Sometimes the need for some comfort food for dinner is overwhelming. The other evening, Chipotle was at the top of the list. Inexpensive, fast, piled high, Mexican food. We stood in like for about 10 minutes to get served. When I was a kid, I remember it was a trip to the newly opened McDonalds in our town that served as a dinner treat. We had to eat in the car because there was no inside seating. I also remember going to the Ponderosa Restaurant when that opened. These are definitely not upscale dining choices, but they specialize in comfort food. After a long week, sometimes a quick trip for comfort food is just the ticket, as long as it in not an every week affair. I was not amused when I stepped on the scale at the gym the following morning--comfort food is heavy! In my case, I played an extra game of racquetball the next day as penance for my Chipotle indiscretion. But it was tasty!
Morning Dawning over the Pool House October 18, 2014
The morning dawned cool and sunny. The sky was clear and I noticed how quickly the autumn is progressing as it leaves summer in the now somewhat distant past. The leaves are changing color and falling from the trees. The once full canopy which surrounded my house is thinning with the approaching onset of winter. The golden hues from the dawning sun created a beautiful setting. I enjoy the dawn and the promise that each new day holds. We have a lot planned for this weekend and I'm glad that it is going to be nice--weather-wise.
Thinning Canopy as Autumn Progresses
Yesterday was special because I was able to take the convertible out for a ride with the top down. I realized that it may be the last top-down, hair-on-fire ride of the year. The temperatures are getting cooler--the forecast highs for mid-next week are all in the 50's, brrrrr. Looking at the image of the day as it dawned over the pool house and I noticed that the door is open--again! I'm not sure why or how, but it seems that the door to the pool house is almost always open. Not a good way to keep the vermin out with the onset of the dark days. Enjoy the weekend! -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday evening we celebrated another in out family string of birthdays. It was Chris's birthday and I have to admit, she was a real good sport about letting the assembled birthday flash mob finish watching the Orioles season ending game before beginning the celebration of her time on the planet. The celebration was a bit subdued as the Orioles season ended and they officially entered the post-season. But the party went on once the game was over. The lights went out, the candles were lit and the family rendition of Happy Birthday was sung again with the new Cha Cha Cha refrain. And gifts were exchanged. It was a party--a surprise party! The sting of the loss was eased as we focused on life, living, relationships, and love. The family was awesome assembling on short order. The evening was rainy and the mood as bright as possible. It was nearly perfect. Happy Birthday. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
It's the season for the harvest and pumpkins. Sunday, we gathered the grandsons, selected a few pumpkins and hosted a carving party. First, however, was the trip to the Pumpkin Patch to select the perfect pumpkin for carving and to become the jack-o'-lantern of their dreams. That was an experience in an of itself, but it was early enough in the day and the season that the patch was not too crowded and the trip was a great success.
Next came the carving. Think about it, sharp objects and three boys under the age of 10. And of course there were the stars of the day, the pumpkins. Prices are up. One pumpkin weighed in at a weight equivalent to $30. It was summarily rejected. It is a pumpkin, not a Christmas tree!
But Ethan, Jackson, and Lucas picked out pumpkins. Big pumpkins. And then, once we returned to the house the carving began. It was organized chaos. It was not easy wading through the pumpkin entrails to get to the part where they become jack-o-lanterns. But the boys, and parents and grandparents, were up to the challenge.
After some tense moments, the jack-o'-lanterns began to emerge. The efforts and the design process began to payoff and the final results were in sight.
We had to opportunity to view Jax and Ethan's jack-o'-lanterns lighted and scary in the night. They are a study in contrasts--traditional and modern. But they are both awesome. --Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I getting into youth football because Jackson is playing. Here is my personal play of the game from Saturday. Number 60 is Jax! Even though it was early on a cold and rainy October autumn morning, Chris and I were there to see the play. And the game.
Yesterday was a difficult day for me, in terms of sport. I watched the Orioles lose two games that they should have won. The first game was a continuation from Friday night's game in to the wee hours of Saturday morning and the Orioles, uncharacteristically, lost the game in the 10th inning. The Orioles gave up three runs in the 10th inning. In the bottom of the inning they and got one back but the game ended with two men on base and the winning run at bat at the plate. Final score: 8-6.
OPACY October 11, 2014
I attended yesterday's game and the ending reminded me of the classic poem Casey at the Bat. The visitors scored first, but the Orioles came back, on multiple occasions. But with the score tied at 4 going into the 9th inning, again our "lights-out" relief corps couple not contain the visitors and two runs were scored. No panic, the Orioles own the bottom of the 9th inning. Even though the first two Orioles batters in the bottom of the 9th failed to get on base, the crowd remained hopeful. And then, Nelson Cruz, the league home run hitting designated hitter singled and stood on first as Steve Pearce came to the plate. Much like the mighty Casey the battle between the pitcher and Pearce progressed. As the pitch count rose, the fans became more hopeful--but then on the sixth pitch of the at bat, after three foul balls; like the mighty Casey:
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.
And the game ended with the tying run striking out at the plate. The series now goes to the visitor's city and a brash player for the their team made the statement last evening that he does not expect the series to return to Baltimore because they will close it out at home and gain the American League berth in the World Series. While that statement made me cringe, I was happy to have heard it because it showed me how much the team from the mid-west underestimates the determination of the Orioles.
Orioles Magic plays well on the road. While their noses are bloodied, I believe the Orioles now realize that they are looking at themselves in the mirror and will be ready to win at least two games on the road, if not sweep all three possible games.
Buck in Control as Andrew Miller arrives to pitch
Like Buck says, "I like our guys!" Down, but not out. Just making the opposition a bit over confident while we revise the game plan. We Won't Stop! Stay tuned for Game 3 of the series on Monday night. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
The best evenings often happen without a lot of planning. Like last evening. Chris and I were watching Lucas, the sky was clear and the evening was only a bit cool. We enjoyed a glass of wine together in the backyard as evening began to fall.
Bogle Phantom in the Back Yard
I admired the evening, because I know the number of such perfect evenings will be fewer as the year progresses into November and then December. The wine in the backyard was a nice touch. I was even assaulted by a few mosquitoes, just to remind me that autumn has not fully wrested everything from summer's grasp. Rain is forecast for today. I believe we will not be enjoying a repeat evening tonight and the memory of last night will have to remain as the season continues to evolve into autumn and then winter. I relish every day and every evening more and more. Especially, the ones which create memories. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
The nights have been getting colder and the days are cooler than they have been. With each successive day, we wonder if we should finally turn on the heat and succumb to the fact that summer is gone and the autumn has progressed to a point where coats are becoming the norm for mornings and afternoons. I knew this time would arrive. Even if it is too soon. The Halloween decorations are adorning the stores and my neighborhood homes--we even have decorated our house with the trappings of the season.
Sadly, as I discovered on Sunday morning, the frost is on the pumpkin and Jack-o-lanterns are adorning houses. The harvest season is underway. Soon, too soon, the heat will have to be on to warm the house. And then November will arrive. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Maryland's new tougher cell phone laws went into effect on October 1st. To summarize the new laws, basically, breathing on a cell phone while driving is grounds to get pulled over and receive a ticket. I have some issues with this law--sure, you shouldn't talk or text, but my cell also serves as a GPS and provides turn-by-turn directions. Sometimes I need to look at it to figure out what it is trying to tell me. It also plays music. Adjusting information in these modes would be no different than using the radio or permanently installed GPS. This law seems to be unenforceable and overly restrictive. As evidence for my assertion, on Saturday, while Chris was driving, I noted the man in the image driving next to us. He was talking on his cell and eating a banana while driving. He was impeding traffic. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't sure which was more important? Talking on the phone or eating the banana, because it surely was not his driving. Even more frustrating? No police to show him the error of his ways. We don't need more laws, we need people to exercise common sense. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
1. Autumn arrived with a vengeance over the weekend. The first frost of the season arrived in many places, including the golf course I waited for two hours to play on yesterday morning. I had never heard of a frost delay before. 2. I have a bad case of ORANGE FEVER this morning! The Orioles are one of the last four teams remaining in baseball--and the baseball pundits can't figure out why or how!
Cy Young Winners: 1-2-3
3. We held a family October gathering yesterday, not to watch football, but to cheer on the Orioles. It was rumored that at one point someone received a text message telling us to calm down because we were louder than all of the fans in Tiger stadium watching the game. 4. I have to confess, I really didn't care about the scores of the NFL football games being played yesterday. 5. Baltimore is waking up this morning realizing that it is, and always has been, a baseball town. The only reason that football seemed to be king was that the baseball team abdicated its position for over a decade. They're back! 6. On this day in 1866, the Reno gang carries out the first robbery of a moving train in the U.S., making off with over $10,000 from an Ohio & Mississippi train in Jackson County, Indiana. Prior to this innovation in crime, holdups had taken place only on trains sitting at stations or freight yards. 7. The frosty morning waiting out a frost delay did provide a pretty picture. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thankfully, the pool was closed last weekend before the leaves decided to fall off the trees in earnest. I looked out yesterday morning and it was snowing leaves from the trees. I could only imagine the mess and stress of trying to close the pool amidst all of the leaves. Although the day dawned warm, by evening the temperature had dipped to 52 degrees and was headed into the overnight 40's for the coldest night of the season so far. It was actually 37 degrees when I woke up this morning! I had to close the windows and even considered turning on the heat--but, not yet. Brrrr.
The leaves fell for most of the day even though they had not yet changed their colors. Jax's football game, which started almost two hours late at about 5:30 was downright cold and autumnal. The chilling breeze was most uncomfortable. OK, I was cold even though i though I had dressed warmly. Not so, it seems. Autumn took a firm grip on the weather after two weeks of letting summer extend itself. Pool season is definitely over! Autumn is in control. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Chris and I at the Orioles-Tigers Playoff Game
October 3, 2014
Orioles Baseball fans are, I believe, the hardest working fans in all of baseball. And our team knows that we are there. I attended the greatest baseball game of my life yesterday. I have been to a lot of baseball games--I have seen the good, the bad, and the down right ugly. Yesterday, it took a combined team and fan effort overcome a daunting 3 run deficit in the 8th inning to secure victory is spectacular fashion and demonstrate to a national television audience that Baltimore's baseball team and its fans are ready for prime time!
Orioles Fan at the game
The game lasted 3 hours and 41 minutes. The cheering began well before the game amped up when the stadium announcer encouraged everyone to cheer when the national TV coverage clicked in. Joining me in the stands were over 48,000 of my new best friends--mostly wearing orange and black! It was an undulating sea of orange. It was awesome!
Why is being an Orioles fan hard work? Well, thanks to the MLB television scheduling fiasco, we didn't know the time of the game until Wednesday night--and then it was a Noon start! There is a lot of preparation that goes into Orioles playoff baseball game from a fan perspective. The orange jerseys and shirts must be clean and ready. Plans for work must be changed to accommodate the daytime game. Coordination with other fans attending the game must be finished. And then there is navigating the highways to get to the stadium. Baltimore constantly finds new ways to frustrate drivers in their quest to arrive anywhere on time with never-ending construction and irrational lane closures. All of that is just the preparation.
OPACY, October 3, 2014
Sea of Undulating Orange
Once in Orioles Park at Camden Yards, or OPACY, the real work begins. The stadium is an awesome place in which to attend a game. The concessionaires were running at full speed to minimize wait times--but face it, 48,000 fans are no small number of people to keep happy. The real fan work begins as the game prepares to start. An Orioles fan needs to know the multitude of cheers and be ready for the signature "O" cheer during the national anthem. The echoes returning from the surrounding buildings yesterday were fantastic and the stadium literally shook as the Orioles faithful amped up the energy level in preparation for the game.
Any Orioles fan who is not hoarse the next day, or who does not have tennis elbow from waving their towel--didn't leave it all on the field! The game was a seesaw affair. The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning, only to surrender 5 runs in the top of the 4th inning and then get one back in the bottom of the inning. Even though the score was 5-3 until the 8th inning, the enthusiasm in the stands never waned. Having watched this team all season, the fans knew that their moment to secure a victory would soon come--and it did. It was essentially all over for the Tigers when they added an insurance run in the top of the 8th inning, increasing their lead to 6-3.
Zach Britton, the Closer
Securing the Win!
Down to the last six outs--it was time to play serious post-season baseball. The fans responded and the noise level in the stadium began to exceed that of a jet engine at maximum rated thrust preparing for take off. The cheer "We Won't Stop" echoed off the surrounding buildings as 48,000 plus people were united with their team and the comeback began. Four runs and two Tigers pitchers later--the victory was all but secured. OPACY was rocking! Eleven pitches and three Tiger's batters later--victory was achieved as our closer extinguished any hopes that the Tigers had of spoiling the beautiful October afternoon. By the time the win was secured--the fans were exhausted. Like the team, we had left it all on the field. I may not be able to speak for two days because I gave my voice to the throng. Orioles fans are called "the best fans in baseball," and I know we are also the hardest working fans in baseball. Go O's! -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
A View of the Covered Pool at the End of the 2014 Season
My annual trek around the sun on this planet we call Earth can be divided into two seasons: Pool and Not Pool season. The happiest day of the year is the day when the pool is opened and the anticipation of the summer ahead is very real and close. The most depressing day of the year is, of course, the day the pool is closed for the season of darkness and cold. That day was yesterday. We closed our pool in anticipation of the cold weather ahead. The day was, however, glorious. God blessed me with one of the best days we have had during the entire month of September to ease the pain of covering the pool. And the day was fantastic. Crystal clear blue skies and temperatures that reminded me of summer days and fun playing in the pool. The memory of my entire family gathered to celebrate my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary was perhaps the highlight of the entire season. But this season also saw the pool receive much needed maintenance in new coping and tile--readying it for many more seasons ahead. The beautiful day eased the pain of pool closing and helped me to stay ready for the season ahead--the leaves and then the snow and the cold. By the end of April--in seven short months, the pool will be open again! Next up? Autumn's leaves will begin to fall. And need to be raked! -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I have been playing golf regularly for the past month and a half--meaning weekly. I am a terrible golfer, a true duffer, but I realized the other day that if I ever get good at the game I will have less fun every time I play a round. Why? Because I will get to swing my club less. Maybe 25-30 percent less. Let me demonstrate. Sunday, I shot a 133 on an 18 hole par 71 course. Yes, that is a miserable 62 over par. So if I get better and shoot maybe a 96--I will be having 28 percent less fun. I guess that means I will be paying more per stroke in greens fees.
Carroll Park Golf Course
Golf is a frustrating game--of my 133 shots the other day, I was happy with about four of them, but that was enough to keep me coming back for more self abuse. I am hitting practice balls in my yard every evening, for all of the good it is doing. Actually, yesterday I hit about 50 balls and by the end of the evening I was hitting about of them towards where I wanted the ball to go--and that was a dramatic improvement. Thank goodness foam golf balls that don't damage things like windows when the run into them. A few interesting thoughts about golf popped up in my email the other day:
I'm hitting the woods just great; but having a terrible time getting out of them!
-- Buddy Hackett
The only time my prayers are never answered is playing golf.
-- Billy Graham
If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball.
-- Jack Lemmon
I found them to be both instructive and funny. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
A trip to the Orioles Park at Camden Yards (OPACY) to attend my final scheduled game of the season is usually filled with sadness as the realization that autumn has arrived and the baseball season is coming to a close hits me with the reality of a baseball bat swatting a grand slam over the fence. Walking to the stadium in the waning light of day as the rays grew long and cast a golden hue across the land the scene was almost surreal.
But, even though the Orioles lost last night AND it was my last home game of the regular season--I was excited because I know that this year there will be post-season baseball.
As the MLB American League East Division Champions, there will be October baseball. Hopes abound for a World Series crown--but being a fan for one of the ten teams which will be in the post-season and only one of eight teams which will be playing October baseball makes it all that much more fun.
It has been a long campaign from Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida, and after 153 regular season games of the 162 game season, only four teams in all of baseball have punched their tickets to the post-season and only three of those have clinched their division. With nine games to play there are still six invitations to the post-season outstanding!
Having some fun with a hat I should have bought
For their part, the Orioles have a chance to end the season with the best record in all of baseball and assure themselves of home field advantage throughout the playoffs. But first things first, they need to secure home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs by winning three more of the nine games remaining. Those can be combined with Detroit losses to help--but they need to win three more games than the Angels to secure home field for the playoffs. It is complicated--but in a good way. The Orioles are not fighting for a spot, not they are battling for a better seed in the playoffs.
It is magical for diehard Orioles baseball fans like myself. It was grand being at the stadium last night not worried about how the team that shall remain nameless from up north was doing--it doesn't matter anymore.
The fireworks display after the game was a medley of music and explosions and at one point they played Orioles Magic followed by We Won't Stop--the Orioles theme songs.
Here comes the post-season--are you ready for Orioles from Birdland? Be afraid, be very afraid! The World Series is in sight!
The American League East Champion Orioles have brought swagger back to Baltimore baseball! Winning the toughest division in baseball for the first time in 17 years will do that for a city. And crazy things are happening. Like in the manicure shops where O's are being painted on toes. Yes, I wrote that. O's on the toes! In preparation for attending the first game of the final home series of the regular season tonight against Boston, Chris had her toes painted. Unfortunately, she had a hard time explaining to the service professionals at the nail salon exactly what she was looking for and it didn't come out exactly right. I think they are cute!
And very personal. Far more temporary than the tattoo I was thinking about. I wasn't seriously thinking about getting a tattoo--but . . . A World Series ring might change the math on a tattoo. I believe this city is going to go even more crazy as the playoffs arrive. And I am going to be part of it. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Why do we have animals? Because our children are grown and they make us smile when they do crazy stuff. Grandchildren do crazy things too, but they aren't around near as much as animals. Enter Riordin. Yup, the cat that came back and the undisputed king of the castle. The other night we received a nice gift of a wreath for our door. Riordin saw it laying in the counter and determined it to be his personal space.
Riordin Relaxing
It was pretty funny--of course being a cat, the humor was lost upon him. But, we laughed and photographed his antics. He makes us laugh. Belly laugh! That is why we have animals. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Glasses in Waiting at my Place for the Wine Dinner
Life has been very busy since the middle of last week. Last evening was the final scheduled event of an extremely busy set that began Thursday evening at the Ravens game, continued Friday with an Orioles game, was planned to include fireworks for the Star Spangled Spectacular on Saturday, a visit to the theater on Sunday evening and closed out with friends in Frederick, Maryland, last evening for a Wine Dinner featuring wines from the Willamette Valley Vineyard. Check my wine blog Wine4YourLife for a review later of the wine dinner later in the week. Busy does not even begin to describe the past five days of events--and they were extremely diverse events. Nine holes of golf and a youth football game were interspersed in that schedule as well. Wow! And I my not be done yet! I am going to see about going to the Orioles game tonight because they can clinch the division with a win. They won't be the first team this season to clinch a playoff berth, but they would be the first to clinch a division this season. And the pace continues! But, hey, it is what makes life full and interesting. OK--I think I need a break to veggie out and watch a sappy movie or something. Oh, wait, the pool needs to be closed for the season. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I made my first ever trip to a golf store yesterday after playing an afternoon round of golf.
Blue Angels over Baltimore
The golf was great--since there was rain and it was the afternoon, we had the course to ourselves. It was truly awesome. If only my game was nearly as awesome. During our golf outing, we were treated to a performance by the Blue Angels. I am very happy that they are on our side! The roar of the jets brought back very fond memories. The truth is--I am not much of a golfer. Not much at all. I am still learning the game which is far more complex than I ever imagined it to be. Even so, I was really disappointed in golf store. Frankly, I felt very discriminated against.
More blue Angels
Yes, I really wrote that! I am left handed and apparently, left handed people do not golf. I was looking at racks and racks of really expensive clubs--just because I was amazed at the prices, and then I noticed that there was not a single left handed club in the displays. In fact, I had to ask where the left handed clubs were displayed and was informed that they were in the corner along the wall. There was not nearly the selection that right handed people had. There were row after rows of clubs of all kinds and prices for right handed people. There were fewer than 15 different and much lesser clubs for lefties. My question was, Why aren't the left handed clubs integrated into the displays with the right handed clubs? If I want to check out a really nice club by a well known maker, why do I have to go elsewhere in the store--which, by the way was as far from the fitting area as possible. And I also noticed that the areas used for swinging and fitting clubs were set for right handed people and did not appear easily configurable for lefties, like me. Then I went looking for a glove--same story. Three aisles of gloves for right handed people. A small area of about 12 gloves for lefties. What gives? The situation is just wrong! The store was Golf Galaxy and from what I saw it was less of a galaxy and more of a sand box. Do golfers really that discriminate against lefties? Thank goodness that racquetball is a hand agnostic sport. -- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Beautiful Friday Evening Orioles Game
September 12, 2014
Last evening while I was attending the Orioles game against the team that shall remain nameless from up north, I had the opportunity to watch and appreciate the career of a great baseball player participating in his final regular season series in Baltimore.
Derek Jeter at the Plate during an
Orioles Game
September 12, 2014
I have never liked it when Derek Jeter came to the plate during his career which began much the same time I arrived in Baltimore and became an Orioles fan. I have watched him play and cringed when he stood at the plate during a critical game situation. Despite the fact that he played for "the other guys," I cannot deny he has had a great career and been a classy, complete competitor who has avoided the scandals and drug allegations which have felled so many of his contemporaries. Derek Jeter was a class act among too many other baseball players who succumbed to the lure of performance enhancing drugs which will forever tarnish their participation in the sport and the records they possesses. Coincidentally, it was on a night when Orioles fans were reeling from a suspension announcement for one of our own whose career will also likely be similarly tarnished.
By the way--just saying, but I will always remember the final time I saw Jeter play that his team was swept in a by the Orioles in a doubleheader for the first time since September 24, 1984! Yes, it has been 30 years since the the Orioles swept a doubleheader from the team from up north.
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