Eerie Storm

Eerie Rainbow
Elkridge, MD
July 12, 2022

 At the end of a hot day, the obligatory thunderstorms moved through the area cooling the temperatures a bit. In addition to providing an spectacular light show with deep rolling thunder, Chris and I witnessed a sky coloration not often seen. As the skies cleared and a rainbow formed, the clouds reflected the reds of the sunset. It was dark and red, almost like skies depicted on alien planets in science fiction movies.

The storms came at the end of a long day which saw us meet the people who have contracted to buy the house and then enjoy some time on a floatie in the pool. 

I had a person test drive my Jaguar, which is for sale. They seemed very interested and I will have to see how that goes. My car is listed on CarGurus and Facebook Marketplace. 

Happy Hump Day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, again

 I have stumbled once again upon Tuesday--I know, it arrives every week. 

Nightstand
Elkridge, MD
July 11, 2022

Today, however, seems different. I don't have a day filled with activity, but I expect to be busy.

Yesterday I was busy on Facebook Marketplace listing items which have been slated for downsizing and then actually selling some of the items. I did finally sell a small refrigerator, which had been seeing incredible interest for a few days but no one actually wanted to come pay for it. I am amazed at how many people ask if something is still available and then I hear nothing more from them. And then, not the other hand some sales happen incredibly quickly and without drama. 

One item, actually a pair of items, that went smoothly and without drama was two nightstands. I love it when something just passes on to its new owner without drama and I had a great time chatting with the new owner of my former treasures. 

I continue to tackle the minor repair issues. I managed to solve a leaky pool light problem while also mowing using my repaired mower deck. 

Downsizing will continue today. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 11, 2022

 

1. Welcome to this edition of Monday Musings. Today is the second Monday of July 2022. There are 24 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. I just have to mention the Orioles. They now have an 8-game winning streak for the first time (within a single season) since May 2005! They are also just 1 game below .500. While they are the cellar-dwellers of the AL East, they are actually tied for 8th in the league (of 15) and are just 2 games out of Wild Card contention.

3. I have been having a fun time selling items on Facebook Marketplace. It is frustrating, however, that so many people make promises that they do not keep. AND, I also continue to fend off scammers. Let the seller beware!

Enchantment of the Seas
Baltimore Cruise Port
July 9, 2022

4. I dropped Jeremy and Julie off at the Baltimore Cruise Port on Saturday. It definitely was not cruise weather as they departed. Here is an image I took while stopped of the cruise ship, Enchantment of the Seas, as I was leaving the port. I can sum it in one word: rain!

5. I have been amazed at the number of maintenance issues that have developed in the house since we accepted the offer of sale. Maybe I just notice them more, but those annoying little projects keep adding up.

6. Today in History. On July 11, 1804, in one of the most famous duels in American history, Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shoots his long-time political antagonist Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton, a leading Federalist and the chief architect of America’s political economy, died the following day.

Alexander Hamilton, born on the Caribbean island of Nevis, came to the American colonies in 1773 as a poor immigrant. (There is some controversy as to the year of his birth, but it was either 1755 or 1757.) In 1776, he joined the Continental Army in the American Revolution, and his relentless energy and remarkable intelligence brought him to the attention of General George Washington, who took him on as an aide. Ten years later, Hamilton served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and he led the fight to win ratification of the final document, which created the kind of strong, centralized government that he favored. In 1789, he was appointed the first secretary of the treasury by President Washington, and during the next six years he crafted a sophisticated monetary policy that saved the young U.S. government from collapse. With the emergence of political parties, Hamilton was regarded as a leader of the Federalists.

Ukraine War Pushes Millions of the World’s Poorest Toward Starvation - The Wall Street Journal

Freight Rates Are Starting to Fall as Shipping Demand Wavers - The Wall Street Journal

Ukraine's harvest becomes the new battlefield, as fires blacken heartlands - CNN

Is Covid-19 surging again? - CNN

Europe on edge as Nord Stream Russian gas link enters shutdown - Reuters

Ships get older and slower as emissions rules bite - Reuters

Lithuania widens curbs on Kaliningrad trade despite Russian warning - Reuters

America has decided the pandemic is over. The coronavirus has other ideas. - The Washington Post

Uber used covert tech to thwart government probes and advance its ambitions - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Magic Returns

As the Game Begins Angels vs O's
OPACY
July 9, 2022

 It has been over a month since I attended an Orioles game. The team has matured significantly and has become a force. They are currently on a seven-game winning streak and they are fun to watch. 

Yesterday afternoon's game was played under gray skies with intermittent rain, but Orioles Park at Camden Yards (OPACY) was as full of screaming Orioles fans, all dressed in Orange, as I have seen it in many years. In fact, the paid attendance was over 32,000. That was , I believe, the highest attendance since Opening Day when over 44,000 paid to see the Orioles begin the season. 

After the Victory
Sea of Orange
OPACY
June 9, 2022

The Orioles are actually in the playoff hunt! They are just 3.0 games out of the a Wild Card playoff spot! They are also 42-44 on the season, sitting at just 2 games below .500. Not only that, but the O's are on a seven-game winning streak for the first time since August 2017!

It was a close game, with the Orioles defeating the Angels 1-0. I guess it was a pitching duel, although it did not seem that way. I did see some great defensive baseball and was treated to a rare 5-3-5 double play. That would be a ball hit to the third baseman and thrown to first for the first out and then back to third to tag the runner for the second out. Inning ending double play!

Unlike my last outing to OPACY, the magic is definitely back. And the crowd stayed until the end of the game.

I noticed a few things about the park, however. They were not prepared for the crowd that came to see the O's. Concession stands ran out of food and drink. Also, there was a lack of police and traffic control on the streets which resulted in some of the worst traffic tie-ups I have seen. I did get my Orioles Aloha shirt, which was the giveaway for the day.

I had fun and the team is fun to watch. 

Being part of a surging throng yelling, "Let's Go O's" was something I did not expect, but yesterday it happened and I loved being part of the noise and fun of Major League Baseball. I was reminded of playoff baseball and victories past at OPACY. Maybe, just maybe, the team is ready to compete again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tales from Downsizing

 

Remaining CD Collection
Elkridge, MD
July 9, 2022

Good news--the welder arrived and did a great job on the mower deck! That was a hanging item from yesterday. I had a great time chatting with him as he worked and when he examined the factory welds on the other main bracket (the one which had not yet failed), he felt that it needed to be reinforced--at no extra charge!

The mower deck is now reinstalled on my mower and safely in the shed. I was gong to mow today, however, soaking rains are expected which means that mowing will not happen until tomorrow.

Yesterday, Chris and I spent the afternoon going through our CD collection. Remember CDs? Compact Discs? Wow, we have a lot. We culled the herd to one box with two layers.

I do own two cars that only have CD players (well, one has a cassette player as well) for music in addition to the radio. Yes, they are both mid-2000 cars (2005 and 2006). But other than those two infrequently driven autos, most of my music is delivered via internet or SirusXM. So Chris and I are wrestling with the question, do we keep or donate the CDs? Of course, I want to keep them in case we need them in the future. Chris wants to dispose of them due to lack of storage. 

The discussion continues. 

Downsizing is hard!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Welders

Bracket and mower deck
Elkridge, MD
 July 2, 2022

 I am having a terrible time getting a welder to repair my mower deck.

I have had two cancellations, one that called and said I was too far to make it worthwhile, and another that was supposed to be here at 2:30 yesterday. He sent an email that he was going to be 40 minutes late and then, sent an email at 9PM saying he had an emergency and he could come then or in the morning.

Wow! How tough can it be?

I still need my mower deck welded so that I can cut the grass and then sell my tractor just before moving to Florida. 

Hopefully, the welder will show up at 9 AM this morning.

It has rained enough that I really need to mow the lawn again!

It is har to believe that one week ago I woke up in Sint Maarten and just afternoon began the journey home. Wow! And now I'm waiting for a welder so I can mow the lawn.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Evidence of Climate Change

Mussel on my Plate
Ellicott City, MD
July 6, 2022

 There it was, right in front of me last evening. There was no denying the fact--obvious and simple. 

Something was wrong. 

There on my plate, was a mussel with two meats inside of it. I was astonished! How could this be? Was the restaurant serving some strange species of mussels? 

It could only be evidence of climate change!

Definite climate change and one for the text books. 

And then I examined the mussel further. One of the meats apparently had fallen into this shell from another mussel making it appear to have two. So it was not a climate induced mutant!

Wow, I am so relieved.

They were, however, tasty.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Vacation House Cat

Martin 
Sampson Bay, Sint Maarten
June 25, 2022

 

Martin under the Sofa
Sampson Bay, Sint Maarten
June 25, 2022

Reflecting upon our recent week in Sint Maarten, one thing that was very interesting was the house cat that visited the veranda every morning and evening. The cat was not feral, but rather friendly. Chris adopted the cat while she was there and named him, Martin! 

Of course Chris found a stray to adopt. She has a warm spot in her heart for animals. I do not believe it was a stray, as it acted too tame. I believe it was an outdoor cat charged with keeping the vermin away from the three story house, we were lucky to have the second floor as our residence for the week.

But then there was Martin. He was always around, especially when Chris was visible. He sat at the door mornings waiting for her, but never attempted to come inside. We were smart enough never to attempt to pick the cat up, but to interact with him on his terms.

Martin on the Sofa
Sampson Bay, Sint Maarten
June 26, 2022

Chris teased about bringing the cat back with us, fortunately she was just teasing although at times I was not too sure. Martin became a substitute for the absence of Finnegan, her Yorkie, almost but not quite.

Now, I presume that Martin is still visiting the apartment every morning and the current residents are enjoying having him around. Well, maybe enjoying is a stretch, but he is likely there doing his "I own this place" routine.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

After the 4th

Fireworks Over the House
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2022

 It was, I expect, the final family holiday celebration at the house and it was fitting that it went out with a bang.

We had a spectacular 4th of July gathering. The weather was perfect, we dined on a multitude of foods, and the fireworks went off without a problem. The pool was the centerpiece of the early festivities and once darkness fell, the sounds of rockets and explosions took over.

A neighbor took the image of the fireworks exploding over the house and I have to admit--I like it a lot. 

And now, it is Tuesday. The day after the big party. There remains some debris in the yard, but otherwise, the house is in great shape. 

A great memory was made. And a great image as well.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - Independence Day 2022

 

1. Happy Independence Day. Today is the first Monday of July and there are 25 Mondays remaining in the year. Yes, Monday Musings is back after taking a week off during my vacation.

Fireworks at Home
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2021

2. Break out the celebrations it is time to celebrate the birthday of America. 

3. Did you know the iPhone turned 15 years old this past week?

4. The current push to "protect the 2nd Amendment" seems misplaced. The discussion centers on having no limits, yet no one seems to remember that there are limits on the 1st Amendment guarantees, specifically those of free speech and free assembly. Setting reasonable limits is necessary to promote order in society.

5. Enjoy the parties today and the celebration. Hopefully we can reset this country and push aside partisan differences to move forward. 

6. Today in History. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congressadopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king.

The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts and marked an ideological expansion of the conflict that would eventually encourage France’s intervention on behalf of the Patriots.

Commodity Price Slide Raises Hopes Inflation May Ease - The Wall Street Journal

Lessons of Russia’s War in Ukraine: You Can’t Hide and Weapons Stockpiles Are Essential - The Wall Street Journal

The iPhone at 15: An Inside Look at How Apple Transformed a Generation - The Wall Street Journal

Americans are divided over what the country stands for - CNN

Sydney is flooded, again, as climate crisis becomes new normal for Australian state - CNN

How Missouri's abortion ban is prompting urgent patient travel & talks about enforcement - CNN

EXCLUSIVE Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon, article with video - Reuters

Ukraine war to shift to Donetsk after fall of Luhansk; Russia claims major victory - Reuters

Morning Bid: Independence Day but no fireworks for markets - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD