Yesterday we crossed the Florida state line before 2 PM enroute to a record breaking total trip time of 14 hours and 45 minutes. We normally dawdle on the highway for an additional hour. I think we stopped fewer times on this trip than during a 6 hour trip to upstate NY. Traffic was light and the weather was awesome.
Nevertheless, this morning I am awake in Florida and preparing for my first, hopefully of many, sojourn to the beach. The smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore appeals to me in so many ways and on so many levels.
It is good to get away. I'm not sure I could survive a stay-cation. Although
I do enjoy hanging out around the pool.
But driving into Jupiter yesterday afternoon felt a lot like coming home. It has been two years since we last stayed here and enjoyed the area.
Now it is time to get to work--vacationing. I want to come home exhausted form strenuous vacationing!
-- Bob Doan, Jupiter, FL
Friday, July 6, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
South of the Border
As the day dawns
As dawn broke this morning I was speeding through Richmond headed south at the beginning of another journey.
I still love driving at dawn as the day begins. It is exciting to be there as the first rays of light illuminate the landscape. The open road ahead and miles already behind at the start of a too long trip.
Why didn't I fly?
Oh yeah. Rental cars were out of sight expensive.
- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy 4th, 2012
Although John Adams thought the celebration should have been on July 2nd, happy Independence Day.
Our nation remains the best place to live in the world--despite its warts. We can at least talk about them without fear of retribution.
I hope that wherever you are that you can pause for a moment and celebrate this country and our collective achievements.
Pause also and give thanks to our military men and women who are on the front lines and the their families who support them.
God bless America!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Our nation remains the best place to live in the world--despite its warts. We can at least talk about them without fear of retribution.
I hope that wherever you are that you can pause for a moment and celebrate this country and our collective achievements.
Pause also and give thanks to our military men and women who are on the front lines and the their families who support them.
God bless America!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Sleep Wars
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
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
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
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