The Yard is Alive

Praying Mantis in the Grass

It was the motion that attracted me.

I saw something moving through the grass and I had to look closer. At first I though it might just be the wind moving the blades, but on closer inspection it became clear that the movement I was seeing was not the wind.

It was a small, maybe an inch a half long praying mantis. 

It was incredibly difficult to get a good image of the bug. It was small and green, and there was a lot of green in my camera's field of view. Trying to snap an image where the praying mantis could be seen too time--and I was afraid that the bug would move along. As it turned out, the praying mantis seemed to enjoy the attention and posed for me on the blade of grass for quite a wile while I clumsily took its picture.

While researching the mantis clan, I discovered that they make good pets! Really! Well, not in my house. We have a definite "death to insects" policy. Spiders, which are not insects,  are generally relocated and not exterminated.

I wonder if praying mantises [Thanks, Dick] eat stink bugs?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Lights on the Water

Lights on the Pool

Art, such as it is, can be found in many unique places.

Last evening I was sitting by the pool, contemplating whether I wanted to slip into the water for a late night swim, and I noticed the reflections of the lights on the water.

Our pool is surrounded by rope lights that illuminate the area. I had never considered the patterns that the lights make on the dark water.

Lights on the Pool 2

It was a continually changing pattern of reflected lights on the surface of the water as I slowly moved my feet to create gentle waves.

It was soothing.

It is almost summer!

What could be better? A lazy evening and gentle ripples in the pool.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Win is a Sweep

The Orioles put together their best three-game series of the season and completed a sweep of the Boston Red Sox last evening.

I had the pleasure of attending the game and was treated to a team that, at least for a few days, put it together with complete team wins. The pitching was solid, the batting was clutch, and the defense was spectacular. It was the kind of series which makes baseball fun and sweeping a perennial American League East rival makes it all the better. 

The View from my Seat
June 11, 2015
Orioles Park at Camden Yards

The game had  almost everything to please the baseball fan. There were home runs and there was an inning in which the Orioles scored a run without getting  hit.  For a team that over relies on the home run for scoring, that was an important development. 

The crowd was alternatively into the game, but the Red Sox did not go away easily. They continued to chip away at the Orioles leads, but in the end succumbed and the game ended--but not after a challenge which brought a fourth batter to the plate during the top of the ninth inning.

I hope that this series marks a turnaround for the team. They have been playing mediocre baseball and I hope that is a thing of the past as the team begins to play up to its potential.

The weakness at right field remains a big concern. The need for a solid defensive right fielder is apparent when late in the game the speedy Norman Reimold , who started the game in left field was shifted to right field and the light hitting David Lough was inserted into left field to shore up the defense. Reimold made his presence known almost immediately by shagging a well hit ball that just an inning earlier would have probably been a double!

Orioles baseball. The right moves at the right time and a one in the win column!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Speedy June and Temperatures Rising

Although it got off to a cold start, the temperatures are heating up and the month of June is transforming itself into "that" month. 

What is "that" month?

It is the month where activities shift from inside to outside. Where pool time becomes the norm and sitting inside watching TV is a distant memory associated with the frigid days past.

Rhododendron in Bloom

It is the month where when confronted with fifteen spare minutes, I grab a golf club and head outside to my net to try and learn how to swing more efficiently and make better ball contact. It is a process, but I feel like I am beginning to have small breakthroughs--I just wish I could get to a real range to help quantify these small changes and see if they are real. 

Today is June 11th! The month is flying by too fast! (I actually wrote June 10th and then realized that I had already completed that day!)

Poppies in Danby

Even the June flowers are passing. I enjoyed a second springtime while I was in New York last weekend, being treated to a rhododendron is full bloom and the poppies in my parent's yard. They reminded me of my own flowers whose time has come and gone.

I know there are major events looming in the future--like the end of school, end-of-the-year parties, and vacations; but the ever increasing pace suggests that these event will be over before I want them to arrive.

I am beginning to appreciate the planning that goes into making a trip successful, but I am really looking forward to the day when a vacation is not limited to two weeks during the summer--but maybe it could be four months during the winter!

I dream of renting a villa in Italy or Argentina and living there on a semi-permanent vacation.

I am enjoying life a day at a time--but, even then it is passing so quickly that just as I begin to enjoy a day, it is over and time to do it all again.

Stop to smell the flowers because they'll be gone tomorrow when you find the time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dangerous Traffic Patterns

Walk at your own risk!

I have become aware of very dangerous traffic patterns--dangerous for pedestrians in parking lots.

I noticed the dangerous intermingling of traffic and pedestrians at the local Chik-fil-A where I dined (or ate) last evening.

The drive through line circles through the parking area twice meaning that people walking from their cars need to be extra vigilant to ensure they, or their kids, don't become a hood ornament. I visited the establishment at the height of the evening diner hour and was appalled at hour many drivers apparently did not recognize the dangers in the area--they sped through the lots as quickly as possible.

Let the pedestrian beware!

I believe that the designers of parking and traffic patterns need to become more aware of the dangerous conditions faced by pedestrians--more dangerous because of the dense traffic patterns and lots of moving vehicles and people.

More importantly, we drivers and walkers need to be aware of the dangers in many parking areas and not become distracted while walking or driving. 

It is dangerous out there.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Storms Across the City

Last evening, the entertainment consisted of watching and listening as the thunder storms rolled across the area.

Sitting on the covered porch with Chris and a glass of wine watching the lightening approach and the thunder grow louder is a spectacular reminder of the power contained in these storms.

It was especially exciting at one point when there were about five bolts of lightening followed by thirty seconds of thunder.

The temperatures were very moderate, near 70 degrees and the cool air actually felt refreshing in advance of the storm. 

I love the clean smell in the air after the rains have cleansed the pollutants and refreshed the day.

Makayla, my faithful Keeshond, doesn't really enjoy the storms the way that I do, but she faithfully took up her position next to me to watch and listen to the building storm. 

Another evening at home. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 8, 2015

Mom's 80th

1. Happy Birthday, Mom!  Today is the day.

2. I'm looking forward to a weekend at home--next weekend!

3. Family. It's the one to which you belong, own it!

4. Ever notice how every family has a drama that no one really wants to admit?

5. The Orioles won a series! They took two out of three from Cleveland!

6. And we have a Triple Crown winner! For the first time since 1978, and for the 12th time ever, a horse has won the Triple Crown! Way to go American Pharoah.

7. June's first week has been cold! Let's hope the weeks will continue to get warmer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birthdays

Chris and Mom
June 6, 2015

They happen every year whether we want them to or not, that would be birthdays.

Yesterday we celebrated a significant milestone birthday for my mom. The family gathered from across the country to be there for the matriarch of the family. It was good to see members of the family that we gather with only infrequently.

Milestone birthdays, like Mom's, remind me of the incredible ways in which I have been blessed.

And my mom is one of those rich blessings that I too often take for granted.

Thanks mom. You are awesome.

The picture is the two women in my life.

-- Bob Doan, on the road in PA

Dunkin Donut Morning

Dunkin Donut
Williamsport, PA
June 5, 2015

Driving to New York yesterday was a pleasant experience because we departed the house at about 5am. Early enough to beat traffic.

The only mistake was stopping for coffee in Williamsport, PA, about 8am at a local Dunkin Donut. Wow. Traffic was backed up into the highway in both directions to get in the drive through line and inside, the line was long and slow.

Deciding that coffee was worth the stop, we stayed and had a great conversation with the man and his grandson in front of us in line. Noticing all of the children, we inquired and discovered that it was the first day of summer vacation. Awesome.

Bring on the summer even if it is only 57 degrees. I probably looked funny in my shorts and sandals while they were in coats. But hey, I'm not going to give into the cold.

Did someone say picnic?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY

Overcast and Rainy

View up the Driveway on a
Gloomy and Overcast Day

It was another June day and another example of high temperatures in the 60's with overcast and rain. 

And so another June day is in the books--gone and hopefully forgotten. The temperatures need to start climbing into the 70's and then 80's to get us back onto track.

In the good news department, the Orioles managed to stop their losing streak at 5 with a 3-2 win over the Astros in Houston yesterday. The bats are still mostly missing. The season is going to get real long if the team doesn't heat up soon. They are on to Cleveland today. It is time to start winning consistently.

Back to the weather--the 10 day forecast is for more gloom but some moderation in temperatures.

I hope that is true.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD