Countdown

Russian launch to ISS
October 11, 2018

I have experienced the thrill of watching, in person, the countdown of launches into space. They are far better than watching on television, but the effect is similar.

In person, I have walked out to a beach or stopped on a causeway with a radio near to hear the NASA announcers as they talk about the time remaining to launch. The excitement builds and then t=we hear the final seconds 10..9..8..7..6..5.. all the way to zero and the engines light and the vehicle lifts off the pad and begins its journey into space.

It is thrilling!

Hopes and dreams ride with the ascending vehicle.

My Closed Pool

There are other countdowns that I employ.

How many days until my next vacation or cruise. I have an app on my phone that lets me know how many days remain. It is a countdown. The time always seems so far away--and then it is here.

Some people have the annual Christmas countdown of shopping days left until the big day! One always seems to scream by at almost light speed. But I remember as it kid it was incredibly slow. The days remains until Christmas 2018 are 69 meaning there are 68 shopping days remaining.

I have countdown for the number of days remaining until I open my pool for the next summer season. Currently it is 202. Ugh!

I am currently near the beginning of another countdown. They always seem to go slow at the beginning. I have completed 6 days and have 38 remaining. Mine is based on weekdays with Thanksgiving and Black Friday not included. December 11th will mark the completion and hopefully success!

Countdowns help me achieve goals! I cannot climb a mountain except one step at a time and I cannot reach a goal except one day at a time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD