Governments and Furloughs

I read yesterday that Department of Defense employees will be receiving notices of impending furloughs as early as this Friday. I also read that the Senate has decided that Federal workers will not receive raises this year, for the third consecutive year.

I have lost about 5 percent of my income against inflation without the raises during the past three years, on top of that Maryland and federal taxes continue to increase as do healthcare and utility bills. I am losing money working.

And now, as a reward for my faithfulness, the DoD has decided to take another 20 percent of my pay for the rest of the fiscal year though furloughs. What a sweet deal!

What is wrong with this picture?

Under my healthcare plan,  some of my prescriptions are no longer considered necessary--and are therefore not covered. I love finding out about that when I go in for a refill and there isn't time to get a different prescription before running out. Oh, andI love it best when it is now "my" problem to solve even though "they" changed the rules and didn't have the courtesy to tell me.

Is the news getting any better? I think not. I am afraid to do my taxes for last year because I know I am going to have to pay the increases that Maryland levied mid-year that were not prorated. Politicians just don't get it.

Ok, so this is a rant. Maybe someone in high places will listen if we start talking about the insanity of it all.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Return of the Peepers

One of the joys of living near a wetlands is hearing and watching the resurgence of life during the springtime.

Last evening it was the return of the peepers. They filled the early evening air with their unmistakable sound and in so doing made another step forward on the path to springtime. The signs of springtime are everywhere. The temperatures were again moderate--in the high 50's, the geese have been incredibly active, and the junco's have been migrating through spending some time at my bird feeders. But the peepers--they put the dot on the exclamation point that spring is truly here.

I am fascinated again this year, as I have been many years, with the process of springtime rebirth and reawakening. Life is returning, everywhere.

I reviewed my blog and I believe that springtime is about a month behind last year, although, it was very early. We had daffodils in February and I remember driving with the top down on the convertible. Not so this season. Things are slower, but I suspect they will be faster given the increased sunshine.

Nonetheless, spring is here and it is time to enjoy the ride.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 11, 2013

1. Two successive days of blue skies and 60 degree temperatures make spring a reality.

2. Team USA amazingly moved on in the World Baseball Classic thanks to the player of the game--Adam Jones from the Orioles.

3. Working outside around the house is therapeutic and a great way to break out of the winter doldrums.

4. Sequestration continues with no end in sight--next up, funding the government, budget, continuing resolution, or shut down?

5. Check out the comet that is now visible in the Northern Hemisphere. Just barely.

6. What can be better than sitting around a fire as evening falls, watching the stars come out, sipping wine and being with the one you love? Two nights in a row?

7. On this date in 1847, John Chapman 'Johnny Appleseed' died in Allen County, Indiana. This day became known as Johnny Appleseed Day. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Flower of Spring

First Springtime Flower

While out and about yesterday, I happened upon the first flower of springtime.

It is a small Tête-à-Tête Daffodil which was growing in front of a door in a small garden.

Already blooming to celebrate the rebirth of life as the daylight lengthens and the temperatures moderate.

Given the time I spend outside yesterday, it was nice to see the small flower. My own gardens are not far behind, with lots of buds on the daffodils. I noted that the squirrels have decimated all of my tulips--there are none left to enjoy this year. But the patched of daffodils and crocus should be beautiful when they bloom in a few short days.

I also found buds on the plum trees--they are the first bloomers of springtime and I always enjoy their while, lightly fragrant flowers.

Springtime is here!  Bring it on.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Welcome 60 Degrees

Early this afternoon it hit 60 degrees!

Chris and I had been working around outside all morning and had already shed our overcoats for just our heavy shirts.

The blue sky, the sunshine, and the work on the house and gardens had begun. The grasses around the pool have been cut, the leaves removed from the gardens and reestablishing the pool area has begun!

It was great to feel the sun on my face. I may have gotten a bit of a sunburn!!

Awesome!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Blue Skies and Sunshine

The Leaves are Coming

Saturday dawned with blue skies and sunshine.

It is awesome to look out at the now desolate trees and imagine them covered in green leaves, soon.

It is a pleasant thought. They are bare now, but with the passing of the last storm and the warmer temperatures expected for the week ahead, I believe that buds will form followed by the green of leaves to clothe the trees for the coming summer. Within the next short weeks.

The official beginning of Spring is only eleven short days away on Wednesday, March 20th. Although there is still the chance for cold and even snow, the likelihood is reduced with every passing day. On the 17th, we should cross over and have 12 or more hours of sunlight per day.

But for now, the blue sky is stunning. And while it is still cold outside, it warms me to see the sun and the sky and to imagine the seasons ahead.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Daylight Savings Excitement

Daylight savings time arrives this weekend for its 2013 run.

I'm not sure how I actually can save time. If only I could bank it and withdraw the daylight during the dark days of winter, I know I would feel a lot better.

But at least the sunset which has been happening shortly after 6pm this week, will "magically" occur after 7pm next week all due to the magic of saving daylight! Even the daily temperature highs seem to be affected by daylight savings--as I looked this morning every day next week is expected to have highs in the 50's or even 60's. Of course, this is always subject to change.

Yesterday I drove to work with the sun in my eyes. I enjoyed the sun and the brightening dawn knowing that it will disappear again next week until about May.

Sunday will be the beginning of the springtime daylight extension and the revival of outdoor life. I have a lot of post winter clean-up work to do and I also look forward to sitting outside sipping wine and watching the evening come.

The dark days have passed.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weather, Life, and Forecasts

The weather affects many facets of my life. The predicted snows of yesterday changed my plans for the day which created opportunities from the schedule change.

A number of small, annoying projects around the house were completed--or continued. Something which typically would not happen on a normal Wednesday.

Perhaps this same type of scenario played out many times in the region as thousands of other people realigned their normal work-day into a day off to relax and energize other areas of life.

Thank you weather forecasters for getting the storm so wrong!  I was lucky in that although I was expecting to struggle for hours with a snow shovel in my hands, I was spared the opportunity. And I had a day off to reflect and create as well.

I listened to the explanations last evening about why the storm did not materialize as the forecasters predicted--European models. needs for a new super computer, but in the end, for this area, I'm glad it played out the way it did.

I did not have to shovel mountains of wet, heavy snow from my driveway.
I was able to head out shopping to nearly deserted stores.
I worked on projects around the house.
I watched two movies with Chris and even enjoyed one of them.
I recreated, by not having a dozen preplanned things to fill my day.
And Makayla still got her shots--the only preplanned event that happened as planned!

Life is what happens to us while we are busy making other plans! - Allen Saunders

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Snow Event Fizzles

6PM after a Day of Snow

Despite the dire predictions, the inches of snow never arrived.

It definitely did not rival the blizzard of 1962 which produced 10 inches of wet snow in Baltimore.

The image is of my pool area at 6PM after a day of storm.

Lot's of wet and no snow.

I am not complaining--I at least got a day off from work.

And I saw the weather forecast for next week--60's on Monday!!!!!

Spring is on the near horizon. I may have a case of Spring Fever on Monday!  And the benefit is, I don't have to wait for the snow to melt before I enjoy the Springtime.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Still Waiting for Snow-quester

They say the snow is coming.

Waiting for the Snow Event

Where?

I see it on TV nearby, but here, we have rain and nothing significant.

I will continue to monitor, but so far, this is a yawner.

At least I am watching it from the comfort of my arm chair in my own house and on my own computer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD