A Dog and Her Boys

Lily and Jax
March 8, 2019

Lily, the newest canine member of our larger family, apparently has a knack for making sick children feel better.

Lily and Ethan
March 8, 2019

Yesterday was a sick day for two of my grandsons--Jax and Ethan. Chris spent her day nursing them back to health. But, she had help from Lily, their faithful dog,  who comforted each of the sick boys as they napped on the sofa.

It was a touching scene--a a dog and her boy, sleeping together on the sofa together as the boys tried to get better. 

What a great dog Lily has become. She is attentive and loving. She takes great care of her boys! After all, what more can we expect from a dog?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Hour on Steroids

Nicole, Mom, Patrick, Jeremy
Elkridge, MD
February 27, 2019

Dad, Jeremy, Patrick, Nicole
Elkridge, MD
February 27, 2019

When is a good time for a celebration? 

Whenever there is a reason, of course!

Happy Hour is a daily celebration that Chris and I enjoy and last evening it became a very special celebration as the family gathered to enjoy the presence of Mom and Dad as they are journeying back to Central New York after wintering in Houston. 

The gathering of the entire family, less one, resulted in an exciting early evening. It is always good when the family celebrates--and it was a celebration. 

Luke, Jax, Dad, E
Elkridge, MD
February 27, 2019

There was a lot of noise as the grandsons took control of the situation. Sadly, there were too many cars in the drive to allow them to play basketball and so they were pretty much confined to the house. It would have been good to get them outside for a bit, even though it was cold. 

I was especially happy that everyone made it over so we could party together. We have not been gathering as a big family as often as we used to and we need to rekindle the close relationships.

The party ended early out of necessity as there is school today and the boys had to do homework and get to bed. 

Thanks everyone for carving out some time to gather together and celebrate. It was a Happy Hour to remember!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Return

My parents arrived safely from Houston last evening. I appreciated tracking the flight on Flight Tracker. That helped because they arrived almost a half-hour early due to what I'm guessing was a strong tailwind. Their scheduled speed was 525 mph and they were actually traveling about 620 mph. We are so very lucky that Southwest airlines flies direct from Houston! It makes the journey that much easier.

Dinner with Mom and Dad, and Chris in the Middle
Elkridge, MD
February, 26, 2019

Chris and I have been looking forward to their return for a couple of weeks as it marks the beginning of the next phase in their journey. It is hard to believe that they were last here during mid-November as they first traversed to Houston to enjoy the bulk of the Winter. 

And now onto Spring, well, except for the wintry-mix of weather we are expecting later this week to potentially block Mom and Dad's triumphant return to Central New York! The family has been working hard to facilitate their return. We are planning to head out on Friday afternoon to drive them home.

But that is later in the week. For the remainder of this week we are planning on having our local family visit to spend time with Mom and Dad while they are here. I know that there are enough things to be accomplished during their relatively brief visit.

Every visit, no matter how brief is special!

And then back into the fray of daily living.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Day After Christmas

Basement Christmas Tree with Jax and Lucas
December 25, 2018

Is Christmas over? 

Christmas Table 

Some people believe that it is, but in reality we are a people of Christmas. It is the Christmas spirit that lives in us throughout the year that sets us apart and makes us different. 

So, no, Christmas is not over--it remains alive in our hearts.

It was a great day with family. 

Chris and I began the day alone, together exchanging gifts and enjoying the dawn of Christmas as it occurred. It was different for us, but very nice. The weather for the day was awesome, about as good as can be expected for a late-December day--clear and temperatures in the 40's. I know the cold weather is coming as January dawns. 

As Christmas Begins

Once the family arrived, beginning doubt 1 PM, things really started to happen. 

With dinner planned for about 4:30 and the meat in the oven, we conducted the  gift exchange. Gifts were exchanged and a good time was had by all. I have to confess, I do not have any returns!  Yay!

After dinner we played a few games and then people began to drift away home. 

It was a great family day together. 

Another Christmas and another year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Most Magnificent Birthday Cake

Unicorn Cake - The Mane
December 11, 2018

Last evening we celebrated Nicole's birthday. It is one of those major birthday's and we had a gathering at Lure's in Crownsville to start the evening. The food there was awesome as always.

After that it was back to the house for presents and cake.

What a cake it was. I have never seen such a fantastic cake--it was a unicorn.

We had a great time reconnecting with friends and enjoying the celebration.

But, the cake was truly spectacular--and it tasted good, too!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flying and Family

The Cul de Sac at the End of Rainbow
July 10, 2018

I took Radio Flyer out for a quick afternoon flight yesterday. It was nothing special, but I am continuing to work on my map navigation skills. I flew my drone away from me over the trees and up the street and brought it back using the map for navigation and also putting it into the sport mode where it flies very fast. 

Chris and Finnegan on the Driveway

As I was ending my flight, I spied Chris and Finnegan returning from a walk. My battery was getting too low to actually fly close to them, but I did snap a quick image for posterity as I was landing. 

It is not a spectacular image. I had actually flown along the street earlier in an attempt to find them on the walk, but apparently the trees obscured them.

Later that same evening, Chris and I joined with Jeremy, Julie, Patrick, and Tina at Jeremy's house for an impromptu gathering. There were also some dogs involved as well. It was fun to meet together on a Tuesday evening and share the news of the day. What else are we going to do on a beautiful summer evening? 

I was honored by the love shown by my entire family, even those who were not available for the impromptu gathering. 

And now it is Wednesday. Another day full of challenges and opportunities!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Retirement Arrives

Tina, Patrick, Chris, Jeremy
Retirement Party
June 30, 2018

As the last rays of the June sun departed in the west, so did Chris's last day of employment. With the arrival of July, she is now retired. 



To celebrate her transition from the active workforce, retirement party #4 was held at the house around the pool yesterday. It was well attended, despite the heat, and we had a lot of fun. 

The pool was definitely essential on a day when the temperature topped out at 95 degrees and the stress index made it feel like 100. Spirits were high as the celebration which started during the early afternoon spanned into the evening.

Frances, George, Mary

Mary, Jennifer, Chris, Sue

It was a retirement send-off spectacular. The food was sumptuous and the liquid refreshments were almost endless. 

All of our friends came to celebrate and I was amazed how quickly the afternoon turned into evening. 

It turned too quickly. 

Now the excitement of the rest of her life begins. Although, she really won't experience it until summer ends in September. This summer is going to be much like many others and it is not until school is back in session that her retirement is likely to become real. For now, it is time to party and celebrate.

Chris, Dad, Mom

The Last Rays of June 2018 Over the House

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dog Sitting

Florence

We have great family when it comes to dogs. We all help each other out when we travel by watching each other's dogs. 

Arthur

This morning, for instance, we have two additional dogs in the house, Florence, an Italian Grayhound, and Arthur, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

They add a lot of excitement to our two permanent residents, Makayla and Finnegan.

You could say that we are going to the dogs--lol.

We are lucky the they all get along so well, although the bed does get full at night.

We also have two extra boys--Ethan and Jackson, but they are a lot more self-sufficient. 

It makes for exciting days and is keeping Chris busy as she enjoys retirement.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Last Day

Watermelon Margarita

Retirement is sweet. 

Well, so says Chris.

Yesterday, after 23 years of getting every school day to greet, encourage, and teach students, was the last day. Through tears and cheers, Chris walked out of Lime Kiln Middle School and into retirement after the last bell rang. 

Evening Happy Hour

The first thing she did after leaving school was go to lunch with her friends where, in addition to food, she enjoyed a pretty awesome looking watermelon margarita.


And then she came home. Later in the evening we enjoyed a special happy hour together. Throughout the evening, I was pleased by the number of people who called her to wish her many years of joy as she begins the new chapter in her life. 

Chris on the Beach

It was a day of celebration, fun, parties, and some sadness as the reality of retirement became very real. Hopefully the friends and relationships of 20 plus years will remain strong well into the future.

I am so proud of her!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Floatie in the Afternoon

Chris with Finnegan in the Pool
June 18, 2018

Chris and I celebrated a truly summer-like day yesterday by enjoying cool drinks while floating around in the pool.

It was a great way to enjoy her last evening before retirement.  It was sunny and hot and the water of the pool provided cool and refreshing relief.

We had the chance to catch up on vacation planning and begin the process of transitioning from Chris being a full-time employed person into retirement. 

I am very excited for her. 

Maybe a bit envious.

There are so many opportunities that are available to her and she wants to experience everyone of them. I know late August will be a difficult time for her when the teachers begin to return to school and for the first time in 23 years she is not headed off to join them. 

But for now, it is time to party and celebrate a hugely successful career.

I know today will be filled with tears of both joy and sadness. But, I hope to be there when she gets home to welcome her into retirement and encourage her by reminding her that the plans she has for the future outweigh the opportunities that she was facing had she stayed for even another year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Significant Life Event - Retirement

Chris at
Her Retirement party

Yesterday was a day about one of those significant life events.

Chris Speaking at Her Retirement Party

I attended the first of four retirement parties for Chris who is retiring as a special educator after 22 years. It is amazing that she was able to put together a whole multi-decade career while I was doing the Air Force officer thing moving the family across the world.

I was happy for the nice words that were said about her long and fruitful career, but most importantly, I was impressed by the love that her bosses and co-workers showed for her. Some people came to the party who work at other schools or have already retired, just to celebrate Chris and her career.

It was a very nice party and it is great that she is going out on top. I am very excited for her and a bit jealous. But this is not about me, it is about Chris and the long lasting contributions she has made as an educator.

I'm just waiting for someone to stick a microphone in her face and ask her what she is going to do next. I'm afraid it will be something like, "I'm going to Disney World!" Well, that's not far from the truth, she is going on a cruise later this summer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

13-13-13

Yesterday was one for the record books. 

It is a day that will never repeat in all of its interesting permutations. 

The Cake! 

Beginning with the obvious--

It was April 13th.

It was Friday, hence it was also Friday the 13th.

It was Thomas Jefferson's birthday! Just throwing this in, because the most important aspect of the day is yet to come.

The Teenager

It was Ethan's 13th birthday! 

Our oldest grandson became a teenager! While the party was somewhat subdued, I am sure the next few years will be exciting.

In addition to the combination of 13's, the weather for the day was spectacular. The high was 87 degrees and the skies were clear. The day was a taste of more to come, but after a similar day today, it will be over 10 days before we see temperatures in the 80's again. 

The day was a unique combination of 13s and weather. And now, since we have successfully made it past the 13th--cue Springtime.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Taste of Springtime

Lucas, Jeremy, Chris, and I with Ted, Finn, and Makayla
April 12, 2018

Jeremy and Ted
April 12, 2018

It finally happened yesterday. The temperatures climbed into the 70s with a bright sun and blue skies!

It seemed as if Spring had finally shaken off the lingering effects of Winter and decided to make an appearance almost one month late.

It turned into a great afternoon in which Lucas could finally get some time in on his new bike, which had been waiting for nice weather since January. Chris, Jeremy, and I along with the dogs walked Luke over to the school where he got some good time in riding his bike.

We were not the only people enjoying the warm afternoon. Radio Flyer even flew to document the activity, although the winds were a bit gusty and I had to keep it close. 

It was an enjoyable outdoor activity during a time when there just has not been the opportunity to get outdoors. 

There are more days like this on tap, finally! Let the Springtime roll!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Celebrating Life Events

Celebration Tiramisu at
Iron Bridge Wine Co

The days often churn by, one after another, in a seemingly endless stream. Once in a while, we stumble upon a day which has a special significance, not because it marks the anniversary of something we have done before, but because it is the beginning of something new or a significant change in the streaming days.

Such a day was Monday. 

Monday afternoon Chris did something hugely significant. She officially signed the papers announcing her intent to retire at the end of the school year!

I was able to join her for the momentous paper signing, actually we had completed most of the forms before her visit. It was a bit underwhelming for so momentous an occasion. After all, we only retire from a position once. We may retire multiple times during the course of life, but from each position only once. And the first retirement is the most significant.

After the papers were submitted, a pleasantly efficient process, wee stopped by the Iron Bridge Wine Company to celebrate with a few glasses of wine and a cheese plate. While we were there, they gave us a free dessert for the occasion and we made an very enjoyable early happy hour out of the experience. 

The retirement countdown continues, but it is now official. There is a lot of angst and excitement all wrapped together. We have strategically planned the end of summer cruise to occur when she would have been going back to school! With a bit of planning and some sharing from family sand friends we will make this retirement send off one to remember. And it has already started!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

From 90 to 8

Two days and two different birthday parties. 

Dad and Mom Holding Court
at the Head of the Room
January, 13, 2018

Yesterday was a big birthday celebration with people arriving from all over the country to celebrate Dad and his 90 years. 

Lucas with an Alligator

It was an exciting evening despite the inhospitable weather. It was bitter cold and there was a lot of snow, but the meeting hall was warm with admiration and compliments. It was good to see all of the family that was able to make the trek, despite the conditions, and celebrate Dad's life. It is really hard to corral over 70 people on a cold winter's night and my sisters a great job of getting the family to come together.

From my standpoint, it was great to talk to so many of my cousins and catch up on their lives and families.

The Family Posing with an Albino Python

This morning, we departed a frigidly cold Ithaca about 6:30 AM to be back for Lucas' 8th Birthday Party at EcoAdventures. A couple years ago we had his birthday party there as well. I'm not sure having a birthday party with snakes, alligators, and roaches is exactly the way to have fun, but the kids and even the adults seemed to have fun.

There is something really different about eating ice cream birthday cake surrounded by wild animals. And I don't mean the kids, either.

I am glad that I was able to make both celebrations even though they were almost 6 hours of driving apart.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birthdays, Holidays, and Family

Nicole with her Birthday Cake

I was reminded last evening about how family makes the holiday season much more exciting. It is also the middle of the our family's birthday season and so we have our own celebrations to enjoy along the way. 

The Great Looking Haslup Family

We have, in fact, two birthdays to celebrate this week. 

Last evening we celebrated Nicole's birthday. It was a continuation of the celebration we began in D.C. on Friday night. We finally got to enjoy the cake and presents portion of the celebration.

It is fun to get together, especially on a weeknight. That is what families do. Especially when there is a celebration involved. 

Happy Birthday, Nicole.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Images of the Season

Four Seasons Hotel, D.C.
Before Dinner

Ham Solo

I am sitting here warm in my family room watching the news of the impending storm and waiting for the first snow flakes of the season to descend from the sky.

I spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening with Nicole, Mike, Jim and Shannon last evening celebrating her birthday in D.C.  Earlier in the day I drove Patrick and Tina to the airport as they departed for the Florida and a cruise. 

I have come across some interesting sights during the season. 

The one that made me laugh is Ham Solo.

Tree on the back deck

Residing at Patrick and Tina's residence, Ham Solo is clearly a good idea taken to an extreme. The pig is certainly getting into the spirit of the season, even though he will never get off the ground. If he could get off the ground, well, then  we wouldn't be able to say "when pigs fly.!"

My last image is an artistic one that I snapped of the small lighted tree on our deck. Looking out the window in the evening I was able to get the lights coming from the darkness.

I was amazed that an image that I was about to delete actually caught my eye with an impressionistic view of the season.

The images continue.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Trip Home

It is the trip home that signals the end of a vacation or time away.

Mom and Dad with E and Jax
Nicole's photo

Often the trip home is the hardest because I know that at the end of it, the daily routine will kick in again.

Yesterday, I took Mom and Dad halfway home. I was met at that point by my brother Tim who helped them to complete the journey back to their house in the frozen hinterland that is often referred to as Upstate New York.

The Family at Thanksgiving

It was sad to see them leave after such a short visit, but it was the quality of the visit which was the most important aspect. 

It was great to have them join us for Thanksgiving, but their departure signaled the return to the daily routine.

Even though the trip home signaled the end of one holiday, there are more holidays ahead and more opportunities to get together and celebrate.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Black Friday 2017

The craziest shopping day of the year is over!

Setting the Game Board
Axis and Allies 2017

I can state, emphatically, that I did not leave the comfort of my house to brave the crowds and chaos. 

Why?

Black Friday is Axis and Allies day for the men of the family. It is a Black Friday tradition that we gather around a table for 8 hours or more and recreate World War II. Although we have played the WWI version of the game.

Axis and Allies in Progress

Yesterday, the Axis defeated the Allies after routing the Russian forces defending Moscow while the Japanese were running roughshod through Asia although the Americans had soundly defeated their Navy during the Battle of Tokyo Bay. 

While the world was a war, I am told, by the family members that went shopping, that the crowds were ferocious. It seems that retailers of brick and mortar stores have not figured out yet that they are driving people online if the shopping experience is not a pleasant one. For instance, waiting in line to check out for over 30 minutes is not a good plan.

I'm glad that I was safe and warm at home while losing the world to the bad guys.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Midnight Madness

Nothing good happens after midnight.

Makayla and Finnegan 

That is a phrase that I believe in strongly. When I hear reports about accidents and shootings, it seems that many of them happen after the witching hour, while it is still dark.

The same is true around my house. 

The photo of Makayla and Finnegan is proof. That photo was taken in the morning, about 6 AM after they had been up since 3 AM playing with Riordin, the cat. The three of them were everywhere and it was as if the day had dawned. It was nice that they could curl up and go back to sleep, while I had to leave for work. 

Being a pet in my house is a cushy assignment. I remember that years ago I had a friend who was a fellow officer in the Air Force and he would joke that after he died he wanted to come back as an officer's dog. 

It is a good gig.

I just wish they would sleep through the night. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD