Oh yeah. Let's go O's
Friday, June 3, 2011
On the Road to NYC
Oh yeah. Let's go O's
Surfboard Poppop
The other evening I learned all about another great aspect of begin a grandfather. I became an underwater surfboard for my six-year old grandson Ethan.
Funny as it sounds--he spent most of Wednesday evening standing on my back as I crawled along the pool bottom imitating a slow speed surfboard.
I am told he was really getting into the idea of surfing on Poppop's back--although since I was underwater I really could not appreciate his enthusiasm until I surfaced.
We spend more than an hour with me crawling along the bottom for a bit and then backing up to get him off so I could surface for a breath.
I learned a couple of things: he has sharp toenails, he has sharp fingernails, and he is tireless when it comes to surfing Poppop's back.
I do have a few scratches as reminders of times when he lost his balance.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I decided to take him to our pool rather than spending the afternoon at his house watching Phineas & Ferb.
We also worked on his swimming skills and he is finally at least breathing when he swims and can almost reliably swim the length of the pool.
What a great way to spend some time after work--working with the grandsons.
Funny as it sounds--he spent most of Wednesday evening standing on my back as I crawled along the pool bottom imitating a slow speed surfboard.
I am told he was really getting into the idea of surfing on Poppop's back--although since I was underwater I really could not appreciate his enthusiasm until I surfaced.We spend more than an hour with me crawling along the bottom for a bit and then backing up to get him off so I could surface for a breath.
I learned a couple of things: he has sharp toenails, he has sharp fingernails, and he is tireless when it comes to surfing Poppop's back.
I do have a few scratches as reminders of times when he lost his balance.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I decided to take him to our pool rather than spending the afternoon at his house watching Phineas & Ferb.
We also worked on his swimming skills and he is finally at least breathing when he swims and can almost reliably swim the length of the pool.
What a great way to spend some time after work--working with the grandsons.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Endeavour's Final Touchdown from Space
As the era of U.S. manned space flight draws to an end, I need to comment about the final landing of the space shuttle Endeavour yesterday morning.
There is so much history caught up in the closing of the era of U.S. manned space--after the Atlantis mission in July, I do not reasonably expect to U.S. to launch a manned mission into space for at least the next 20 years.
And so--as the era of the Space Race comes to a close and we cede to the Russians and the Chinese the ability to place people into orbit--a sad day is coming. Manned access to space will no longer be possible form the United States. The source of national pride--which I was once able to witness in person, will no longer ply the vacuum of space carrying the US flag on its side and the Canadian Maple Leaf in the shuttle bay.
I have become so accustomed to our frequent missions into space that the loss may not be apparent for a long while. But at some point, we will wonder why we lost our adventurous spirit and become so entrenched in the mundane aspects of living that we have forgotten to refresh ourselves with the excitement and wonder of discovering the unknown and pushing the envelope of knowledge.
A bit of history about this shuttle from Wikipedia:
The orbiter is named after the British HMS Endeavour, the ship which took Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery (1768–1771).[5] This is why the name is spelled in the British English manner, rather than the American English ("Endeavor"). This has caused confusion, most notably when NASA themselves misspelled a sign on the launch pad in 2007.[6] The name also honored Endeavour, the Command Module of Apollo 15, itself also named after Cook's ship.
Discovery, exploration, pushing the edges of knowledge--all characteristics of the vessels named Endeavour!
And characteristics that used to define the United States.
Good-bye Endeavour--you served us well!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Bring on the Heat
I have heard people remark about the temperatures soaring from the 60's to the 80's and 90's without really visiting the 70's during the past couple of days. And it truly seems like we are enjoying those mid-July type temperatures for a bit.
Last evening after I finally made it home through some of the worst traffic I have experienced since the last three day weekend after being soundly spanked on the racquetball court, I fully appreciated my oasis in Elkridge. The pool was already in shade but the sky above was clear and blue. The trees were full and green standing tall against the sky. Every time I see the leaf filled crowns of the trees I remember the barren branches of the seasons past and I appreciate the trees and their leaves all that much more. The temperature was 90-something and the water was warm and inviting--almost too warm.
Chris and I sat in the humid evening talking about the day and the continuing struggles of life, and then I was onto a floatie in the pool with a glass of wine for some unwinding.
So--yea, when people talk about how hot it is, I sometimes forget that I am blessed with an oasis in the middle of suburbia where I can sit under palms (literally) and enjoy tropical hibiscus flowers while sipping an evening glass of wine before firing up the grill to cook the catch of the day.
My oasis is surrounded on three sides by tall and very green trees which separate us from the noise and clamor of life occurring around us. The house shields us on the fourth. Our solitude is pierced only by the incessantly repetitious noise of the ice cream truck--which I have to admit if I had the means, I would consider reducing it into a flaming pile of rubble. The sounds that single machine creates are the most offensive to my solitude that can ever be imagined. And the noise of the ice cream truck continues in my mind long after it has departed the neighborhood.
But I do so love this time of year--these first real days of summertime heat.
Bring it on--enjoy it. We all will too soon be wishing for summer again when the temperatures drop below 40.
Last evening after I finally made it home through some of the worst traffic I have experienced since the last three day weekend after being soundly spanked on the racquetball court, I fully appreciated my oasis in Elkridge. The pool was already in shade but the sky above was clear and blue. The trees were full and green standing tall against the sky. Every time I see the leaf filled crowns of the trees I remember the barren branches of the seasons past and I appreciate the trees and their leaves all that much more. The temperature was 90-something and the water was warm and inviting--almost too warm.
Chris and I sat in the humid evening talking about the day and the continuing struggles of life, and then I was onto a floatie in the pool with a glass of wine for some unwinding.
So--yea, when people talk about how hot it is, I sometimes forget that I am blessed with an oasis in the middle of suburbia where I can sit under palms (literally) and enjoy tropical hibiscus flowers while sipping an evening glass of wine before firing up the grill to cook the catch of the day.
My oasis is surrounded on three sides by tall and very green trees which separate us from the noise and clamor of life occurring around us. The house shields us on the fourth. Our solitude is pierced only by the incessantly repetitious noise of the ice cream truck--which I have to admit if I had the means, I would consider reducing it into a flaming pile of rubble. The sounds that single machine creates are the most offensive to my solitude that can ever be imagined. And the noise of the ice cream truck continues in my mind long after it has departed the neighborhood.
But I do so love this time of year--these first real days of summertime heat.
Bring it on--enjoy it. We all will too soon be wishing for summer again when the temperatures drop below 40.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Reflections of Memorial Day
The family gathered and we played and we ate.
We ate a lot.
The day was hot, the water perfect and we gathered to celebrate the beginning of summer and to remember the service men and women who lost their lives in service to this great nation.
Country music was blaring on the radio and the day would have been perfect had only the Orioles been able to stop their losing streak. But they weren't.
It was a full day of family and swimming and the pool got a great workout.
It was fun and hot and trying. Jax took a header going into the house on a slippery floor. Lucas again demonstrated his interior design abilities by rearranging the chairs, and Ethan really got the knack of swimming.
The drink of the day is something we call an Almond Joy--coconut rum and diet Sierra Mist. It goes down a bit too easy for some in the crowd.
Memorial Day 2011. God Bless America.
We ate a lot.
 |
| Dinner on Memorial Day 2011 |
Country music was blaring on the radio and the day would have been perfect had only the Orioles been able to stop their losing streak. But they weren't.
 |
| Ethan Airborne off the Board |
It was fun and hot and trying. Jax took a header going into the house on a slippery floor. Lucas again demonstrated his interior design abilities by rearranging the chairs, and Ethan really got the knack of swimming.
 |
| How Many Pool Toys do We Need? |
The drink of the day is something we call an Almond Joy--coconut rum and diet Sierra Mist. It goes down a bit too easy for some in the crowd.
Memorial Day 2011. God Bless America.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Summer Begins--Finally!
I decided to skip the Monday Musings this week--and to enjoy the holiday and write a bit about the weekend.
The pool received a welcome work out yesterday. I had it heated to 84 degrees and the water was simply awesome.
The day was bright and by the end of the day the entire family had visited to partake of the fruits of summertime. The pool has been open since late April but we just have not, with one exception, been able to spend much time and enjoy it.
Even I got to enjoy the pool--which was nice--since we had been busy planting and cleaning around the yard for the entire morning.
The heat of the day was very enjoyable after weeks of cold and dreary days--and today, with temperatures into the 90's promises to be even better.
The surprise of the day was Lucas--who it seems has a knack for decorating--he spend quite a while arranging the three brightly colored Adirondack chairs that we keep ready for the grandsons. He never did seem to get them exactly the way he wanted them--maybe he will do better later today.
And so, as today begins with the promise of summer heat, the thoughts of vacations and time off and excitement also begins to build. The planned trip to St. Lucia is becoming more of a reality and is not only weeks rather than months away. And there are other trips and vacations planned.
Summertime--bring it on!
 |
| Lucas The Designer |
The pool received a welcome work out yesterday. I had it heated to 84 degrees and the water was simply awesome.
The day was bright and by the end of the day the entire family had visited to partake of the fruits of summertime. The pool has been open since late April but we just have not, with one exception, been able to spend much time and enjoy it.
 |
| Me in the Pool |
The heat of the day was very enjoyable after weeks of cold and dreary days--and today, with temperatures into the 90's promises to be even better.
The surprise of the day was Lucas--who it seems has a knack for decorating--he spend quite a while arranging the three brightly colored Adirondack chairs that we keep ready for the grandsons. He never did seem to get them exactly the way he wanted them--maybe he will do better later today.
And so, as today begins with the promise of summer heat, the thoughts of vacations and time off and excitement also begins to build. The planned trip to St. Lucia is becoming more of a reality and is not only weeks rather than months away. And there are other trips and vacations planned.
Summertime--bring it on!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Coffee Crisis Escalates
It is amazing how a seemingly minor thing can really cause the day to get off to a bad start.
Coffee--or the lack of it.
As I rolled out of bed this morning Chris announced she was having an issue with the Keurig--it wasn't brewing. I made a glib comment about her always having problems with the electronics in the house and proceeded to the kitchen where I fully expected the sometimes temperamental machine to function perfectly.
It didn't.
It sat there humming--it sounded constipated. But no coffee was coming out.
I ran through the short troubleshooting checklist--put it back together and expected success.
Nope.
Nothing.
Time to bring in the serious guns--the white vinegar for descaling.
It remained constipated at which point Chris told me to go out for coffee since we were out of whole beans to press the old tried and true coffee pot into service. And out I went. To the Super Fresh store which will be closing in July to buy beans.
When I returned home--the Keurig was still constipated--seriously. Nothing was running through it. I was beginning to thing it was dead.
And then the next crisis--"Bob, what did you do with the plastic part that I told you went to some coffee cup?"
"Well, since it was broken, I threw it out," I replied. Turns out, it was a critical part of the back up coffee pot which allows the coffee to flow out of the basket and into the coffee pot. Ugh! It isn't even 8 AM in Sunday morning and already I have two worthless coffee brewers and no COFFEE!
The crisis level of the day was reaching Cuban Missile Crisis levels.
And then, magically two things happened--
Vinegar began coming out of the Keurig (finally) and I figured out how to make the old coffee pot basket drain onto the pot.
The mood in the house improved dramatically and the sense of impending doom subsided. Coffee began brewing in the old coffee pot and the smell of coffee began to help with the caffeine deprivation that was beginning to cloud our reasoning capabilities.
As coffee happily brewed, we began the four-hour (yes, 4 hour!) descaling process in the Keurig.
That first cup of coffee never tasted so good--actually it was awful! I was immediately chastised for the beans I bought with the statement--And when did Super Fresh become a coffee boutique?
But it was coffee! And it smelled good.
Crisis solved! And the Keurig should be back in service about noon!
And it is only 9AM--what is the rest of the day going to hold?
Coffee--or the lack of it.
As I rolled out of bed this morning Chris announced she was having an issue with the Keurig--it wasn't brewing. I made a glib comment about her always having problems with the electronics in the house and proceeded to the kitchen where I fully expected the sometimes temperamental machine to function perfectly.
It didn't.
It sat there humming--it sounded constipated. But no coffee was coming out.
I ran through the short troubleshooting checklist--put it back together and expected success.
Nope.
Nothing.
Time to bring in the serious guns--the white vinegar for descaling.
It remained constipated at which point Chris told me to go out for coffee since we were out of whole beans to press the old tried and true coffee pot into service. And out I went. To the Super Fresh store which will be closing in July to buy beans.
When I returned home--the Keurig was still constipated--seriously. Nothing was running through it. I was beginning to thing it was dead.
And then the next crisis--"Bob, what did you do with the plastic part that I told you went to some coffee cup?"
"Well, since it was broken, I threw it out," I replied. Turns out, it was a critical part of the back up coffee pot which allows the coffee to flow out of the basket and into the coffee pot. Ugh! It isn't even 8 AM in Sunday morning and already I have two worthless coffee brewers and no COFFEE!
The crisis level of the day was reaching Cuban Missile Crisis levels.
And then, magically two things happened--
Vinegar began coming out of the Keurig (finally) and I figured out how to make the old coffee pot basket drain onto the pot.
The mood in the house improved dramatically and the sense of impending doom subsided. Coffee began brewing in the old coffee pot and the smell of coffee began to help with the caffeine deprivation that was beginning to cloud our reasoning capabilities.
As coffee happily brewed, we began the four-hour (yes, 4 hour!) descaling process in the Keurig.
That first cup of coffee never tasted so good--actually it was awful! I was immediately chastised for the beans I bought with the statement--And when did Super Fresh become a coffee boutique?
But it was coffee! And it smelled good.
Crisis solved! And the Keurig should be back in service about noon!
And it is only 9AM--what is the rest of the day going to hold?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Saturday Sunshine Memorial Weekend Kick-off
The storms of last evening--which were at times ferocious, have given way to a beautiful dawn with the birds singing and the breaking of a great looking day to start Memorial Day Weekend.
We spent last evening with friends--after I arrived at the airport I went directly to have dinner and wine with our friends to start the weekend--I can't think of any better way to begin any weekend, let alone a holiday weekend.
I am becoming a bit frustrated with Southwest Airlines though because it seems the on every flight lately they are securing the cabin for landing earlier and earlier--meaning I can't read my Kindle or play on my iPhone. I'm not sure it is really necessary. Last evening they secured the cabin a full 55 minutes before we actually landed--they said due to turbulence, but there wasn't any turbulence. And I am also noticing that the seat belt sign is staying on longer and longer--which means that people are beginning to ignore it more and more.
But it is the weekend--the pool is ready, the lawns need to be mowed, there is mulch to spread, a dump run to make, and I am sure groceries to shop for.
I would remind everyone that Memorial Day was a day to honor and remember those military men and women who died while in service to our country. It used to be called Decoration Day. And while the scope of the remembrances have grown, and the activities associated with the day which really also marks the beginning of the best season of the year--Summertime, the holiday is a day to remember those who we have lost and to celebrate their accomplishments.
Last evening, as I was returning to Baltimore on the flight, the crew announced that there was an honored veteran of WW2 on the flight--and we all clapped and recognized his service. It was great the way the entire cabin of the aircraft took a moment to remember the accomplishments of this veteran while he was still alive.
I am still haunted by an image I saw in the paper a few weeks ago of a small boy--4 years old I think, hanging onto his Dad's casket at the military funeral. He was saying good-bye in the only way he could. It was a touching image--and I could not find it, to share it.
And so, I am reminded--there are lots of families in our country this weekend who are mourning the loss of sons and daughters, and husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters--and we need to keep them all in our prayers, for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved one is far greater and more real than many of us can imagine as we stuff ourselves with hamburgers and beer from the grill around the swimming pool.
We spent last evening with friends--after I arrived at the airport I went directly to have dinner and wine with our friends to start the weekend--I can't think of any better way to begin any weekend, let alone a holiday weekend.
I am becoming a bit frustrated with Southwest Airlines though because it seems the on every flight lately they are securing the cabin for landing earlier and earlier--meaning I can't read my Kindle or play on my iPhone. I'm not sure it is really necessary. Last evening they secured the cabin a full 55 minutes before we actually landed--they said due to turbulence, but there wasn't any turbulence. And I am also noticing that the seat belt sign is staying on longer and longer--which means that people are beginning to ignore it more and more.
But it is the weekend--the pool is ready, the lawns need to be mowed, there is mulch to spread, a dump run to make, and I am sure groceries to shop for.
I would remind everyone that Memorial Day was a day to honor and remember those military men and women who died while in service to our country. It used to be called Decoration Day. And while the scope of the remembrances have grown, and the activities associated with the day which really also marks the beginning of the best season of the year--Summertime, the holiday is a day to remember those who we have lost and to celebrate their accomplishments.
Last evening, as I was returning to Baltimore on the flight, the crew announced that there was an honored veteran of WW2 on the flight--and we all clapped and recognized his service. It was great the way the entire cabin of the aircraft took a moment to remember the accomplishments of this veteran while he was still alive.
I am still haunted by an image I saw in the paper a few weeks ago of a small boy--4 years old I think, hanging onto his Dad's casket at the military funeral. He was saying good-bye in the only way he could. It was a touching image--and I could not find it, to share it.
And so, I am reminded--there are lots of families in our country this weekend who are mourning the loss of sons and daughters, and husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters--and we need to keep them all in our prayers, for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved one is far greater and more real than many of us can imagine as we stuff ourselves with hamburgers and beer from the grill around the swimming pool.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Stuck in the Airport on a Friday
Probably not going to happen.
My flight is delayed over an hour.
Ugh.
I know it happens. But why today at the start of a three day weekend?
A Reminder of Days Forgotten
It was in another time and in another place. The past and the present mingled yesterday during a retirement ceremony for a USAF colonel who retired after 25 years of service.
The day was sobered by the arrival of the remains of 25 year old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan about a week ago enroute to his final resting place in Centennial, Colorado--a juxtaposition of time and space. On hero retiring after 25 years of service with his wife and family present--the other hero returning home after giving his all for this nation to be greeted by his family and friends and remembered for his sacrifice.
And there in the middle was me.
For it was 25 years ago that both the colonel who was retiring retiring and the general who was the officiating officer at the retirement ceremony were my students at school at the now closed Lowry AFB, and remembered me and the school to everyone during the ceremony. I felt very conspicuous.
I was at the same time honored and felt old.
For I too have served our nation, retiring after 21 years of service--and I still serve in a different capacity.
It was a very different experience for me to see students remembering me at the end of their first and the beginning their second career.
I recalled those days a quarter century ago--of teaching and managing courses for the Air Force and trying to be the best instructor and instructor supervisor possible, while also being creative with the curriculum. It was during the middle of my career in the Air Force.
As I listened to 25 years of service recounted for the assembled people there to celebrate the turning of a page of life, I reflected upon my own Air Force career--it seems so long ago and yet it was only yesterday. My family was still young--and I had dreams of making my mark on the world without fully realizing then that making a mark is not something done in a splashy way--but by what we do every day.
It was truly another time and another place.
Memories and reality. Celebration and mourning.
It was a very different day, after all.
The day was sobered by the arrival of the remains of 25 year old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan about a week ago enroute to his final resting place in Centennial, Colorado--a juxtaposition of time and space. On hero retiring after 25 years of service with his wife and family present--the other hero returning home after giving his all for this nation to be greeted by his family and friends and remembered for his sacrifice.
And there in the middle was me.
For it was 25 years ago that both the colonel who was retiring retiring and the general who was the officiating officer at the retirement ceremony were my students at school at the now closed Lowry AFB, and remembered me and the school to everyone during the ceremony. I felt very conspicuous.
I was at the same time honored and felt old.
For I too have served our nation, retiring after 21 years of service--and I still serve in a different capacity.
It was a very different experience for me to see students remembering me at the end of their first and the beginning their second career.
I recalled those days a quarter century ago--of teaching and managing courses for the Air Force and trying to be the best instructor and instructor supervisor possible, while also being creative with the curriculum. It was during the middle of my career in the Air Force.
As I listened to 25 years of service recounted for the assembled people there to celebrate the turning of a page of life, I reflected upon my own Air Force career--it seems so long ago and yet it was only yesterday. My family was still young--and I had dreams of making my mark on the world without fully realizing then that making a mark is not something done in a splashy way--but by what we do every day.
It was truly another time and another place.
Memories and reality. Celebration and mourning.
It was a very different day, after all.
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