Monday Musings - March 4, 2013

1. I expect McDonald's to be fast. That is why they call it fast food! I Waited over 10 minutes for coffee at the McDonald's in Whitney Point, NY, yesterday. Really.  Waiting for a cup of coffee and then it was terrible. 

2. I forgot how bright new fallen snow is even on an overcast day. Break out the sunglasses.

3. The new 10 cent word: sequestration. (BTW, did you notice the old "cent" symbol is no longer on the keyboard?)

4.  Does anyone know why gas prices have risen? It isn't even summertime yet.

5. I am amazed at how quickly time flies when I am researching on my computer at home. It doesn't seem to pass at the same rate when I am doing research at work!

6. Maryland is panicked--a storm is approaching. I am very happy to have a new roof. It doesn't seem to be a snowpocalypse repeat though.

7. There is nothing worse than being away on a trip and having a brake pad decide that it needs to be replaced. I got to spend my first couple hours back at home replacing brakes and rotors on Chris' car. Apparently the pad sensor was improperly set or got knocked off alignment. 

8. I have determined that with the exception of sporting events, there is nothing much worth watching on television. The era of reality TV is a failure for people searching for meaningful entertainment.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday Snow in Central New York

Apparently it snowed all night. I woke this morning expecting to load the car and head south to milder temperatures only to find more snow and a delay.

I listened to the local weather forecast and heard one common theme: "chance of snow 30 percent." For the next four days! I am reminded why I live further south.

I actually heard someone exclaim that they were at the point where they did not appreciate the snow and cold anymore. I wholeheartedly concur. Waking up and hearing the current weather being reported as "20 degrees and light snow" is just not conducive to getting outside and being active.



Sadly, I did notice that temperatures were in the 40's this morning in Tampa. So the cold is fairly pervasive throughout the eastern part of the US.

Yesterday it snowed all day and Chris and I found ourselves along the west shore of Cayuga Lake. Chris wanted to take some pictures of geese on the lake and I took a picture of her coming across the road back to the car. The lake is in the background. It looks cold. Too cold.

Who would have thought that I would think that today's expected 42 degree high in Baltimore warm?

Where are the palm trees?

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Ithaca, NY

From Warm to Cold

Leaving Maryland yesterday, the weather was cool, but better than it had been a week or so ago. Along the route we watched the temperature drop degree by degree. We left Maryland with temperatures in the 40's and arrived in Ithaca with the temperature at 27.
Ugh!



We had to take our winter coats out of the back of the car and wear them.

And it was snowing. I despise snow.

This morning the evidence was clear on the car--snow.

On the trip though, the weather was good, even though snow lightly fell from the sky during most of the trip. The sad part was hat this trip marked the end of Mom and Dad's two-month vacation. Even though all good things end, it is still sad when thy do. But we are left with the memories and the promise of future visits.

For now though, the task at hand is surviving the arctic weather of upstate New York.

Brrrrr!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

March Arrives

As the government wallows in the self-created sequester crisis, February has ended and March has arrived.

Pool opening day is a mere 58 days away. Hopefully surviving March will be a breeze despite the best efforts of Congress to crash the economy and send us all back into the dark ages of economic disaster.

Or not.

There remains time to fix the budget and the economy.

But it is March and while I find it hard to believe that 2013 is already one sixth complete, I am looking forward to the resumption of daylight savings time in a short 10 days followed by springtime shortly thereafter. That means that green will return as the color of the day. And maybe blue skies will become more the rule rather than the exception as March turns into April and then into May.

Next up--daffodils and crocus.

Bring it on.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Roof Day -- Success

The new roof day was a great success.

Putting the Roofing Shingles into position 

I am not worried about the next hurricane. My new roof will be able to withstand winds of 130 mph.

There was damage--rot. Ugh! Extra costs, but they are repaired now. Although the roof looked good before they started--there was rot. Areas where the rood system had failed. Left unattended, more serious problems and expense would have resulted.

Repairing Storm Damage

What a beautiful day. The sun even shone for most of the operation.

No rain. No crummy weather.

I was worried whether the weather would hold, but it did.

And now it is done.

Yay.

I do not expect to be on the roof during hurricanes or worrying about leaks

Roofs are just one of those things that I shouldn't have to worry about. And now I don't.

The New Roof

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

New Roof Day

It is hard not to be excited about getting a new roof. It is new, after all. It is something that the house has needed for a couple years now--I have been keeping the current roof in service through extra care.

It really became a crisis during Hurricane Sandy, a/k/a/ Frankenstorm, when I was on the roof, accompanied at various times by Chris, Patrick, and Corey working to stem the leaking--successfully, I might add, during the worst part of the storm.

I had the unique experience of driving when the roads were closed to secure roof patch at Home Depot and then climbing up the ladder to try to figure out where the water was coming inside form. Leaks never are where they appear!  It is one of those facts of life. I was, however, successful in stemming the flow.

And now, some four months hence and before the summer begins, the roof is being replaced. It is time to reset and restart the timer on my roof. The 22 year-old builders 20-year roof is at the end of its life. I have known this day was coming for some time as there are many new roofs in the neighborhood. I wish that I could take the rook money and do a nice vacation somewhere--but no, it will be reinvested into a roof.

I do not believe new roofs increase the value of a home--they are one of those foundational requirements--roof? Yes. Does it leak? No. Nuff said!

I'm not planning on being here when it expires the next time. I'm getting a lifetime roof--although I'm not sure whether that is my lifetime or the house. In either case, I should not be bothered by roof issues ever again.

I will say, the process of getting quotes for this job was interesting. The variance between the low and high quotes was incredible. The last of the four company's didn't bother leaving a quote because they were going to be $2,000 above the lowest for lesser quality materials. I appreciated getting about an hour of my life back. Note to self--definitely get multiple quotes for big jobs!

They should be arriving soon. I hope the weather holds. At least I'm taking a day off from work to watch/monitor the progress.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Come into the Sunlight

It happened yesterday morning for the first time this year.

I had to put my sunglasses on while driving to work--the sun was out and bright!

I have been watching the sunrises for a number of weeks now, but finally, yesterday, the skies were clear and the sun was in my eyes. It was wonderful!

Sadly, it is only temporary. Daylight savings time will soon return my morning commute to darkness until May when again I will be bathed in the glow of morning's dawn for a few months as I make my way to work.

Maybe I should go into work later in order to enjoy the sunlit morning commute. But no, then I would get to enjoy less of the afternoon and evening which can be so productive and enjoyable.

I already imagine sitting around the pool enjoying the warm evenings, swatting at the hordes of mosquitoes which desire to use me for their evening meal, enjoying the gathering golden light of the sunset only to dream of another dawn.

And another day.

The sunlight was a big change from the dreary darkness of last week. It makes the entire week seem full of promise and excitement.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - February 25, 2013

1. Oscars! Now we know that Argo is the big winner.

2. It is amazing how warm 50 degrees seems after suffering through so many days in a row with highs in the 30's.

3. The Orioles have won their first two Spring Training games. Hope springs anew for another season!

4. How cool is it that the science community has found a missing continent. I wonder who misplaced it?

5. What is a Unicorn Apocalypse? "I want them to look like real unicorns. The way they look in real life." That, friends, is a television commercial.

6. I know that Springtime is near--the Daytona 500 was run yesterday.

7. I listened to a Spring Training baseball game on the radio!  Sadly, by the seventh inning I didn't recognize many of the players.

8. By this time next week, the U.S. could be in its worst economic and budgetary crisis ever!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Here it Comes!

Chris exclaimed this morning, "Stop, everyone, look outside. The sun is shining!"

And so it was, or more correctly, is. The sky has a bluish hue to it and the bright orb that has taken its leave from us lately has returned.

Amazingly, as I surveyed the yard I found that the daffodils are springing up in anticipation of warmer weather. They are really up and I expect to see some flowers during the course of the next few weeks.

Even the cats are headed outside more. The temperature is above freezing and headed for near 50 today. I was joking that on Wednesday is the temperatures get above 50 degrees I may put the top down and drive Cat around--just because.

With the sun shining, though, I know it is going to be a great day. Even more, because we will be celebrating Jax's fifth birthday.

Here comes the sun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Whether the Weather

I am amazed how much the weather affects me. And, it seems, so are many people around me.

This week was a good example. The weather was gray, and cold, and generally miserable. By the end of the week, so was I. Today is no better. Cold, overcast, and rainy.

As this week wore on, tempers became short, skin became thin, and emotions began to run high. I came home from work last evening with a banging headache and feeling totally drained. I think everyone I know is ready for blue skies, sunshine, and mid-70's (or higher) temperatures.

On the positive side, the Orioles are playing their first Spring Training game today! Summer cannot be far off. I looked at the forecast for Sarasota, Florida (where the Orioles hold Spring Training) and saw sunshine and 80 degree temperatures. I wish I was there. Right now!

But, I am not. I have to take Makayla to get her nails done and accomplish a number of other tasks around the house today. All the while, looking at the cold, gray dampness which has descended upon everything.

I did enjoy Ethan's last basketball game of the season already this morning. At least that means that youth baseball season is about to begin!

The weather is a fact of life. It is just amazing how much it affects the quality of life.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD