Happy Easter 2025

 Easter has arrived. 

Here is praying you have a blessed day. 

Chris and I continue our visit to see Dad. We spent a couple hours with him yesterday at his residence. We enjoyed meeting some of his table mates while enjoying lunch. Yes, they have assigned seating. It was a very enjoyable visit. 

Today the Easter celebration continues and we will retrieve Dad early this afternoon for some family enjoyment.

 

Happy Easter to all.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Good Friday Celebration

Dad
Grand Marshall of the Easter Egg Hunt
Weston Lakes, TX
April 18, 2025

Good Friday is not normally a celebratory day. It is more usually a day of remorse and reflection.

Yesterday, however, we celebrated and enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt while spending time with my Dad, whom I have not seen in over a year. He was in good spirits when we retrieved him from his residence and we spent the day interacting with some of our Texas family. 

Preston and Eva
After the Egg Hunt
Weston Lakes, TX
April 18, 2025

We spent a long day enjoying the sounds of children and watching them play. I even got to play catch with a football. Since I didn't bring my baseball glove, and there aren't any other lefties in the family, we couldn't play catch with a baseball--my preferred sports ball. 

It was relaxing and enjoyable to watch the kids play while catching up with the adults. 

It was also nice to focus on family and take some respite from the news of the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Arriving Houston

Passenger Pick-up Terminal C
George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, TX
April 17, 2025

 When Chris and I journey to Houston, we mostly fly into Houston Hobby, not George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). It was quite an experience landing at IAH last evening. I have to confess, I have never been as confused about where to go trying to leave an airport before and that includes some really complicated airports like Rome. As we headed to baggage to meet our ride we were confronted with a myriad of avenues through which to exit. There was the taxi stand door, the limo and paid rider pick-up door and later we were advised of the passenger pick-up door, which was a bit hidden. Weren't we all passengers? 

I picked the wrong exit first. We wound up where the Lift and Uber drivers along with limos pick up passengers. Walking around the corner we happened upon the taxi stand. But finding where normal people get rides from family was nowhere in sight. Calling Pennie, my sister who was trying to find us as we were trying to find her, she told me to head back inside and exit through the portal marked Passenger Pick-up. 

We found it. 

They found us!

It was a miracle and then after slogging through grid-locked airport traffic for another what seemed like 20 minutes we were on the road. 

And so the Easter holiday begins. I believe today will be devoted to an egg hunt. We will retrieve Dad from his residence so he can enjoy the fun with most of his Texas great-grandchildren. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

St Patrick's Day Bash

Chris and I Celebrating
Tequesta, FL
March 17, 2025

 One of the benefits we enjoy by living across the street from an Irish restaurant is the St Patrick's Day celebration. Every year they close down part of the parking lot and celebrate the patron saint of Ireland--yesterday was no exception. 

Scene in the Irish Bar
Tequesta, FL
March 17, 2025

It is great because we can walk over to the event and do not need to find a place to park. Yesterday, we took Finn with us, but soon decided that he was a tripping hazard and he was not enjoying being held and so we walked him home and then walked back to enjoy some adult beverages. It is nice living so close.

Everyone seemed joyful and reveled in forgetting about the problems of the world for a while and just celebrating together. I was happy not to hear any talk of politics or the news. 

We left the celebration fairly early and returned home, but we very much enjoyed our time there.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Challenger for Punxsutawney Phil

 Like most Americans, I was not happy last week when Punxsutawney Phil made his, accurate only about 35 percent of the time, weather prediction for six more weeks of winter. 

Ugh. Who wants that?

Here in South Florida that prediction should mean highs in the 50s-60s accompanied by a cold depressing rain. 

A friend sent me an alternate weather prognosticator to replace my reliance on Phil. 

I love it!

The Palm Tree!

On every February 2nd, I can now go to my Tequesta Palm and receive a personal weather prognostication. It has to be at least as accurate as Phil with the added benefit that I do not need to read the mystical woodchuck language to decipher the forecast. 

Of course I have to keep secret the location of the weather forecasting palm tree--I would not want people to gather en masse heavily attired to await the prediction while consuming excessive quantities of coffee and hot chocolate. The weather palm prefers that people enjoy a cold drink in their hand while attired in beachwear enjoying the bright, hot sun on a sandy beach.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

2025 Dawns

 Happy New Year 2025

Percy and Finnegan Ready for the New Year

As the new year dawns, it is a good time to stop, before the college football playoffs begin, and reflect on 2024 and set goals for 2025. 

I'm not writing that I have any goals for 2025 at this point, but being the half-decade year it would be good to have some since Chris and I will be crossing some significant milestones this year. 

I am not going to do a comprehensive review of 2024 because in many respects it was a great year and I want to remember it that way. Yeah, there were tears and sorrows, but mostly the year provided growth. 

For 2025? 

Chris and I are scheduled to visit South Africa during February to enjoy scenery, animals, and of course wine!

There will be a cruise, or two. None yet scheduled. 

Did I mention that a grandson is expected? Imminently? 

We are both hoping to knock a few things off the bucket lists. I'm hoping to get to my two remaining unvisited U.S states.

And I will ride my bike as much as I can. There are many unexplored trails in Florida I am hoping to try. And maybe I will do the C&O Towpath trail from Cumberland, MD, to Washington, DC. 

It all begins today.

Wishing everyone the best for the new year. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

New Years Eve 2024

 Happy New Year

Well, the end of a turbulent 2024 is upon us. 

Out with the old and in with the new. Huzzah!

What will the new year bring? 

Hopefully, the new year will bring peace and prosperity. We, as a nation, have to get past the finger-pointing blame game which seeks to vilify segments of our society. Collectively, we need to roll up our sleeves and dig in to ensure the promises in The Constitution are available to all Americans--and we need to stop trying to whittle-down who qualifies as an American.

I am looking forward to traveling and continuing to enjoy my retirement. And writing my blog. 

God of peace, let your calm presence fill our hearts and minds, bringing peace to our world and to all who suffer. Amen.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

  

'Twas the Day After . . .

 

Well, we made it through the day after Christmas, a/k/a Boxing Day.

We did almost nothing except play games. 

We learned a new dice game called Farkle, which was a lot of fun and we even took it to the local brewery last evening and played it during Happy Hour. 

We also played a game of classic Monopoly. I lost miserably. 

We enjoyed the post-Christmas rush stand down. We are lucky in that we don't have any returns to make and can focus on just enjoying time with family and friends and waiting for the arrival of the new grandson--which is expected soon after the new year begins.

Of course the cold continues to be annoying. I get excited when I see the temperature has climbed into the 40s. 

Maybe we will see 60s on Sunday!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Saga of the Christmas Gift

 It seems that almost every Christmas that there is one gift that comes with a saga. Often it is the most sought after gift of the season and the story revolves around how the intrepid purchasers managed to score one when the supply was far outstripped by demand. This Christmas, the story of the gift revolves around theft, bureaucracy, and ineptitude. It made for a very frustrating four days. 

The gift was a MacBook Air. The order was originally placed with the Online Apple Store with arrival scheduled the Friday before Christmas in Tequesta so that I could bring it to Maryland as a Christmas morning gift. It seemed smooth until delivery morning when I received a delivery exception notice from UPS indicating that the package was damaged and could not be delivered because the contents had been removed. That, I guess, is a polite way of saying stolen. 

I called Apple to attempt a "just in time" Christmas miracle replacement. I was led to believe that it was possible that a replacement could be shipped to Odenton, but I needed to wait 24 hours for confirmation due to an investigation that needed to be accomplished. No problem. 

I waited Saturday--nothing. 

We traveled Sunday--nil heard. 

Sunday afternoon, I called Apple again. Somehow the previous person omitted the part where the office that does the investigations does not work weekends and that the soonest I could expect to hear from them was December 27th. WAIT! That is two days beyond Christmas. So we explored options, one of which was requesting a refund and buying the gift from a brick and mortar store. Thank goodness for Best Buy. 

Monday's project, after shopping for the food needed for Christmas Eve Brunch, was getting the present. At 2:43 PM, I placed the order for one-hour pickup from Best Buy. I only wish it was that easy. 

I called Apple and canceled the order requesting a refund. That seemed to go well, although my credit card still has not been credited.

One-hour passed--nil heard from Best Buy indicating the computer was ready for pickup. 

Another hour passed--nil heard. 

At about 5:15, after two-and-a-half hours of waiting, I headed off to Best Buy to get the computer without confirmation that it was ready. 

Arriving at Best Buy I entered the Store Pickup line. After managing to get to the front of the line, the team member informed me that the purchase required additional verification and that I would have to wait for a phone call. I inquired as to why the verification had not yet been done since I was promised a one-hour pickup, but of course the answer revolved around volume and Christmas, dummy. 

I waited about 20 minutes and the verification phone call came. It was ridiculous--but I verified that I was in fact purchasing the MacBook Air and that I was in the store. I went back to the end of the now very long Store Pickup line and getting to the front was again told the computer wasn't ready, but the team member put a priority on it after hearing my story and confirming it in the system. Shortly thereafter I departed the store with Chris' Christmas gift under my arm. 

Christmas was saved!

It just should not be that hard. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Happy Christmas 2024

Elf on the Shelf Saying Good-bye
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2024

 It is finally here. 

Some have been planning for this day since Christmas 2023.

Others, like me, waited until almost the last day. 

Of course, my favorite shopping day is Christmas Eve. I enjoy the adrenaline rush of urgency coupled with the exhaustion of the season-ending push to the finish line. 

I think even our Elf-on-the Shelf was exhausted by the preparations this year. 

So I've been wondering, which is proper: Happy Christmas or Merry Christmas? I have been leaning more towards Happy over Merry since merry connotes a more party and merriment atmosphere--and preparing for Christmas is definitely not a party and certainly at times is not festive.

I looked up the differences and it seems that both are acceptable with Merry being more common in the U.S. while Happy is more British. 

So to all (even though I'm in the U.S.)

Happy Christmas 2024 

May your life be filled with the wonderment and joy of the season. Blessings to you and your family. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Christmas Eve 2024

Nicole's Dinosaur, Patrick
Odenton, MD
December 23, 2024

 Happy Christmas Eve

Hopefully all of the critical holiday preparations are complete or in place. 

Our day begins with a family brunch at Noon that Chris and I are hosting at Patrick's house. Then the family will divide and head different directions for additional Christmas functions. 

Because of the NFL and its decision to move games to Christmas, part of our family will be in Pittsburgh for the game there and not be available for Christmas Day. I think the NFL needs to cool its jets on scheduling football on Christmas. Christmas should be a family day.

Please remember our military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. Also, pray for our country it leaders that they may be guided by God and make decisions in accordance with His will. 

Open the Door of Love

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

That we may share in the song of the angels,

The gladness of the shepherds,

And worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

And open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift

And good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing, which Christ brings

And teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us

Happy to be thy children

And Christmas evening bring us

To our beds with grateful thoughts

Forgiving and forgiven

For Jesus sake

Amen.

— Robert Louis Stevenson

From 25 Best Christmas Prayers

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

Closing in on Christmas

Palm Beach Gardens Mall
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
December 18, 2024

 I had a busy morning yesterday. 

It started at the Ford dealer where our Mustang Mach-e windshield wiper motor was inspected for possible replacement under a recall. That took an hour, but no further repair was necessary. Yay.

Then it was off to Costco. Ugh. I wish drivers would consider the impact of their action or inaction on others. I sat for a full five minutes waiting for someone to clear the drive lane because they were worried they might miss a parking spot. The resulting traffic jam wound out onto the main thoroughfare. Once clear, I drove past them and easily found a spot about 50 steps further with no waiting. 

Morning Sky
Tequesta, FL
December 19, 2024

And then there was the mall! I ventured into the mall, but at 11:00 AM it was pretty devoid of shoppers. The decorations were lighted and inviting, but I had a specific task to accomplish and so I was there all of about 20 minutes.

We are closing in on Christmas. In less than a week it will be in the rearview and we will be pressing ahead to the New Year. Time is flying past.

This morning while waiting for Finn to complete his morning needs, I looked into a clear sky with my three favorite palms in the foreground. It just caught my eye and I am hoping that the peaceful scene translates into another great South Florida day as we continue finalizing Christmas plans.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Nearing Completion

 The hectic holiday shopping season is complete, well mostly. 

We sighted the finish line yesterday and to be honest I think I have two more gifts to collect and then we can put a much needed ribbon around the 2024 Holiday Gift Blitz. Amazon has been a lifesaver! The final gifts arrived yesterday, as scheduled. 

We are entering the final stages and remember; Christmas is one short week from today. 

Now we begin working the logistics of the season. Menu planning, shopping, cooking, baking, and collapsing with a glass of wine at night!

Chris and I took time last evening to visit our favorite Happy Hour location, that would be Tiki52. Although the day was pleasantly warm with temperatures nearing 80 degrees, the breeze blowing off the ICW last evening was cool and strong. We had a small accident with the waitstaff removed dirty plates and the placemat/menus went airborne and toppled drinks on the table next to us. 

It is time for a deep breath.

Today is devoted to finishing my remaining two gifts and having the Mach-e evaluated for the recall we received last week. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel and I'm pretty sure it is not an onrushing train. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Admiring the Decorations

Santa Needs a Cookie
Tequesta, FL
December 16, 2024

 For the first time since my bike accident last week, I was able to ride yesterday. It felt good to be out on my bike again and relatively pain free. My hip pointer remains tender, but otherwise I felt fine. 

I managed just over 17 miles and enjoyed the seasonal decorations along my route. 

One yard decoration stood out as both disturbing and interesting. The skeleton Santa in the image to the right was that decoration. Clearly, Santa is not eating enough Christmas cookies as he is all bones--not even any skin. I actually was looking forward to this particular yard decoration because it has been erected since Halloween. During the Thanksgiving season it was transformed into a seasonal display and now has morphed into a bony Santa. 

I am not a fan of using skeletons for decorations other than at Halloween, but this works on a slightly macabre level. Sadly, this was not the only use for skeletons in Christmas decorations that I saw, it was just the biggest.

I guess it is easy to get tired of snowmen and sleighs. But really? A giant skeleton Santa is not the answer.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Christmas Movies

 Chris and I have been watching our favorite Christmas movies. It seems that the Holiday Season spawns quite a few movies. 

We watched a new release, Red One, which was a different take on Santa and Christmas. I enjoyed the movie and although it got a bit long, the mythical side of the season made for an interesting story. Who knew that Santa had a brother? And the cast is solid.

I decided today to rank my top 10 favorite Christmas movies, and so here goes:

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

3. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

4. The Santa Clause (1994)

5. The Holiday (2006)

6. Die Hard (1988)

7. Home Alone (1990)

8. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

10. (tie) Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

10. (tie) The Polar Express (2004)

I note that two of the movies are celebrating 20 years of popularity, while another is hitting 30 years old.

Biggest omissions and why:

A Christmas Story (1983) is missing and often ranked #1 on many lists. I just never got into the humor and the family situation. Yes, I can quote lines from the movie--but as a favorite Christmas movie for me it's not a must see. 

Elf (2003) is also missing and ranked high on many lists, but I am not a Will Ferrell fan and so this movie does not do it for me. 

I do enjoy watching new releases and there are many other Christmas movies that I enjoy, but I won't put them on "pause" if I have to leave the room for something. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Just Add Children

 

Christmas Tree
Constitution Park, Tequesta, FL
December 13, 2024

Chris and Finn with the Snowman
Constitution Park, Tequesta, FL
December 13, 2024

The annual Tequesta Christmas Tree lighting occurred last evening. The gates opened promptly at 5:30 PM for families to enter the Christmas displays and activities positioned in Constitution Park. Chris and I were among the first to enter the South Florida version of a winter wonderland as is possible.

There were lots of children with their families racing through the displays. We were a bit underwhelmed by the lack of food options given that it was the dinner hour. 

But, the Tequesta village tree was pretty and the giant snowman was a bit over-the-top. 

Sadly, we wandered the grounds and quickly discovered that since we were unaccompanied by children there was not much for us to do or enjoy. We could have joined the line to sit on Santa's lap, but that would have just been weird. Once we walked around we discovered that there was nothing for adults and so we departed probably 15 minutes after we arrived. 

Some holiday activities need a sign that says, "Just Add Children."

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Never-ending Decorations

 

Snow Village Scenes
Tequesta, FL
December 11, 2024

Decorating for  Christmas never ends. 

Chris and I decorated the tree and the house before departing for Thanksgiving. I thought we had completed the seasonal decorating. 

Not so fast, grasshopper. 

Tuesday, we made a trip to the storage facility and retrieved some of our Snow Village pieces along with more Christmas decorations. After cleaning out the display case, we created scenes in each of the display areas. I guess we got the bug to set up some Snow Village after helping Patrick and Jen with their annual village. 

The project came out well and the scenes remind us of the snowy white stuff that I do not enjoy. We also added more festive decorations to the house. 

It seems the decorating never ends until we  put them away after the holidays. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Preparing for the Holidays

 

It was a quieter day yesterday as Chris and I continued preparing for Christmas.

We have been spending time on the computer and less time in the stores, although, we do need to head out to the brick and mortar places at some point to secure the final Christmas gifts.

Holiday preps take time!

We are heading to Florida on Monday for two weeks of warmth. But we will return for Christmas and the New Year. We will likely be in Maryland celebrating until lmid-January. 

Oh yes, travel and the holidays. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Snow Village 2024

 

Julienne and Chris Looking at the Snow Village Staging Area
Glen Burnie, MD
November 30, 2024

Welcome to December, the final month of a turbulent 2024.

Yesterday was Snow Village day. 

We were invited over to Patrick and Jen's to assist with the annual Snow Village set up. Sadly, Chris and I decided not to set-up our Snow Village this year because of our travel schedule and so we were excited to assist in this annual event. 

Snopw Village 2024
Glen Burnie, MD
November 30, 2024

When we arrived all of the pieces were unboxed and placed on a table as Patrick was preparing the display stand. I assisted with the final touches and then it was onto planning the village.

Planning the village is multistep process assisted by some technology. All of the buildings were placed and their relative final positions determined and then a video of them was taken as they were all removed back to the staging area while the snow blanket was added and height was also included to give the village a more realistic view. Once the contouring was finished it was time to reset the buildings and proceed to lighting. The video was used, frame by frame, to remind us of the building locations. Patrick displayed the video frames on the adjoining big screen. Following lighting it was onto the trees and accessories which bring the village from a ghost town to a thriving community. 

It was great fun to participate this year. I especially like the way the lighthouse seems to project an angel on the wall.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

The Annual Axis & Allies Event

Axis & Allies Europe Board at the Game Start
Odenton, MD
November 29, 2024

 Black Friday is the day the guys gather to play Axis & Allies. This year we chose to play the Axis & Allies Europe version to fill the day. This version is suited to lower number of players and it provides a satisfying 3 vs 1 format with players playing USA, UK, and Soviet Union on the Allies side and one player playing the Axis. 

I wound up defending Moscow as the Soviet Union player. I was teamed with two grandsons who played USA and UK against their Dad, the Axis player. 

The game proceeded fairly close to history with Germany laying siege to Leningrad and Stalingrad and making it to the outskirts of Moscow before the UK and USA could amass enough forces to thankfully require a major German armored army to move out of Eastern Poland and head back to liberate Berlin. I write thankfully, because the Soviet armies were exhausted and out of reserves. 

And so with a nod to history, the Allies won the game. Winning this game required one of the four capitals to be captured and held for a complete round. Berlin was captured, but before it could be held an entire round it was liberated by the aforementioned German armored army. Subsequently, with successive assaults by the UK and then USA forces, Berlin fell and the game was ended because Germany had insufficient forces remaining to mount another capital liberating counterattack.

This year, I was on the winning side.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD