From the Bullseye of the Storm

Yes, lest those of you not in the Baltimore-Washington region wonder--it is snowing!

As the Storm Begins
January 22, 2016

A lot. Hard! Continuously.

We have had lightening and thunder during the snow as well. I wonder why we usually write it "thunder and lightening" since it is the lightening that causes the thunder?

Morning
January 23, 2016

We cleared about 3-4 inches from the driveway last night hoping to make today's efforts somewhat easier. It was a nice 30 minute test run for today so we could understand how much fun clearing snow form the driveway isn't!

It is just socked in. I'm glad I don't have to travel, unlike some of our family who are returning from an enjoyable Caribbean cruise and trying to fly into the region which is paralyzed by the snow!

Plan for the day? Hunker down and stay warm. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Snowpocalypse Continued

The snow from Winter Storm Jonas has not yet begun to blanket the region and already schools are closing and panic is ensuing.

If we really get 30 inches of snow, it may be 3 days before my street is plowed! Seriously.

It is all supposed to arrive starting later today. 

It is supposed to be messy. Really messy!

Winds tomorrow are expected to reach 50 miles per hour. 

Blizzard warnings have been posted. 

Groceries have been laid in. 

Wood gathered from the pile and staged in the garage. 

Bring it on! OK, I was really looking ride out the storm in Key West, but the tickets were too expensive.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Major Snow of the Season

Winter Storm Jonas is coming.

Expected Storm 22-24 January 2016

I was afraid that that a storm would eventually arrive to reinforce the hold of the season upon the region and it is coming in the form of Winter Storm Jonas according to the weather forecasters.

Jonas, expected to become a Nor'easter of epic proportions, is expected to slam into the region beginning tomorrow snarling travel and making life generally miserable. The grocery store shelves across the area are already showing signs of binge buying as people scurry to ensure they have enough essential supplies to endure two or three days of cabin fever.

I know that some areas, perhaps Buffalo, NY, look at 12-24" of snow and laugh considering it to be minor snow flurries, but in this region we consider it to be accumulations of apocalyptic proportions. Real "end of the world" stuff.

I'd like to say it is fun; however, it certainly will destroy any weekend plans that I had. I worry doubt travelers--for instance family members returning from a Caribbean cruise who my become stranded in Orlando. Well, hurt me, there are a lot worse places to be stranded and I myself once had to ride out a northeast snowstorm in Orlando. 

Well, with my bed imitation of a staunch New Englander, I say bring it on. Give me your best shot because I'm pretty sure I'll still be standing when the snow clears and springtime arrives.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Signs in the Sky

For centuries, millennia even, mankind has looked to the heavens to foretell events on transpiring here on Earth. 

There are now only eight real planets with the demotion of Pluto.
Nonetheless, five of the seven planets (not counting Earth because we are standing on it) are going to be visible in the morning sky fro about 45 minutes before dawn (weather permitting) for the next almost two months.

That is pretty spectacular. 

A New York Times article, Prepare for a Celestial Spectacle as Five Planets Align, describes how to find and view the event. If you have a cellphone, perhaps Heavens-Above can help you find and view the aligned planets. 

Perhaps you can divine what amazing event will be related to the alignment of the planets.

Have a look, it is another fantastic event brought to you by the creator if the universe!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Journeys--Beginning and Endings

I made an interesting calculation. Taking the years I have lived in my house and figuring that I probably travel in or out of my driveway about 4 times per day--on average, some days more and some less, I figured out that I have made about 22,000 journey beginnings or endings.

My Driveway--During a Warmer Season

The is an incredible number, and its accuracy is almost irrelevant.

When I think about 22,000 trips across my driveway in a car it reinforces the whole idea that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."

And yet yesterday, there were no trips across my driveway. It was cold and we just did not have anywhere that we needed to go. There was a fire in the fireplace and small projects to be accomplished around the house. 

As I reflected on all of the journeys that began or ended in my driveway, I realized that despite their distance, it is almost always good to be home when the trip is complete. Even if the car is full of groceries than need to be unloaded.

While some people maintain that it is about the journey and not the destination, I'm not sure that I agree. I am a big fan of getting home.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - January 18, 2016

Snow on the Heavenly Bamboo Berries

1. Snow, in small non-accumulating amounts, can be pretty.

2. Football is an unforgiving game. One fumble can change the entire game. 

3. I was able to get in a round golf this weekend--amazing. the conditions were wet, but it was good to get out onto the course.

4. I am happy to see that Iran may be attempting to participate on the international stage responsibly. Releasing the US sailors and yesterday releasing the prisoners. 

5. Winter may have arrived. It snowed yesterday and it is 17 degrees outside this morning.

Makayla on the Floor

6. I wish I could lay on the floor and relax like I used to when I was a kid. At least Makayla has no problems. 

7. It is the day we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

8. I read an interesting article about Tesla and their cars having the ability to park themselves in the garage. Someday, they may be able to drive themselves across the country to pick you up! I just wish they weren't so expensive.

9. The first major snow of the season is forecast for this weekend.

10. On this day in 1778, Captain Cook discovered Hawaii! Wish I was there now.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

ClimbZone Birthday

Lucas, our youngest grandson, turned six and we celebrated yesterday by going to the Climb Zone. I admit, I was a bit skeptical about the venue--but that quickly was replaced by awe at the astounding facility that I walked into for the party.

The facility was alive with bright climbing walls and excitement. What a great place for a birthday party--the kids exercise before they eat cake and fattening foods. There was adequate supervision and assistance for all of the attendees. 

Tina and her niece Keeley had some fun on the wall together.

It was an awesome place, and even Chris managed into a harness to do some climbing. It was her inaugural experience and she loved it. I have a few videos to supplement the pictures from yesterday. She was a bit tentative about jumping off--but soon became a pro at the whole experience. 

I highly recommend this place. 

And yes, I forgot to reorient the camera to the normal video style--Oh well, live and learn.

Some exciting early Saturday morning entertainment and fun. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections of the Jackpot

Chatting with friends and coworkers about the recent Powerball jackpot and their plans should lightening strike and they had won, I was struck by the sense of sharing the fortune with others that most everyone displayed. 

Everyone agreed that the windfall was more than enough to provide for their personal needs for the rest of their lives and that others, including family, friends, and charitable organizations like churches would also share in the winnings.

This thinking represents some of the best of what makes us Americans. Despite being flooded with enough money to make all of our dreams come true on a selfish level, we were also looking to share the windfall!

This was true in my case as well. I am not a regular lottery player, but the incredible size of the jackpot caused me to buy a few tickets. I admit that it was fun to dream and I too had determined to share the winnings with family, friends, and my church. I believe it was healthy to dream a bit and assess my core values and then to reassure myself that even living in a society focused on the "me," I could still think in terms of "we" and "they" and "us!"

2 bucks and a dream! If you don't play you can't win (well unless someone in your family or a close friend does)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Cat's Life

Riordin, one of our cats, is strange. 

Riordin in a Box

It is humorous how strange he is.

He loves boxes. I had a box on the counter last night and while I only turned my back for a few short moments, he crawled inside and claimed it. 

I had only just opened the box and removed the contents moments before.


He was completely inside the box. I had to work to get him out so that I could recycle the container.

Last week during our Friday evening party, he decided that one of the guests needed his hair washed. And he washed his hair.

I'm not sure it was necessary, but it surely was funny.

Riordin has a way of making his presence known. 

I guess that is what makes him such an interesting cat.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: NFL Debacle

I watched some terrible NFL football this weekend. One game was decided in the waning moments by two penalties. And although the team I was cheering for won, it was not a good way for an NFL game to end.

Other games were fraught with poor officiating and mental mistakes that should not occur in a professional game. One other team was penalized twice on the same drive for having too many men on the field.

Football is losing its hold on the American public. The veneer is getting thin.

I was pleased to read yesterday that one player received a three-game suspension for his illegal hits during one of the games. The article detailing the punishment was reported by CBS Sports.

There is too much money involved in football. Look at last year's playoffs were we had Deflategate. What is the reward for cheating, obstructing justice, and destroying evidence? Super Bowl MVP. Why? Money.

What is wrong with this picture.

My Take: The NFL is rewarding the wrong attributes in its players. Sportsmanship had gone the way of the dinosaur. Professional football needs an overhaul to return to its roots and to get the thuggishness out of the game.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD