While walking Makayla last evening, after an exhausting racquetball match, I noticed a redbud tree in a neighbor's yard in full, magnificent bloom.
Sitting on a small hill, the redbud tree was the centerpiece of the front yard. It sat alone--in full bloom well ahead of its brethren in other yards, drawing attention to itself as if to say, "it is springtime, why aren't you in bloom?"
I wish I had me camera with me, but I do not routinely take it along while walking Makayla--having another thing in my hands just makes the clean-up process too difficult. But, it was a beauty and it underscored to me that spring is here.
And as the walk continued I began to notice the other, more subtle signs of spring. The crocus blooms the daffodil buds, and the occasional tulip leaves peaking up over the gardens. There were even hyacinths struggling up through the mulch in my garden.
It is amazing how in the span of two weeks we have gone from winter to spring. It is up to us to see the signs in order to appreciate and not overlook them in the hectic pace of life. They are there, if only we would "stop to smell the roses" so to speak.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Health Care for Whom? A Rant so Look Out!
Well they have done it--and many of them are happy. Our elected representatives.
The United States has continued down the slippery slope to becoming a state where individual initiative is discouraged and people are encouraged to depend upon the state for their well being and sustinence.
It is really demoralizing.
Here is what one of my readers wrote yesterday after my Monday Musing:
"I agree with your view on the health care bill. How come those of us who have worked hard and are some what successful are now asking ourselves why? Furthermore what do I say to my children and grandchildren? We have inspired our children to become the best they can and want to succeed. However, when I see what is happening should I be doing this? And why, does our administration continue to put other items in their bills to be passed? For instance in this health care bill, there was a measure involving student aid programs! Why? This should be a totally different bill! Correct? How can you vote for one and dismiss the other? Why is it that again, by passing this bill we who are somewhat successful, again, will be losing money! Government control of student aid. Sure it helps the Pell Grant system, but what about those people who have to turn to private loans (government back) like the Parent Plus Loan, to pay for our children to get an education, because we do not qualify for anything else!!!! Guess I need to save more - So what I am hearing is that the government wants total control, and you are not allow to make more then average, because if you do you will be punished!
I will still inspired my children and grandchildren to be the best they can be - maybe there is more to it then just making a successful living? "
Our society is rewarding those who do not desire to achieve. It is failing to recognize that it takes hard work to be successful and that the reward for hard work and risk taking is becoming more taxes and more burden--a disproportionately more burden.
I admit that I hate it every tax season when I discover that I am unable to deduct student loan interest and tuition.
Why are deductions based upon income. Taxes already increase for higher incomes--and removing deductions is an insidious way to further increase the overall tax bite when compared to other Americans. While hiding it.
And now--much like the centrist movement in the schools which seeks to cause kids not to want to achieve because they are different, the incentives to take risk and to succeed are being removed by a government, that while it is supposed to be "We the people," is rapidly becoming "We the disadvantaged."
and so that is my rant for today!
My health care is not going to improve, but my tax burden for paying for everyone else will definitely increase.
The United States has continued down the slippery slope to becoming a state where individual initiative is discouraged and people are encouraged to depend upon the state for their well being and sustinence.
It is really demoralizing.
Here is what one of my readers wrote yesterday after my Monday Musing:
"I agree with your view on the health care bill. How come those of us who have worked hard and are some what successful are now asking ourselves why? Furthermore what do I say to my children and grandchildren? We have inspired our children to become the best they can and want to succeed. However, when I see what is happening should I be doing this? And why, does our administration continue to put other items in their bills to be passed? For instance in this health care bill, there was a measure involving student aid programs! Why? This should be a totally different bill! Correct? How can you vote for one and dismiss the other? Why is it that again, by passing this bill we who are somewhat successful, again, will be losing money! Government control of student aid. Sure it helps the Pell Grant system, but what about those people who have to turn to private loans (government back) like the Parent Plus Loan, to pay for our children to get an education, because we do not qualify for anything else!!!! Guess I need to save more - So what I am hearing is that the government wants total control, and you are not allow to make more then average, because if you do you will be punished!
I will still inspired my children and grandchildren to be the best they can be - maybe there is more to it then just making a successful living? "
Our society is rewarding those who do not desire to achieve. It is failing to recognize that it takes hard work to be successful and that the reward for hard work and risk taking is becoming more taxes and more burden--a disproportionately more burden.
I admit that I hate it every tax season when I discover that I am unable to deduct student loan interest and tuition.
Why are deductions based upon income. Taxes already increase for higher incomes--and removing deductions is an insidious way to further increase the overall tax bite when compared to other Americans. While hiding it.
And now--much like the centrist movement in the schools which seeks to cause kids not to want to achieve because they are different, the incentives to take risk and to succeed are being removed by a government, that while it is supposed to be "We the people," is rapidly becoming "We the disadvantaged."
and so that is my rant for today!
My health care is not going to improve, but my tax burden for paying for everyone else will definitely increase.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday Musings - March 22, 2010
1. It is finally officially Spring and the weather has been cooperating with temperatures above normal calling us outdoors to work and play. What a change from just a couple of months ago. The outlook for the week is rainy and cool--but only one day with low temperatures below 40.
2. As I write this morning. I realize that I now live in a country with universal health care due to the Congress ramming it through last night. Why don't I feel any better about it and worry that the quality of the care I receive will only decline?
3. Yesterday was a celebration for and dedication of Lucas. We all met a church for the dedication and then back to the house for an incredibly good pasta meal.
4. "One more ride on the tractor!" Spoken in unison by two grandsons yesterday--at least 10 times. How soon the speed of the tractor will seem too slow for them both.
5. In reviewing some of the provisions of the new health care bill, I see again that our society is perpetuating something that I have seen in our schools--a negative view of those who are successful. Every time there is new legislation that needs funding there seems to be an increased tax burden for the wealthy--which is loosely defined as families making more than $250,000 per year. Where is the incentive to do your best and succeed? Where did the idea of getting something for nothing come from? The desire to obtain votes? Who is voting for this?
6. The grass in the yard is green and growing. I am on schedule to mow for the first time before the end of the month!
7. Another week is upon me--with its challenges and excitement.
8. Syracuse and Cornell both in the NCAA Men's Basketball Sweet Sixteen. Now there is a truly great accomplishment for Central New York. What color do you get when the orange mix it up with the big red? Could happen!
2. As I write this morning. I realize that I now live in a country with universal health care due to the Congress ramming it through last night. Why don't I feel any better about it and worry that the quality of the care I receive will only decline?
3. Yesterday was a celebration for and dedication of Lucas. We all met a church for the dedication and then back to the house for an incredibly good pasta meal.
4. "One more ride on the tractor!" Spoken in unison by two grandsons yesterday--at least 10 times. How soon the speed of the tractor will seem too slow for them both.
5. In reviewing some of the provisions of the new health care bill, I see again that our society is perpetuating something that I have seen in our schools--a negative view of those who are successful. Every time there is new legislation that needs funding there seems to be an increased tax burden for the wealthy--which is loosely defined as families making more than $250,000 per year. Where is the incentive to do your best and succeed? Where did the idea of getting something for nothing come from? The desire to obtain votes? Who is voting for this?
6. The grass in the yard is green and growing. I am on schedule to mow for the first time before the end of the month!
7. Another week is upon me--with its challenges and excitement.
8. Syracuse and Cornell both in the NCAA Men's Basketball Sweet Sixteen. Now there is a truly great accomplishment for Central New York. What color do you get when the orange mix it up with the big red? Could happen!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Springtime Celebration
So there we were last evening.
Enjoying the first evening of Spring by having dinner on the pool deck under the darkening evening sky. Steaks that were a bit over cooked and a nice bottle of wine were on the table as we reflected on the day.
We had the propane heated going to help us to enjoy the evening and not be too cold. Watching the dog and the cat wander around the pool area. We also had music blaring on the radio kind of as a foretaste of the celebrations to come this summer.
Talking about the day and the hard work we did to get the house ready for the coming season. And to make everything look good. Removing the dead branches and plants and replacing them with new life. Pruning our lives too of the dead pieces left over from the winter.
The grass is already green and our lawn service has put down the first treatment of the year to make it green so I have to mow it more.
It was nice to look into the darkening sky and to see the stars through the trees which soon will be clothed in green leaves. And to imagine forward into the summer and splashing on the pool.
What a great ending to the first day of a new season!
Enjoying the first evening of Spring by having dinner on the pool deck under the darkening evening sky. Steaks that were a bit over cooked and a nice bottle of wine were on the table as we reflected on the day.
We had the propane heated going to help us to enjoy the evening and not be too cold. Watching the dog and the cat wander around the pool area. We also had music blaring on the radio kind of as a foretaste of the celebrations to come this summer.
Talking about the day and the hard work we did to get the house ready for the coming season. And to make everything look good. Removing the dead branches and plants and replacing them with new life. Pruning our lives too of the dead pieces left over from the winter.
The grass is already green and our lawn service has put down the first treatment of the year to make it green so I have to mow it more.
It was nice to look into the darkening sky and to see the stars through the trees which soon will be clothed in green leaves. And to imagine forward into the summer and splashing on the pool.
What a great ending to the first day of a new season!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
How Can You Tell it is Spring?
We had a growing pile of limbs and tree related refuse sitting off the yard in the woods. We were going to rent a chipper last year to get rid of it. But with the rain and the summer we never quite got to it.
Well in penance for that travesty I have been sitting in a huge line of vehicles for the last 30 minutes waiting to access the landfill to drop the stuff off. The first of probably two runs that will be required. My truck is full to overloaded.
My trusty dog is at my side and she keeps looking at me wondering why we are not going anywhere.
It appears everyone in Howard County has the same idea. And so we are all idling here and getting frustrated about not getting anything done.
The vehicles are all loaded full with broken trees and limbs which will be recycled into mulch.
But right now we are trapped in a line more suited for leaving a parking lot after a sporting event.
Without the thrill of victory. Just the waiting for my turn.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry
Well in penance for that travesty I have been sitting in a huge line of vehicles for the last 30 minutes waiting to access the landfill to drop the stuff off. The first of probably two runs that will be required. My truck is full to overloaded.
My trusty dog is at my side and she keeps looking at me wondering why we are not going anywhere.
It appears everyone in Howard County has the same idea. And so we are all idling here and getting frustrated about not getting anything done.
The vehicles are all loaded full with broken trees and limbs which will be recycled into mulch.
But right now we are trapped in a line more suited for leaving a parking lot after a sporting event.
Without the thrill of victory. Just the waiting for my turn.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry
Cars and Relationships
You don't really think about them--cars, that is, until they break.
For instance, we just go out, get in, turn the key and expect them to start and take us safely where we want to go.
But what happens when the second most expensive purchase we make decides not to work?
Mayhem!
We went through the accident/broken car situation with Patrick and Tina a few months back and now it is our turn--the Lexus navigation system decided to break. And the Lexus dealer had it for three days. Lexus is great in that we get a loaner. But still--waiting to spend large sums of money at the car dealer! How much fun is that!
But is really makes you appreciate when vehicles work and redouble efforts to do preventive maintenance.
Kinda like relationships. Sometimes you don't really think about them until they get broken and need repair.
It would be a lot better if we took time to care for and do preventive maintenance on our relationships--just like we do for our cars.
Hmm. An interesting thought. Maybe go out to dinner or a show or a ballgame, just because! Reconnect, much like an oil change for relationships.
I'll have to give it a try.
For instance, we just go out, get in, turn the key and expect them to start and take us safely where we want to go.
But what happens when the second most expensive purchase we make decides not to work?
Mayhem!
We went through the accident/broken car situation with Patrick and Tina a few months back and now it is our turn--the Lexus navigation system decided to break. And the Lexus dealer had it for three days. Lexus is great in that we get a loaner. But still--waiting to spend large sums of money at the car dealer! How much fun is that!
But is really makes you appreciate when vehicles work and redouble efforts to do preventive maintenance.
Kinda like relationships. Sometimes you don't really think about them until they get broken and need repair.
It would be a lot better if we took time to care for and do preventive maintenance on our relationships--just like we do for our cars.
Hmm. An interesting thought. Maybe go out to dinner or a show or a ballgame, just because! Reconnect, much like an oil change for relationships.
I'll have to give it a try.
Friday, March 19, 2010
He Got It Right!
This week I heard something in church that one doesn't often hear being uttered from the minister's mouth.
"He got it right!" And I was in shock. Really. Because we, humans, never get it right. It is just the way we are.
Of course, the one who got it right was Job--my old friend and it was no one other than God who made the statement that Job got it right! Wow--
Check this out:
After the Lord had spoken these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My anger is stirred up against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has. (Job 42:7 - NET Bible)
Job's friends, who were trying to give him advice had it all wrong--and God told them so in no uncertain terms.
The lesson here?
When your friends start preaching to you about what they think God would want you to do/believe. Don't listen. Be true and honest with yourself and God. That's what he wants. It is OK to be bewildered, frustrated, mad, grief striken--just be honest in your heart!
Sometimes bad things happen for no reason at all!
It is how we respond that is important to our relationship with God.
"He got it right!" And I was in shock. Really. Because we, humans, never get it right. It is just the way we are.
Of course, the one who got it right was Job--my old friend and it was no one other than God who made the statement that Job got it right! Wow--
Check this out:
After the Lord had spoken these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My anger is stirred up against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken about me what is right, as my servant Job has. (Job 42:7 - NET Bible)
Job's friends, who were trying to give him advice had it all wrong--and God told them so in no uncertain terms.
The lesson here?
When your friends start preaching to you about what they think God would want you to do/believe. Don't listen. Be true and honest with yourself and God. That's what he wants. It is OK to be bewildered, frustrated, mad, grief striken--just be honest in your heart!
Sometimes bad things happen for no reason at all!
It is how we respond that is important to our relationship with God.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
For the Love of My Dog--Keeping Life in Perspective
I had a really humorous thought this morning as I was walking Makayla in the darkness which is now upon me as a result of Daylight Savings Time.
There I was--as my beloved keeshond Makayla was happily running up the drive to my neighbors yard to do her morning bowel movement (a/k/a poop).
I just know she waits all morning for this moment--as I eat and get ready for work. She knows that the last thing I do is take her out for this quick walk--and she is always quick. I usually pick-up my newspaper at the same time--but the paper person has been very unreliable lately--so no paper at the end of the drive.
Makalya runs into the neighbors lawn and squats--as she does every morning--only it was really dark. I was looking intently at the spot on the ground as I opened the doggie poop bag in preparation to clean the spot. As she moved away I realized that the only way I was going to be able to find the poop was by its warmth. Yuck!
And so I did--my hand went down pretty close to the spot, but nonetheless, I was reduced to finding and removing her poop not by sight or smell--but by the feel of the warmth.
We used to have a small flashlight on the end of the leash--but it broke some time ago. And with all of the snow--it was relatively easy to find the dark poop on the white snow--so the flashlight wasn't replaced. And even after the snow melted, the dawn was close enough at 6:15am that the light in the sky was enough to identify the spot of the foul.
But not now! And especially when she goes in a location where the spotlight on the neighbor's house does not reach.
I am reduced to finding and retrieving my dog's poop by feel.
And I laughed at the humor of it all. Here I am humbled by cleaning up Makayla's poop just before climbing into my car and motoring away, dressed in my sport coat and power tie ready to for work.
Just keeping it all in perspective!
There I was--as my beloved keeshond Makayla was happily running up the drive to my neighbors yard to do her morning bowel movement (a/k/a poop).
I just know she waits all morning for this moment--as I eat and get ready for work. She knows that the last thing I do is take her out for this quick walk--and she is always quick. I usually pick-up my newspaper at the same time--but the paper person has been very unreliable lately--so no paper at the end of the drive.
Makalya runs into the neighbors lawn and squats--as she does every morning--only it was really dark. I was looking intently at the spot on the ground as I opened the doggie poop bag in preparation to clean the spot. As she moved away I realized that the only way I was going to be able to find the poop was by its warmth. Yuck!
And so I did--my hand went down pretty close to the spot, but nonetheless, I was reduced to finding and removing her poop not by sight or smell--but by the feel of the warmth.
We used to have a small flashlight on the end of the leash--but it broke some time ago. And with all of the snow--it was relatively easy to find the dark poop on the white snow--so the flashlight wasn't replaced. And even after the snow melted, the dawn was close enough at 6:15am that the light in the sky was enough to identify the spot of the foul.
But not now! And especially when she goes in a location where the spotlight on the neighbor's house does not reach.
I am reduced to finding and retrieving my dog's poop by feel.
And I laughed at the humor of it all. Here I am humbled by cleaning up Makayla's poop just before climbing into my car and motoring away, dressed in my sport coat and power tie ready to for work.
Just keeping it all in perspective!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Government Adrift
I hate to do it--but I have an axe to grind this morning. With our elected representatives.
And the first is with Congress---yes our U.S. Congress which is so embattled with trying to salvage an ill-advised health care situation that the business of running the country is failing.
The second is with the Maryland legislature which has been bought off by the liquor lobby and is poised not to act on wine shipping bills which are supported by the people of the State of Maryland and over half the delegates and senators in the state.
Bottom line: Our governments are out of touch with the electorate.
Most of the the people I know do not want "big" government health care and frankly are scared by it. What program has the government ever run well?
And most of the people in Maryland want to be able to ship wine to their houses off the Internet and to become members of wine clubs. We can ship guns, but we can't ship wine? Go figure. And it is the liquor lobby that is standing in the way promoting Abolitionist Era laws that are out of touch with reality.
For Congress--the representatives and senators are walking a very fine line of legality as compared with the Constitution of the United States. A bill may actually be enacted which has not been ratified by both houses of Congress. All through slight of hand! The Director of the Stanford Law School's Constitutional Law Center quoted in this morning's Washington post said "I feel pretty confident it is unconstitutional. What a court would do about it is a murkier problem."
These are exciting times. And frustrating times. At one level of government, they are not acting on legislation that the people want and at the other, they are enacting legislation that few people want!
And the first is with Congress---yes our U.S. Congress which is so embattled with trying to salvage an ill-advised health care situation that the business of running the country is failing.
The second is with the Maryland legislature which has been bought off by the liquor lobby and is poised not to act on wine shipping bills which are supported by the people of the State of Maryland and over half the delegates and senators in the state.
Bottom line: Our governments are out of touch with the electorate.
Most of the the people I know do not want "big" government health care and frankly are scared by it. What program has the government ever run well?
And most of the people in Maryland want to be able to ship wine to their houses off the Internet and to become members of wine clubs. We can ship guns, but we can't ship wine? Go figure. And it is the liquor lobby that is standing in the way promoting Abolitionist Era laws that are out of touch with reality.
For Congress--the representatives and senators are walking a very fine line of legality as compared with the Constitution of the United States. A bill may actually be enacted which has not been ratified by both houses of Congress. All through slight of hand! The Director of the Stanford Law School's Constitutional Law Center quoted in this morning's Washington post said "I feel pretty confident it is unconstitutional. What a court would do about it is a murkier problem."
These are exciting times. And frustrating times. At one level of government, they are not acting on legislation that the people want and at the other, they are enacting legislation that few people want!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March Madness
Yes--it is that time of year.
Fill out the brackets and take on the challenge of calling as many of the 63 (64 if you count the play-in) games in the NCAA tournament as possible and of course--select the next NCAA Men's Basketball National Champion!
Go Cornell! Well I do have them losing in the second round, but I believe they will pull off the magical 5-12 first round upset over Temple.
Even more importantly are Syracuse and Maryland--both back in good form for the tournament with Syracuse as a number 1 seed and Maryland a number 4. Sadly, I have Maryland losing to Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen--but hey, Kansas is a number 1 seed (although I almost picked Maryland in an upset).
March is such a great month for sports. The madness, the NHL is winding down and getting ready for the playoffs, and spring baseball training just oozes springtime and a fresh start for the Orioles.
So who are my final four? Georgetown, West Virginia, Syracuse and Duke. And I have Syracuse defeating Duke 89-86 to win the national championship! Yeah--I know, I'm dreaming. The professional bracket analyzer says that I have a 10.7 percent chance of being correct in predicting that Syracuse will be the next national champion--but hey, so what. It is all in good fun.
And that, of course, is why they call it March Madness!
Fill out the brackets and take on the challenge of calling as many of the 63 (64 if you count the play-in) games in the NCAA tournament as possible and of course--select the next NCAA Men's Basketball National Champion!
Go Cornell! Well I do have them losing in the second round, but I believe they will pull off the magical 5-12 first round upset over Temple.
Even more importantly are Syracuse and Maryland--both back in good form for the tournament with Syracuse as a number 1 seed and Maryland a number 4. Sadly, I have Maryland losing to Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen--but hey, Kansas is a number 1 seed (although I almost picked Maryland in an upset).
March is such a great month for sports. The madness, the NHL is winding down and getting ready for the playoffs, and spring baseball training just oozes springtime and a fresh start for the Orioles.
So who are my final four? Georgetown, West Virginia, Syracuse and Duke. And I have Syracuse defeating Duke 89-86 to win the national championship! Yeah--I know, I'm dreaming. The professional bracket analyzer says that I have a 10.7 percent chance of being correct in predicting that Syracuse will be the next national champion--but hey, so what. It is all in good fun.
And that, of course, is why they call it March Madness!
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