Funny things sometimes happen while attempting to get a good night's sleep in a bed occupied by two people who prefer somewhat different sleeping environments.
Lately, we have been experiencing challenges which have resulted in experiments related to using different bed spreads and duvets to find the right combination of room temperature and covers.
The other night resulted in a classic battle between hot and cold.
At one point, Chris decided that she was cold and summarily made off with all of the covers that I had been using. Result: I was awake trying to figure out where everything was. Moments later she was too hot and all of the covers came sailing back my way.
The funniest thing happened at one point when the pillow I was wrapped around suddenly was removed and replaced with her body--now that is not a bad thing in and of itself--but it is only temporary until my body heat warms the area and she becomes too hot again and moves off leaving me without both her and my pillow.
Last night was better--we opted for heavier covers and a fan. I don't like the fan but we arrange it so that it does not blow on me.
Still--the sleep challenges can result in a less than restful night.
And I am often the innocent bystander in the war on sleep.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Monday Musings - July 2, 2012
1. The number of people still without electricity throughout the region is astounding in the wake of the Friday night storms. We were very lucky to have lost electricity for only a short while.
2. I noted that branches torn from living trees are very heavy when compared to the branches from dead trees or dead branches which often fall during storms.
3. I forgot to include an image of the pool on the morning after the storm--so here it is. Overall, not too bad--only a couple hours work to get fully back into shape.
4. I am happy to report that the news is good from Colorado Springs--the fire spared the house of my brother-in-law. But I mourn with those who lost everything.
5. Vacation in looming. An escape from the routine for a few days. It will be shorter this year than most--but no less enjoyable.
6. I am excited about the upcoming holiday--family, food, and fireworks--what could be better?
7. Now why does this not make sense? I just read that 2,800 elementary students will need to be redistricted for the 2013 school year to accommodate the new 600 seat school opening in my neighborhood where the 10 acre forest once stood. Maybe they built the school in the wrong place?
8. Four weeks ago today I had my elbow surgery. It is mostly healed--but the doctor still wants me to refrain from heavy use--like racquetball for about two more weeks. There are areas still tender to the touch so I know this is probably a good thing.
9. Since she has been in the news lately, it was on July 2, 1937, that Amelia Earhart disappeared in the Central Pacific.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. I noted that branches torn from living trees are very heavy when compared to the branches from dead trees or dead branches which often fall during storms.
3. I forgot to include an image of the pool on the morning after the storm--so here it is. Overall, not too bad--only a couple hours work to get fully back into shape.
4. I am happy to report that the news is good from Colorado Springs--the fire spared the house of my brother-in-law. But I mourn with those who lost everything.
5. Vacation in looming. An escape from the routine for a few days. It will be shorter this year than most--but no less enjoyable.
6. I am excited about the upcoming holiday--family, food, and fireworks--what could be better?
7. Now why does this not make sense? I just read that 2,800 elementary students will need to be redistricted for the 2013 school year to accommodate the new 600 seat school opening in my neighborhood where the 10 acre forest once stood. Maybe they built the school in the wrong place?
8. Four weeks ago today I had my elbow surgery. It is mostly healed--but the doctor still wants me to refrain from heavy use--like racquetball for about two more weeks. There are areas still tender to the touch so I know this is probably a good thing.
9. Since she has been in the news lately, it was on July 2, 1937, that Amelia Earhart disappeared in the Central Pacific.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, July 1, 2012
July Already?
What really happened to June? It is gone and we are standing on the first day of July and into the deep part of the summer.
I was lucky enough to say good-bye to June by spending a few hours in the freshly cleaned of debris pool yesterday accompanied by my three grandsons.
We were hosting an overnight which grew into a much larger affair due to the lack of electricity that brought two more people and their dogs into the house for the night.
We at least had power and air conditioning and were happy to share the comfort.
What an interesting way to start the deep summer in the wake of storms which still have over 300,000 in Maryland without power and suffering in 100 degree temperatures.
Summer, pool and hot!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I was lucky enough to say good-bye to June by spending a few hours in the freshly cleaned of debris pool yesterday accompanied by my three grandsons.
We were hosting an overnight which grew into a much larger affair due to the lack of electricity that brought two more people and their dogs into the house for the night.
We at least had power and air conditioning and were happy to share the comfort.
What an interesting way to start the deep summer in the wake of storms which still have over 300,000 in Maryland without power and suffering in 100 degree temperatures.
Summer, pool and hot!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wild and Crazy
The storms last night left a path of destruction in the wake. I spent the better part of the day cleaning up and getting things back together.
Downed limbs, leaves everywhere and a pool mess of incredible proportions.
They say that more storms are due tonight.
At least we can clean up after these storms and do not have to rebuild like so many others are doing after the fires.
We are the lucky ones after all because by mid-afternoon we were swimming in the pool to escape from the heat.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Downed limbs, leaves everywhere and a pool mess of incredible proportions.
They say that more storms are due tonight.
At least we can clean up after these storms and do not have to rebuild like so many others are doing after the fires.
We are the lucky ones after all because by mid-afternoon we were swimming in the pool to escape from the heat.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, June 29, 2012
Remind me Again, It's a Celebration, right?
I have been reminded this week that change, in the form of retirement, is just as scary for those left behind as it is for those who are retiring.
Sure, it is a lot more traumatic for the retiree--but to those who have to go back to work Monday morning and face the empty office, it can be a lot like having attended a funeral rather than a celebration. And I believe that funerals are celebrations, too.
There is a lot of joy for the person who successfully made it to the ed of a stellar career and gets to enjoy the next best part of life without having to get up at Oh-dark-thirty, before the birds even wake up, to ply the choked highways and make their rush hour impeded way to the job site. I am really happy that someday, too, I will be able to stay home instead of forcing my ever dragging self out of bed.
But the grief of the loss of a great leader or a good friend, left unchecked, could turn the celebration of a successful career into a morose funeral.
Yesterday, I attended the celebration of a career.
Speeches were given, mementos were presented, and pictures were taken to permanently record the moment.
And it was a celebration. It was exciting to attend and hear so many anecdotes about someone that I have worked closely with for the past three years as he coasts into the last day of his career. I even had the opportunity to add a story to the festivities.
But--Monday morning, the office across the hall will be empty and it will soon be filled by someone new.
Change is hard.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sure, it is a lot more traumatic for the retiree--but to those who have to go back to work Monday morning and face the empty office, it can be a lot like having attended a funeral rather than a celebration. And I believe that funerals are celebrations, too.
There is a lot of joy for the person who successfully made it to the ed of a stellar career and gets to enjoy the next best part of life without having to get up at Oh-dark-thirty, before the birds even wake up, to ply the choked highways and make their rush hour impeded way to the job site. I am really happy that someday, too, I will be able to stay home instead of forcing my ever dragging self out of bed.
But the grief of the loss of a great leader or a good friend, left unchecked, could turn the celebration of a successful career into a morose funeral.
Yesterday, I attended the celebration of a career.
Speeches were given, mementos were presented, and pictures were taken to permanently record the moment.
And it was a celebration. It was exciting to attend and hear so many anecdotes about someone that I have worked closely with for the past three years as he coasts into the last day of his career. I even had the opportunity to add a story to the festivities.
But--Monday morning, the office across the hall will be empty and it will soon be filled by someone new.
Change is hard.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Prayers for Today - June 28, 2012
1. For my nephew who is courageous in the face of a cancer enemy that is trying in every to defeat him in mind and body--that he will finally, this time, be victorious. Happy Birthday, although you are not at your home, may this be the last time you celebrate a birthday in the hospital.
2. For my brother in law and his family, and all of the people in the paths of the wildfires raging across the country--that their homes may be spared and that they may be safe.
3. For those who are in the middle of life changing decisions--like retirement, that as you look back on your years of service to the country, the school district, or whatever you are retiring from that you remember the joy that kept you motivated and the lives you changed for the better every day along the way.
4. For our military men and women deployed across the globe exposed to the chaos and hatred of the enemy in other lands, that they would be protected and brought safely home at the successful end of their deployments.
5. That I would be reminded of the blessings that I have been given in everything associated with my life and stop seeking more but would be more effective at using what I have.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. For my brother in law and his family, and all of the people in the paths of the wildfires raging across the country--that their homes may be spared and that they may be safe.
3. For those who are in the middle of life changing decisions--like retirement, that as you look back on your years of service to the country, the school district, or whatever you are retiring from that you remember the joy that kept you motivated and the lives you changed for the better every day along the way.
4. For our military men and women deployed across the globe exposed to the chaos and hatred of the enemy in other lands, that they would be protected and brought safely home at the successful end of their deployments.
5. That I would be reminded of the blessings that I have been given in everything associated with my life and stop seeking more but would be more effective at using what I have.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Freedom Wins a Victory
The Supreme Court in striking down three of the controversial Arizona immigration law provisions has helped ensure civil liberties and protection against unreasonable search and seizure remains the law of the land.
The assault on our personal freedoms continues unabated by well meaning legislators who just do not understand the ramifications of the "do gooding" laws that they are enacting. Controlling illegal immigration is one thing, but using unreasonable techniques--such as stopping people because they look different, are clearly not allowed.
While many of the laws seem to make sense on the surface or when they are proposed, by the time they are enacted they can serve as a springboard for abuse and severely limiting personal freedoms and protection.
I continue to be amazed at how we are willing to let our rights and Constitutional protections be limited by legislators who are looking for more ways to control us.
I think the special interest groups are out of control.
Thank goodness there still is a Supreme Court to make decisions about these things.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
The assault on our personal freedoms continues unabated by well meaning legislators who just do not understand the ramifications of the "do gooding" laws that they are enacting. Controlling illegal immigration is one thing, but using unreasonable techniques--such as stopping people because they look different, are clearly not allowed.
While many of the laws seem to make sense on the surface or when they are proposed, by the time they are enacted they can serve as a springboard for abuse and severely limiting personal freedoms and protection.
I continue to be amazed at how we are willing to let our rights and Constitutional protections be limited by legislators who are looking for more ways to control us.
I think the special interest groups are out of control.
Thank goodness there still is a Supreme Court to make decisions about these things.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Who Turned Off Summer?
I remember writing last week about the heat and summer temperatures which had finally arrived in the region.
My pool was warming to a nice 85 degrees due to solar heating.
The night time temperatures were a warm 70 plus degrees.
And then this morning--my thermometer reads 55 degrees. And that is Fahrenheit not celsius!
Who turned off summer?
I'm not sure I can drive to work with Cat's top down. At a minimum I'll need to have the heat on! And a jacket.
What a weird weather pattern. The high today is supposed to be 79 degrees. That is only abut 15 degrees below normal. The beginning of the dog days are exactly a week away and we are having highs in the 70's. Something is definitely wrong.
I certainly hope summer returns before the weekend.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
My pool was warming to a nice 85 degrees due to solar heating.
The night time temperatures were a warm 70 plus degrees.
And then this morning--my thermometer reads 55 degrees. And that is Fahrenheit not celsius!
Who turned off summer?
I'm not sure I can drive to work with Cat's top down. At a minimum I'll need to have the heat on! And a jacket.
What a weird weather pattern. The high today is supposed to be 79 degrees. That is only abut 15 degrees below normal. The beginning of the dog days are exactly a week away and we are having highs in the 70's. Something is definitely wrong.
I certainly hope summer returns before the weekend.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday Musings - June 25, 2012
1. I don't know ow they did it, but the Orioles scored a total of 5 runs during three games this weekend and managed to win two of them. Conversely, their opponents the Washington Nationals also scored only 5 runs over the same three games--but lost two of them..
2. The thought of vacation being less than two weeks away is exciting.
3. The fires in Colorado are much more personal as they are affecting people that we know. No loner are the fires happening over there, but they are far more real and we are watching their progress very carefully.
4. There is a beach somewhere with a chair waiting for me.
5. I read an interesting article about 10 brands that will disappear this year. American Airlines topped the list. Talbots and Pacific Sun Wear were also on the list. So was Avon.
6. The weather was fantastic this weekend.
7. I learned about imperatives and indicatives in church yesterday. Who knew we were gong to have a lesson in grammar while studying Colossians?
8. This is the last week of June--its passing is coming all too soon.
9. When the cats gather on the floor next to me it means only one thing--they are out of food!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. The thought of vacation being less than two weeks away is exciting.
3. The fires in Colorado are much more personal as they are affecting people that we know. No loner are the fires happening over there, but they are far more real and we are watching their progress very carefully.
4. There is a beach somewhere with a chair waiting for me.
5. I read an interesting article about 10 brands that will disappear this year. American Airlines topped the list. Talbots and Pacific Sun Wear were also on the list. So was Avon.
6. The weather was fantastic this weekend.
7. I learned about imperatives and indicatives in church yesterday. Who knew we were gong to have a lesson in grammar while studying Colossians?
8. This is the last week of June--its passing is coming all too soon.
9. When the cats gather on the floor next to me it means only one thing--they are out of food!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Summer Flowers
It is summer time. Even the calendar finally agrees that the best season of the year is finally and officially here.
This morning I noticed the bees working in the bee balm and honey suckle.
It was a sight as three or four bumblebees were working together gathering pollen. They were flying around with purpose--and best of all mostly ignoring me.
I enjoy the flowers. The bees also enjoy the flowers.
This year, since the flowers have been in place now for two full years, they are really taking off and filling in the area along the fence. I love the way they are growing together to create a bright spot filled with color.
l really enjoy summer mornings.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
This morning I noticed the bees working in the bee balm and honey suckle.
It was a sight as three or four bumblebees were working together gathering pollen. They were flying around with purpose--and best of all mostly ignoring me.
I enjoy the flowers. The bees also enjoy the flowers.
This year, since the flowers have been in place now for two full years, they are really taking off and filling in the area along the fence. I love the way they are growing together to create a bright spot filled with color.
l really enjoy summer mornings.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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