Waiting for the Storm

I'm sitting here, watching the local news which is all about the coming storm, wondering why it is that I am so fascinated with watching the television news report the very same thing that I can watch out of my window?

The storm even has a name: Snow-quester!

When I woke this morning the snow was only beginning to coat the grass and trees. Thankfully, I don't have to sojourn to work only to figure out later how to get home again. I remember the old days--long ago, at Griffiss AFB near Rome, NY. One day I drove the 10 miles to work in about 4 inches of snow only to be released about noon and then had to drive home in 10 inches of snow. It took over and hour, but I made it.

Ugh. I'm glad that sadistic kind of work environment has become kinder and gentler. But then, we were fighting the Cold War on a daily basis back then.

Left to my own devices, I would head off to work. It isn't that bad--yet! Maybe that is why the news fascinates me, the 5-10 inches of snow (according to WBAL TV at 6 AM) they are predicting will shut this area down, possibly for two days! The region is just not prepared to operate during heavy snow conditions.

I am conflicted about the area being paralyzed by snow. Philosophically, the region should be able to operate, but do I really want to pay the extra taxes to maintain the equipment and personnel to allow ensure operations when snow in this quantity is a once or twice a season event?

No I don't. There are enough other things upon which to waste my tax dollars.

Knowing that this weather was coming made me appreciate the exceptionally nice day yesterday even more. It was hard to believe that such a nice day was preceding the storm. The sky was clear, the sun shone, temperatures were in the high 40's. I saw many people celebrating by not wearing coats.

Yet today, the snow comes. A new day brings new challenges.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Two Scenarios -- No Winners, More Winter

With the arrival of March, I had thought the threat of snow and winter had essentially passed.

Turns out not.

They call it Winter Storm Saturn. I call it winter, ugh!  Winter is the season that starts too early and ends too late.

Will we get many inches of rain or six plus inches of snow during the course of the next two days? Inquiring minds want to know but there seem to be no absolutes.

In usual Maryland style, the weather is the central topic of discussion for most people. I'm not sure if it is the prospect of a day off or just an inbred dysfunctional love of bad weather.

I took the image at the right this weekend while in Central NY. Looking out the window was like looking at total desolation. White, gray, and cold.

It is coming, I can read the weather reports.

I was looking for the scenario where the storm misses us. It isn't there. At least I have a new roof and don't have to worry about the winter weather.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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