Some ferocious storms blew through the area last evening. We had been suffering from a mini-drought and the lawn was beginning to show signs of stress from the dry heat and sun., so at least the rains, if not the wind, was welcomed.
I didn't have to mow this week. I guess that is a plus. The dry conditions hopefully will change as September fades into October.
After the storm, the pool was a mess again--the sycamore trees are beginning to give up their leaves early because of the dry conditions. Many of their leaves now adorn the surface of my pool. I definitely need to close it up this weekend and bring an official end to the summer fun. I think I am procrastinating.
I enjoyed walking barefoot in the yard during the storm, being dispatched to the garden for some oregano, and feeling the soft earth giving way beneath my feet. It was rock hard just yesterday.
As I departed out of work last evening a large number of people were waiting under the awning for the rains to subside. I smiled. I love rain and walked past them right out into the fury of the storm. I made a point of walking, not running, to my car so that I could enjoy the raindrops slapping my face and careening into my clothes.
Smiling, because the raindrops do not care where they land. Even if I run, others are waiting. They bring me joy.
The rain was warm.
And wet.
It was a September storm with warm rains--unlike November's storms which are cold and numbing. Something else to enjoy as the season winds down.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
From the Beach--A Reflection of Clouds
I saw an image of Lucas riding in the surf Myrtle Beach surf the other morning. It made me laugh.
I remembered my own visit to the ocean during July and the fun and frolic that being on the beach provides me to escape the realities of work and life.
The clouds in the skies over the ocean often create characters that stimulate my imagination--there is a duck, or a dragon, or Texas,
How strange that I feel the need to create order from the chaos of the wind whipped vapors that are the clouds.
The color of the water changes as the clouds pass overhead make the ocean either inviting or foreboding. I think this cloud looks like a dog--a pointer focused on its target with its tail straight out.
To imagine. To lay on the beach and enjoy the lapping of the waves, the warm breeze, and the bright sun.
And the clouds to stimulate my imagination.
Beach days!
They are the best times!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
 |
| Lucas at Myrtle Beach |
I remembered my own visit to the ocean during July and the fun and frolic that being on the beach provides me to escape the realities of work and life.
The clouds in the skies over the ocean often create characters that stimulate my imagination--there is a duck, or a dragon, or Texas,
How strange that I feel the need to create order from the chaos of the wind whipped vapors that are the clouds.
 |
| Clouds off Jupiter Island Beach |
To imagine. To lay on the beach and enjoy the lapping of the waves, the warm breeze, and the bright sun.
And the clouds to stimulate my imagination.
Beach days!
They are the best times!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, September 17, 2012
Monday Musings - September 17, 2012
1. Believe it or not, September is more than half gone. Where has it gone is the question in my mind.
2. Heard in a movie-- Yes we are going to die. You are going to die. I am going to die. The crew of this ship is going to die. Just not today!
3. Football is a tough sport--one play and a short second make the difference between winning and losing.
4. I have been fascinated by the fury surrounding the pictures of Kate Middleton. It is sad that people need to go to such extremes to secure privacy. I think most of us take privacy for granted.
5. The weather the past few days has been fabulous. These final days of summer have been inspiring with the crystal blue skies and moderate temperatures combined with low humidity. I wish I could bottle them up and save them for days which are not so nice.
6. Car repairs should not be attempted when in a hurry.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. Heard in a movie-- Yes we are going to die. You are going to die. I am going to die. The crew of this ship is going to die. Just not today!
3. Football is a tough sport--one play and a short second make the difference between winning and losing.
4. I have been fascinated by the fury surrounding the pictures of Kate Middleton. It is sad that people need to go to such extremes to secure privacy. I think most of us take privacy for granted.
5. The weather the past few days has been fabulous. These final days of summer have been inspiring with the crystal blue skies and moderate temperatures combined with low humidity. I wish I could bottle them up and save them for days which are not so nice.
6. Car repairs should not be attempted when in a hurry.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Backyard Auto Repair
Frustration. Whenever I need to be frustrated beyond belief, all I need do is attempt auto repair.
At least the garage was clean, so I had a nice environment to work in and have my tools near me. That is something that hasn't happened in a while. Usually I'm on the asphalt in the driveway, in the sun or rain.
That was where the happy notes for this project ended.
Chris' car needs the wheel bearing replaced on the right rear. Not a seemingly big deal and I found step-by-step instructions.
But when I started the project what was the first thing I found? The lug nuts were so tight that I couldn't budge them. Really! Mr. Tire must be using Mr Universe to tighten lug nuts. I even called Patrick over to give them a twist. No joy.
Off to Lowe's for something to motivate the lug nuts. An air hammer and a piece of pipe to use as a breaker bar came home with me.
Even with the reinforcements, the lug nuts were not easily persuaded to allow themselves to be removed from the car. I wound up using the pipe and almost standing on it to get them moving.
That entire process took almost two hours of an expected four hour repair.
Next was the removal of the caliper and the brake pad holding mechanism and the rotor. Yay, that went extremely well.
Now for the axle nut. All I needed was a 12 point 32mm socket. I knew that in advance and I had that. Oops! It needed to be a deep socket. I have a 32mm 6 point deep socket. No good.
Off to the auto store--surely they will have one. Nope. Off to Home Depot. Nope.
Off to Sears. No joy. I called Pep Boy--none there either.
Stand still. Total stop.
Total frustration.
My 32 mm, 12 point deep well socket will be here Tuesday, I ordered it from Amazon.
The car has been reassembled and can be driven for the next couple days, and then I get to do it all over again.
Did I mention that the garage is clean?
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
At least the garage was clean, so I had a nice environment to work in and have my tools near me. That is something that hasn't happened in a while. Usually I'm on the asphalt in the driveway, in the sun or rain.
That was where the happy notes for this project ended.
Chris' car needs the wheel bearing replaced on the right rear. Not a seemingly big deal and I found step-by-step instructions.
But when I started the project what was the first thing I found? The lug nuts were so tight that I couldn't budge them. Really! Mr. Tire must be using Mr Universe to tighten lug nuts. I even called Patrick over to give them a twist. No joy.
Off to Lowe's for something to motivate the lug nuts. An air hammer and a piece of pipe to use as a breaker bar came home with me.
Even with the reinforcements, the lug nuts were not easily persuaded to allow themselves to be removed from the car. I wound up using the pipe and almost standing on it to get them moving.
That entire process took almost two hours of an expected four hour repair.
Next was the removal of the caliper and the brake pad holding mechanism and the rotor. Yay, that went extremely well.
Now for the axle nut. All I needed was a 12 point 32mm socket. I knew that in advance and I had that. Oops! It needed to be a deep socket. I have a 32mm 6 point deep socket. No good.
Off to the auto store--surely they will have one. Nope. Off to Home Depot. Nope.
Off to Sears. No joy. I called Pep Boy--none there either.
Stand still. Total stop.
Total frustration.
My 32 mm, 12 point deep well socket will be here Tuesday, I ordered it from Amazon.
The car has been reassembled and can be driven for the next couple days, and then I get to do it all over again.
Did I mention that the garage is clean?
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Baseball vs Football vs Soccer vs Wine Tasting
For the first time in years, we are having a hard time deconflicting sporting events across different sports instead of just teams.
It is a good problem to have.
Today we are faced with soccer vs wine tasting. OK--so wine tasting may not be a sport, but it does take up time when planned. Two of the grandsons, Ethan and Jax, have soccer games this morning followed by a trip to Annapolis for a planned event tasting Southern Italian wines.
At least there isn't time to close the pool!
Tomorrow, Sunday, about 4pm is a catastrophe. The Cowboys play, the Redskins play, and more importantly, the Orioles are facing a huge challenge in Oakland. They fumbled the baseball a bit last evening and lost only their eighth one-run game of the season.
I am almost wishing for Monday to escape the completing schedules insanity.
I may just have enough TV's and inputs to cover all of the events.
At least the Ravens play in an open time slot in my life.
Somewhere in there the lawn needs to get mowed, groceries purchased, and some relaxation and book reading need to be accomplished.
I love weekends!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
It is a good problem to have.
Today we are faced with soccer vs wine tasting. OK--so wine tasting may not be a sport, but it does take up time when planned. Two of the grandsons, Ethan and Jax, have soccer games this morning followed by a trip to Annapolis for a planned event tasting Southern Italian wines.
At least there isn't time to close the pool!
Tomorrow, Sunday, about 4pm is a catastrophe. The Cowboys play, the Redskins play, and more importantly, the Orioles are facing a huge challenge in Oakland. They fumbled the baseball a bit last evening and lost only their eighth one-run game of the season.
I am almost wishing for Monday to escape the completing schedules insanity.
I may just have enough TV's and inputs to cover all of the events.
At least the Ravens play in an open time slot in my life.
Somewhere in there the lawn needs to get mowed, groceries purchased, and some relaxation and book reading need to be accomplished.
I love weekends!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, September 14, 2012
End of Years of Frustration
I attended the Orioles baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.
The game lasted 5 hours and 14 minutes, officially, going into the 14 inning before ending in a victory for the home team--the Orioles. I don't normally get to enjoy 14 inning baseball games from start to finish, they usually end too late for me to stay awake, but this game began at 12:35pm with me in attendance at the park on a beautiful day with the Orioles playing meaningful September baseball for the first time since 1997. The day began with the O's tied with the New York Yankees, the thugs of baseball--and ended with the pressure cooker that is the end of the season squarely on the Yankees who were playing the Red Sox and eked out a win of their own to remain tied.
The game had the feeling of a play-off game--which although it wasn't, the implications were huge. The Orioles were trying to sweep the Rays in a three-game series and keep the heat on the Yankees who seem to be cracking under the pressure of season ending baseball.
At the end of the day, the win assured the Orioles of their first non-losing season since 1997. The Orioles ended the day at 81-62, 19 games over .500 with 19 games left to play. A huge triumph for a team picked by the pre-season pundits to finish with possible 110 losses.
I sat through the game yesterday almost unbelieving. The score was tied at the end of nine innings 2-2, every batter and every out was critical. I watched the Orioles blow a 2-1 lead at the end of seven innings. I saw the team battle in a manner I have not seen in years.
The losing is over.
The winning attitude is here.
When I arrived home after the game, my house was decorated appropriately by Patrick and Tina--complete with brooms by the front door for the sweep of the Rays!
I thought the Orioles on the garage door was an especially nice touch.
Although it would be easy to call the season a success--this team and its fans want more. There is even talk of winning not only the division form the hated Yankees--but the World Series. I love to dream--but sometimes, dreams come true.
But for now--yesterday was a win during a long 162 game season which signaled the end of over a decade of impotence and frustration. I celebrate with the city and the region the return of a proud baseball franchise to relevance. And, I am just happy to be along for the ride.
Go O's.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
 |
| Middle of the 14th Inning, September 13, 2012 |
The game lasted 5 hours and 14 minutes, officially, going into the 14 inning before ending in a victory for the home team--the Orioles. I don't normally get to enjoy 14 inning baseball games from start to finish, they usually end too late for me to stay awake, but this game began at 12:35pm with me in attendance at the park on a beautiful day with the Orioles playing meaningful September baseball for the first time since 1997. The day began with the O's tied with the New York Yankees, the thugs of baseball--and ended with the pressure cooker that is the end of the season squarely on the Yankees who were playing the Red Sox and eked out a win of their own to remain tied.
 |
| My Front Door After the Orioles Win |
At the end of the day, the win assured the Orioles of their first non-losing season since 1997. The Orioles ended the day at 81-62, 19 games over .500 with 19 games left to play. A huge triumph for a team picked by the pre-season pundits to finish with possible 110 losses.
I sat through the game yesterday almost unbelieving. The score was tied at the end of nine innings 2-2, every batter and every out was critical. I watched the Orioles blow a 2-1 lead at the end of seven innings. I saw the team battle in a manner I have not seen in years.
The losing is over.
The winning attitude is here.
When I arrived home after the game, my house was decorated appropriately by Patrick and Tina--complete with brooms by the front door for the sweep of the Rays!
I thought the Orioles on the garage door was an especially nice touch.
Although it would be easy to call the season a success--this team and its fans want more. There is even talk of winning not only the division form the hated Yankees--but the World Series. I love to dream--but sometimes, dreams come true.
But for now--yesterday was a win during a long 162 game season which signaled the end of over a decade of impotence and frustration. I celebrate with the city and the region the return of a proud baseball franchise to relevance. And, I am just happy to be along for the ride.
Go O's.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Insanity and Civilization
I an still trying to wrap my head around the violence taking place in Libya and Egypt that has resulted in the death of brave Americans who were there trying to help the people of the region obtain freedom and safety from oppression.
How could the Libyans forget so quickly that it was the United States that helped lead them out from under the oppressive policies of a dictator and into self control of their government?
Same for Egypt--where although the U.S. did not take an active role, we quickly embraced the new government and offered assistance.
And this morning I read that the violence against Americans has spread to Yemen.
Why are the people of the U.S. seen as pariahs while those who daily foment violence and chaos seen as liberators? And they kill their own.
Why is the world so upside down?
All of this is because of an inflammatory film? Really? Are they that insecure in their faith? Is their god not big enough to shrug these slights off?
I have seen and heard a lot of inflammatory statements made about and against my God--but I know that my God is bigger than weak and feeble-minded statements made in ignorance and I also know that we humans are imperfect to begin with. My God is a God of forgiveness. Just ask!
I am sure that I am on their list now for questioning the omnipotence of their god. I read that it is not a popular thing to do.
But this morning I mourn the loss of brave, devoted American patriots who were killed doing their jobs for ungrateful peoples in places of the world that I have no desire to visit.
I am beginning to understand that tolerance is a foundational building block of civilization. We cannot consider ourselves civilized without appreciating diversity.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
How could the Libyans forget so quickly that it was the United States that helped lead them out from under the oppressive policies of a dictator and into self control of their government?
Same for Egypt--where although the U.S. did not take an active role, we quickly embraced the new government and offered assistance.
And this morning I read that the violence against Americans has spread to Yemen.
Why are the people of the U.S. seen as pariahs while those who daily foment violence and chaos seen as liberators? And they kill their own.
Why is the world so upside down?
All of this is because of an inflammatory film? Really? Are they that insecure in their faith? Is their god not big enough to shrug these slights off?
I have seen and heard a lot of inflammatory statements made about and against my God--but I know that my God is bigger than weak and feeble-minded statements made in ignorance and I also know that we humans are imperfect to begin with. My God is a God of forgiveness. Just ask!
I am sure that I am on their list now for questioning the omnipotence of their god. I read that it is not a popular thing to do.
But this morning I mourn the loss of brave, devoted American patriots who were killed doing their jobs for ungrateful peoples in places of the world that I have no desire to visit.
I am beginning to understand that tolerance is a foundational building block of civilization. We cannot consider ourselves civilized without appreciating diversity.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Return of the Hunter
I am amazed at how it sneaks up on me during September.
Hanging there in the pre-dawn sky yesterday morning Orion made his presence known to me as I was returning to the house after Makayla's morning walk.
I am always happy when Orion finally disappears after transitioning to the evening sky. It means Spring has returned. For now though Orion's return signals that the dark, cold times are on their way.
The constellation is stunning though. Besides the Big Dipper, Orion may be the most recognizable constellation, although Cassiopeia is a close second.
I enjoy the way the imaginary hunter watches over me. Some of the stars that comprise Orion are friends as well. Betelgeuse and Rigel are my favorites.
The return of Orion means pool closing is at hand. The leaves will don their autumn gaiety soon, and the snow and cold of winter are not far behind.
So much cold and darkness before the return of moderate temperatures. And all because Orion has returned.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Hanging there in the pre-dawn sky yesterday morning Orion made his presence known to me as I was returning to the house after Makayla's morning walk.
I am always happy when Orion finally disappears after transitioning to the evening sky. It means Spring has returned. For now though Orion's return signals that the dark, cold times are on their way.
The constellation is stunning though. Besides the Big Dipper, Orion may be the most recognizable constellation, although Cassiopeia is a close second.
I enjoy the way the imaginary hunter watches over me. Some of the stars that comprise Orion are friends as well. Betelgeuse and Rigel are my favorites.
The return of Orion means pool closing is at hand. The leaves will don their autumn gaiety soon, and the snow and cold of winter are not far behind.
So much cold and darkness before the return of moderate temperatures. And all because Orion has returned.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Awesome Image
Patrick took a really cool image of Camden Yards while we were at the game on Sunday.
It is a panoramic image.
It shows so much of how this season is different for the O's. This is a September game with over 46,000 people in attendance-and most of them are wearing orange! Not blue or red.
On the very right side--in the orange you can see myself and Jeremy watching the on field activity intently.
A beautiful September afternoon--puffy white clouds in a beautiful blue sky.
A perfect day for baseball. If only . . . Sadly, the image was taken during the 8th inning when the Orioles defeat was assured and so the stands are beginning to empty.
But September isn't over yet. Good things are going to happen.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
It is a panoramic image.
It shows so much of how this season is different for the O's. This is a September game with over 46,000 people in attendance-and most of them are wearing orange! Not blue or red.
On the very right side--in the orange you can see myself and Jeremy watching the on field activity intently.
A beautiful September afternoon--puffy white clouds in a beautiful blue sky.
A perfect day for baseball. If only . . . Sadly, the image was taken during the 8th inning when the Orioles defeat was assured and so the stands are beginning to empty.
But September isn't over yet. Good things are going to happen.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, September 10, 2012
Monday Musings - September 10, 2012
1. It is really demoralizing to leave a baseball game after 40,000 fans showed up but the team didn't and wound up getting blown out. On top of that, the O's lost to the Yankees.
2. There is something depressing about realizing that the end of summer is as close as it is--and it was a great summer.
3. We had a loud humming noise associated with a new set of tires on Chris' car only to find out that we have a bad wheel bearing. I have some work to do.
4. Opening Sunday of the NFL season and I was at a baseball game--how cool is that? So much for Sunday Ticket.
5. Makayla had a check-up last week--she has bad knees. Otherwise, she's healthy but still freaked out about the wood floors. They don't give dogs anti-anxiety medicine.
6. An amazing thing happened on Friday while trying to get back home after a week in Denver, I called to change my travel reservations less than six hours before the flight I wanted to got on--and they had a seat and I pulled it off, getting back a whole day early.
7. I'm not very happy with my Samsung Blu-ray player. It won't update itself and none of the special features work. It is only a year and a half old--and now all it will do is play Blu-ray's and DVDs. It was out of warranty in March. I called Samsung support for help--and they didn't.
8. I was reassured by the news that Congress is returning to work this week after their five week vacation. I wonder, will they really work?
9. Saw an interesting phrase on a greeting card: “Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” -- W. Clement Stone
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. There is something depressing about realizing that the end of summer is as close as it is--and it was a great summer.
3. We had a loud humming noise associated with a new set of tires on Chris' car only to find out that we have a bad wheel bearing. I have some work to do.
4. Opening Sunday of the NFL season and I was at a baseball game--how cool is that? So much for Sunday Ticket.
5. Makayla had a check-up last week--she has bad knees. Otherwise, she's healthy but still freaked out about the wood floors. They don't give dogs anti-anxiety medicine.
6. An amazing thing happened on Friday while trying to get back home after a week in Denver, I called to change my travel reservations less than six hours before the flight I wanted to got on--and they had a seat and I pulled it off, getting back a whole day early.
7. I'm not very happy with my Samsung Blu-ray player. It won't update itself and none of the special features work. It is only a year and a half old--and now all it will do is play Blu-ray's and DVDs. It was out of warranty in March. I called Samsung support for help--and they didn't.
8. I was reassured by the news that Congress is returning to work this week after their five week vacation. I wonder, will they really work?
9. Saw an interesting phrase on a greeting card: “Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” -- W. Clement Stone
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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