Rehabilitation Begins

The pool reconstruction project is underway--well at least it has begin. When I finally made it home yesterday, I found most of the water in my pool drained in preparation for the make-over.

My pool is 21 years old and in definite need of a make-over. It is showing its age and has lost its fun loving appearance. I know that it has experienced many years of fun in the sun and hosted countless parties, but after the difficult and very cold winter, the need for a reconstruction became very apparent. 

I am excited that soon the pool will be restored to its original splendor.  We often refer to our back yard as our private resort.

Last evening it was really strange to be sitting in the pool and dry. I was amazed at how steep the stairs are and how different everything seems without the water. 

I guess it makes the point that, for fun, just add water!

Hopefully, by the time I get home tonight, most of the demolition will be completed and the reconstruction will be underway--it is very sad to look at an empty pool and imagine what should be happening.

Even Riordin took a moment to check out the activity from the safety of the edge. 

Actually, I am pretty happy with how things look below the waterline. 

It is above the waterline that has suffered the most from the recent extreme winter.

Soon the water and then the fun will return!

And the sound of bodies jumping into the water will be heard again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 9, 2014

1. June 6, 1944--D Day. I cannot believe that it was 70 years ago. To the kids in school today it must seem like ancient history, almost like studying the Romans and the Greeks. But it isn't--much of our world is still shaped by that results of what began on that day.

2. When someone gives you permission to do something that you want to do, don't stand around waiting for them to change their mind.

3. Annual events help me make my way through the year. For instance, I have already begun planning our 4th of July Celebration, even though it is still almost month away. I don't really want it to arrive because it means that the summer is passing--but I do enjoy the festivities.

4. Pool rehab is slated to begin today. When it os over, hopefully my pool will be restored to its former elegance.

5. Morning seemed to come too quickly today. Can I get a do over of the night?

6. When the sunshine gives way to rain, my spirit seems to fall a bit longing for the sunshine and forgetting that the rain helps me remember how much I enjoy the fun that the sun brings.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Chrome Comes up Short

California Chrome
Being Stepped on By Matterhorn

A horse, a race, and an unsatisfactory ending. It was a thrilling chance for history and to end the Triple Crown drought--but alas, California Chrome did not have enough gas in his tank to overcome the leaders and claim the first Triple Crown in 36 years.

I had hoped to cheer for a winner.

I liked this gritty horse and its unlikely owners. 

I wanted a Triple Crown winner. I liked this horse and the story behind him. 

California Chrome in Purple and Green Silks

I was looking forward to a resurgence of a sport which is continuing to fall into irrelevancy with the exception of a few major events.

Chrome's Hoof after the Race

I saw the similarities to other Triple Crown winners, but in my heart I knew from the start that despite being the favorite the odds were clearly stacked against California Chrome.

Did he get stepped at the start of the race and did that cause him to run "flat" as his jockey reported? Who knows? But, victory was not to be had yesterday and we remain searching for the next great race horse to capture the Triple Crown and join the eleven greatest race horses of all time which include Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Citation, and War Admiral among others.

Maybe next year, a winner will emerge from the Run for the Roses who again will capture our hearts and become the next Triple Crown winner. For now, we are left with the what could have beens and the joy and excitement of he almost did it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Traffic in Baltimore . . .

I had an experience yesterday. It centered around enjoying Baltimore afternoon traffic. It was not a good experience.

Baltimore, apparently, is one of those cities that continuously strives to confuse traffic patterns and drivers thereby snarling traffic for no apparent good reason. 

During my afternoon sojourn into the city, I experienced random lane closures which were responsible for a horrific accident which saw the back end of a car removed from the frame by a large tanker truck. I did not take an image of the accident because I was driving.

But as if that was not enough, on another of the major arteries into the city, Howard Street, lanes are closed and side streets randomly closed to accommodate construction of a larger than life casino. This situation turns the Baltimore-Washinton Parkway into a parking lot for the last miles as it empties into the city.

In my case, a trip that used to take 15 minutes, now needs 45 to ensure an on time arrival. And that, sadly, is not all!

I-95 leaving the city is fraught with lane closures which snarl even the lightest traffic into a maddeningly slow event trying to escape the city and return to the relative sanity of suburbia. 

And to complicate matters last evening, the closure of Interstate 70--yes a whole interstate due to emergency bridge repairs, left travelers stranded in with few options to get home.

Three major arteries into and out of the city: The Parkway, I-95, and I-70 were closed or restricted yesterday and for the near future. RECOMMENDATION: Avoid Baltimore or get a hotel room!

I have experienced insane traffic planning and patterns in other cities--for instance Ithaca, NY, but never on a scale like Baltimore.

The traffic in Baltimore is terrible.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Target for a Great Afternoon

My Floatie in the Pool, Waiting

There it was--freshly placed into the pool and reach for immediate occupancy. An anticipated source of relaxation and enjoyment. 

The afternoon was hot--which has been unusual this year. The temperatures were pleasantly in the almost mid-80's and the water was clear.

Time to enjoy the pool!

Diving into the cool water was a freeing experience. Floating, suspended weightless for the length of a breath of air was exhilarating. Even for the few moments suspended below the surface--I was surrounded and supported.  Then, to the surface and into the floatie for a few scarce minutes of relaxation. 

Beginning next week, my 21 year old pool will be undergoing a major maintenance project. It is showing its age and needs to be restored to its former elegance and functionality.  Yes, I am tired of reattaching tiles to the walls and picking up places of plaster from the pool bottom. We have decided to retain the current look of the pool

More to follow--but for this weekend, realization and enjoyment on the surface of the water.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Lacrosse to Cello in Three Days

Being a kid in today's world seems like it is a great experience. Where else can a kid play in a lacrosse game on Sunday and follow-up on Wednesday as a lead cello player in the elementary school year-end strings performance.

Ethan would be that kid! Wow! 

And it was a lot of fun to be present at both events as a proud grandparent of an extremely talented child. Of course, I may be just a touch biased. Maybe more than a touch.

The school did a masterful job separating out the band and strings parent contingents by offsetting the start times. It was a pleasant departure from the previous performance and made the entire 30 minute strings performance very enjoyable!  Yay--and thankfully short.

I am so proud of Ethan and to document his performance I have a video.

Enjoy the Batman Theme as you have never heard it before, or likely ever will again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weekends Sports Warrior

Some people are weekend warriors because they participate in strenuous sports on the weekends and not during the week. I have friends who play basketball or football, or even baseball risking life and limb during the precious few hours allotted to us to enjoy the weekend.

I guess that is the exactly the opposite for me. I play racquetball during the week and like to relax and participate in sports differently on the weekends. 

On the Baseball Diamond--Saturday Morning

Last weekend was an example of my weekend warrior sports activities.  Saturday started off bright and early on the baseball diamond with Jax. I not only get to watch Jax play baseball, but I am one of the coaches for his team--so I get to participate as well. Trying to keep four and five year olds interested in baseball can be challenging when there are many more interesting things to do with the dirt on the ground. Jax is the player just beyond Number 5 in the foreground. 

It was an idyllic late springtime morning. Where better to be?

Sunday was similar, in that I got my dose of sports by watching Ethan play his final lacrosse game of the season--who knew it was over already?

Ethan is Number 21, and he plays an awesome defense. He got to play some midfielder during this game and he didn't enjoy that as much--he really enjoys the defense and it showed as they almost shut out the opposing team, allowing only one score. Usually he wears bright orange socks so we can find him easier on the field.

After the game? It was off to the pool for relaxation and fun during the sunny afternoon. And did I mention the Orioles? Well, they won and we watched the end of that game as well.

I am truly a weekend sports warrior--even though I am not playing, I am still participating.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Somewhere in Massachusetts

A Massachusetts shoreline hotel window view. Wow!

I'm not there. But Jeremy is and he sent me this image to prove that the view out his hotel window beats anything that my views have even seen or recorded.

He may be right.

As he said, "Game, set, match!"

It is a pretty awesome view. 

This could be a lot of fun--if lots of people start sending in their views out their hotel windows.  At least I will have succeeded in getting them to open the curtains and see what is outside.

Get out of the room and see what there is to look at. 

They even light the water and the rocks at night--I'm glad he looked outside his hotel window at this sight.

I actually wish he had told me the name of the city and hotel--this looks like a great place to visit, during the summertime!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings, June 2, 2014

1. In case you missed it yesterday--June is here. I feel like I was just getting to know May and it suddenly departed.

2. It's a game, it is not supposed to be fun!

3. Warm temperatures and rain--the forecast for the week ahead.

Wooden Rooster

4. There is something great about jumping into a pool after a long day of activity.

5. I saw this rooster in Pier 1, and wondered, why?

6. Baseball and lacrosse a weekend full of youth sports what better way to spend time in the sun?

7. I have been noticing how much better the world looks clothed in green rather than the grays of winter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Posing in the Flowers

Makayla in the Garden

There she was yesterday morning, patiently waiting for me to finish emptying a yard of mulch from my truck. 

It was stunning.

She was laying there among the flowers trying to be the prettiest object in the garden  And she was!

The garden was in the shade and I was working a few feet away in the hot, or at least warm, sunshine of a beautiful Saturday. There is something nice about having my dog near me when I am working outside. Usually, she is trying my patience by heading off into the wooded area or scoping out the neighbor's garbage cans. She does like to wander a bit--but yesterday she was the faithful dog that is depicted in so many movies.

A boy (or man) and his dog on a sunny afternoon in the yard. What could be better?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD