Chilly Gray Autumn Days

October 23, 2013
Gray and Chilly

Yesterday was one of those chilly, gray, autumn days that just makes me want to do nothing. I felt as if I could not  just do nothing except hang around and be a couch potato.

I noted that the leaves continue to remain valiantly attached to the trees, as if they can keep the inevitable from occurring. Yet they remain and for that I am glad. During my sojourn to upstate NY this past weekend I could see areas where the leaves have already made their way to the ground and the bare trees are evidence that autumn is transitioning into winter. Ugh!

Geranium on the Back Deck

Here in Maryland, my lawn remains green and in need of mowing. It was cold and rainy; hence, the mowing never happened. 

The gray skies just want to make me nestle under a big pile of  bed covers and let the world pass by. Unfortunately, it will not. The world keeps chasing after me despite my best efforts.

At least some color remains, until tonight when the first frost of the season is due to slide into my yard and transform the vibrant plants of summer into brown memories of the season past.

Life goes on--but the memories remain and sustain. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cold Autumn Morning and The World Series

Autumn Tree with Obligatory
 Upstate NY Deer Target

It was 43 degrees outside as I woke this morning to greet another day. 

I was afraid there might be frost on the leaves, but at least that didn't happen. The day dawned bright, clear and crisp--but no frost. Yet!

The colors of the leaves on the trees continue to deepen and the excitement of the continuing foray into autumn continues. Soon hunting season will be upon the region and the thinning of the herd will begin.

Sunday's can be exciting with all of their promise and the expectation of adventure. My day will find me on the ribbon of highway homeward bound to prepare for another week of high activity.

Turning to sports--

Baseball is poised to begin its final chapter of the year. 

I was a bit disappointed that the World Series is going to be between the St Louis Cardinals (defending their crown) and the Boston Red Sox. While the match-up seems to be a no brainer, the teams tied for the best record in baseball during the regular season,  I would have hoped for almost any other two teams in the playoffs--like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers, for example.

Entry way to Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL

But I will watch the series because it is the final chapter of a baseball season that began eight months ago with pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. The season ends as the Spring Training 2014 schedules are being published and I am planning my trip to Sarasota to enjoy time with the Orioles. It is the circle of baseball, I guess.

I never thought about it, but baseball spans all four seasons. Spring Training begins during the last weeks of Winter and continues through Spring and Summer and well into the first half of Autumn. Until Spring Training begins,  I will be watching Penguins hockey and suffering through what is at this juncture a mediocre Ravens season while waiting for the return of the warmth and the sun. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Finding Autumn in the Finger Lakes

On NY 414 Heading to Watkins Glen

It took a five hour drive--but I finally found autumn yesterday. On the drive to Ithaca autumn appeared in the hills, known by some as mountains. 

The trees have seemingly found their color as the season progresses. I hope these colors soon find their way to Maryland.

Looking on Seneca Lake from a Winery

The day was perfect. The trip from Maryland to upstate NY was uneventful and punctuated with stops at four new Seneca Lake East Shore wineries. I actually found some NY State red (yup RED) wines worth buying. I'm going to disguise them as being from Sonoma to get people to try them. They were from Silver Springs Winery,  a great new find on the eastern side of Seneca Lake. The Bold Merlot was especially stunning in its depth of color and rich flavor.  It had a solid nose of dark fruit. And since this was the first winery I visited--I'm pretty sure of my assessment.

It was good to enjoy the colors of autumn, but even in the Finger Lakes the colors are muted in response, I believe, to the weather conditions which have been experienced across the region since autumn began. 

I wonder what today will bring?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Has Autumn Gone Missing?

When I looked outside yesterday at the beginning of the holiday, I was not expecting the sight that confronted me. 

Leaves were everywhere across the yard and my pool! The trees around my yard are losing their leaves and yet have not yet transformed from their summer green into the autumn colors. 

The leaves are just falling from the mostly already barren trees without providing the autumnal display that in some way makes the season special and exciting. 

There are leaves everywhere, But I have not had the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy their burst of color. The mum and the mandevilla continue to brighten the covered pool area providing some small splash of color against the otherwise drab background which is prepared for the coming winter weather.

Many of the trees around my house have already shed their leaves in preparation for winter's howling winds. 

Even the temperatures are confusing. The mild temperatures may have confused the leaves and the trees, stifling their anticipated show. There are pockets of trees which are transforming--mostly small stands of maples it seems. 

But despite autumn's delayed arrival, it is surely here as the leaves are falling in ever increasing numbers from the trees. I need to rake the lawn and move the leaves back into the wooded areas where they can rest more comfortably.

I am sure autumn is not missing, only giving us a respite before handing off the weather to winter. And really, who wants that weather any sooner than need be?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Races, Marathons, and Life

Did I ever say how impressed I am that two of my sons ran and finished a marathon yesterday? They ran 26.2 miles? I've never even walked that far in a single session. I have walked over 6 miles doing Volksmarches in Germany, but never anything over 10, let alone trying to run 26.2.

It was a great Baltimore day for running. Temperatures in the 60's, a light drizzle to keep everyone cool, and nice crowds lining the race way. The Baltimore Running Festival was awesome.

They guys started in great spirits on their 26.2 mile journey through Baltimore and the ended together--the way they trained and the way the chose to end working through the cramps and the pain to be victorious--together, a true team.

With Their Medals after the Baltimore Marathon

The video is a news clip that shows them competing in the race together at about the 13 mile mark--a half marathon distance--which is how they ended--with exactly the same time crossing the finish line.

Although they say that running is a solitary sport, these guys have proven that running can be a team sport. 

The pathway to yesterday's success began back during March as they trained for the Frederick Half-Marathon and made the decision to go for the Maryland double--completing both the Frederick Half and Baltimore Full Marathons. I remember the cold May morning in Frederick when this dynamic duo of a team conquered the Frederick Half-Marathon and I promised then that I would be there for them at the finish of the Baltimore Marathon. And I was.

I am not a runner--I don't have the right mindset for it, but I appreciate those who do run. I am in awe of their accomplishment. And they indicated that there will be more marathons in the future. 

Congrats to both of them on this awesome accomplishment.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Into the Darkness

Although it is only October, I have already done three days in a row of going to work in darkness and coming home after dark. Usually, I do not get to experience the thrill of Alaskan-like sunshine depravity until after Thanksgiving--but this year is crazy in more than one way.

First off, for those of you who were following my furlough exploits, I was not clear in stating that I am no longer furloughed. Congress, in a rare moment of lucidity passed a bill which allowed for many civilians related to military support to be recalled to work, and I was among that blessed group. That is why I am not answering the house phone during the middle of the day.

No, I am at work missing all of the sunshine and more recently, rain. AND NOT complaining about it.

This week has been busy with late, long meetings followed by racquetball matches. Or a family emergency that we are working through. I am leaving the house about 5:10 AM and returning somewhere close to 8 PM.

All of the travel in darkness means that I am not in a very good mood. Last evening I was at the pharmacy trying to pick up one of my regular prescriptions and was informed that the Federal Government, which is shut down I remind you, had changed some rules and I now needed to show my drivers license before they could even order my medication. Did they call me? They had had the script for four days. No. Did I want to verbally eviscerate the pharmacist? You bet! I was tired and not in a particularly good mood from driving in traffic in the rain.

Some federal worker, one of my brethren, somewhere, had reinterpreted a rule and the impact was placed squarely on me. I hope the slug is still furloughed. I had been trying to get to the pharmacy to pick the prescription up for three days. Now, I need a return trip tonight. Like that is going to happen.

What I really needed was a great dessert to drown my sorrows. Like the one I bought at Wegman's last week. But, it is already eaten. I must have an eating disorder if I think a good dessert can solve the problems of the world. Or even just my little portion of it.

Where is the ice cream? Maybe I can eat my way into next springtime.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Halloween Comes with the Decorations

The pumpkins are on the porch. The decorations are displayed in preparation for the hoards of children dressed in costume offering a trick or a treat. Our garden is ready for their visit. It is more than likely we will not even be home to celebrate the holiday as we will be strolling through another neighborhood with the grandsons watching them extort candy from the people living there.

But it is coming. Maybe too soon the cold weather will be here and the moon will illuminate the bare branches of the trees on the lawns giving them their eerie October appearance.

Autumn is here and with it the annual Halloween celebration. I've never been a huge fan of the celebration as it is a bit dark. But, my house is decorated.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Graces the Trees

The colors of autumn are slowing beginning to change the greens of summer into oranges and reds. One of the first trees to experience the transformation is just up the street from us. The reds of autumn are arriving on its branches daily. 

I have seen the changes starting in many other trees, but this is one of the first in our neighborhood.

Autumn had arrived. With the rain of Monday and the cooler temperatures, I suspect that more and more of the trees will begin to don the festive colors of the season.

I was concerned that the extremely dry conditions of the past two months would mute autumn's colors. The sycamore trees, for instance, have already shed most of their leaves and hence will not be fully engulfed in their yellow costume for the season.

It has arrived, this season of transition. I can already see the changes in the trees and feel the coolness in the breeze.

Next, the harvest!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Furlough Day 6: Completed Tasks and Uncertainty

Delivering the Ornamental Grasses to the Recycling Center

The grasses have been trimmed. The task was finally completed after realizing that operator error played a huge part in the problems I was having with my battery powered trimmer. The image I published yesterday of the battery contains the clue to the problem with the trimmer--which failed to work properly both on Friday and again on Saturday morning.  I was charging a 24V battery with an 18V charger.

Dumb!  Who knew they would fit? And the indicator confirmed that charging was occurring. Black and Decker should have known better. And, duh, so should I.

It worked a lot better after it received a 24V charge. Yay.

The job is done. The grasses are at the landfill for recycling into compost.

It was a unusually warm October day. A great day to enjoy a soccer game and work outside. A great way to get ready for the darkness and the cold which will be coming all too soon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge ,MD

Furlough Day 5: Inoperative Tools

Today, I get to finish a project started yesterday but was left unfinished due to equipment malfunction.

The task? Trimming the ornamental grasses around the pool. The problem? The battery on the hedge trimmer died yesterday and was not sufficiently charged to complete the task. It is frustrating when tools fail to perform as required to accomplish the jobs that they must be used for. I use my hedge trimmer once per year--to trim the ornamental grasses and I expect the battery to be charged and ready to go for the task.

Trimmer without battery on the Trash Can
 where it needs to permanently reside

But, it means that I get to complete the job today, as part of my furlough day 5 tasks. Yes, although it is Saturday, it is still a furlough day because I cannot go to work, even if I wanted to.

I was encouraged by one small glimmer of hope. As reported by CBS News: 

On Friday, House Democrats unveiled a strategy that could end the impasse by October 14. They are circulating a "discharge petition" that, if signed by a majority of House members, regardless of party affiliation, could force a vote on a spending bill to reopen the government, sans any alterations to the health care law. 

That strategy aims to exploit the fissures among Republicans that have surfaced in press reports. A growing handful of GOP congressman are coming around to the idea of ending the government shutdown and living to fight over budget policy another day.

Perhaps, in a piecemeal fashion, this impasse will end.

Trimmer Battery on the Charger

Meanwhile, the list of things getting accomplished around the house continues to grow. I believe that I need to start planning a week of vacation every autumn just to take care of this stuff instead of trying to cram the activities into the already too full weekends. It is nice to get this stuff done 

I wonder if Monday will be a furlough day? Next week?

I have to be honest--if this is what retirement is like, I'm reconsidering it as a future option.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Furlough Day 4 - Pillar of Fire

I saw it yesterday morning as I was leaving the gym after playing racquetball. The pillar of fire was visible on the eastern horizon as the dawn was just beginning to shake off the nighttime darkness. I tried to get an image of it hanging there in the predawn sky. 

I recognized it immediately as the pillar of fire from Exodus 13:21-22:  Now the Lord was going before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them in the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel day or night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. - NET Bible

I know, of course, that I was not seeing THE pillar of fire, but in these uncertain times what I saw struck a chord deep within me--WE need a Moses to lead us from conflict and partisanship and into the promised land. We need leaders who can, in the face of uncountable odds, lead this nation and not quibble about the small stuff.

We need leaders who are willing to compromise and listen to reason and act accordingly. I'm not so sure we have any currently in positions of authority in this country. We have become a people of the sound byte with no intellectual depth upon which to evaluate situations and make decisions. "We the people" have become "we the sheep" and the wolves are leading us astray.

Today is Furlough Day 4, and I definitely felt the drag of indifference yesterday. In an effort to shake off the lethargy, and as Phineas says to Ferb, "I know what we're going to do today!" It is going to start on the racquetball court at 0530 and head somewhere after that!

I'll let you know.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Furlough Day 3 - Defending the Homestead

As furlough Day 3 gets into full swing, I am attempting to maintain a fairly normal schedule. I played racquetball at 0530 this morning and now, in addition to watching the news hoping for sanity to return in DC,  I have a list of tasks to accomplish during the remainder of the day.

The task list is significantly different than that accomplished on normal (non-furlough) day as it includes:

1. Shopping for dinner items--a trip to Wegman's is imminent
2. Vacuuming (ugh!)
3. Picking up prescriptions (normally a stop on the way home)
4. Preparing the marinade for the meat for dinner (I do this, infrequently)
5. Cutting the grasses around the pool (normally a weekend task in the springtime)
6. Defending the homestead from the attacking hoards

Stink Bug on the Prowl

The last one is particularly problematic. My house is under siege from the ever present and ubiquitous stink bugs. Every time I look around there is another one crawling in the house that needs to be dispatched into the nethermost regions. 

They are everywhere it seems, hence ubiquitous. And they fly! My choice method of disposal is the toilet and a watery grave. I try to get three or more to flush at a time since they can't be squashed, like so many other bugs, because they stink. And implementing a catch and release policy seems self-defeating. 

I think there may be a market for the Stink Bug Eradicator! It is an invention that, I am designing during my free furlough time, sucks up the bugs and seals them into a small plastic bag for safe, stink-free disposal into the trash. No fuss, no muss, no stink, no environmentally dangerous chemicals, and better yet--no hand-to-bug contact required! I can see the ad already on the TV.

I just looked up and there a three more begging to go for a swim.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Furlough Day 2 - Closing the Pool

Pool with Water Lowered Ready for the Cover

What does a federal employee do when furloughed? Stuff around the house. Yesterday was the saddest day of the year--pool closing day.

It was a beautiful day reminiscent of the summertime with temperatures into the 80's and sunshine. But, that also made it a great day to close the pool.

Since I had precious little else to do, it gave me something to do which is both critical to get done before the bulk of the leaves fall from the trees and it took my mind off the whole furlough thing.

Pool with Cover in Place for Winter

Alone, closing the pool takes about five to six hours to get everything done and all of the chemicals balanced for the winter. It is a sad day because with every action completed in the closing process I am increasing the distance from the summer fun that was experienced around the pool. 

And so now it, the pool, waits as do I for the return of longer days filled with sunshine. There are six months until pool opening day--provided the furlough ends. 

I wonder what I am going to do today? I even offered to go shopping for Chris. Can you believe it? I do know that I will stay in contact with many of my fellow furloughed friends via the magic of Facebook. We need to look out for each other--although it amy not seem like it, these are trying times.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Birthday Present

Riordin with the Polar Express

The first present of my birthday was delivered yesterday amid the chaos of moving Patrick and Tina into their new house. Well, OK technically it wasn't the first present of my birthday, but it was one of those "take me back to my childhood and to shut the world out and play with it all day" presents. 

I have wanted a Polar Express train to circle under our Christmas Tree for many years. I used to have a huge train collection when I was much younger. The Polar Express is special because I have been reading the story to the family on Christmas Eve for many years--like decades.

It seems that Patrick and Tina remembered that I almost bought a Polar Express train last year during the Christmas Season when they are about $300. Through the magic of eBay and Craigslist, they found it during the off season presented it to me yesterday as a  birthday gift. 
Wow!

And it works, too!

The hardest part is going to be taking it apart--maybe I won't. Maybe I'll just put is in the office until Christmas!

At least for a while. 

Autumn Breeze

Autumn Breeze

The cool autumn breeze rushed in the through the open window 

Caressing my face as I slept warm in my bed snuggled deep under my covers.

Summer had passed the baton while the night deepened

The warm air turning cold to grace the leaves and hasten their change

It's arrival not unexpected was just undesired as the joys of summer

Slipped into the memories of places visited like waves crashing on the beach.

I woke to the coolness, startled by its refreshing kiss

Wishing for the sultry breezes which had previously graced my slumber.

I piles the covers high on top of the spot where I strove to sleep 

Preserving my warmth from the breeze which would snatch it away. 

I could feel the summer pass, like a good friend waving goodbye before 

Entering the TSA checkpoint to board a flight headed for some exotic location.

I felt alone and abandoned by the passing season, autumn had arrived and

even the constellations in the sky affirmed the inevitable change

At my feet, even my dog nestled further into the rapidly growing pile of  bedclothes

Seeking to retain her warm nest and catch a few more precious minutes of sleep.

Although still dark outside, the dawn was beginning to grace the eastern horizon

With its brilliant hues of red and orange as if announcing the season's change

Another season in an endless string of seasons had arrived with its challenges

It was time to face the next chapter of the year once I decided to wake

For now, my eyes are heavy and I will return to sleep If only for a few hours.

There is time to find autumn’s secrets, later, before the winter arrives.

Boog's, Baseball, and Beer

Orioles Park at Camden Yards
September 26, 2013

I love Boog's barbecue, baseball, and beer. Last evening I made my last sojourn of the 2013 baseball season to Orioles Park at Camden Yards. It was a great evening, but there was a tinge of sadness in it. The finality of a baseball season that began with so much hope and is going to end with the Orioles just a few games short of qualifying for a post-season playoff spot has set in.

Chris snapped the awesome panorama of me in my seat for the game as a memento.  I was imagining last season as the Orioles closed in on their first playoff spot in 15 years and how the loud the crowds were then--this year, the finality of the the imminent end of the season made both the crowd and the team seem listless as they played through the innings in an eventual 3-2 Orioles victory. There wasn't much for either team to play for, it seemed. The Orioles already had wrapped up their second consecutive winning season and are playing to stay ahead of the team from up north which shall remain nameless.

Last night I enjoyed eating Boog's barbecue for the last time this season. Boog Powell was a great Orioles player from the past and I have had the honor of meeting him a number of times outside his barbecue place in the stadium. I watched some great baseball--OK, not so great, at times with all of the late season call-ups it looked like a spring training game complete with two errors. And, I paid way too much for a beer! Stadium prices!

I stood for a few moments after the game absorbing the atmosphere. I am already preparing for next season. A trip to Sarasota for Spring Training and another playoff run which will culminate in me being able to actually attend a World Series game in Baltimore. But, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. There are three games left before the Orioles' season is officially in the books. 

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, CO, Late September 2013

Looking towards DIA on September 23, 20013

A return trip to Denver resulted in a different view on out my hotel window on two separate days. 

The first view is of the evening and the setting sun behind me in the west, hence, I am facing east towards the spired of Denver International Airport (DIA). 

It is a stunning scene in its starkness.

Dawn over DIA on September 25, 2013

The second view is the sunrise, with the rays of the sun gracing the clouds. I angled the shot a bit different to capture the clouds but DIA remains hidden there on the horizon.

I enjoy watching the changing day and knowing that I when I head out, I will experience life on the other side of the hotel window no matter the time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My favorite caution sign

I saw this sign on the access road to Pearmund Cellars in Virginia. I thought it was funny and too true. 

 I need one of my own for my driveway on Friday nights after my friends have been partying.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Colors of Autumn

I was struck by this scene yesterday morning as I walked across the hotel parking lot to my car. Autumn had arrived and with it the green colors of summertime have already begun to change to gold. 

I had seen this field of sunflowers on previous trips and I was struck by the green foliage and the large flower heads of gold chasing the sun as it traversed the sky. 

Now, however, the greens were already fading into brown and the scene was becoming monochromatic. The mountains provided a stunning backdrop set against the blue sky--but the scene was still mostly yellow and gold.

Perhaps the colors were accentuated just a bit by the golden hues of the rising sun, but I think that it only served to highlight the scene.

On previous trips, I have had this view out my hotel window and been able to enjoy the openness, but on this trip my window faced a different direction with a different view of the just as stunning sunrise.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Co

Sunrise to Sunset

With the available daylight down to less that 12 hours per day (from sunrise to sunset now counting twilight) it is fun to see the different sights along the path of the day. 

Yesterday, I saw sunrise over the Baltimore Washington International Airport, or BWI as we affectionately call it. It was pretty looking out of the terminal while walking to my gate for my flight. The dawn was breaking over the field and it made me stop for a few moments. The field was already alive with activity as planes were arriving and departing. People and equipment were everywhere in the predawn light going about their business on the first full day of autumn.

And then, later in the day, I was walking into my hotel and I spied a small rabbit--totally terrified, less than six feet from me. It did the usual rabbit thing--it froze. The rabbit sat there, terrified, while I got my phone out and snapped his image.

I didn't snap an image of the sunset--although I probably should have. But, then, I really didn't get to enjoy it.

Another travel day filled with transient memories captured digitally.

-- Bob Doan, writing from ?