing. It is a bit hard to sing with a facial covering, however. 

7. On Saturday morning, instead of golfing, I played racquetball at an outdoor court with a fully vaccinated friend! It was good to be back on the court. My shoulder, however, still hurts! It has been a while since I have swung my racquet. BTW, it was 28 degrees when we started playing.

8. Today in History. April 5, 1994. Modern rock icon Kurt Cobain dies by suicide on April 5, 1994. His body was discovered inside his home in Seattle, Washington, three days later by Gary Smith, an electrician, who was installing a security system in the suburban house. Despite indications that Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, killed himself, some skeptics questioned the circumstances of his death and pinned responsibility on his wife, Courtney Love.

Cobain’s downward spiral began taking shape in Italy the previous month. He went into a coma and nearly died after mixing champagne and the drug Rohypnol. The public was led to believe that the coma was induced by an accidental heroin overdose, since Cobain had a well-known problem with the drug.

Myanmar protesters make Easter eggs a symbol of defiance - Reuters

Oil prices slip after OPEC+ agree to ease output cuts - Reuters

Vaccinations Hit Record High While Experts Debate Fourth Wave - The New York Times

Swelling Anti-Asian Violence: Who Is Being Attacked Where - The New York Times

After a year awaring the pandemic, a church comes together for Easter tradition - The Washington Post

Fauci pushes back on GOP criticisms, calling claims ‘bizarre’ - The Washington Post

Labor board finds Amazon illegally fired activist workers: NYT - Reuters

Tropical cyclone kills at least 97 in Indonesia, East Timor - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

America does well to hold a national week of observance to remind citizens that the need for immunization does not stop with childhood. Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to kill grown-ups in our Nation; as many as 70,000 adults die each year because they do not take advantage of vaccines for influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, hepatitis B, tetanus, and other preventable infectious diseases. Even among people at greatest risk for complications -- the elderly and the chronically ill -- fewer than one in five routinely receive annual influenza vaccination and fewer than one in 10 have been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. 

Immunization with safe and effective vaccines can greatly reduce the tragic loss of life and reduce the massive costs associated with health care. The Surgeon General of the United States has repeatedly urged adults to use appropriate preventive health-care practices, including vaccination for diseases preventable through immunization. We can all do our share in making sure we ourselves and members of our families know about and receive immunization, and that our neighbors and communities have the same opportunity.

Proclamation 5891 -- National Adult Immunization Week, 1988, October 27, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Let the Mowing Begin

After the First Mowing of the Year
Elkridge, MD
April 3, 2021

 The first mowing of the year happened yesterday. In advance of the annual Easter egg Hunt, I revved-up the tractor and mowed the weeds. The grass was at a good height, but the weeds were getting a bit too tall. And the mower also removed the last bits of winter debris from the lawn.

It was good to be outside doing work and enjoying the sunlight of the just a bit too cool day. I also managed to rearrange the shed to find a spot for the snow thrower--it has a great place to enjoy until it is again needed next season.

AL East Standings
Games through April 3, 2021

And writing of seasons--guess which team is alone atop the AL East of the MLB? Yes, the Orioles. Although unlikely to remain there long, it is good to see the Birds atop one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Orioles are already exceeding expectations, they have been at or above .500 for two days!

It seems prophetic, almost, the O's atop the AL East and my mowing season beginning. Spring has truly arrived and hope springs eternal. 

I also want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. It is because of Easter that we have hope.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Easter Treats

 

Easter is synonymous with rabbits, chicks, candy and eggs. Each year it seems there is some new candy or confection to enjoy as part of the celebration. In past years Cadbury Eggs were the rage.

Well, this year imagine my surprise at the newest Easter Candy. Most everyone knows that my favorite dessert is Key Lime Pie. I always have room for more Key Lime Pie and, frankly, left to my own devices I am sure that I could eat an entire pie in one sitting. 

Imagine my excitement when Chris brought home Key Lime Pie M&M's. 

Wow!

They are good. And they represent a respectful Key Lime Pie flavor.

Have a Happy Easter and enjoy the candy!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

 

AL East after Games of April 1, 2021

Baseball has arrived. 

Well, except for the Orioles whose season opener was delayed until today. But, in so doing, the Orioles have a half-game lead over the Yankees! 

I am excited about the baseball season, not because I believe that the Orioles will be in the playoffs, that is unlikely. But, because fans are being allowed into the stadiums and by the end of the season, hopefully, there will not be any restrictions on the crowd size. 

My prediction, which I gave earlier but will repeat here, is that the Orioles finish 75-87. That would be a good season and position them for a strong season next year.

I remember, in olden times, that the first place I would turn when reading the morning newspaper was to the sports section to check the baseball scores and standings. In some way, I long for those times again. Now, I only see a newspaper on Sunday and lately it has been unreadable due to being soaked through by the rain. 

But baseball is back! Take me out to the ballgame.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's Been a Year

Patrick's Double Birthday
Elkridge, MD
March 31, 2021

Last evening we celebrated a birthday. Actually, we celebrated two birthdays. The one that was not celebrated last year at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current birthday. 

The family gathered together for the celebration. A good old fashioned BC (before COVID) celebration. Mind you--most all of the adults present were vaccinated! And so we are beginning, hopefully the AC (After COVID) new normal. 

Last year, we stopped by his house and sang Happy Birthday at a respectful distance. This year, following the CDC guidelines, we celebrated with no masks and a small family gathering. Our family is part of the herd!

It was a great gathering and we are hopeful that it is the beginning of something great. Like the prairie dogs sticking their heads out of their burrows, we are testing the waters of normalcy. I am even seriously considering going to a baseball game.

Baseball begins its season today!

Perhaps, AC is growing closer.

Happy Birthday Patrick--hopefully this it the beginning of something big!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

 

Here is an interesting twist on the news. Or is it entertainment? Or something more sinister?

An article in the Wall Street Journal this morning reports:

Cable-News Viewership Falls After Trump’s Exit

From the article:

U.S. cable-news viewership fell for all major networks in the first three months of the year, as the country moved past the presidential election and its chaotic aftermath.

Fox News lost 32% of its total prime-time audience compared with the quarter ended Dec. 31, Nielsen data show. CNN and MSNBC had smaller declines of 16% and 7.8%, respectively, though each fell more substantially from highs they hit in January.

I have to admit--I am not watching the news as closely as I did before President Biden was inaugurated. I am not as fearful that some great travesty or policy statement will occur overnight which could create chaos or destroy the stock market. 

I am more confident that a more rational and reasoned approach to governing has arrived. 

Are there problems? Yes. But, they are being addressed. 

Maybe we are moving towards a kindler and gentler time?

I hope so.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunrise Surprise

 

Oo the Ramp to MD 100
Elkridge, MD
March 29, 2021

One of the enjoyable things that results from resetting the clocks for Daylight Saving Time is that I get to experience the sunrise again for a few weeks as I make my daily trek to work. 

The lengthening daylight at both ends of the day has benefits. Some mornings, like yesterday, I get to enjoy a spectacular sunrise adorning the sky and brightening my daily journey. 

I enjoy the sunrise and the dawn of the day. 

The brilliant sunrise reflecting upon the clouds started my new workweek off in a brilliant fashion. 

I could not resist taking a quick image of the scene as it filled my vision. And then I realized how different this March is from just a year ago when everything was shutdown. We are beginning to restore normal despite rising numbers of infections. But the traffic has returned, children are in school, and we are moving forward. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 29, 2021

 1. It is the last Monday of March 2021. It is the lucky 13th Monday of the year and there are 39 Mondays remaining. 

2. The big ship moved and was partially freed, but remains blocking the Suez Canal as this morning begins. 

3. Ferocious rain battered the land yesterday. It was a good day to remain inside and watch movies. 

Opening Day 2018
OPACY
March 29, 2018

4. I am amazed at how green the grass has become. I know that some places have already begun mowing, and I am a bit envious--but, the lawn care season is nevertheless underway.

5. It is Holy Week. Sunday is Easter.

6. Chris and I enjoyed another Saturday afternoon baseball game. It was good to be outside in the sun enjoying baseball.

7. MLB begins on Thursday. Here in my prediction for the Orioles: 75-87. I did not attend Spring Training this year and so I do not have any special insight into the team. But, I will attend games at Camden Yards, a/k/a OPACY. The last time I attended Opening Day was during the 2018 season and I unfortunately will also miss this year's Opening Day game.

8. Today in History. March 29, 1973, Two months after the signing of the Vietnam peace agreement, the last U.S. combat troops leave South Vietnam as Hanoi frees the remaining American prisoners of war held in North Vietnam. America’s direct eight-year intervention in the Vietnam War was at an end. In Saigon, some 7,000 U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees remained behind to aid South Vietnam in conducting what looked to be a fierce and ongoing war with communist North Vietnam.

U.S. Not Ready to Lift China Tariffs, Trade Representative Says - The Wall Street Journal

Pandemic Accelerates Retirements, Threatening Economic Growth - The Wall Street Journal

As U.S. vaccination rates trend upward, more people are traveling or planning to. Here’s how to do so safely. - The New York Times

Birx Lashes Trump’s Pandemic Response, Citing Needless Deaths - The New York Times

Former Trump officials offer stark assessment of previous administration’s coronavirus response - The Washington Post

At least four dead in Nashville after powerful storm triggers flash flooding - The Washington Post

Oil slumps as Suez Canal container ship starts to move - Reuters

Backlogs from Suez stranding could take months to clear, Maersk says - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

As I said, America's program for economic recovery is designed not merely to solve an internal problem; it is viewed by my administration as part of an essential effort to restore the confidence of our friends and allies in what we're doing. When we gain control of our inflation, we can once again contribute more helpfully to the health of the world economy. We believe that confidence will rise, interest rates will decline, and investment will increase. As our inflation is reduced, your citizens and other world citizens will have to import less inflation from us.

As we begin to expand our economy once again and as our people begin to keep more control of their own money, we'll be better trading partners. Our growth will help fuel the steady prosperity of our friends. The control we regain over our tax and regulatory structures will have the effect of restoring steady growth in U.S. productivity. Our goods will go into markets not laden down with the drag of regulatory baggage or punitive levies, but with a competitive edge that helps us and those who trade with us.
Address of the President and Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau of Canada Before a Joint Session of the Parliament in Ottawa
March 11, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge ,MD

It is Surely Spring

Lowering the Water in the Pool
March 27, 2021
Elkridge, MD

 The March rains filled my pool nearly to the top. Yesterday I spent some time lowering the water level. 

I was very happy that the water was clear and it looks as if it will be an easy pool opening season. That would be spectacular. My back-up pump worked perfectly and in about an hour I had lowered the water about six inches. I added a bit of chlorine to supplement that which is already in the water and I will be ordering the chemicals necessary for a proper pool opening in about one month from now. I am currently planning for the last weekend in April to open the pool and begin the best season of the year. 

Yesterday was a beautiful weather day overall, in advance of the rains which are already falling this morning. We enjoyed an afternoon baseball game and some wine with a neighbor around the fire pit to cap off the evening. 

I enjoy days like yesterday. Soon, hopefully Saturday's will be filled with visiting wineries and enjoying finding good wines to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD