Spring Break STAY-cation

With the temperatures in the 20's to start the day most mornings this week and highs barely into the 50's some days and high 40's for others, my outdoors activities have been a bit limited. But today, the addition of some morning rain has helped the temperatures remain above freezing for the first time this week and looking at the forecast, I see, for the first time this year, a seven day period with no temperatures in below freezing and the first indication of 70's (Wednesday).

Because I did not head off to the land of warmer temperatures known as Florida, I did get a lot of projects done around the house to get ready for the warmer temperatures which are in the forecast. Yesterday, I even braved the cold and did a good deal of gardening including planting some grasses, two trees, and finishing the garden clean-up. Next up is the mulch! I'm thinking three yards this year.

It is good to take time off to do those projects for which there never seems to be enough time. Some nagging indoor projects were completed as well--for instance a broken shelf in one cabinet was repaired, the rope lights displaced by the winter storms were reattached,

I also assisted as a coach during Jax's first T-Ball practice. It was cold! Football weather not suitable for baseball, but the kids stuck it out like champs. Hopefully Saturday's practice is warmer and more Baseball-like.

Today, however, marks the end of the STAY-cation work and the beginning of the play portion. It is the home opener for the Orioles and that will consume most of my Friday. I hope to be in the crowd in the image by early afternoon. After a successful opening series, the Orioles return to Baltimore and I look forward to the greeting that they will receive.

Do I miss the thought of snorkeling or diving in Florida? Yes. But, that will wait for summer. Did I get everything done off my project list? No. I never rented either the chipper or log splitter--it was just too cold and the ground was too soft to have my truck and equipment driving around on it. More to do during the next couple of weeks.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When the Field of Dreams becomes a Nightmare

New seasons are filled with hope of unqualified success. Starting off with a win only serves to heighten the expectations for the future. But with 162 games in the season, a loss is bound to happen in there somewhere. Like last evening.

A hotly contested game last evening in Tampa saw the Orioles take an early 4-0 lead which they relinquished during the 6th inning, subsequently falling behind by two runs entering the eighth inning.  After tying the game in the top of the ninth, a walk-off home run by the home team ended the contest.

What when wrong? Two things:

The bull pen had an uncharacteristic meltdown by allowing six runs. None of the relievers did their jobs. Each of the relievers had a job to do and they were not up to the task last evening.

I also fault the "shift" employed against left handed batters during the seventh inning. It seems Tampa's left handed batters are more capable of beating the shift than are the Orioles big guns.

What is the shift? It is a defensive posture where a portion of the field is left uncontested to move a defensive player into another area where a particular batter overwhelmingly hits the ball. In the case of the Orioles last evening, the third baseman moved to right short field in between the first and second baseman, leaving the area down the third base line uncontested.

During the decisive seventh inning, two Tampa lefties in a row beat the shift for singles and were on base when a home run scored them allowing the Rays to take a two run lead.

What went right?

The team battled back. After the initial three runs were scored via home run, the other four runs were scores with timely hitting in each of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. Still, 4 for 11 with runners in scoring position is a bit low.

So after two games, the Orioles are 1-1. Let's see how resilient this team is.

The bottom line is grab the handle bar and BUCKle UP! The season is underway.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Picking Up Where They Left Off

My blog gets a little boring at this time of the year for people who are not Orioles fans. I'm not sorry, it is just a fact.

Wieters rounding Third after and Opening Day Two-run Homer

I wandered off to a local watering hole yesterday afternoon to watch the first Orioles game of the season. The excitement of the Spring Training and the unsatisfying loss to the team from up north to end the 2012 playoff run were etched in every Orioles fan's mind and we wonder and hope that, no--we are convinced, this season will be even better than the magical 2012 season when Baltimore became the king of baseball towns again.

And we were rewarded during the first inning with a double from team leader center fielder Adam Jones followed by two run shot off the bat of all star catcher Matt Wieters. And the season was on its way!

Scoring in the 7th on an Adam Jones Double

The opening day game in Tampa had it all. Homers, great plays in the field, and even coming from behind after the Orioles has surrendered their lead and were behind 3-2 at the end of 6 innings. A five run 7th, ignited by two teal leaders who finished the season on the disabled list, Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis, put the exclamation point on why the Orioles did not need to make a flashy and expensive move to acquire outside help to cement the lineup.

Another perfect ending from the bullpen, including a save for Jim Johnson last year's league leading closer,  and it was over with a win!

Was it perfect? No. In Orioles fashion they left too many runners on base at the end of innings, they failed to score any runs after loading the bases with one out during, and the designated hitter, didn't.

The end result though was:

One down and 161 to go.

BUCKle Up!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Opening Day

Although they are on the road in Tampa, it is opening day for the resurgent Orioles who are expected to be a force to be reckoned with in baseball this year.

I am excited, my favorite player, Brian Roberts,  will be in the starting line up--although batting ninth he will be playing second base. I have to believe that the Orioles have one of the best infields in all of baseball. They also have three gold glove winners in the outfield.

It is time to rock the league. I am tired of hearing all about the teams from north of here (who will remain nameless) and their woes or successes during the off season.

I still remember the sound of the assembled masses on during the last home playoff game last season echoing off the buildings as the O's defeated the hated team from the north to even the playoff series.

I long for the excitement and enthusiasm to return. Although the pundits are projecting the O's to finish second in the division and earn one of the Wild Card sport, I am believing, as I do every Spring, that I am watching the next World Series Champion when they take the field.

It is time. Time for Boog's (a Baltimore thing), the national anthem, and the words that get the blood moving through my veins.

PLAY BALL!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 1, 2013 Addendum

8. Oops!  I forgot. It is baseball season. Let the good times roll.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 1, 2013

1. Yup, it is that day. April Fools Day.

2. I made an interesting connection in the Easter Story yesterday in church. Jesus was placed in a tomb and Pilate had the tomb sealed and guarded. The seal on the tomb was only to be broken on the order of Pilate. I had to giggle at the image of the angel breaking the seal, rolling the stone away and then sitting on the stone--probably on Pilate's official seal. Matthew 28:2 Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. (NET Bible)

3. I have been wrestling with myself over this image, but it is so good, I just couldn't resist. I probably should have. I found it on Facebook. I love B-52's--there is nothing like the raw power of eight jet engines to make your day. When I was stationed a based with B-52's I used to remark that I loved the smell of jet fuel in the morning.

4. The Final Four is set--and Syracuse is still in the mix.

5. The 135th Annual Easter Egg Roll continues on the White House lawn today.

6. 152 eggs were hidden for our annual family Easter Egg Hunt. Held in misty and wet conditions the winner was . . . everyone who participated!

7. The clear skies and sun surprised me this morning. It was a nice surprise.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Easter Morning

Easter 2013 Crocus

Dawn is breaking and I checked out the flowers in the garden this morning as I walked Makayla. The daffodils and crocus are in bloom. It is Easter.

Yesterday, desperate for color in the lawns and gardens we bought pansies and snapdragons. Some color is beginning to return and the clear blue skies and bright sun of yesterday hastened the rebirth of the lawn and gardens. I noticed that the bleeding hearts are pushing up reaching for the light along with many other early Springtime perennials.

I reviewed some pictures from last Easter and I was surprised by how more advanced the Springtime had progressed. Last year our weeping cherry was in full bloom--even considering that Easter was about a week later last year, the blossoms this year are way behind as are the temperatures.

As I prepare to head off to church and fully begin the celebration of the day, let me offer a short prayer that I found written by Max Lucado.

A Prayer of Thanks - an Easter Prayer

by Max Lucado

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to earth as a baby so many years ago. Thank you that He paid the punishment for my sins by dying on the cross. And thank you that He rose again to prove that death was truly defeated. I place my trust in You to be my Savior. Guide me through the dark times of my life and give me courage to live for You. Amen

Happy Easter!!

He is Risen--He is Risen indeed!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Break Again

Although I have not been in school in over a few decades, I continue to celebrate the idea of Spring Break by taking a much needed week off from work every year.

The idea of getting out for a week and either traveling or doing work around the house is appealing. I had hoped to head off to Florida this year--but, I decided not to travel over Spring Break because I need to work around the house and Opening Week of Baseball is this week.

Some things that I have learned about Spring Break:

-- The last work day before Spring Break is longer than Christmas Eve

-- The week seems longer on Monday than on Friday when I realize that I didn't get nearly as many things done as I wanted to get done.

-- I sometimes work (or play) harder on Spring Break than I do at work

-- I look forward to springtime flowers, like these dogwoods from last year. Spring is way behind this year and only beginning to wrest itself from the grip of winter.

-- Sometimes I get to use fun equipment over Spring Break. This year I will be renting a chipper and a log splitter.

-- Enjoy the idea of the week, because it ends too soon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

They're Here--a Sure Sign of Spring

The FEDEX truck left a present for me the other day. Contained in the package delivered to my door was one of the sure signs of Spring.

My Orioles Season Tickets and parking passes.

No matter how cold it is outside, the arrival of these few tickets  is a harbinger of baseball, summer, and sunshine!

It is time to start planning for 90 degree days. They may not be here for a couple of months, but they are fun to plan for.

Bring on Spring and Summer.

Home Opening Day is just a week away.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What Happened to Springtime?

A friend sent me this.

It says it all.

Phil is no longer my friend.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD