Sunday, July 31, 2022

The Tournament

Elm Tree Golf Course 18th Green
Cortland, NY
July 30, 2022

 The Troy Whittemore Annual Golf Tournament played on Saturday. It was held at a different golf course than in previous years, this one in Cortland, NY. The course was fun and challenging. I would like to say that the team I was on won the tournament, but in fact we worked hard to finish at par.

It was a beautiful upstate New York day. Although the temperature was in the 80s, it seemed much cooler. The course is very open and I did not lose a ball, which is rare for me. The team played well together. We did great on the par 5 holes, there were three and we birdied two and eagled one. The par 3s were tough and we made bogey on two of those and par on the other two. We actually wished there was another par 5.   

Hole 3 
Troy Whittemore Golf Tournament
July 30, 2022


Chris and I sponsored a hole and had a nice sign on the hole.

Next year the team will do better and we may even have two teams in the competition. 


—Bob Doan, Cortland, NY.


Friday, July 29, 2022

Taking a Break

 Downsizing and packing has become the primary reason for my existence, it seems. I was happy that yesterday we decided to take a break. 

Timbers at Troy
From their Website

I actually played nine holes of golf, just to see how the game would be tomorrow at the tournament. I should hold my own and contribute positively to the team.

I knew it was time to head home when torrential rains started just as I finished the 9th hole about 7:30 PM. I was considering playing a couple more holes, but the rain convinced me otherwise. 

I got drenched anyway getting my clubs into the truck and returning the cart. 

Tomorrow we are playing the Elm Tree Golf Course in Cortland, NY. I have never played the course before and it should be exciting. I usually do terrible on courses that I have never played, but it is for a good cause, the Troy Whittemore Scholarship Fund!

Today, then, is a travel day. Off for Central New York and a much needed continuing break from packing, downsizing, and house selling! Who knew retirement could be so exhausting?


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Downsizing - Dog Days

 Aside from being in the middle of the dog days, today is a dog day.

Makayla in Front of the Door
Elkridge, MD
July 28, 2022

Makayla is going to the groomer. We are getting her shaved. I actually do not like to get her shaved, but hew skin has become so sensitive that it is hard to keep her brushed. She looks more like a mop right now than a Keeshond. She is also serving as our dog welcome mat. That is she lies in front of the door most of the day and doesn't even move when we pass by her.

As the downsizing continues, we realized yesterday that we have completed most of the packing prep and and are down to mostly things that we need to keep out until we depart. The Pod arrives in two weeks and that is when everything, including the items already boxed, will get loaded and ready for transfer to Florida. 

Florida seems like a dream now. I have been away so long. It has been cooler there than here. And I miss sitting on the beach for Happy Hour.

This weekend will be different. We are heading to New York for Annual Troy Whittemore Memorial Golf Tournament! At least there will be a change of scenery and I will get to play some golf, or rather the course will get to frustrate me.

And the Dog Days of Summer continue.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Orioles Magic in July

 I have to write about the Orioles because something really exciting happened last evening--the Orioles are no longer in last place in the division. The Red Sox claimed that wit their loss and the Orioles win. 



The Orioles continue to play solid baseball and are winning the close games. For instance last evening the O's came from behind with 3 runs in the 8th inning to defeat the Rays, 5-3. 

And it is a team effort with different guys leading the team every night. 

Trey Mancini
Sadly, one of the guys which has been leading the resurgence of the Orioles, Trey Mancini, is rumored to be on the trading block. He is mired in an 0-22 slump which has seen his batting average fall to .266, but his WAR is still 1.6--which is not shabby but well below his 9.7 career WAR. He is THE clubhouse leader and I believe his loss would hurt the Orioles overall. But then, I thought keeping Chris Davis was a good idea--until it wasn't.

For now, the O's are fun to watch and root for. They are actually winning games. But beware--August is at hand the and Orioles slumps begin in August as the long baseball season begins to take its toll on the players. 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Downsizing - That Empty Sound

 It has begun. 

The Emptying Wine Room
Elkridge, MD
July 26, 2022


As I walked into the house yesterday I noticed the empty sound had begun in some of the rooms where the carpets and furniture have been removed or reduced. 

It is eerie and weird. 

I think maybe that the downsizing is getting serious. A bit too serious.

The empty sound is only the beginning because we still have a lot of furniture yet to remove and items to pack.

Amazon was not helpful yesterday. We needed more newsprint for wrapping and we went to Lowes in the morning to get some, but they didn't have any. So, I ordered from Amazon with a delivery time of 1-5PM. Then it changed to 2-6PM. The newsprint arrived about 8PM. Not very helpful--but the wrapping and packing will continue today. 

Another day of wash, rinse, repeat.. 

On the exciting news note, the movement into new homes begins today when Cory and Julianne settle on their new townhome. This comes a week before Patrick and Jen settle. And then hopefully, by the end of August we will settle on our home. It is definitely an exciting time with many moves coming during the next few weeks.

And the empty sound in the house will only get more noticeable.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Monday, July 25, 2022

Monday Musings - July 25, 2022

 


1. The final Monday of the month of July has arrived. My favorite month of the year will soon be complete and it is all a downhill slide into darkness from here. There are 23 Mondays remaining to celebrate during 2022. 


2. Yesterday afternoon during the 3 o'clock hour it was reportedly 97 degrees. Hot! And where was I? By and in the pool which had cooled a degree overnight to 89 degrees. It actually felt very good. 

My Empty Wine Rack
Elkridge, MD
July 24, 2022


3. What is sadder than an empty wine rack? Probably nothing. I boxed up my wine collection yesterday as we cleaned closets in preparation for the move. The wine rack is on the cut line. We are unsure whether it moves to Florida or is sold.

4. The heat has been stifling. I noted, however that it was 8-10 degrees cooler in Jupiter, Florida every day of the current heat wave! Just saying.

5. We are off to the annual golf tournament for my nephew's scholarship fund this coming weekend. Due to COVID concerns, it is being played for the first time in two years. I wonder if it is cooler in Central New York?

6. What is the plan for the day? More of the same.

7. Today in History. On July 25, 1978, Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first baby to be conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) is born at Oldham and District General Hospital in Manchester, England, to parents Lesley and Peter Brown. The healthy baby was delivered shortly before midnight by caesarean section and weighed in at five pounds, 12 ounces.

Before giving birth to Louise, Lesley Brown had suffered years of infertility due to blocked fallopian tubes. In November 1977, she underwent the then-experimental IVF procedure. A mature egg was removed from one of her ovaries and combined in a laboratory dish with her husband’s sperm to form an embryo. The embryo then was implanted into her uterus a few days later. Her IVF doctors, British gynecologist Patrick Steptoe and scientist Robert Edwards, had begun their pioneering collaboration a decade earlier. 




Investors Bet Fed Will Need to Cut Rates Next Year - The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. Middle Class Is Getting Squeezed in 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

Challenges to Gun Laws Take Off, After High Court Ruling - The Wall Street Journal

Trump's damage to US politics is already tainting the 2024 elections - CNN

Russia and Turkey will use naval forces to escort vessels carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea - CNN

Myanmar junta executes leading democracy activists - CNN

The Ukrainian nationalists standing in Russia’s way on eastern front - Reuters

Oil rises in volatile trade, Fed hike weighs - Reuters

Migrants increasingly die crossing into U.S. from Mexico - Reuters

Claim that sex ed ‘grooms’ kids jolted Nebraska politics a year before it swept nation - The Washington Post

‘The stakes could not be higher’: Kansas abortion vote set for Aug. 2 - The Washington Post


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, July 24, 2022

It is all in a Saturday

 I felt the loss of the youth baseball season yesterday. I missed the usual Saturday doubleheader in the heat and had time to accomplish an assortment of tasks and projects around the homestead. 

Jen and Patrick's New Home
Glen Burnie, MD
July 23, 2022


The heat was pervasive! When Chris and I were finally able to fall into the pool about 5PM, the air temperature was 97 and the pool water was 90 degrees. I cannot remember the last time that the pool reached 90 degrees without the aid of the heater. Chris and I enjoyed the warm water which quickly evaporated from our skin making us feel cool. It was very refreshing after a day of working in the heat.

I started the day on the mower! Yup, the lawn needed mowing and I was on the tractor by 8:30 while temperatures were still in the low 80s. 

Disassembled and Empty Bar
Elkridge, MD
July 23, 2022


I transitioned from the mower to disassembling the bar. I was able to remove the top to make it easier to move. Patrick and Jen arrived somewhat later and the four of us loaded the bar and all of the stools, except one, into the truck to transition to their storage room. The bar will remain there until the 13th when the movers will install it in Patrick and Jen's new house.

After the bar was safely in the storage room, we went to their new house to check things out. Although we were not able to enter the house, we could see that it is in near-ready to move in condition. We spent time meeting a neighbor couple and hearing their tale of settlement and move-in--and they were moving in as we were talking. They were the first one to move in on there street. 

The evening was quiet and now we are preparing for a busy Sunday. We are going back through the house and beginning the final packing process. Totally emptying closets and cupboards in preparation for the arrival of the Pod in two weeks.

So much to do and so little time, it seems.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Downsizing - A Last Hurrah

George, Sue, and Chris at the Bar
Elkridge, MD
July 22, 2022

We enjoyed our Friday evening happy hour with friends last evening.

We hosted at our home and enjoyed a great evening--but it was tinged with a hard reality
.

Today our bar will depart and begin its journey to a new home. It is not going far and will stay in the family as it will eventually grace Patrick's new home. 

Although we have had the bar just less that four years--it has become a focal point for happy hours and parties. I enjoy sitting behind it and ensuring guests have what they need in terms of drinks and the bar is a great place for discussions. The first gathering around the bar was a party we held when I completed radiation therapy for prostate cancer! It was a great way to inaugurate the bar as well as the remodeled basement entertainment area. 

As a counterpoint, last evening was the last time the bar will host discussions in this house.  

It has been a great run! And the bar is going to a good home where it will be in the center of many more parties and meetings!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, July 22, 2022

Summer Heat

 Yesterday was on of the hottest days of the summer. And I worked outside most of the day. 

I started early. 

Old Caliper and Bracket in a Box
Elkridge, MD
July 21, 2022
First, I replaced the broken antenna on my Jaguar. That was harder than it needed to be because the pliers kept slipping off the slots in the nut which holds the antenna onto the car. Other than that it was easy.

Following that, it was another trip to the dump to get rid of more downsized items. And I needed to make rim in the garage to do a brake job for Chris's Highlander. 

So, in the heat of the afternoon, in a small space I was able to clear in the garage, I did brakes on the Highlander. Who knew that the core charge for old calipers is $45 each? I need to turn them in today.

It went well and now, in addition to new tires, the car has new brakes. One of the rotors got warped and I replaced the calipers, rotors, and pads. Yay me!

Hopefully that will solve the problem.

Did I mention the lawn needs mowing? That is today's project in the heat!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Downsizing - Garage Stress

 I have garage stress.

The Mess in the Garage
Elkridge, MD
July 21, 2022

I pride myself of being able to actually store vehicles in my garage out of the weather. When we went to Florida to begin the year we actually placed both vehicles that remained behind in the garage for safe storage. MY Jaguar has been displaced from the garage for the first time and has been related to the driveway.

Downsizing has repurposed my garage as a storage unit and a sorting station. There is precious little room to move. I keep tripping over my bicycle which I am not riding very much.

Yesterday, I made a run to the local landfill and recycling center with a truckload of stuff and it appears that I will be doing the same today. Last evening, Jeremy went through six containers of stuff we had been storing for him and took two away, leaving the remainder for landfill. The sorting may have paid off for him as he believes that among his baseball card collection he found one worth over $1,200. I guess I don't get to collect storage fees for the 20 years they have been in the attic. 

Yes, I have a lot of work to do, but the good news is that the attic is empty, except for holiday decorations.

I believe the end is in sight, but it is not pretty.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Downsizing Drama--Storage Media

 

We are under a month to go on the downsizing and subsequent relocation to Florida. There is not panic, a little consternation, but we are keeping it in check. 

The latest issues revolve around old storage media such as VHS tapes and CDs. 

Do we keep or discard?

The CDs are marked for donation, we finally decided. Actually we do not have many CD players left in the house. The best on is in my Jaguar--a six-CD changer! My truck does not even have a CD player, it is too new. 

The CDs, therefore, are not a problem--the VHS tapes are. We have a mix of tapes which contain family videos and another group which are of TV shows tapes and sent to us while we were living in Germany. As we went to check the contents of the tapes we discovered that our VHS player was not working. It may have been 15 or more years since it was actually used and someone left a tape in it which would not eject. 

What to do?

I checked Amazon--new VHS players are unreasonably expensive, but Chris had the answer: Goodwill. She picked up a very nice player for $12. 

We are working through the tapes and keeping only the ones with family vids on them. It is fun to work back through the past and see the places and people we visited. It is sad because I realized that we videoed many activities and have never actually watched the tapes, until now. 

Downsizing fun!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Early End to Summer?

Black Walnuts on the Ground
Elkridge, MD
July 17, 2022

 The Summer is progressing faster than I would like. 

I feel Summer fading into August where it will then end in September. There are signs that there summer may be ending early.

One sign is the black walnuts falling on my lawn. I was outside and heard a couple falling from the tree the other day. I was happy not to be under the tree as they hit the ground. They made a significant sound.

I think the black walnuts are falling early this year. I don't remember them falling during July. The online references indicate that the nuts fall during September and October. They make a mess when I mow as they shoot out from the blades. I keep the tractor pointed at the trees so as not to do any damage. 

Who knew that black walnuts are worth about $20 per hundred pounds? Hulled, of course. 

Maybe I should pick them up?

Nah, they are more fun to mow!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 


Monday, July 18, 2022

Monday Musings - July 18, 2022


 

1. Monday has arrived again. Today is the 3rd Monday of July. There is only 1 Monday remaining in the month and 23 in the year. Better get out there and enjoy the summer. It is slipping away quickly.

Riordin Claiming the Pillow
Elkridge, MD
July 16, 2022


2. No. This is my pillow. That is how I felt as Riordin was guarding a blue pillow on the sofa the other day. It was almost as if he was saying, "Don't even think about it."

3. There is something about cars and repairs/maintenance. I am replacing tires on two of my vehicles this week and also replacing brakes on one of them. Amazing how things get stacked up.

4. It is the middle of the summer and vacations are in full swing. I am glad that I had the opportunity to enjoy a week in Sint Maarten because the rest of the summer is going to be a lot of work as we complete the sale of the house and move to Florida.

5. Just a follow-up. I am still selling many things on Facebook Marketplace and have become adept, I believe, as recognizing scammers. It is sad that so many people are trying to get something for nothing. I have even had a scammer try to separate my from my Jaguar and have me pay them for the experience. 

6. Today in History. On July 18, 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who first took office in 1933 as America’s 32nd president, is nominated for an unprecedented third term. Roosevelt, a Democrat, would eventually be elected to a record four terms in office, the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms.

READ MORE: How FDR Served Four Terms as U.S. President 

Roosevelt was born January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York, and went on to serve as a New York state senator from 1911 to 1913, assistant secretary of the Navy from 1913 to 1920 and governor of New York from 1929 to 1932. In 1932, he defeated incumbent Herbert Hoover to be elected president for the first time. During his first term, Roosevelt enacted his New Deal social programs, which were aimed at lifting America out of the Great Depression. In 1936, he won his second term in office by defeating Kansas governor Alf Landon in a landslide.




Europe Fears Economic Fallout if Russian Gas Outage Drags On - The Wall Street Journal

Boeing Closes In on Making New Dreamliner Deliveries - The Wall Street Journal

Ukraine military says several Russian attempts to advance in Donetsk were repelled - CNN

What's this new variant BA.5, and is it worse than Omicron? - CNN

Heat wave sets Britain on course for its hottest day on record - Reuters

Russians buying cheaper food items as incomes fall, says leading retailer - Reuters

Ghana confirms its first outbreak of highly infectious Marburg virus - Reuters

Gunman kills 3 at Indiana mall; armed bystander kills shooter, police say - The Washington Post

Beach trips can be costly to the environment. Here’s how to reduce your impact. - The Washington Post


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Standing in Line


 The past couple days have seen me return to brick and mortar stores to do some shopping.

It has not been an enjoyable experience.

The stores, while open, seem to miss an important point about retail sales. In order to get return business, the checkout process needs to be stress free and smooth. Think about it, the stores are trading their merchandise for my money. There are many other places to spend my money and even purchase the very same items. 

Why do I have to stand in line?

My sample size is three stores over two days with, sadly, similar results. 

In all three stores I was in line for over 5 minutes and approaching 10 minutes. I was next in line in two of them, but the cashier struggled with the person checking out. My beef? There were other employees in the store, why didn't they open another register. And by the time I was able to check-out, there was a true line behind me in all three establishments. 

Stores have got to do better or the competition will win.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, July 16, 2022

On the Walk

 

Red Spotted Purple Butterfly
Elkridge, MD
July 15, 2022

Chris and I walk almost every morning. The principle purpose is to get Finnegan ready for the day, but the secondary purpose is to ensure that we get at least 30 minutes of continuous motion.

The route is not usually exciting, but it has its moments. 

For instance, yesterday a Red Spotted Purple butterfly was flying around a tree we walk past. I don't see many of these. When I checked the field guide, I initially confused it with a female Black Swallowtail, but as I checked closer I realized that it was not a swallowtail at all. I was lucky that the butterfly actually posed for a picture!

This route takes us past four condemned townhomes that were destroyed by fire on July 1st. They are boarded up and we have not seen must activity, yet. It is believed that a propane grill started the fire which spread to the adjoining units. It was very sad. We saw the activity as we returned home from Sint Maarten at about 1:30 AM on July 2nd. 

I guess it is all in the neighborhood.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Friday, July 15, 2022

10 Straight

A 10-game winning streak has not happened for the Orioles since a 13-game streak during the 1999 campaign. 

All of the teams in the AL East are OVER .500.

American League East Standings
As of Play on July 14, 2022

That has happened before, but not very often. More importantly, despite the Yankees being the untouchable team of the season, the O's are just 1.5 games out of the Wild Card position. They actually gained a half-game last night because both Boston and Toronto lost.

The Orioles are on a road trip and head into the Trop (Tropicana Field) tonight to face the Rays.

The O's no longer are tied for the longest win streak in baseball as the Mariners played last night and extended their streak to 11 games, but so what, the O's have played themselves into contention and now begin a stretch, broken up by the All Star Game, of 10 games--7 against the Rays and 3 against the Yankees! It is time to see what this team is really made of!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Happy Bastille Day 2022!

Fort St. Louis
St. Martin
June 30, 2022

My second favorite foreign holiday has arrived and I look forward to the images of fireworks being launched in Paris tonight!

Happy Bastille Day!

And to think I was in France (well, St. Martin) just two weeks ago. I did enjoy seeing the tri-color flying on the French side of the island, all the more knowing that it is France.

Flags at Orient Bay Beach
St Martin
June 28, 2022


I do not know why I like Bastille Day so much, but the thought of a holiday associated with a prison breakout intrigues me. 

Through history, the French have either been for us or against us, but never wishy-washy about America. Of course it was their assistance at Yorktown which made the cause of the Revolution a reality as Cornwallis surrendered. 

Well, it is a French holiday and we should celebrate with them. 

Vive la France!

Oh yes, and Happy Friday Eve!


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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, July 12, 2022

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, July 11, 2022

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

Sunday, July 10, 2022

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

Saturday, July 9, 2022

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

Friday, July 8, 2022

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

Thursday, July 7, 2022

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


Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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

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