Monday Musings - May 6, 2013

1. A dual holiday weekend has passed into the history books: May the 4th Be With You (Saturday, get it?) was the first and Cinco de Mayo (Sunday) was the second holiday celebrated..

2. Sunday was a crazy day--I was in Frederick for the Running Festival by 6:20 AM, working on the pool by noon, in a theater watching Iron Man 3 by 2:30 and then off to Wegman's for groceries.

3. Now that the pool is open, when can I go swimming.

4. The weather for the week ahead looks to be cold and rainy, again!

5. The weekend was good for my sports teams: The Orioles win two and the Pens win one. The Orioles finished an 11 game road trip  with 7 wins against 4 losses!

6. I am in sports purgatory today--none of my teams is playing.

7. On this date in 1626, what is Manhattan Island was bought by the Dutch from the Indians for a few trinkets. What a difference 400 years makes.

8. This summer promises to be a big movie summer. There are too many movies coming out to be able to see them and still enjoy summer.

9. I took Cat, my car, in for an oil change the other day and they asked me if I was getting any streaking from the windshield wipers when it rains. I told them, I don't know, I don't drive it in the rain. They decided the windshield wipers were fine.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Just Add Summer

Yesterday's pool opening was a success--the pool is open, although not yet swimmable. I expect the pool to be balances, clear, and ready for swimming in a couple of days.

The only thing missing is summer. Or at least temperatures in the 80's.

I proved that I still have it--able to push 80 or so pounds of pool cover over my head, up a rickety attic ladder system and into the storage area in above the pool house.  For the last time! Next year I am going to rig a pulley system. I nearly fell off the ladder twice, drew blood on my shin, and had there been an OSHA inspector in the vicinity, I would have been shut down.

It is good to have the back yard view of water in anticipation of fun rather than the pool cover which signals that the fun has expired.

It was a good day to do this activity--just warm enough to wear shorts and get a sunburn, but not so hot that I was sweating.

Still--after opening the pool part of me wants to jump in the 50 something degree water.

Time is coming--all we need is sun, summer, and high temperatures.

Bring it on!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pool Opening Saturday

It has finally arrived. The day which officially marks the beginning of the summer side of springtime--pool opening Saturday.

By the end of the day the cover will be off and the pool will be open, although not swimmable.

Already, beneath the cover which shimmers in the morning light casting across it, the pump has been reconnected and water is already circulating to begin bringing the chemical mix up to the proper balance. What really remains is the hard part--removing and storing the cover and cleaning the pool of the debris accumulated in the seven months since the pool was last used.

The chemicals are in place and ready--the call of summer is present with me. Just a few more hours of work. I'm glad I got the piping and pump reconnected yesterday--that will make today a bit easier.

All we need now are warmer temperatures--bring on the sunshine!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And Coming to the Plate is . . .

Jackson Hamming for the Camera

T-ball is a fascinating variation of baseball. The object of the game is to teach youngsters the rules of the game and to hook them on the excitement of watching their heroes play--which is a bit easier when living in a town which actually has a major league baseball team like Baltimore does.

Jackson gets a Hit

Wearing the gear, stepping to the plate, making the run to first--I remember all of those things, mostly fondly. I admit, though, that I had forgotten how much progress the players make from day to day. Out team has transitioned from hitting only off the "T" into hitting pitched tossed by the coach.

Last evening was our first game where they hit pitches coming from the coach. And they did great. Every one of them had at least two innings where they made it to base by hitting from the coach and not off the T.

But the game went long! An hour and a half.

But the thrill when they hit a fair ball was evident in all of them. Problem was, they wanted to stand at the plate and watch it.

Not the approved approach to the game, but given the raggedy fielding it really didn't matter. Although, our team made three outs during one inning! All of them unassisted to our first baseman!

Ah, but what a hit it was! I can almost imagine some Orioles of old admiring their game winning shot in the bottom of the ninth!

Baseball! I am reminded of a statement that Yogi Berra made about Little League baseball, and while this isn't Little League, you'll get the idea:

Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.

And in my case, grandparents, too.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hockey, Playoffs, and the Next Season

The hockey season that almost wasn't has transitioned into its second half--the playoffs. Believe it or not, after 48 regular season games we now get to work through two months of playoffs until Lord Stanley's Cup is finally hoisted by the winners of it all.

Yes, I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I have been for a very long time. I am hopeful that I will get the chance to attend a Washington Capitals game late in the playoffs if the Pens survive.

Last evening was the Pens first playoff game and the started off with a 5-0 win. It is a sure sign that Spring is here when the NHL gets into the playoffs.

I was asked recently, why I don't follow the local hockey team.  That was an easy answer--Baltimore does not have a hockey team. If Baltimore had a hockey team, I probably would eventually become a fan as I would attend games and it is easier to root for the home team than constantly against them. Although, I have no problems rooting against the Capitals when I go to those games, although, usually there are almost as many Penguins fans in attendance as Capitals fans.

Bring on the playoffs!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Springtime and Gardens

Something there is that doesn't love a wall, 
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, 
And spills the upper boulders in the sun, 
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. 
-- from Mending Wall by Robert Frost

In my case--it is water flowing off the driveway that doesn't like my lawn. During the past year in one area the grass has been washed away and a small ditch has been cut by the rushing water. 

What to do? Plant more grass, try to divert the water and hope for the best. Sadly, it is a very shady spot and growing grass is probably not an option.  The spot is along a fence next to the driveway and had always been a problem. So this year the answer is to plant a garden and provide a rocky channel to reduce the force of the run off and stem the erosion.

This garden is adorned with ugly utility boxes--just to add to the ambiance.  And shade--lot's of shade. Most plants being sold right now require 6 or more hours of full sun per day. This garden gets one or two.

I must be getting old. I am beginning to appreciate gardens more and more. It seems that the older people get the more they talk about and consider their gardens and dream of retirement. I'm not sure that gardens and retirement are in any way linked except interest in both increases as we get older.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Legends, Memories, and Life Well Lived

A month or so ago, I wrote in a blog titled Zillbilly Losing Battle to Cancer,  that the usher who had created a unique persona at Orioles games to entertain the fans, was afflicted with stage four lung cancer.

Charlie Zill, that man who served the fans as an usher at Orioles games for 17 years, died over the weekend as reported by the Baltimore Sun. I also received a personal note from a family member as a comment to my blog about Charlie to let me know the news.

I was honored to have witnessed Charlie's rendition of Zillbilly. If you remember, the Orioles suffered through some 14 losing seasons and so often, his antics during the seventh inning stretch were the only thing to enjoy during some of those long losses that mounted against the Orioles during those years.

I remember looking over to section 244 from wherever I was in the stadium to see Charlie bring Zillbilly to life. I always smiled at his enthusiasm and creativity.

I was fortunate to be at Charlie's last game last week when the Orioles honored him. I remembered that he had wanted to see one more game and I enjoyed the seventh inning during John Denver's Country Boy when he reprised Zillbilly for the last time. Many in the stadium did not fully understand the legend of the man being honored that evening--but I did. And I was happy for him to be able to attend one last Orioles game.

Charlie--thanks for the memories.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 29, 2013

1. April is almost over and springtime still is not assured.

2. Death and taxes are the only things we are assured of. Too bad we cannot reduce taxes.

3. Weather is changeable. The best weather forecast I've ever found is to look out the window to see what's happening outside.

4. When it rains it pours.

5. On this day in 1429, Joan of Arc lead Orleans of France to victory over the English.

6. Sunny days allow for more fun than rainy weather.

7. Wine is the elixir of life. Drink and be merry.

8. Baseball, lacrosse, and afternoons enjoying family. What could be better?

9. Sundays spent with family. That is what it is about, right?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

"No New Taxes!" -- The dream and the reality

I remember those words uttered by then President George Bush (the first) which came back to haunt him when he actually had to raise taxes.

What I don't understand is that cry had changed for of our governmental bodies. Now I am hearing at every level of government our elected officials crying for "Let's find new taxes!".

Truly, I have heard about special taxes for certain sizes of soda, on square footage of billboards, and even now a new tax on rain, yes a Rain Tax--to name just a few. In addition to new taxes, I am being confronted with increased taxes on gasoline and even internet purchases and nearly every other of category in which I am taxed. Maryland already has a wine tax which is 3 percent higher than the sales tax.

Everywhere I look--taxes are increasing. And there are taxes on taxes, too.

What isn't increasing? My income.

At some point taxes are going to outstrip the ability to pay them. And the problem is that new taxes are everywhere and on everything.

The only good thing about new and increasing taxes?

I can't think of any thing good about increased taxes except they may be tax deductible--but by then the damage is done.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It Will Be Better--I Promise

Geraniums out my Window on the Back Deck

Some promises seem empty.

Everyone who reads my blog knows how much I look forward to Springtime and rebirth and the world coming alive after the dark days of Winter.

And now, effectively, I am a prisoner I my house and cannot enjoy outdoors activities.

Why?

Allergies! I am in the middle of the worst allergy attack of my life. I am so miserable that I don't even want to be around myself let alone other people having to listen to me sneeze and cough, and sniffle. Yuck! To all of you who have put up with me thus far--I'm sorry. You have my admiration for not sending me off away from you.

My allergist promised this season would be better. It's not, it's the the worst. I'm totally demoralized. I have been getting shots at least weekly since June of last year.

We are going to have a short conversation during my newly scheduled Monday appointment--I'm going to say it's not working. I am miserable. I need the good stuff--if there is any good stuff? Claritin, Benadryl, and some nose spray are just not getting the job done.

Ugh!

Maybe it will rain and cleanse the air of all of the bad stuff.

But I like the sunshine!

I'm so conflicted right now. Looking out of my window, I want to be outside and not worry aobut the consequences.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD