Yesterday ended in a manner I never expected. We were sitting on a sail boat in Annapolis harbor with friends drinking wine and eating brownies after having shared a scrumptious meal at a restaurant in town.
The harbor was calm and the wind was light and refreshing as we watched the pastel colors of the sunset appear over the city and slowly fade into darkness wit stars punctuating the night sky.
Wait, it wasn't supposed to be that way. We had planned dinner at our house with thoughts of drinking wine and watching the sun set from our own pool and backyard.
My how things can sometime change for the better, if we just can be flexible.
And enjoy the schedule changes that life tosses at us.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Politics and Phone Calls
It happened again yesterday afternoon. The phone rang and when I answered it and confessed to being the person the caller was looking for, the presidential campaign support bite was applied to my wallet.
Money--and being advised that there are only 152 days left to the election. I suppose that means 152 more campaign calls.
My problem is that I don't know who I am going to vote for. My problem with the leading candidates is that the are running on platforms that seem to be nothing more than: beat the other guy because we don't want him to be president.
Where is the vision for the country? Where is the strategy? Where is the way ahead and how we are going to transform the system into a beneficial bi-partisan working government?
It isn't there and, therefore at least so far, neither is my vote.
The phone call ended fairly abruptly when I indicated that I might be voting for Mickey Mouse.
Good.
When the candidates give me something to support then my vote and my wallet will follow.
Until then, I think a cartoon character can do a better job.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Money--and being advised that there are only 152 days left to the election. I suppose that means 152 more campaign calls.
My problem is that I don't know who I am going to vote for. My problem with the leading candidates is that the are running on platforms that seem to be nothing more than: beat the other guy because we don't want him to be president.
Where is the vision for the country? Where is the strategy? Where is the way ahead and how we are going to transform the system into a beneficial bi-partisan working government?
It isn't there and, therefore at least so far, neither is my vote.
The phone call ended fairly abruptly when I indicated that I might be voting for Mickey Mouse.
Good.
When the candidates give me something to support then my vote and my wallet will follow.
Until then, I think a cartoon character can do a better job.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Learning New Tricks
I have been rediscovering the joy/frustration of learning old tasks over again as a result of my elbow surgery.
For instance--have you recently brushed your teeth with your non-dominant hand in control of the toothbrush? I have. It is amazing how differently my mouth felt.
Another fun task is buttering my toast without the assistance of my trusty dominant hand. Ugh. I cheated on this one after making an incredible mess.
Sadly, I have been taking my non-dominant arm and hand for granted, I realized. All of the important work was being accomplished by the experienced and coordinated dominant (left) hand.
I did enjoy my first razor shave delivered by someone else--my daughter-in-law.
For all of the new experiences though, I cannot wait until I can fall back into my comfortable rut of completing simple tasks without thinking about them. And I long to have my right arm and hand returned into the comfortable role of non-dominant yet capable second.
Sooner would be better.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
For instance--have you recently brushed your teeth with your non-dominant hand in control of the toothbrush? I have. It is amazing how differently my mouth felt.
Another fun task is buttering my toast without the assistance of my trusty dominant hand. Ugh. I cheated on this one after making an incredible mess.
Sadly, I have been taking my non-dominant arm and hand for granted, I realized. All of the important work was being accomplished by the experienced and coordinated dominant (left) hand.
I did enjoy my first razor shave delivered by someone else--my daughter-in-law.
For all of the new experiences though, I cannot wait until I can fall back into my comfortable rut of completing simple tasks without thinking about them. And I long to have my right arm and hand returned into the comfortable role of non-dominant yet capable second.
Sooner would be better.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Pill Bottles--A Sadistic Puzzle
I had an experience the other evening. I attempted to open the pills that the pharmacy put my pain pills in.
I couldn't.
It was that simple. After my elbow surgery there was no way for me to get though the child proof caps to obtain one of the pills I needed after my surgery.
It was kind of weird.
The surgery was successful, but the pain meds were being kept from me.
Who comes up with these ideas.
Thank goodness Chris foresaw this problem and we developed a work around before I was left alone to access the pill bottles with a hammer.
We are being victimized by too much packaging.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I couldn't.
It was that simple. After my elbow surgery there was no way for me to get though the child proof caps to obtain one of the pills I needed after my surgery.
It was kind of weird.
The surgery was successful, but the pain meds were being kept from me.
Who comes up with these ideas.
Thank goodness Chris foresaw this problem and we developed a work around before I was left alone to access the pill bottles with a hammer.
We are being victimized by too much packaging.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Clean your Bathroom
I read an interesting news article yesterday which really made me shake my head. The article is titled Jesus Found in Texas Bathroom Mold. The article has an image of the mold included in it.
To say that I was shocked by the title of the article is an understatement. Really? Jesus of the bathroom mold?
Some of the article reads as follows:
SPLENDORA, Texas, May 31 (UPI) -- A Texas family says they are getting strength from an image of Jesus they found in the mold growing inside the shower of their home.
Chyanna Richards, who lives in the home, told KTRK-TV, Houston, she doesn't know if it's mold or mildew in the bathroom but said the appearance of Jesus' image has meaning.
"Maybe it means something. Maybe look into yourself and see if you need to change something in your life," she said.
The mold began growing in the bathroom at the Splendora home a couple months ago when Thomas George, who lives in the home, was in prison.
"He's just watching over us to make sure nothing wrong happens or I get in trouble and go back," George said. "It gives me inspiration just to do better."
Here's a thought--clean your bathroom and go to church. Really, who should have enough mold in their bathroom to see images in it? And then they must think everyone has large quantities of mold.
By some strong bathroom cleaner and seek the living Jesus where he may be found--and not the one in the mold.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
To say that I was shocked by the title of the article is an understatement. Really? Jesus of the bathroom mold?
Some of the article reads as follows:
SPLENDORA, Texas, May 31 (UPI) -- A Texas family says they are getting strength from an image of Jesus they found in the mold growing inside the shower of their home.
Chyanna Richards, who lives in the home, told KTRK-TV, Houston, she doesn't know if it's mold or mildew in the bathroom but said the appearance of Jesus' image has meaning.
"Maybe it means something. Maybe look into yourself and see if you need to change something in your life," she said.
The mold began growing in the bathroom at the Splendora home a couple months ago when Thomas George, who lives in the home, was in prison.
"He's just watching over us to make sure nothing wrong happens or I get in trouble and go back," George said. "It gives me inspiration just to do better."
Here's a thought--clean your bathroom and go to church. Really, who should have enough mold in their bathroom to see images in it? And then they must think everyone has large quantities of mold.
By some strong bathroom cleaner and seek the living Jesus where he may be found--and not the one in the mold.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, June 4, 2012
Monday Musings - June 4, 2012
1. A beautiful weekend spent outside working on the deck. We got a lot accomplished. There is still a lot to do.
2. The Orioles are beginning their mid-season slide.
3. Good friends, hard work, something accomplished is the sign of a good weekend.
4. I had this idea that if we had part time legislators then we would have fewer nuisance laws being passed--but then I recalled the latest session of the Maryland Legislature when they failed to address the big item, the budget, and had to be called back for a special session to raise taxes to fix the budget.
5. Deconstruction and construction projects create a lot of mess. Here is the first load ready to head off to the landfill.
6. Here is the pile still waiting to be loaded for transport.
7. We have a catbird that had adopted our backyard as his play area. Although this seems nice, who knew that catbird's were so noisy?
8. I enjoy the sounds of the morning. Birds singing in the trees broken only by the sounds of planes overhead and cars revving their engines along with the occasional siren headed off to an emergency somewhere are a symphony of life.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. The Orioles are beginning their mid-season slide.
3. Good friends, hard work, something accomplished is the sign of a good weekend.
4. I had this idea that if we had part time legislators then we would have fewer nuisance laws being passed--but then I recalled the latest session of the Maryland Legislature when they failed to address the big item, the budget, and had to be called back for a special session to raise taxes to fix the budget.
5. Deconstruction and construction projects create a lot of mess. Here is the first load ready to head off to the landfill.
6. Here is the pile still waiting to be loaded for transport.
7. We have a catbird that had adopted our backyard as his play area. Although this seems nice, who knew that catbird's were so noisy?
8. I enjoy the sounds of the morning. Birds singing in the trees broken only by the sounds of planes overhead and cars revving their engines along with the occasional siren headed off to an emergency somewhere are a symphony of life.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Little Project gone Huge
It happened yesterday. What started as a smallish, spur of the moment while standing in Lowe's project to replace some old deck boards became a major deconstruction and construction project. It doesn't look as bad as it really is.
Fortunately, I have help--but when a project goes from a two day project and grows into a weeks or more project it can be demoralizing.
Originally, it was just some bad boards. Then it was all of the deck boards. The it was the stairs and railings too.
To top it all off, the first board took over an hour just to get away from the house--it was heavily glued. Persistence won out. Most of the other boards are coming out in pieces--that is how badly they have deteriorated.
Along the way we stumbled into a major ant civilization that had adopted a portion of the deck as their planet. Sadly (for them), they have been eliminated.
Day 2 is at hand! After buying more materials.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Fortunately, I have help--but when a project goes from a two day project and grows into a weeks or more project it can be demoralizing.
Originally, it was just some bad boards. Then it was all of the deck boards. The it was the stairs and railings too.
To top it all off, the first board took over an hour just to get away from the house--it was heavily glued. Persistence won out. Most of the other boards are coming out in pieces--that is how badly they have deteriorated.
Along the way we stumbled into a major ant civilization that had adopted a portion of the deck as their planet. Sadly (for them), they have been eliminated.
Day 2 is at hand! After buying more materials.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, June 2, 2012
People and Medical Issues
I have been talking to people a lot about medical issues and procedures lately. The ailments range from damaged shoulders (mine included), to elbows (surgery on Monday), and bladders and prostrates (not mine). I have also talked to people about cancer and heart issues (also not mine), joint replacements (not mine) and visited an allergist who proclaimed that I am a very allergic person. I personally have seen more doctors during the past few months than I probably have during the past 10 years.
What does it all mean? I and my friends and family are getting old.
That is my conclusion. Old people talk about their next medical issue or appointment. Ugh!
There has to be more to life than growing old and going from one doctor to another with a steady and growing stream of medical and health issues.
And I know that there are other things to talk about. This week for instance--I enjoyed some racquetball matches where I am slowly becoming competitive again, I did a lot of work around the house--it seems that there is always more to do, and I had a busy and productive week at work. I also enjoyed time on the beach and some fabulous wines.
But what do I seem to want to talk about? My upcoming medical procedure!
Ugh!
Old!
I'm going to try to do better today and tonight with my friends. I resolve that are going to talk about something else--like the taboo topics of politics and religion?
Maybe not, we'll see.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
What does it all mean? I and my friends and family are getting old.
That is my conclusion. Old people talk about their next medical issue or appointment. Ugh!
There has to be more to life than growing old and going from one doctor to another with a steady and growing stream of medical and health issues.
And I know that there are other things to talk about. This week for instance--I enjoyed some racquetball matches where I am slowly becoming competitive again, I did a lot of work around the house--it seems that there is always more to do, and I had a busy and productive week at work. I also enjoyed time on the beach and some fabulous wines.
But what do I seem to want to talk about? My upcoming medical procedure!
Ugh!
Old!
I'm going to try to do better today and tonight with my friends. I resolve that are going to talk about something else--like the taboo topics of politics and religion?
Maybe not, we'll see.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, June 1, 2012
Welcome June
Summer is upon us.
Finally!
After the starts and stops during April and May, the heat has arrived, the beaches and pools are open, and the mosquitos are dive bombing at me for dinner.
May was an incredibly busy month. June promises more of the same.
June is rapidly becoming one of my favorite months of the year--it is when Summer officially arrives although everyone knows it has been summer in my head since Baseball Opening Day. June is when schools close for the summer and the beaches become crowded--except in Florida.
My pool is ready to face the challenges of another summer season--I know that I am going to give it quite a workout.
So as I shake the last grains of May dust off my feet, I look forward to a June filled with warmth, pool/water activities, friends, and vacations. And I wonder what twill be the special memory from this summer.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Finally!
After the starts and stops during April and May, the heat has arrived, the beaches and pools are open, and the mosquitos are dive bombing at me for dinner.
May was an incredibly busy month. June promises more of the same.
June is rapidly becoming one of my favorite months of the year--it is when Summer officially arrives although everyone knows it has been summer in my head since Baseball Opening Day. June is when schools close for the summer and the beaches become crowded--except in Florida.
My pool is ready to face the challenges of another summer season--I know that I am going to give it quite a workout.
So as I shake the last grains of May dust off my feet, I look forward to a June filled with warmth, pool/water activities, friends, and vacations. And I wonder what twill be the special memory from this summer.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, May 31, 2012
She Thinks My Tractor's -- Well not Sexy
Guys love new toys.
My new toy, er tool, arrived last evening. After two weeks without a tractor/mower, my replacement arrived last evening. It was unceremoniously off-loaded from the delivery truck and placed at my feet by two guys who almost dropped it. Well it is almost 600 pounds and the ramp was a bit narrow. Not a real good beginning.
To say that I was excited about receiving it is an understatement.
24 horses of Briggs and Stratton engine powering a 46 inch mower deck on a Craftsman tractor ready to make short work of my lawn. And it did. Raw power, tight turning radius.
I had bought the bagger last weekend. It was ready. Amazingly, it installed in less than about 20 minutes and was ready for work.
The lawn looked great when I was done.
I do miss my old tractor--but the new one is really powerful. And it made short work of the lawn especially with its tight turning radius.
Out with the old and in with the new. Does anyone need a used tractor with a non-working engine?
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
My new toy, er tool, arrived last evening. After two weeks without a tractor/mower, my replacement arrived last evening. It was unceremoniously off-loaded from the delivery truck and placed at my feet by two guys who almost dropped it. Well it is almost 600 pounds and the ramp was a bit narrow. Not a real good beginning.
To say that I was excited about receiving it is an understatement.
24 horses of Briggs and Stratton engine powering a 46 inch mower deck on a Craftsman tractor ready to make short work of my lawn. And it did. Raw power, tight turning radius.
I had bought the bagger last weekend. It was ready. Amazingly, it installed in less than about 20 minutes and was ready for work.
The lawn looked great when I was done.
I do miss my old tractor--but the new one is really powerful. And it made short work of the lawn especially with its tight turning radius.
Out with the old and in with the new. Does anyone need a used tractor with a non-working engine?
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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