Was that number really 70?

 

Springtime Flowers Alongside the House
Elkridge, MD
May 10, 2022

Officially, at BWI airport the temperature yesterday never reached 70. But at my house it did! Yay!

I never believed that I would be excited about temperatures in the 70s, but I changed out of my jeans and put on shorts to celebrate the more moderate and seasonal temperatures. 

I was almost giddy with excitement as Chris and I took Finnegan for a walk. It was actually warm. The sun felt good, almost like Florida, on my exposed skin.

The warm afternoon temperature also encouraged the lilac bush alongside the house to burst into bloom and its sweet fragrance filled the afternoon air on my porch. The image actually shows the bleeding hearts, lily of the valley, and the lilac bush all in bloom--although, in different stages of blooming. 

Hopefully, the days ahead will be warmer and Spring can finally take hold.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 9, 2022

 

1. Amazingly, its is already the second Monday of May. There are 33 Mondays remaining in the year!

2. I am hopeful that warmer weather arrives soon. Morning temperatures of 45 degrees and afternoons of 53, as yesterday was, are too cold to motivate me to open the pool and enjoy outdoors activities like baseball. 

Fly on the Deck
Elkridge, MD
May 8, 2022

3. Even though the weather has been cold, the flies have arrived to begin the Spring season. I imaged this on on my deck yesterday. It was cold enough that it didn't to move very quickly. Flies, why did it have to be flies?

4. It was a somber Russian Victory Day celebration according to the news reporting.

5. A busy week begins. At least the morning is bright and clear, unlike the past few days. Its is cold, 45 degrees when I awakened, but supposed to at least climb into the 60s. 

6. Today in History. On May 9, 1960, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the world’s first commercially produced birth-control pill—Enovid-10, made by the G.D. Searle Company of Chicago, Illinois.

Development of “the pill,” as it became popularly known, was initially commissioned by birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger and funded by heiress Katherine McCormick. Sanger, who opened the first birth-control clinic in the United States in 1916, hoped to encourage the development of a more practical and effective alternative to contraceptives that were in use at the time.

Putin tries to defend Ukraine war in Victory Day speech - CNN

What overturning Roe v. Wade could mean for decades-old abortion bans - CNN

Ukrainians report fierce fighting as Russia marks Soviet WW2 victory - Reuters

China's two biggest cities tighten COVID curbs - Reuters

Alabama ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth takes effect - Reuters

'We will win': Ukraine defiant on anniversary of World War Two victory - Reuters

Ukraine is rebuilding cities as fast as Russia destroyed them - The Washington Post

Mississippi governor doesn’t rule out banning contraception if Roe falls - The Washington Post

IRS Pays Billions in Interest on Delayed Tax Returns - The Wall Street Journal

Truckers Want More Trucks Than Industry Can Build at the Moment - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, ELkridge, MD

Mother's Day 2022

 

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

With the passing of Mom this past December, the day is a bit different. Chris and I did not buy a Mother's Day gift for her for the first time, ever. I know my entire family is grappling with reality of life without her, but there is joy. The Celebration of Life that was held for her during late-April provided an inspiration of a life well lived and she was a model for us all. She was special because her inclusive definition of family was evident in everything she did. She truly believed that we all are brothers and sisters and integral parts of a larger family. She lived her faith everyday and was a genuine believer.

So, for my family and friends here is the video that was used at Mom's Celebration of Life as a way to remember a great Mom to everyone Mother's Day. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom. We miss you.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Rain Came

Morning Weather Radar
May 7, 2022

It has rained for over 24 hours.

It will rain for about 24 more hours.

Everything is soaked and soggy. I am happy that Chris encouraged me to mow the lawn before the rain else it would be turning into a jungle. 

The rains beginning on Wednesday have washed out three scheduled Severn 14U Baseball games. They are going to be very hard to make-up. 

I was going to open the pool this weekend. Not now.

I wanted to play golf. Not now. 

Yesterday the small stream leading to the larger creek needed to be cleared of leaf dams so the water would not overflow into my yard. In my raincoat with the rain falling steadily, I cleared the leaf dams and lowered the bottom of the stream so that the rain water could flow unrestricted to its destination. It was a wet, but successful project. 

And with more rain on the way, I will likely clear another closet of accumulated treasures today and dream of a place where the sun shines and the temperatures are in the 80s. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

We Did What?

 

Cinco de Mayo Lunch
May 5, 2022
ELkridge, MD

Chris and I have been in packing mode for much of the past two weeks. We are aggressively downsizing and determining which possessions will move to Florida and which will be disposed through sale or donation. I have to admit--the sale is not going well. I have only actually sold a few items--but there is time. Of the items planned for Florida, we are packing those which we can live without between now and arrival in Florida. That includes three sets of dishes!

Yesterday afternoon, however, it happened. We ran out of packing material. That really put a damper on the process. More will be arriving today when the Amazon truck shows up in front of the house, but we will have to focus on aspects of downsizing which do not require packing--like reducing my closet. I am still carrying my full wardrobe from when I was having to go to work everyday. I am hoping that I can significantly reduce my holdings to something more manageable. Goodwill will definitely be receiving sport coats and dress shirts and pants this afternoon!

Despite the downsizing effort, there was time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. As I expected to be playing a baseball game during the evening meal time, we celebrated at lunchtime with some margaritas and chips! I make a great margarita!

After all of that, the baseball game turned into practice on the outfield grass because the infield was mud!

What a day! Did I mention I was able to mow the lawn?

We did what yesterday? I wonder what today will bring?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cinco de Mayo 2022

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo 2022!

Let the festivities begin as my favorite foreign holiday arrives. 

Cinco de Mayo is actually a holiday in Mexico--but it is more widely celebrated here in the U.S. 

Many people wonder why I enjoy the holiday. Well, it is one of those holidays, complete with a celebration, which although considered minor by many has incredible significance to the American experience. 

Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated during September, and it also is NOT a Mexican Federal Holiday. The Battle of Puebla where out-manned and out-gunned Mexican forces defeated a larger French force (sounds a bit like Ukraine and Russia), was also not a turning point in the War, which the French ultimately won. The Battle of Puebla, however, may have helped prevent the Confederacy from winning the American Civil War. 

An excerpt from a History.Com article, titled How Cinco de Mayo Helped Prevent a Confederate Victory in the Civil War, provides the historical perspective. 

Some contend that the year-long delay of the French invasion gave Abraham Lincoln’s generals just enough time to win decisive Union victories before Napoleon could provide upgraded artillery and munitions to the Confederacy. 

“By the time the French occupy Mexico City in June of 1863, the battle of Vicksburg was already underway," says Eric Rojo, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and commander-in-chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, an organization composed of descendants of Union officers in the Civil War. Rojo points out that the Battle of Gettysburg was about to begin and that Union victories were "signaling the beginning of the end" for the Confederacy. “Even if French were able to set their supply lines by mid-1863, it would have made very little difference in the outcome of the Civil War.”

So I celebrate today not only for the fun and revelry, but for the true historical significance of the Battle of Puebla and in memory to the brave Mexicans who played a role in preserving the Union and these United States.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

May the 4th Be With You

 

Happy Star Wars Day.

May the 4th be with you!

Today reminds me of the ultimate fantasy and how I felt after seeing the original movie, now the 4th in the services, waaaay back in 1977. 

It really was that long ago! 45 years.

The movie was not originally expected to do well in the box office, but it spawned an entire series of movies, television shows, and books with which a generation has grown-up. 

The movies and stories have become the ultimate escapism into a universe where it always seems that evil is about to extinguish the light of good--but then at the last moment the Force flexes to subdue the forces of darkness--the Dark Side. 

If only it were more true. Sadly, the forces of evil and anarchy seem to in control in the world these days. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Painting, Ugh!

 

White Crown Molding
Elkridge, MD
May 3, 2022

There are two home projects that I do not enjoy:

Plumbing and Painting.

Plumbing while not particularly difficult always seems to cause me to contort into uncomfortable positions to make a connection. I have learned over the years to connect as much plumbing before installing sinks, but when making repairs or sweating copper to solve a leak sometimes being a contortionist is the only way to get the job done.

Red Crown Molding
Elkridge, MD
October 11, 2015

Painting is another area that I do not enjoy because it requires a specific kind of patience that I just do not possess. Take yesterday, for instance. I spent most of the day painting crown molding in the dining room. It required three coats of paint to cover my beloved red crown molding and make it a more traditional white. When I installed the crown molding and chair rail in the dining room, I painted the crown molding red to match the wall below the chair rail. I thought it added character to the room. Chris did not agree, but allowed the red to remain--until yesterday. As we prepare to sell the homestead it was determined that the red must go! As a result, I spent the day on a ladder applying three coats of paint to cover the red.

Note to self: red is hard to paint over.

The red is now gone and the room has become boringly acceptable to the masses. 

I dearly hope there are no more painting projects in my future.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 2, 2022

 

1. Happy May! It is the first Monday of May 2022 and not much has changed since April. There are 34 Mondays remaining in the year! 

Along the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
April 8. 2022

2. My new baseball glove will likely be ready for action tomorrow. I have been conditioning it and keeping it wrapped around a baseball to speed the process of making it ready for action. 

3. Rain can be incredibly inconvenient. Yesterday's rain was sufficient to inundate the baseball field and cause a scheduled doubleheader to be postponed. Just what we need, more games to reschedule. 

4. Longing for the Loxahatchee. Reviewing my photos from April, I discovered this image taken along the banks of the Loxahatchee River in Tequesta during a bike ride. I took an 8 mile bike ride yesterday around Elkridge that had 554 feet of elevation change compared with the 15 mile ride in Tequesta on April 8th which recorded 26 feet of elevation change. Guess which one I was breathing hard after completing?

5. I love bright sun and blue skies, I just wish the afternoon highs were in the 80s and that the rain would not occur on days with scheduled baseball games.

6. How about them O's! The took a series from the Red Sox by winning yesterday 9-5. They are tied for 24th place among all the teams in baseball with an 8-14 record. 

7. Today in History. The modern legend of the Loch Ness Monster is born when a sighting makes local news on May 2, 1933. The newspaper Inverness Courier relates an account of a local couple who claim to have seen “an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface.” The story of the “monster” (a moniker chosen by the Courier editor) becomes a media phenomenon, with London newspapers sending correspondents to Scotland and a circus offering a 20,000 pound sterling reward for capture of the beast.

Hundreds trapped at Mariupol steel plant as Russian shelling resumes - CNN

US should prepare for Southern summer surge of Covid, Birx says - CNN

Israel demands apology after Lavrov says Hitler had Jewish roots - Reuters

Poland ready to help Germany stop using Russian oil, says minister - Reuters

Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia - Reuters

How the ‘jack-in-the-box’ flaw dooms some Russian tanks - The Washington Post

Big majority of Americans back sanctions on Russia, aid to Ukraine, poll finds - The Washington Post

Ukraine Says It Sank Two Russian Naval Vessels - The Wall Street Journal

Disney’s Clash With Florida Has CEOs on Alert - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Different Ending

 

The View from Suite 72
20 minutes before first pitch
OPACY, Baltimore, MD
April 30, 2022

I attended the Red Sox vs Orioles baseball game last evening at Orioles Park at Camden Yards (OPACY). I was lucky to have been invited into a suite complete with food and beverage.

What did I discover? 

The Orioles have unfortunately become a second rate baseball/entertainment organization.

On the field the Orioles have the lowest payroll in MLB. I looked it up. Their 2022 total payroll is listed as $46.5 million. Last evening the Orioles played the Red Sox who have a total payroll listed as $202 million. The league average is somewhere about $147 million. Is it any wonder that the Orioles have a losing record?

It is now easy to see why the stadium which can hold about 46,000 only had just short of 20,000 in attendance last evening. In the past, Red Sox games were almost guaranteed sell outs, although the fortunes of that team are low right now and not many Red Sox fans are traveling from Boston. I did not see the usual squadron of busses parked along the stadium roads as I walked to the game.

But wait, there is more. I had been invited to a suite to enjoy the game. The Orioles somehow managed to fumble the reservation for the suite and the food and beverage was not provided until the person who made the reservation provided the confirmation email to the concessions manager and then it took 45 minutes to stock the area. Once stocked, there was only beer and soft drink for beverages and the entree consisted of hot dogs or pulled pork. Compared with my experience at Nationals Park last season, the Orioles are way behind in providing an exceptional fan experience. National Park provided London Broil, plus numerous other entrees, a salad bar, dessert bar and a full open bar. 

On to the game.

Amazingly, the Orioles won the game 2-1. It was a 10th inning, walk-off error by the Red Sox that allowed the Orioles to scrap out a victory. The Red Sox scored in the first inning and the Orioles did not manage the tying run until the 8th inning. 

The 10th inning is when the game became interesting. The Orioles managed not to surrender a run to the visitors during the top of the inning. The Red Sox, for their part tried an interesting approach by intentionally walking the lead-off batter which put runners on 1st and 2nd. Remember, in MLB extra innings now begin with a runner on 2nd. This set up a double play possibility. But, the Orioles bunted in an attempt to move the runners over, but the Red Sox committed an error trying to get the lead runner at 3rd. The pitcher, who fielded the bunt, overthrew the 3rd baseman and the baserunner who had started at 2nd base, scored! 

A walk-off error. Orioles Win! Orioles Win!

That was a different ending, for sure.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD