My Take: When did We Stop Being Great?

I received a telephone call from one of the Presidential candidates asking me for money to help make America great again.

When did we stop being great?

When did we stop having the most powerful and flexible military in the world? 

When did we stop having the premier economy in the world?

When did the dollar stop being used for almost every major international transaction around the world?

I am tired of the implication that we have lost something.

We still have the mojo. And I am concerned that we are going to lose greatness by persecuting specific ethnicities. That is not the America that I envision and to which I am committed. 

The campaign has already turned ugly. Right now, the main difference that I see between the presumptive nominees of each party is gender. They are equally as extreme and both use the same political tactics.

Neither is trying to build America and both are trying to destroy the opposition.

My Take: If the candidates would focus upon their vision to govern this diverse democracy in an inclusive manner, the character flaws of the other candidate would soon become evident and the electorate would finally see a clear choice. As it is now, they are too much alike.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sitting Together

Chris and Makayla

Last evening as I arrived on the deck for happy hour, two of the ladies in my life were sitting on the patio sofa together waiting for me.

It was an neat image and I'm glad that I captured it. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed a great evening outside. It is funny how Makayla will never look at me when I have a camera in my hand. 

I was beginning to think that with all of the rain, we would never be able to enjoy an evening outside again. The air was still and humid, It was truly a pre-summer evening. 

But then the mosquitos arrived!

Well, things can't just be perfect all of the time, then we wouldn't appreciate them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 6, 2016

1. 72 years ago, the D-Day landings on the Normandy Beaches by Allied Forces marked the turning point of World War II in Europe.

Timbers at Troy 2nd Fairway
June 5, 2016

2. The weather forecasters predicted rain for yesterday--it did finally arrive, but not before I enjoyed a fully busy day.

3. I managed a round of golf Sunday with Mike, despite the ominous weather report. I played one of my best rounds ever. Mike took a nice shot of me right after I said my chances of hitting the green were zero. And I put the ball on the green.

Patrick with the Brakes

4. Changing rear brakes on a Honda turned into an all day job that required two trips to the auto parts store. But Patrick and I got it done! All new and ready for the highway. It was another two hour job that took all afternoon. But getting it finished felt good.

Faline in the Flower Bed

5. The fawn returned for another day of fun with the family. She returned to the very same spot and we were surprised at how much she had grown in a week. And yes, we believe it is a "she" based upon some of the gender identification techniques we read about on line. She has been named Faline, for obvious reasons. She was a bit more skittish this week and made notice of our presence. 

6. The political posturing in the Presidential olympics has taken reached new levels of absurdity. 

7. I noticed the leaves on the trees again. I love looking at them. I remember writing about the bare branches not so long ago and it is good to have to solitude that the trees provide.

8. I have been frustrated lately by drivers who do not give consideration to others by pulling to the left side of the lane on side streets when waiting to make a left turn to allow other drivers (lime, me!) to pass.

9. And writing of driving consideration--does anyone remember what the lever on the left side of the steering wheel is for? Yes, that's it, turn signals. Use them!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The All Star

 

GORC Coach Pitch National League
All Star Team
June 4, 2016

Jackson played in the GORC Coach Pitch league all star game yesterday, having been selected as one of the two players representing the GORC Pirates in the annual event. 

It was fun to watch the best kids in the league compete after coaching the season. Unlike professional all star games which can be boring, this game let all of the kids who are at the same baseball level come together and showcase their abilities.

Jax at the Plate
All Star Game
June 4, 2016

It was a truly different game from the regular league games. Balls that would have been hits in a league game were outs in this game and unlike the regular season, the outfielders were very busy.

Jax in the Field
All Star Game
June 4, 2016

Jax did very well. He had hits and played balls and made outs in the field. Both of the players representing the GORC Pirates played very well, and during one stretch of two innings the two of them were involved in 4 of the 6 outs posted against the opposing team.

Did I mention that the National League team (Jackson's) defeated the American League team 17-11 in a seven inning affair?

Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Water Feature

Water Feature in the Pool

Chris has wanted a water feature in the pool since we have lived at our current address. 

The was one attempt a few years ago that was less than satisfactory. 

Fast forward to a few weeks ago--we ran across an inexpensive fountain in a pool magazine and this week it arrived and I installed it.

Chris is very happy. Two of her longer term projects have been completed: a new sink and now, a water feature in the pool. 

I was concerned about the flow of water around the pool and the impact on the chlorine levels, but everything seems to be good. The fountain does not use all of the returning water and there is still a sufficient current in the pool to encourage small leaves and debris to wind up in the skimmers.

The water feature is in place.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Tournament

Jeremy at the Crypto Cup
June 2, 2016

I took a day of leave yesterday to play golf in the 15th Annual Crypto Cup Golf Tournament which raises funds for the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation.

It is a fun day on one of the closer courses to me, Patuxent Greens. The weather was good--a bit cloudy in the morning, but the sun broke through in the afternoon.

Jeremy joined me for the day and we were teamed with another player and attacked the course as a threesome.

Mother and Juvenile Woodchuck

We did very respectfully, finishing solidly in the middle of the pack of 30 or so teams. I think if we had had our original team, two guys couldn't do the rescheduled date, that we would have done much better, possibly competing for prizes. 

Golf courses provide home for an assortment of animals and yesterday there was a woodchuck and its baby on the course. They provided some comedic relief as we waited to take a shot. 


I am finding that playing in tournaments like this one are not so much about the scores as they are about meeting people who, like me, are taking a day away from the routine of life to enjoy a round of golf while raising money for a good cause. 

