Monday Musings - July 8, 2013

1. Time passes differently while on vacation. My day is measured in terms of before the beach (BB), on the beach (OB) and after the beach (AB). I am currently BB.

2. The Boeing 777 crash in San Francisco reminded me that flying is serious business and that every passenger is responsible for knowing the emergency procedures when they fly. One other thought about the crash--God smiled on them!

3. Standing on the beach watching the waves crash on the shore I imagined that I could be standing, as I have, on many other beaches around the world.

4. I closed my eyes on the beach yesterday and heard the sound of the waves running along the beach as they came ashore.

5. Why did mortgage interest rates jump on Friday? Perhaps bankers and investors are not committed to preserving the economic recovery.

6. I am sitting watching the Today Show wondering why the exploits of the Kardashian family are getting more air time that the news of the day. Are daytime television viewers that shallow and in need of escapism?

7. I love the weather report--for the next few days, highs in the 90's, sun in the morning, passing showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon followed by more sun! OK--so there is a tropical storm in view for Thursday or Friday, that too will pass!

8. My internet connection here is frustratingly slow! Xfinity! Not so fast.

9. I like taking pictures of birds on the beach.

10. Well, it is time to head out and walk almost three miles--I want to return home after vacation still in pretty good shape and the surf has been too rough to snorkel.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

On the Beach - Jupiter

Jupiter Beach July 6, 2013

It was a busy day on the beach yesterday. There must have been 30 people in the one mile long beach that we frequent. Crowded! But, it was a holiday weekend.

Still, it was our beach. A familiar spot on the planet where the Atlantic Ocean meets the warm, even hot, sands of the beach where I can relax and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. And they did crash on the beach yesterday.

Goodyear Blimp Flying Along the Beach

I can hardly believe that July is a week old today. Wow--how quickly it has gone and although it is vacation day 3, I am already feeling stressed about the impending end of my vacation--which I have only begun to enjoy. Every great beginning, it seems, has an ending. We considered taking a last minute cruise out of Miami--but while we were deciding, the cruise sold out.

So for now--it is beach time.

We even had a brief visit from the Goodyear Blimp while we were on the beach yesterday. I always enjoy watching the Blimp fly along the beach and imagine myself riding along. There is something magical about Blimps--even though they are becoming a bit more commonplace, I still enjoy their presence.

What wonderful things will happen today?  I guess I will just have to find out for myself.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Surviving the Highway

After fifteen hours on the highway, we arrived alive at our vacation spot in Florida.

I am amazed at the number of distracted drivers on the highway. It seemed that every hour or so we had to take evasive action to help avoid another accident as a distracted driver began to weave or slide into our already occupied lane.

Invariable, each of the drivers was also holding a cell phone.

I have not been a big proponent of cell phone bans--but, after the drive yesterday I could be convinced.

The number of vehicles which sway across the lane as they drive is astounding. I just do not remember seeing so many before. I may be a bit more sensitive to it given our recent accident, but still, we actually avoided being involved in one accident when a driver started to made a lane change into us and saw two other potential accidents as drivers drove out of the driving lane and onto the shoulder. One was towing a trailer that almost went over and then they corrected their vehicle almost into the side of a a tractor trailer--just two cars in front of us.

It was scary.

I wish all roads could be like the one I found in this image. No cars and straight (almost) fun driving.

Be careful out there! Watch out for the other driver because they are not looking out for you.

Drive safe.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

On the Road

If it is Friday, then I must be in the road somewhere in North Carolina. Vacation has officially begun. It is part of the continuing Independence Day celebration where I end up on a beach in Florida.

We got off a couple hours later than planned, but are doing ok. We have dodged an attempt to run us off the road by an inattentive driver.

So far the weather has been fabulous. Cool with pretty puffy clouds. The dawn came as we were cruising through northern Virginia.

Traffic has been light and fast. The nab system indicates there are more than 10 hours remaining of the 16 hour trip.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from somewhere in North Carolina

Don't Honk, We're Geese

Driving through the local Lowe's parking lot the other day, we happened upon a strange convoy. It was not a convoy of cars or trucks heading into or out of the home improvement store planning to execute projects designed to improve the quality of our personal environments--but rather it was a convoy of geese walking unhurriedly through the parking lot.

It was last Sunday morning and Chris and I were loaded up with additional materials necessary to complete the shed project. The rain clouds were already forming and we needed to get the roof covered on the newly constructed shed. Even so, we took a few minutes to watch the procession of geese.

They walked slowly exerting their right to be in and on the parking lot. I chuckled to myself about what they might be planning to purchase at Lowe's.

As they passed, it was clear that we were helping to keep them safe by alerting other, less aware drivers to the parade.

And then, sadly, it was time to be on our way armed with a couple of images and some memories of the unhurried gaggle which had just wandered into and then out of our lives.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Holiday Weekend Begins!

Celebrate the 4th of July.

Party!

Enjoy the fireworks which commemorate the way our country began and the independence our forefathers earned.

This is also the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Was it a turning point in the Civil War? Volumes have been written about the first days of July 1863.

No matter though, it is time for celebration and a parties. This year, since the holiday is on Thursday, we effectively get a four day (plus) weekend. Enjoy the weekend and be safe.

Have some fun and take the Independence Day Trivia quiz. I took it and got 10 out of 11 correct.

I am doubly blessed because before the weekend is over, I expect to be on a beach somewhere in Florida erasing all of the stresses of life by slipping into the Atlantic Ocean surf.

It is a bit disconcerting that I am leaving for such a long time, I am just beginning to play respectable racquetball and am seeing the ball and reacting to it better than I have in a very long time. I will get to start over in August.

But how can vacation be bad?

And how can getting away from the daily grind for relaxation be bad?

Or even, getting away from the unnumbered series of house projects be bad?

It isn't.

Celebrate! Enjoy, Travel and Relax.

That is what i am going to be doing for the next few weeks.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Project Finished

The out building construction project is complete!

Finally.

Thank you again to Tina and Patrick for the help on Saturday. Without their hard work--it would not yet be complete.

I cannot believe how hard it was to get it done and finish all of the small details--like the shutters next to the window. Even getting the locks aligned was no fun--nor driving screws into blind places.

It still requires painting--note all of the bare wood trim, but that will wait until we return from Florida. Hopefully the wood boring insects will not eat it by then.

Even the lock on the door was problematic. I think I placed it a bit too high and I had to put a top in place to keep the clasp from breaking the window when the left door flings open.

Although it is not yet occupied, it is ready for the overflow form the garage to make room for the new highlander, a/k/a/ Cleo.

I still need a ramp to get the tractor into the building, but that should not be too difficult.

The roof was a lot of fun. As many of you know, I installed the roof system on Sunday between rainstorms. I hate working on roofs, but I overcame my irrational fear of sliding off a roof and got the job done. I just had to put on my big boy pants and do it!

I wonder what the next DIY project will be?

Hmmmm.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 1, 2013

1. OK, it is here. Let's have a great blast off for July 2013.

2. Abuse of power? What would you do if seven people assaulted you in a dark parking lot? Read about the University of Virginia student jailed for possessing water. Although they don't want to admit it, ;aw enforcement went too far.

3. Enough of Paula Deen. Everyone makes mistakes why have we become such an intolerant society? And not only are we intolerant, we have become vindictive.

4. Independence Day is later this week and then it is off to Florida for beach, sun, snorkeling and recharging after a really trying and stressful project filled June.

5. Who knew that constructing a simple shed was such a complex and lengthy project?

6,. Writing of my shed, I was cautioned that it was OK to call it an out building, but I probably shouldn't call it an out house. LOL.

7. If you are traveling over the 4th--be safe. If you are staying home--be safe, especially if you are planning backyard activities.

8. For all of my friends and family who remain Yankee supporters, all I can say is: "Sweeps are a beautiful thing."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Construction Continues Through the Heat of the Day

Who knew that constructing a storage shed was such a complicated and demanding project?

I certainly didn't. And I'm betting that Tina and Patrick, who spent their entire Saturday helping Chris and I construct the shed, did not understand the tortuous complexity of the project either.

The day was sunny and hot! Hot being the operative word. Thankfully, we kept ourselves well hydrated and so no dehydration ailments occurred. We worked steady but not frantic. It was nice when we finally transitioned from constructing walls in the hot driveway to constructing the shed in the relative shade of the yard.

As we ended construction work for the day, about 6pm, the shed was well on its way to completion, but still lacking a few critical items like doors, a window, and of course the roofing system. Isn't it amazing that I have begun to talk about a roofing system and not just slapping some shingles on the roof to keep the rain out?

Amazingly, the building took shape from a relatively small pallet of materials. Everything was precut--which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it simplified the construction and a curse when we could not find some of the pieces. Specifically, two smallish trim pieces which became critical components could not be found for some time and we continued on without them--until they were discovered, of all places, inside the folded door panels.

But the shed is taking shape--I think I will call it the "out building" just to be different.

Today, hopefully, we can finish the building and begin moving stuff into it. I also need to build a ramp for the mower to get into and out of the out building. We will paint it when we return from Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Our Humans Have Abandoned us

Florence, Makayla, Jeff, Ben, Chewie watching us eat dinner

The kids are away this evening and Chris and i are watching all of the family's canines. That made dinner a bit problematic--and so we invited them all outside while we ate inside. After being outside all day building our shed, we needed some air conditioned comfort.

There are just too many of them and some of them do not have acceptable dinner manners--they are a bit too forward in helping us eat.

So--there they are--the doggies in the window.

I was reminded of a song we used to sing when I was a kid, on the soon to be restored player piano at my great grandmother's house. It was How Much is that Doggie in the Window? and it was truly one of my favorite songs to sing along with on the player piano.

Makayla, Jeff, Ben, Chewie

The chorus went like this:

How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)

The one with the waggley tail

How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)

I do hope that doggie's for sale

These doggies are not for sale, but they are certainly cute in the windows on the deck.

We did let them in as soon as dinner was over and they were most happy.

--  Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD