The Gardens Grow so Quickly

I took a quick tour of the gardens even as it was raining yesterday and was amazed by the bleeding hearts. They have grown from almost nothing into thriving plants complete with blooms in less than two weeks. Despite the cold weather and rains, they continue to grow.

I am encouraged by their growth because I enjoy the bleeding hearts in my gardens. They are definitely springtime plants, but the speed at which they grow is also encouraging. 

Although I am definitely a summertime person, I appreciate the rebirth of life that abounds during the springtime. I recall Sunday morning, looking out the window an seeing three rabbits playing--OK, it looked like they were playing, in the yard in upstate NY. They were running around the yard chasing each other similar to the way that children play. I can imagine they were enjoying the more moderate springtime temperatures, in the low 40's that we were experiencing that morning.

Each new day brings new joys to discover. And yes, the lawn still needs to be mowed, it was raining yesterday when I had time to actually accomplish the second mowing of the year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Grass Needs to be Mowed

Well, I wished it upon myself. I was waiting for the grass to green up so that I could mow it for the first time and enjoy riding my tractor around the yard. 

Be careful what you wish for because it may come true. 

I looked last evening and I noticed that the grass needs to be mowed again--just a short week after my first triumphant ride across the lawn on my tractor!

Somehow it already doesn't feel like a victory.  But it is springtime and the lawns need to be mowed and cared for. That is why I put fertilizer on the lawn--to make it green so that I could mow it. 

But I have been so busy lately, I haven't even had much time to enjoy the greening of the lawn before I need to rev up the tractor again.

As I was heading out last evening, I noticed that many of my neighbors were also mowing their lawns--it is that time. The trees are green and the lawns are growing.

That is a good thing. 

The weeping cherry was beautiful, as expected. I do miss my plum trees which died last year--they would have been full of blooms as well. But, there are a few dogwoods blooming in their place.

It appears that all of my favorite friends are recovering from winter's grasp.

Yay!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 21, 2014

1. Happy Easter Monday, be sure to enjoy the White House egg roll.

2. It has been a rough weekend and, amazingly,  Easter happened despite everything else going on.

3. I was surprised at how springtime has happened in Maryland but not yet un upstate NY. It was nice to watch springtime return as I traveled farther south yesterday. 

4. Sleep is overrated.

5. Faith is what gets us through the times when we can't see the way.

6. On this date in 1836, the Texas army under the command of Sam Houston defeated the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto. 

7. Computers can be very frustrating. I was trying to install new software and I couldn't get it to run properly! Ugh!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Easter Mercy from Iran

Happy Easter!

As most of my readers probably understand, my celebration is a bit muted this year. But, it is because of Easter that my faith continues strong despite the deep unanswerable questions that confront me.

While reading the news the other day, I ran across an act of mercy from an unlikely country, Iran. I call it Easter mercy, although I know that Iranians don't celebrate Easter.

The situation was that a young 18 year-old Iranian man was to be executed for murder. He was sentenced to be hanged for his crime.  The victim's mother pardoned the killer and stopped the execution while the noose was around the condemned man's neck. You can read the full story in Sky News.

The story resonated with me because like the condemned man in Iran, I too deserve to die for my sins. But, the good news is that because of Easter my sins are forgiven.

If people could forgive each other in the same way that God has forgiven us, what a great planet this would be to live on!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Outpouring of Love

Troy

I was up early this morning, about 5 AM. I looked out the window and saw the first signs of the day. It was an early morning scene filled by deep red hues and silhouetted hills on the east side of Cayuga Lake.

It was a surreal scene. I was thinking about Troy and Easter and resurrection and eternal life. No wonder I couldn't sleep. My mind just kept turning over the events of the past week and how quickly things had changed.

I checked the Ithaca Journal on line for Troy's obituary. The outpouring of love for Troy has been astounding and I am constantly amazed by the entries on his Facebook page from his friends. 

The images in this blog were posted by some of his friends.

The comments on his page are even more telling and not just from peers, but from teachers as well. His infectious personality affected everyone he met.

I have made up my mind not to talk about him in the past tense--but in the present because he still lives. Not just in my mind and heart, or the minds and hearts of everyone who knew him, but he lives eternally at a new address. It's just I can't phone him right now.

The last couple of lines from his obituary provide some information that some of my friends have asked for and so I will copy it here--but I urge you to click the link above and read about the wonderfully full life of my extraordinary nephew.

Excerpt from the Ithaca Journal, April 19, 2014:

We were blessed to have him in our life, but are deeply saddened by his passing at such an early age, with so many things left he wanted to experience. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00PM at the Danby Federated Church, 1859 Danby Road, Danby NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a scholarship fund which will be set up in memory of Troy at Ithaca High School. Donations to the Troy Whittemore Memorial Scholarship can be sent in c/o Mike Kasel at 320 Elm Street, Ithaca NY 14850. 


-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

The Battle is Over and the Survivors Remain

Troy with Lucas last weekend

Many of you know that my 23 year old nephew Troy has been fighting valiantly against cancer. The end came suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday and has left a gaping hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him--his family, friends, and the healthcare professionals who worked with him.

It was just last Sunday, five days ago, that he and his mom were at my house on their way home from the Master's Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, where he was able to attend the opening round. I had no indication then as they pulled out of the driveway that it would be the last time that I would hug him and tell him that I loved him.

There is a huge hole in my heart.

I always believed that he would beat the evil illness that was trying to kill him from within.

Last Saturday I officiated at the wedding of my best friends and a week from tomorrow I will be attending Troy's memorial service. It is surreal.

Troy (on right) and his family with Derek Jeter last year

I am mad that the doctors couldn't heal Troy. I am mad that science has not figured out how to cure this terrible plague on humanity despite the billions of dollars that it has consumed.

I want to do something--I want to change the culture among young men so that we can talk about private things more openly--like Testicular Cancer. How many other young men must suffer and die before we can overcome the social taboos and begin to save lives? 

I was thinking of an Easter Hymn--The Strife is O'er, the Battle Won, I don't know why, during the six hour drive from Baltimore to Ithaca yesterday. Maybe it is because it is the Easter season and today is Good Friday when our Savior died for our sins and to give us eternal life. 

Some of the Lyrics are as follows:

Nicole and Troy many years ago

The strife is o'er, the battle done,
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.

The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed:
let shout of holy joy outburst.
Troy's three year plus battle is over and while he is no longer with us, I am convinced that he won the battle. He demonstrated grace and incredible maturity and resilience at every step of the way. I watched him grow from a boy into a man. We who remain behind are scarred; there is a big hole in our lives. But my memories of him are real and keep him alive to me.

I know that Troy still lives because I believe in eternal life. I know, in my head, that his pain and suffering have been taken away. But because Troy no longer walks among us I cry.  We have lost someone that cannot be replaced--a unique man with incredible promise and abilities. He has walked across the bridge from life into eternal life and although I cannot see him and talk to him anymore--he is alive in my heart and I will see him again, someday.

As I once heard a very wise man say, he has a new address in his forever home and while I can't text him on my cell anymore--he will be there when I finally take up residence in my forever home.

I still cannot believe that he is gone--but he will never be forgotten.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

The Race for Maryland's Governor

The advertisements and campaigning have begin in earnest for this November's election. Maryland will get a new governor. The O'Malley tenure will finally come to an end, but sadly, I'm not sure, from what I've seen so far, that the ineptitude in the State House will come to an end.

The Maryland Minority Report highlights some of the abuses of power that the majority party continues to inflict upon the residents of the state. For me, I would like to see a flat income tax--period. Everyone contributes to support the state and the services they receive. Why is that bad?

Maryland politics needs a thorough house cleaning, from top to bottom. With the just ended legislative season I was appalled at by the statement of many delegates as they remarks---we didn't raise taxes, but we reduced deductions. Really? What is the difference? I lose more of my take home pay to support the bloated spending in Annapolis. 

Bottom line is that I need to see some concrete proposals from the candidates as to how to relieve the tax burden and become a thriftier state in terms of budget. 

So far--only platitudes about supporting the disabled and what the candidates did in their prior lives before politics. Let's get real--the state needs leadership to get out of the budgetary abyss that it is falling into and which is threatening the industrial base as well as the livelihood of everyone who lives here.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Break 2014

It finally arrived yesterday, Spring Break. After a whirlwind trip to Denver, I was able to join Chris for a week off of house projects and other activities around the house. Some call it Spring Cleaning. Sadly, though, I brought the cold weather back with me from Denver and this morning has dawned clear and cold at 31 degrees.

Weeping Cherry 2014

I am glad that I have not planned a lot of outside activities for today until it warms back up a bit. I had thought about a baseball game, but I am not sure I really want to brave the cold to watch baseball. 

The flowering trees around the area remind me of how beautiful springtime is with the trees looking like snow cones on a trunk alongside the highway. Even my weeping cherry is breaking into blossom in response to the warmer temperatures and longer sunshine. Except for the below freezing temperatures, this is a great time of year because the scenery changes day-by-day as more and more plants begin the wake up process from their winter slumber.

Leaves coming on the trees

I noticed green leaves finally coming on many of the trees yesterday as well during the torrential rains which definitely exceeded the whole concept of April showers bringing the May flowers. 

I am excited that summer is getting closer, but I definitely want to enjoy the springtime this year as well. The winter was tough and it is making the prospect of springtime all the more appealing. 

Bring on the sun and fun! Soon, please.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, April 2014

Out the Hotel Window

Penance! That is what it was. 

I had to pay for the glorious weekend that I enjoyed in Baltimore including days of temperatures above 80 degrees.

And so on Sunday evening I flew to Denver and was greeted by a blinding snow storm and temperatures of about 25 degrees. I left Baltimore in a shirt sleeves and had to pull my winter coat out of my suitcase before deplaning in Denver.

The dawn, while beautiful, was snow covered. And cold! I am ready for this kind of weather to be gone. Forever gone. Well, at least until December or next January.

Later that same day at the airport

It was definitely not the D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival. The roads were icy in the morning and reminded me of everything I do NOT miss about Winter.

The good news is that the snow melted and was gone by the afternoon. Yay. Although, there is more snow in their forecast. Happily, I won't be around to enjoy it.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado while waiting at the airport

Monday Musings - April 14, 2014

Ethan Opening Gifts

1. My reward for enjoying 80 degree temperatures this past weekend was flying into a snowstorm last evening and going back to 20 degree temps.

2. Birthday celebrations can be overwhelming. I think Ethan was a bit overwhelmed yesterday celebrating his birthday.

Lucas, Chris, and the Tractor

3. I was able to mow the lawn for the first time during 2014 yesterday. I was very excited and I was able to enjoy some quality time with Lucas as well. Little boys love riding on tractors.

4. It is funny how different people are when it comes to driving routes. I like the get there the fastest route, but others like the stay away from the big city routes. It is great that we can all get along and drive the paths we choose.

Mary and Fran and Me at the Wedding

5.  Two of my best friends got married this weekend, and it was fun to see them so happy. I need to spend more time enjoying being happy.

6. I like wifi on planes, it makes the time go faster.

7. Kitty is officially for sale on auto trader. It will be hard to let the old car go.

8. Overheard at the birthday party as the gifts were being opened: "Don't give it to gramma."

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO