March Madness has Arrived!

In my writing about Springtime, I forgot to mention March Madness as a sure sign of warmer temperatures. 

While usually reserved for the NCAA tournament to crown the basketball champion of the year, March Madness encompasses the entire month as the regular season ends and the conference championships begin. 

Tonight, for instance, the Maryland Terrapins begin their conference championship quest. Seeded number 2 in the Big 10 Conference, they have a fair chance to win the championship. Regardless, they should be no lower than a three seed in the big dance--which will be announced Sunday with play commencing almost immediately for the play-in games and the main tournament beginning on Thursday. 

I am not a fan of the NCAA. The rules that support raising billions of dollars in revenue for the schools, the NCAA, television, and gambling ensure that the student-athletes receive almost nothing for their efforts. After reading the recent report on Syracuse University infractions, I am even more convinced that the NCAA governing body needs to be dissolved. It is applying 1930's logic to the 21st Century situations and requirements. In some respects, the rules harm the ability of student athletes to live and successfully complete college. 

But the madness is beginning and the excitement of the greatest basketball tournament in Earth! 

Break out the TV channel guide because it's gonna be another wild ride.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Life Under the Snow

Daffodils

I was pleased to find that my hypothesis was correct about daffodils and hyacinths poking up under the snow.

Yesterday I received confirmation. Clumps of daffodils and hyacinths making an appearance in the muddy but snow free areas of the lawn.

Hyacinths

Snow in the Yard

The warmer temperatures have accelerated the arrival of Springtime as the snow pack recedes and the lawn appears. 

Thankfully, it seems we have survived the winter which saw numerous low temperature records fall. Too many low temperature records fell. I am not really interested in receiving my BG&E electric bill for the period. It could be a record as well--in a bad way!

Snow remains in the yard mostly in the areas where it was piled to clear the driveway and walks, and of course the pool remains frozen. 

But the season of darkness and cold is clearly ending. I expect at least one more assault of cold weather--but the warmth is arriving.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Whether the Weather

I checked the thermometer this morning as I was making my coffee. 

The temperature was 41 degrees. Amazing what a few days can do. Last week at this time we were struggling with single-digit morning temperatures and the threat of snow which materialized in a big way. 

Today the temperature is supposed to hit 65 and the rain has stopped. 

I think Spring is arriving! 

Just Sunday, Makayla was rolling in the snow--she loves the snow, and today it is mostly gone and what remains is more ice than snow!

The snow is melting and I am going to check the gardens this afternoon for signs of buds peeking through the ground.

It is amazing how a little sunshine and a springtime rain can change the mood of the entire region.

I'm in a good mood, too!

Countdown:
Days until Spring Begins: 9
Days until Orioles Opening Day: 26
Days until Orioles Home Opener: 30
Days until the Pool is Opened: 42 (est.)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Training Update

The Orioles are conducting Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida, and I hope to be there in a about two weeks to see the team first hand! 

Their record is currently a disappointing 2-6. The O's have been losing a lot--but most of the games have been close and it seems that the hitting hasn't showed up yet. They have scored 1 run during the past two games and have lost 2-1, and 1-0. The pitching is coming around, now the hitters need to do their part.

Spring training records are not that important. More important is to check out the talent and ensure the team breaks camp with the 25 best players so that they are competitive. 

I am convinced that Buck is working hard to ensure the best team possible takes the field on opening day.

Opening Day is 27 days away. Spring is just 10 days away. It is so close that it is beginning to be real.

The snow is melting and hopes are rising. Play ball!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 9, 2015

1. It was over 50 degrees yesterday for the first time since the beginning of February. 

Happy Hour on the Deck
March 8, 2015

2. Happy Hour on the deck with the fire table and snow in the background. 

3. It is amazing how one day with temperatures warm enough to allow me to venture outside into the sunshine improves my outlook on life.

4. I noticed that the tulip poplars have leaf buds on them already. Spring is surely trying to arrive.

Gridlock at Arundel Mills
March 7, 2015

5. Saturday evening Chris and I mistakenly attempted to attend a movie at Arundel Mills Mall. After thirty minutes of gridlock we finally escaped after missing the start time of the movie. Note to self: Avoid Arundel Mills Mall!

6. I am appalled at the severity of the punishment levied against Syracuse University and Coach Boeheim by the NCAA. It seems inconsistent with punishments handed out to other universities.  Further, I think the NCAA is an organization that has outlived its usefulness.

7. I find it interesting that the Maryland Legislature decided not to repeal a tax on rain. Who elected the representatives that decided that?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

History's Demise

Reading in the NY Times about the widespread destruction of antiquities by the ISIL hordes in Iraq struck a chord with me. 

If people do not have to be confronted with their history, then they are free to believe anything they want. People seem to be afraid of history when it clashes with their belief system.

I have read and heard it before. For example:

In 2001, the Taliban destroyed Budda statues that was the country's most famous tourist attraction. 

There are those who deny the holocaust ever happened.

Those who want to believe that theirs is the only civilization that ever existed.

Those who rewrite history to make their more prominent or more important.

Those who strike words from speeches and books which are contrary to their beliefs.

Those who ban books, like Tom Sawyer and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from school libraries because they contain values contrary to their narrow beliefs. 

Some people operate on the principle of: Don't confuse me with the facts.

I must strive not to impose my narrow beliefs upon the world and eradicate things that do not conform to how I believe. The world is too big and my mind is too small appreciate the diversity that is set before me and as I grapple with making sense of everything, it is too easy to eradicate those things that disagree with my beliefs--so that I don't have to deal with them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bird Watching on a Snowy Winter Day

I am not the only person in the house that likes to watch the birds outside the window on cold and snowy days.

Chris was busy with her camera during the storm the other day and took some nice shots of birds visiting the feeders. 

We both like cardinals and so the images captured are tend to be mostly of them; however, not just the males but the females as well. I think one of her best shots was of a female cardinal. 

When the snow is falling so quickly, what else is there to do except plan to shovel and be thankful that we are in a warm house with nature to provide entertainment. 

Stay warm!

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Update

The Lawn
March 6, 2015

It is time for an update on Spring!

Despite the frozen world that I am awakening to this morning, with its surreal beauty, there is actually springtime occurring in the south.

I am watching the sky form behind the snowy trees, it is clear and cold but traces of orange are building with the impending dawn. 

During the night, I was awake for a few minutes and looked out upon the snow covered landscape where the leafless trees cast stark shadows across the lawn in the moonlight. It looked cold and I did not find any signs of Spring in the scene.

But Spring is coming. The Orioles are now 2-2 in Spring Training baseball games--they won two games yesterday to even the season. It is only Spring Training, but the starters were definitely playing well in the 5-0 evening win at Ed Smith Stadium punctuated by a Chris Davis three-run home run. I hope to be watching a game from there in about two short weeks!

The temperatures are warming! I see 50's in the forecast and by this time next week all of the snow in the image that I took should be a memory.

Most importantly, Daylight Savings Time returns this weekend to steal an hour of precious sleep from all of us! The morning light that I have been enjoying goes away and the evenings will be lighter, longer! A sure sign that good things are coming in terms of weather. 

And in even more convincing news--Spring officially begins in two weeks, March 20th at 6:45PM EDT!  I have it prominently marked on my calendar. The celebrating will begin!

I am done with winter and am ready to bid it good-bye. By focusing upon the signs of Spring, I can do that, at least in my mind!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birds in the Snow

It has been a snow day. Chris measured 8 inches of new snow! Ugh!

I have to go back out in a few minutes when the snow stops and get it off the driveway.

But, it has been fascinating to watch the birds at the feeders even on this miserable and getting colder day.

I was so fascinated, I took a few photos of them and made a movie.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Talking about the Weather, Again!

10 Day Forecast for Elkridge, MD
March 5, 2015

It is the weather after all. There isn't much we can do about it. It happens despite our plans.

I'm sitting here this morning writing and waiting for a storm that will drop 5-8 inches of snow on the region and paralyze the activities of the day. I have already changed my plans. 

Celebrations and good-byes that were planned have been rescheduled, additional groceries (including a healthy amount of wild bird seed) have been purchased and stored, and the vehicles are fully gassed and ready for any exigency. 

But there is frustration.

The weather forecasters say the storm is coming--but as I write this not a flake has fallen from the sky.

Has the storm disappeared? Changed course? Magically decided to miss this small region of the planet?

Probably not! They say the evil forces of nature are still taking direct aim at all of us who live here and we have had enough warning and should be prepared for the worst.

I remember that when I was a kid, weather just seemed to happen. We would wake in the morning and figure out the weather for the day. There wasn't a lot of preparation. During the winters in Central New York, I would wake up and see that 10 additional inches of snow had fallen and realize that I needed to shovel the driveway before the bus came to take me to school.

I detest shoveling snow probably because of those cold, dark winter's mornings of my youth.

I am encouraged, however, the 10-day forecast is now showing temperatures approaching 60 degrees!!! Yay. Maybe this terrible spate of weather is finally going to break and we will return to something more normal.

I think I will focus upon the forecast to get me through the snow that is still coming all too soon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD