Turning on a Call

It is amazing how life can change with a single phone call.

Communication of news--good or bad, can cause a lot of actions and associated reactions.

Life changes so quickly. Expectations. Plans.

Yesterday was one of those days that are just hard. The news was unexpected and hard to accept. It caused me to dig deep in my  faith and to provide support for those who are hurting.

Love was demonstrated by my family more than I can imagine. There was nothing easy to say--but there are heroes. One hero that I know has demonstrated nothing but perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds and three years of perpetual bad news. 

I was reminded of these words from Job after he had lost everything of value:

2:11 When Job’s three friends heard about all this calamity that had happened to him, each of them came from his own country  – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.  They met together  to come to show sympathy  for him and to console him. 2:12 But when they gazed intently from a distance but did not recognize him, they began to weep loudly. Each of them tore his robes, and they threw dust into the air over their heads.  2:13 Then they sat down with him on the groundfor seven days and seven nights, yet no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain  was very great.

I do not know, nor do I pretend to know the answer to the question why. From Job, I have learned that sometimes, the right thing to say is nothing at all, and just being there in silence is the right call.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Lounging in the Sunbeam

Riordin and Louis in a Sunbeam

I sometimes wonder what my cats do when I'm not around. 

The other day I caught them--lounging together in a sunbeam. Louis always seems to sleep on his back, but he looks comfortable. Riordin is more modest and never sprawls on his back.

I'm actually very jealous. I wish I could take time out and just lay in a sunbeam. Even for five minutes.

It was good to catch them at rest. Literally. 

I think I'll take a nap when I get home tonight after work and dream of being warm in a sunbeam--especially after the cold day.

Warmer weather may be coming, soon! More warmth and more sunbeams to warm me up.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Winter's Continuing Gasp

After teasing me with near 70 degree temperatures, today is cold, 23 degrees. Ugh.

I thought Springtime had arrived, but it seems the rodent in PA was correct. Winter is going to hang on for all of its six more weeks.

I had hoped that after I was able to take Cat out for a road excursion that Springtime would be in full swing. 

I attended a home and garden show on Sunday where I found this awesome orchid. I was hoping for Springtime and flowers to arrive and begin to transform the barren landscape. My crocus are beginning to push through in the yard--but another round of winter lies ahead, apparently.

Despite the cold and the rain and even the threat of snow for next week, I know that Springtime is coming. I am sure of that. Even though I cannot see it, I know it is coming.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cat Stretches it Legs--Springtime is Coming

Cat with the Top Down

One of the surest signs of Spring is when Cat comes out of the garage and takes a stroll on the highway.

It happened yesterday. I drove Cat to work and was able to drive home with the top down. I wish I could have driven like my hair had been on fire, but the traffic was a bit heavy.

The temperatures were in the mid- to high-sixties and although the day was overcast, it was definitely freeing to drive home with the wind in my hair. 

The day was such a reversal from even last week when the highs were in the 30's and on one morning the low was 4 degrees. 

The image on the right shows my two primary vehicles--my winter and bad weather truck is in the back. It has been carrying the load these last five months. But, hopefully, Cat is ready to purr and take over the daily commute duties.

Now, if only the weather cooperates.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Taste of Springtime

How do I know when Springtime has arrived? 

Signs--I see the signs. 

I noticed some of them yesterday. 

For instance, despite the incredible cold weather the tulip poplars are beginning to bud as are many other trees and shrubs. Flowers are beginning to poke their heads above the ground again to start the growing and flowering process.

But one of the sure signs of Springtime is when I willingly head out to the grill to prepare dinner and I don't need to bundle into a heavy coat for protection from the cold. Last evening, that sign arrived. I cooked on the grill and did not have to bundle against the cold. While it was only in the 50's, I can tell that Spring is coming. 

It has been almost six weeks since the Pennsylvania rodent, who shall remain nameless, forecast six more weeks of Winter. It is time for the seasonal change to begin if his forecast is true.

And it has. Today is forecast to reach 68 degrees. Tomorrow is forecast for 70! OK, Thursday's high is set for 32 degrees--but at least the general trend is in the right direction.

And what direction is that? 

In my book, that direction is for beach weather! Break out the swimming suits and sunscreen.

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 10, 2014

1. March has arrived and now in its second week, maybe some signs of Spring will be found, soon.

2. During a birthday celebration last week, I overheard a my daughter tell Jackson, as he was leaning in close to blow out the candles on the birthday cake, not to kiss the candle because the relationship would never work out.

3. It is amazing was a few hours at the groomers will do for Makayla--she looks like a completely different dog. Actually, she looks more like a Norwegian Elkhound than a Keeshond.

4. Why does it seem that although I have access to more TV channels, I am finding less to watch? I am beginning to watch baseball games and hockey matches between teams I don't care about just to find something to watch. 

5. I'm looking forward to getting to Sarasota in a few weeks for Spring Training--at least it will be warm there.

6. In an effort to accelerate the arrival of Springtime, we went to the Maryland Home and Garden Show yesterday. It was great to walk among the flowers and displays imagining things that we cannot afford. But, we also found some perfect furnishings as we continue our home makeover.

7. It was really hard to get out of bed on this first Monday after Daylight Savings Time stole and hour from me.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Chasing Leprechauns

Ethan with his Leprechaun Trap

It is the time of year when thoughts turn to St Patrick Day, which is next week, and leprechauns.

My oldest grandson sets a leprechaun trap every year in an attempt to capture one of the elusive creatures and claim his pot of gold. It has become an annual event with Ethan developing a new and more creative trap every year and the leprechaun eluding capture, but leaving behind some treasure for his efforts.

It is a classic case of the chaser and the prey--except, much like the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, the prey outwits the chaser every time. The coyote never could capture the roadrunner, either.

Ethan is employing a new tactic this year. He is has already set-up the trap, rather than waiting St Patrick's Eve, and is moving locations hoping to both lure and capture the leprechaun while he is reconnoitering the area. The bait? Lucky Charms, of course.

Good luck Ethan--I just hope you share some of the pot of gold with me when you finally capture that elusive leprechaun.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Springing Forward

It is coming, making its annual appearance to deprive nearly everyone in the United States of an hour of sleep. Tonight!

It is the Spring Forward into Daylight Savings time. Tonight, I lose an hour of sleep and it throws me off for about a week. 

But I do look forward to the arrival of Spring in the form of Daylight Savings Time. Only this year, Spring seems to be staying on holiday.

I have a few questions about the time savings: Where does the time go? Can I draw on it later? Does it gain interest? Why do I have to start driving to work in the dark again? Will the green grass return?

I look forward to tomorrow when I will look into the faces of the other church goers on the morning after the shorter night before. We will all have that bleary-eyed, self-satisfied look that says, yup, I remembered and I was able to drag my carcass out of bed an hour earlier to make it to church on time. 

At least this morning the temperature was 28 degrees, 24 degrees warmer than Tuesday morning. That is a positive sign. Maybe Spring will make an appearance soon after I save some daylight.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Great Military Commanders Responses in the Face of Adversity

I love the story of the American commander, General Anthony McAuliffe,  commander of the 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the Germans at Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the bulge during late 1944 who responded to the German ultimatum for surrender with a single word: "Nuts." I have found another similar response which should be remembered, not for its shortness, but its eloquence.

I have been following with great interest the current situation in the Crimea which Russian forces have, without provocation, have decided to occupy. 

The LA Times reported an exchange between the commanding admiral of the Russian fleet and the Ukrainian naval base commander. The story, as reported goes as follows:

A Ukrainian navy sailor looks at the scuttled Russian ship
from the Black Sea shore. Photo: AP

Earlier in the week, the commander of the Russian Black Sea fleet, Adm. Alexander Vitko, visited Ukraine’s South Base, according to the deputy base commander, Capt. Viktor Shmiganovsky. 

“He asked me to invite all the officers and suggested that we collectively take up the Russian military allegiance oath and become part of the Black Sea fleet … promising good pay and a bright future,” Shmiganovsky said in an interview. “He insisted we do that to help protect Ukraine from extremist gangs.”

The officer said his boss, the base commander, retorted: “Comrade admiral, we didn't see any extremist gangs here until you came with your men.” He said the admiral left “in a rage.”

I really think this response says it all. Comrade Admiral--is a direct reference to the days of the oppressive Soviet Union. 

In response, the Russians sank a derelict vessel to trap the Ukrainian navy in its port. 

But the response was elegant and complete.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hump Day Phenomena Affects Birthdays

Wednesday has become Hump Day. Actually it had been hump day for a long time, but the recent advertisements by a camel in an auto insurance commercial have cemented Wednesday as Hump Day and especially if your name happens to be Mike.

Coincidentally, Jackson's actual birthday fell on Hump Day this year. He was rewarded for this chance happening by having a creative birthday cake designed and baked by his mother. 

I found this cake to be very creative in its simplicity and beauty. Direct and to the point. It also tasted great--a four layer chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and fondant. Mmm.

The birthday boy (and his brother) also wore Hump Day T-shirts to commemorate the day.  Sadly, I didn't get a good picture of them in the shirts to remember the day. I need one of these shirts!

It was all in good fun and I do appreciate how the image of the camel has been transformed from a cigarette advertisement into a more family oriented symbol ringing in the middle day of the week.

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Jackson and to everyone who has a birthday on Wednesday this year, may your year always be on the upswing and not the downslide side of the hump.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD