Friday, May 31, 2019

Out the Hotel Window - Dayton, OH, May 2019


Out my Hotel Window - Dayton, OH
May 30, 2019
Another day and another hotel. Staying for only one night in a hotel is tough because there is almost no reason to unpack. I am traveling with just my backpack which makes it easy to get around where but does complicate getting needed items which are at the bottom. But, I have become a believer in traveling light and with a backpack. It is a lot easier to lug a backpack around an airport than a suitcase. And my clothes need to be ironed upon arrival regardless of whether I use a suitcase or not.

The view out my hotel window here in Dayton is busy. It is also dark and rainy. Rain has been a constant on this trip. I long for sunny skies. I thought the raindrops on the hotel window when I took the image were a nice tough looking at the rainclouds and the clearing skies, which never materialized, in the distance.

At least I have a view to enjoy.

Today I am hoping/planning on getting home to sleep in my own bed again. But tomorrow, I will be off on another adventure! First things first, however, I must get through today and accomplish the very specific goals laid out for me. Summer is drawing close. Today is the last day of May--how quickly it has slipped away. Tomorrow, June arrives and it is the month during which Summer begins! The best season of the year. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Dayton, Ohio

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Barn


Barn in a Field
Ithaca, NY
May 27, 2019
Traveling is tough sometimes, well, all the time. 

Over last weekend I finally got to fly Radio Flyer again and get some images of the area around Ithaca. I still have not been able to fly into some of the gorges to capture the beauty there, but I hope to remedy that soon. 

On one of my early morning Memorial Day flights, I was able to capture this barn which sits alone in a field. I thought the red board contrasted nicely with the tree springtime grasses and trees. 

The flights that Radio Flyer  made on Monday were not long, but they were my first flights in over a month. I am amazed at how the weeks seem to be slipping away. At least it is only being lost a day at a time.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Omaha, NE


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Out the Hotel Window - Omaha, NE - May 2019


Out My Hotel Window - Omaha
May 28, 2019
Welcome back to Nebraska and Omaha, home of the College World Series! 

The view out my hotel window is of an open area and filled with visual stimulating activity. It is raining this morning, but was only overcast last evening as I took the image. 

Bread Counter in Upstream Brewing Company
Omaha, NE
May 28, 2019
The city was almost deserted last evening as I went to dinner. It was a short walk to The Old Market area and the Upstream Brewing Company, where I dined. I enjoyed a wholesome dish of Stroganoff, something that I have not had in many years along with a very nice pint of a local IPA. I recommend this a good place for dinner and a relaxing glass of brew.

It was good to be back in a place that seems almost familiar, although the city keeps growing and changing. I ran across a funny thought as I was leaving the restaurant last evening and it was so good that I had to take a picture. It made me smile. I suppose something similar could be written for grapes that become grape juice or raisins instead of wine!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Omaha, NE

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

When Tuesday is Monday


Sunset Behind the Trees
Ithaca, NY
May 26, 2019
It happens after every three-day weekend: Tuesday is really a Monday in disguise. 

Yes, it seems weird, but even when a holiday falls on Monday, the workweek still begins with a Monday only a day later on Tuesday.vThe first day of the workweek, regardless of when the week begins, is always Monday. It is just how things in the working world seem to progress. Every week begins with a Monday. There are just tasks that need to be completed which happen on the first day of the week after a weekend--hence,  Monday. 

I am fortunate to have been off and away for the better part of four days, but it had not, as you know from reading yesterday's entry,  been a vacation. 

And so, I travel out on this Monday on Tuesday morning to my place of employment. I know that my retired friends are not similarly afflicted by trying to keep track of the day of the week--but, it is where I am at for now and so I will move along through the day. 

At least the sun is climbing into the sky for another day and the probability of rain is somewhat reduced. 

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, May 27, 2019

Saying Goodbye

Happy Memorial Day! That seems weird to write. It is a holiday to remember sacrifice and heroism. Shouldn't it be happy as we recall those who have gone before us to secure the freedoms that today we enjoy?

I'm taking a break from Monday Musings this week to focus on the holiday and the feeling of melancholy that I am experiencing.

Yesterday was a tough day for my family. We said good bye to the place on the planet that has been called home by most of us. Mom and Dad drove away with tears in their eyes as the door closed behind them for last time ending a 43 year-long era. It was sad. I, too, had tears in my eyes although I had never lived there. It was the seat of the family. It was the closing of a chapter in the book that we call our lives.

I took this final image of my sister Pennie sitting in the nearly empty garage after everyone else and the moving truck departed. Everything there is destined to be cleared out by tomorrow and the house will be for sale like meat at the market. Mom and Dad are the second owners of the home and soon the third owners will take over stewardship of the property.

I want to thank my cousins for coming to help with the transition. It was good to see them and remember the picnics and barbecues we shared there together.

Time shared and times remembered. I wonder what it will be like when I say goodbye to my house like Mom and Dad just said to their home?

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Back into Spring

Flowering Dogwood
Danby, NY
May 25, 2019
The flowering trees are still in bloom here in Upstate New York. It is like stepping back in time to enjoy Spring. The pink dogwood tree is adorning my parents's backyard and adding color to the area. The trees are green as is the lawn. Set against the blue sky, it is a scene that I have enjoyed many times.

I made time to enjoy it once more yesterday by taking a break between demolition and cleanup. We are hoping to get the house market ready by the end of the weekend. It is the end of an era as mom and dad have lived there for about 43 years. There are tons of members ories from the family events that have happened there. I remember painting the deck and doing repairs around the house during those years.

But, it is a new era and transition is in the air. Memories are more important than things. Well, I have to keep telling myself that as we add more stuff to the dumpster.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Traveling North

Route 15 North of Williamsport
May 24, 2019
Yesterday was a travel day. Chris and I headed north to Ithaca for the holiday weekend. Traffic was heavy most of the way until we finally made it to the northern mountains of Pennsylvania. Then the green covered hills became the centerpiece of the trip and the numbers of cars drastically reduced.

Along the way we saw the remains of two terrible accidents that closed I-83 south in separate places and we exited the roadway before coming upon a closure for the northbound travelers like ourselves. It was not a good day for traveling on I-83 in Pennsylvania.

People get impatient and do crazy things on the highway. We also observed numerous traffic officers with motorists pulled to the side. I am not a fan of traveling during holiday weekends, but sometimes it has to be done.

We arrived alive and are happy to see everyone.

To those of you still planning to travel, be careful. Enjoy the scenery while you are stopped in traffic. It is better than the alternative.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Friday, May 24, 2019

Orioles Baseball and Rain



Entering OPACY
May 23, 2019
I made my first sojourn to OPACY yesterday. What is OPACY? Orioles Park At Camden Yards. 

View form the Seats
OPACY
May 23, 2019
It was my first trip to see the O's in person. I was remarking that normally by this time of the season I have attended at least five or six games. But, not so this season. The Orioles remain on track to post at least my predicted 105 losses and watching them if more exasperating than fun. The math is showing 113 losses are definitely possible. Last year's edition of the team made it to 15th on the Worst Baseball Teams of there Modern Era list with 115 losses. 

Yesterday ended in frustration as the Yankees took a 5-1 lead by the 7th inning and then the Baby Birds (as they are called) managed to tie the game, but ultimately lost 6-5. They lack the Orioles Magic which just a few years ago saw them wim many more now run games than they lost. I attended the game with 30,000 of my new best friends. Sadly, the Orioles continued to disappoint. I ma not sure when, or if, I will again visit OPACY, but I continue to be an Orioles faithful fan.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Bias is Crippling Our Society


I read an article the other day which adds more data points to my hypothesis that Americans are becoming more biased, but not more discerning. From an article in the Independent, I provide the following.

A survey by Civic Science, an American market research company, asked 3,624 respondents: “Should schools in America teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum?” The poll did not explain what the term “Arabic numerals” meant.

Fifty-six per cent of people say the numerals should not be part of the curriculum for US pupils, according to research designed to explore the bias and prejudice of poll respondents.


Wow, that is a lot of people--but even more telling is the actual number of people who felt that Arabic numerals should be taught in American schools. The study reported:

Some 2,020 people answered “no”. Twenty-nine per cent of respondents said the numerals should be taught in US schools, and 15 per cent had no opinion. [color and emphasis added]

Only 29 percent of the respondents felt that the numerals should be taught in American schools! Astounding. I believe that 100 percent of American schools teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum! And they teach the numerals from Kindergarten onward!
Seventy-two per cent of Republican-supporting respondents said Arabic numerals should not be on the curriculum, compared with 40 per cent of Democrats. This was despite there being no significant difference in education between the two groups.
“They answer differently even though they had equal knowledge of our numerical nomenclature,” Mr Dick said. “It means that the question is about knowledge or ignorance but [also] something else – prejudice.”
So what are Arabic numerals? 

The digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are referred to as Arabic numerals. The system was first developed by Indian mathematicians before spreading through the Arab world to Europe and becoming popularised around the globe.

The very people advocating against teaching Arabic numerals would not be able to do simple math, manage their bank accounts or even make a telephone call without the numerals. The alternative? Roman numerals?

The Big Bang!
I found the article to be very interesting. There was another interesting question in the survey which also highlighted the bias in our society.

Another poll question was worded: “Should schools in America teach the creation theory of Catholic priest George Lemaitre as part of their science curriculum?”
Seventy-three per cent of Democrats answered “no”, compared to 33 per cent of Republicans – with some respondents on either side presumably assuming Lemaitre’s theory was related to intelligent design.
In fact, the Belgian priest was also a physicist who first discovered the universe was expanding and proposed its origins lay in the explosion of a single particle - an idea that became known as the Big Bang theory.

Finally, the last paragraph of the article simultaneously sad and funny:

Civic Science's research is reminiscent of a 2015 survey that found 30 per cent of Republicans supported bombing "Agrabah", the fictional city where Disney's Aladdin is set.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Back on the Winning Trail


It was a beautiful evening for baseball last night. The GORC 12U Haslup Wildcats had an away game in Crofton which brought the best out in the team as they pulled together to win the time-shortened game in five innings. 





Jax Behind the Plate
Crofton, MD
May 21, 2019
The game began with the Wildcats stranding a runner at third after a lead-off single. With Jax on the mound and due to a few defensive miscues, the Wildcats surrendered three runs during the opening frame. The Wildcats bats finally heated up a bit during the second inning, but during the bottom-half they surrendered and additional 3 runs and were trailing 6-2 at the end of two innings. From that point on, it was all Wildcats as they outscored Crofton 10-4 for the remaining three innings. 

Brian repeated his 3-3 at the plate performance from Saturday's game with a single, double and a triple. He scored three times and had two RBI's. Jax was 2-3 at the plate with 1 RBI while scoring twice. He did circle the bases on a single assisted by three defensive errors. 

From a pitching perspective, it was a team effort. Four pitchers combined for the victory: Jax, Martin, Michael (who made his pitching debut) and Sawyer. While they combined to surrender 12 walks, they also struck out 7 batters and allowed only 2 hits.

The game ended on an extremely weird play. With two outs, the bases loaded and clinging to a tenuous two-run lead, Sawyer was on the mound and fired a 3-2 pitch which the batter thought was going to hit him and went down to the ground, but the ball hit the bat falling into fair territory in front of the batter. The catcher picked up the ball, after some encouragement from the dugout, and tagged the prostate prospective baserunner out to end the game. 

It was a gritty win! But a win!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Saying Good-bye is Hard


Weeping Cherry
April 19, 2015
I think sometimes I get too attached to things, like trees.
Weeping Cherry
May 19, 2019

This weekend we said good-bye to our weeping cherry tree that during the 19 springtimes we have lived in our house has provided some of the most stunning displays of flowers to announce the end of winter and arrival of warmer weather. 

The tree did not survive the winter. As I cut it down on Sunday I understood why, the heart was rotting and infested with carpenter ants. It made me sad. The tree has been the centerpiece of our lawn for all of these years. It was "really most sincerely dead." It had to come down, and now all that remains is a stump that I will be removing during mid-June.  

Thankfully, I have some great pictures to remember the tree and we will be replacing it, although not in the same place in the yard.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, May 20, 2019

Monday musing - May 20, 2019



1. For those of us trying to hide from the passage of time, it isn't working. Today is the third Monday of May and we are rapidly closing out the fifth month of the year. 

2. The weekend weather was fabulous. Chris and I worked hard around the house and then, in a moment of great inspiration, cooled off in the pool yesterday. It was our first foray into the pool for the year and the water was great. 

Pool Timer
May 18, 2019
3. The number of small jobs which need accomplishing seems to increase dramatically every day. This weekend I replaced the timer for the pool pump, I rebuilt the pump, I fixed a ground fault in an outlet, and I cut down a tree. 

4. Memorial Day weekend is cruising towards us! It is the first holiday since February!

5. Gas prices are finally falling a bit after rising! I bet they will jack the prices up for next weekend.

6. What are your summer plans? Vacation? Work? It seems that summer is finally upon us! My favorite month of the year is not far off. Bring on July!

7. The Orioles managed to lose 10-0 to the Indians yesterday. Nuff said!

8. It is graduation season. Congrats to all those who have completed their studies this season be it high school or college!

9. Today in History. On this day in 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis are given a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth of one of the world’s most famous garments: blue jeans.


Headlines


Deutsche Bank Staff Saw Suspicious Activity in Trump and Kushner Accounts - The New York Times

Why Working Till Whenever Is a Risky Retirement Strategy - The New York Times





Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week


It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope.
  -- Inaugural Address, January 20, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Bone Crushing Defeat


Yesterday was Saturday, and Saturday means baseball. It was a beautiful day for baseball with clear skies, no rain, no wind. Temperatures were in the 80's. 

The GORC U12 Haslup Wildcats played the other GORC U12 team in the Anne Arundel County League.

In short, we the game resulted in a loss 13-8 and the record fell to 4-4-1. It was a depressing loss because our boys are a really good team, but yesterday their lack of energy made simple plays seem difficult. Of course, it is hard to catch up when the team spots the other team fours runs and doesn't begin scoring until the third inning. 

There were highlights! Brian, the catcher, went 3-3 with a double and a triple and 3 RBIs. Cole, a utility player, was 1-1 with two walks and a homer!



Pitching Box Score
May 18, 2019  GORC U12 Haslup Wildcats vs GORC U12 Dispenza


The pitchers did better as a group, getting the walks down to 8 and striking out 9. They also played their position well recording outs at first and at the plate.

It was a difficult loss to take, but it will be growing experience filled with teaching moments.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Breaking the Streak


My Green Lawn
Elkridge, MD
May 16, 2017
While the lawn appreciates the rain and it has become lush and green, I am not a fan of the continual precipitation that the region has been receiving.

It had been fifteen consecutive Fridays in a row with measurable precipitation in the Baltimore region dating back to January 25th--until yesterday dawned. And the streak is broken by sunshine and warm temperatures! Things are actually going to begin drying out, finally. 

The Pool
Elkridge, MD
May 16, 2019
And then there is the pool! The pool has finally achieved clear status and is prepared to host swimmers--well, when I get the temperature above 55 degrees!

I am feeling there onset of summer-like weather! And it is awesome!

Sitting outside with friends last evening I was even attacked by flying insects--and bitten. But, it means that the weather is finally turning warm and dry and that outdoors activities can begin! Cue the sun, the blue skies, and the fun!

It is time to party--OK, well not too much because I have a lot of outdoors projects to accomplish now that the rain has stopped.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, May 17, 2019

Watching and Waiting


Staring out the Bedroom Window
Finnegan
May 16, 2019
Last evening I arrived home before Chris and conducted my usual activities. I let the dogs out and gave them treats before heading to the bedroom to change. As I was changing from work clothes into leisure clothes, I turned and noticed Finnegan perched upon a pillow looking intently out the window.

I wondered what had captured his interest. 

I looked out the window and saw nothing of great interest and then I realized what had captured his attention. Chris was away from the house and her faithful dog was staring out the window in anticipation of her imminent return. 

She did not disappoint him as she arrived a few short minutes later. It was then that Finnegan began whining and barking began as he prepared to greet her.

A dedicated dog and a faithful friend!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Bright Orb in the Sky


The bright orb in the sky returned yesterday. Finally. It was a day with no rain, or little rain and I was able to enjoy a brilliant blue sky as I walked into work. IT was cold, 43 degrees, as I went to work, but the bright sun made up for the unseasonably cold weather.

The bright day raised my spirits and ended with a glorious sunset which I could not photograph because I was driving--but it was beautifully stunning. 

Not everyone is happy with the sunshine. 

Really?

Some people like the dark gloom, but I prefer sunlight. I was able to complete mowing the lawn which Chris had started. The tractor and mower deck worked like a champ. The new blades made the lawn look fantastic. 

I look forward to more good weather today. It is supposed to be full of more sunshine! And warmer temperatures. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Victory Slips Away


Martin at First Base Against the Seahawks
May 14, 2019
Baseball is a tough sport. It is also a team sport and while it may appear that one player made the difference, in truth, that one player was able to make the difference because the other members of the team did their job to allow that one player to be in the right place at the right time. 

Wildcats vs Seahawks
May 14, 2019
Last night, victory slipped from the grasp of the GORC U12 Haslup Wildcats against the South River Seahawks.  The disappointing finish was a team effort caused by little things during the entire game. 

 The game was not a loss, and thankfully a great play at the plate preserved a tie as the game was slipping away as quickly as the daylight was fading during the home half of the 6th inning.

Victory was lost because of the missed offensive opportunities. These included base runners who were slow to take advantage of defensive misplays and missed signs. But offensively the team had nine hits including one double. There was massive shot off the bat that was miraculously caught deep in right field or else additional runs would have scored. Defensively, with the exception of surrendering 12 walks, the team was solid and there were some great plays including two double plays. The team only surrendered one hit to the other team.

The computer generated game recap can be found on Game Changer

Baseball is a tough game and our guys are learning that they are baseball players and not playing baseball. We will work on the small things that could have helped to preserve the victory tonight in practice!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Rainy Dog Day Afternoon


Mother's Day was a rainy washout. 

We sat around the afternoon wishing that the rain would stop--it never did. 


There were four adults and four dogs, along with two cats in hiding, looking for activity. We did play a game, but that only lasted so long. 

As it turned out, Rex, Patrick's dog, provided some much needed comic relief as Chris, Tina, and Patrick played monkey in the middle. 



Rex was a good sport about it. I think he enjoyed the attention. He seems to have boundless energy. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, May 13, 2019

Monday Musings - May 13, 2019




1. It is Monday again, the second Monday of May and it has been raining nearly non-stop in the Baltimore region for the past 36 hours!

2. Our Mother's Day celebration spanned two days, culminating yesterday on the actual day. Chris was able to visit with all of our children and two of three grandchildren.

Finnegan Eating Corn-on-the-Cob
May 12, 2019
3. Dreaming of being in Florida has become a family pastime.  Much of there family is planning getaways to the condo and I will be posting an availability calendar to assist them with finding available dates. 

4. Amazon promised a delivery yesterday and it did not arrive. I am wondering why?

5. My pool is open and the water looks inviting, it is just a bit cold as the temperature this morning is about 47 degrees! It is May--it is not supposed to be this cold in the morning. And raining.

Flamingo at the Baltimore Zoo
Taken by Chris
April 15, 2019
6. Finnegan has developed a taste for corn-on-the-cob. He really got into eating it yesterday.

7. I remain fascinated by Flamingos. Chris finally shared some of the images she captured at the Baltimore Zoo during 
April.

8. I have noticed that as traffic on the highway gets slower, the driving gets worse.

9. Today in HistoryOn May 13, 1846, the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly votes in favor of President James K. Polk’s request to declare war on Mexico in a dispute over Texas. Under the threat of war, the United States had refrained from annexing Texas after the latter won independence from Mexico in 1836. But in 1844, President John Tyler restarted negotiations with the Republic of Texas, culminating with a Treaty of Annexation. The treaty was defeated by a wide margin in the Senate because it would upset the slave state/free state balance between North and South and risked war with Mexico, which had broken off relations with the United States. But shortly before leaving office and with the support of President-elect Polk, Tyler managed to get the joint resolution passed on March 1, 1845.Texas was admitted to the union on December 29. While Mexico didn’t follow through with its threat to declare war, relations between the two nations remained tense over border disputes, and in July 1845, President Polk ordered troops into disputed lands that lay between the Neuces and Rio Grande rivers. In November, Polk sent the diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to seek boundary adjustments in return for the U.S. government’s settlement of the claims of U.S. citizens againstMexico and also to make an offer to purchase California and New Mexico. After the mission failed, the U.S. army under Gen. Zachary Taylor advanced to the mouth of the Rio Grande, the river that the state of Texas claimed as its southern boundary.


What's in the News


Trump’s go-it-alone approach on trade, immigration poses economic risks - The Washington Post



Saudi Arabia says oil tankers hit off UAE coast, Iran calls for probe - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week


To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will. 
  -- Ronald Reagan


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Morther's Day - 2019


Happy Mother's Day!


Mom
Although the day dawned gray and rainy, it is still Mother's Day and time to pause and recognize the sacrifices that our Mothers have made to make us healthy and well-adjusted adults. In my case it definitely was not a part-time job, but a full-time endeavor.


Mom with Nicole, Patrick and Jeremy
This year I want to highlight my Mother and all that she is and means to her family and to me. She is a stalwart prayer warrior and a compassionate supporter of her children and her grandchildren. She is always available to listen and give reasoned and wise advice to help us face the problems of the day.

Here is to my Mom! 

Enjoy your day because you are special and deserve it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, May 11, 2019

15 in a Row and Counting!


I just need to document this weather fact for posterity.

It rained yesterday--Friday, May 10th.

While rain is not an unusual event in and of itself, it is part of a chain of events that is unusual and requires documentation. 

It has now rained in the Baltimore region fifteen Fridays in a row! It certainly appears that were are on the way to see another wet Springtime and Summer--much like last year.

Here are the headlines from local TV channel 2 WMAR:

HERE WE GO AGAIN-Going For 15 Fridays With Rain

Rain chances increase by Friday and the weekend...


The article goes on to write that its is will be 15 Fridays with more than just a trace of rain! Has the rainy great Northwest moved to the mid-Atlantic? I hope not.

Tie result of the rainy weekends has been my golf game remains in my bag in the garage. I have not played golf in over a month.

The good news is that the long range forecast suggests that next Friday, May 17th will be mostly sunny with no rain in the forecast, yet! I'll believe it when I see it!

Where did I leave my umbrella?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, May 10, 2019

Orioles Friday


It is time to look in on the progress of the Orioles season and see what the team is up to this week.


I have not actually been to an Orioles game in person this season yet, although I am planning on attending a game on May 23rd. It is an afternoon game against the Yankees--a team whose name I usually do not mention, but this season it does not matter, I am not expecting more than a whimper from what they are calling the Baby Orioles.

They have been spanked pretty soundly lately. 

The Orioles are 3-4 for the month of May--which is respectable. They started the month by splitting a double header against the White Sox, then they split a rain shortened series against the Rays, 1-1, and lost a series again the Rex Sox 1-2. 


The Orioles are the 28th best team in baseball at 13-24, .351. If they remain on this pace they will end the season at 57-105, which is better than last year's finish, but still with 105 losses which, by the way, is the number of losses I predicted before the season began. I should be a baseball writer.

Chris Davis has raised his batting average from .000 to .176. He had a hot streak but has significantly cooled in recent days. He has been hitting .294 since ending his hitless streak and had managed 3 homers.

The week ahead should be tough. The Angels (17-20) are coming to town for the weekend and then the Orioles go on the road to the Yankees (22-15) for three games, followed by four games in Cleveland against the Indians (20-16). 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Eyes in the Sky


The Edge of the Clouds
May 8, 2019
Windmills on a Ridge
May 8, 2019
I had the opportunity to fly to Cincinnati yesterday. I was crammed into a small airplane and forced to sit in a window seat. Fortunately the flight was short. 

Baltimore was covered in clouds, but about halfway to my destination, the clouds parted and I was able to do some airborne sightseeing. 

I found the edge of the cloud bank that had been covering Baltimore, although I have no idea where it was, but my day in Cincinnati was beautiful and bright. Baltimore remained cloud covered all day and was similarly cloud-covered when I returned.

I enjoyed doing sightseeing from the air in an airplane with minimal air conditioning which was very stuffy and plain hot! It kept my mind off my discomfort. Delta says that they are going to ask me for my opinion of their service. You might imagine how I will be responding.

Cincinnati, Ohio
May 8, 2019
Flying over downtown Cincinnati, I was able to see the stadiums along the Ohio River which host sporting events that I enjoy watching.

I continue to prefer aisle seats rather than the window. I felt confined in the window seat and the heat inside the aircraft did not help. But my camera worked great and I took advantage of having the window next to me.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

The Season Continues



Officially, the score of last evening's game between the GORC 12U Haslup Wildcats and the Crofton - Coach Mitchell was 1-0, by forfeit. Sadly, the Crofton boys were short one player and the umpires enforced the rules that they had to have a complete roster of 9  to begin the game. When Crofton's 9th player did not arrive within 15 minutes of the officially designated start time, the umpires declared the forfeit, took their money, and departed.

But, that is when the game began. The coaches decided to scrimmage.  Since we were all dressed and ready to play, why not actually play some baseball. The teams played a four inning scrimmage which saw the Wildcats leading 17-9 when we were finally forced from the field due to darkness. It was some of the best practice that the team has had and everyone was loose and the boys really started hitting the ball. 

It turned into a long evening, but everyone had fun. Perhaps the best play of the night was made by Crofton as they picked off Jax on 3rd base. It was a great play. I was coaching 3rd and I didn't even see it coming. We both learned something from the play.

When darkness fell about 8:15 PM and we could no longer see the ball, the scrimmage was ended. Sadly, this was the only scheduled meeting between the teams and we do not get to play a real game against them on their home field.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Duck in the Street


Duck on the Street
Annapolis, MD
May 4, 2019
Saturday evening we enjoyed dinner at a local pub in Annapolis. We sat outside at the tables as the inside was crowded with people watching the unfolding Kentucky Derby drama. The evening was nice in terms of temperature and we were able to watch ducks mooch for food along the street. 

There was one duck that was very adept at getting people to throw food towards it. It was very personable and there was a small boy that was totally fascinated by the duck and his parents provided the duck with numbers french fries. Not a very good diet for a duck, but then french fries are not a good diet for people either. 

But, the boy enjoyed the duck and the duck received a reward for its street antics.

It was both amusing and entertaining. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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