Do I wish I was a better golfer? Sure. But do I have fun and still make some nice shots and putts? Definitely. 

My next tournament is the 3rd Annual Troy Whittemore Classic in August. It should be a nice day in the sun as well with family and friends.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Unfavorable Candidates

The "presumptive" nominees for President from both the Republican and Democratic Parties are carrying historically high unfavorable ratings CNN reports in an article about the topic. 

I have been reading and hearing about the possibility of a third party candidate. Perhaps the poor ratings of the leading candidates gives viability to a non-mainstream candidate. But then I worry that such a candidate would be unable to get Congress to do anything. I guess that is no different than the current situation.

There have been many potentially viable candidates stepping up to the microphone lately. I am concerned because a conservative third party candidate will likely not win and only makes it probable that the Republican nominee will not win which almost assures the Democratic nominee of the Presidency according to an article titled. Could an Independent conservative Candidate Really Compete in the 2016 Election. 

A poll in Florida Politics suggests that 55 percent of Americans want a Third Party candidate to run this year. The problem, however, is that the deadlines to qualify to be on the ballot in many states is coming already or (as in the case of Texas) has passed. Since the Republican and Democratic conventions are not until next month, why are the dates to qualify to be on the ballot so early?

All of this begs the question--should the the bloated and expensive primary system which nominates candidates with incredibly high unfavorable ratings be changed? 

I think the answer to that question is self-evident.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out of the Nest

Blue Jay on Pool Edge
May 31, 2016

Last evening, after the Jax's GORC Pirates won their final game of the season, I was checking the pool and I noticed a small visitor sitting precariously on the edge. 

It was something I had never seen before--a juvenile, fresh from the nest, Blue Jay.  Chris has been feeding the Jay's and I guess they like it here because one of the newest members of the species was hanging out on the pool deck. It didn't even have a towel.

It seemed ready to spend the night there, but out in the open with the potential of drowning in the pool didn't seem like a good choice for its first, probably, night out on its own.

It was very docile and did not mind having its presence documented for posterity. 

The bigger question was, "so what do we do with it?" 

Blue Jay on Pool Net
May 31, 2016

We determined that using the pool net to relocate it to a more suitable area was the best approach. The young Jay was very accommodating and jumped onto the edge of the net while I carried it, no small distance, around the pool and out to the yard. Determining that it needed cover for the night, we attempted to put it in a tree, but the was the one time the small bird objected. It did not want to be in a tree. 

It hopped off the net onto the ground and seemed comfortable there. Both Chris and I were a bit concerned about the local fox finding it, but the young Jay hopped into the underbrush seeking cover.

The number of juvenile animals around the house continues to increase. We have had a fawn spend the day, we have seen multiple baby rabbits, two juvenile wood chucks, and juvenile snakes of multiple varieties.

I wonder if our gardens can support all of them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Holiday Weekend in Review

It was a crazy holiday weekend.

It seemed that every time something was turned on or used, it broke. I spent hours fixing things--like the pool heaters, faucets, door knobs, and the like. I can tell that the infrastructure of my house is aging. 

Did I golf? No. Why? Because the weathermen were not accurate with their forecasts. It always seemed like rain was forecast, but in reality the the rain only occurred in ernest on Sunday afternoon. 

I also learned that the local wildlife love my house. In addition to the fawn, I have seen baby bunnies and two juvenile woodchucks in the yard. Add to that the juvenile brown snake I helped out of the pool on Saturday morning and we are blessed with a few too many juvenile animals in the area.

I also worked on Jeremy's Jeep and helped him to add additional lights. That was an enjoyable distraction from cleaning and repairing. 

Somewhere during the weekend there was a truckload of mulch, multiple shopping excursions, trips to Lowe's for parts, and even a little lounging in the pool.

Chris with the Three Dogs

Did I mention dog sitting for two additional canines? Yup, Florence and Arthur were with us for the holiday weekend. The bed got a bit crowded.

I was able to watch the rain pummel my roof and confirmed that my new gutter leaf guards did their jobs--there was no overflow! Yay!

The highlight of the weekend was, of course, the holiday family picnic. I felt Chris' pain as the date for the picnic waffled between Sunday and Monday depending upon the weather report. In the end, we got the better day on Monday and the picnic was a grand success. The pool was a balmy 82 degrees and the day was mercifully dry. 

I'm looking forward to the short week ahead, but it seems that Mondays which fall on Tuesdays are some of the busiest days!

With Memorial Day weekend behind me, I can now focus on the summer ahead. If only the weather will hold.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 30, 2016

1. It is Memorial Day. Take a moment to remember those who gave all for our freedoms. Read the words the President Ronald Reagan spoke at Arlington National Cemetery during 1982.

2. My pool made it to 82 degrees yesterday! It was awesome, until the rains came. Again!

3. I can't believe how bad travel problems are at airports. Yesterday a computer problem snarled travelers at JFK. At one point 1500 people were in lines waiting to be checked in for their flights.

4. The killing of a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo yesterday is  reminder that zoo animals are wild, but the visitors bear responsibility for being safe as well. How did the 4 year old boy wind up in the gorilla enclosure in the first place? What were his parents doing? 

5. The weather has become a stressor. The weathermen can't seem to get a forecast right.

6. What a great way to win the Indianapolis 500--cross the finish line and then run out of gas and have to be towed to the winner's circle. Sometimes it is that way trying to get to a gas station.

7. New York City is making menu reading harder. They are now including salt content. Does anyone try to read the warning labels on everything we receive? The letters are too small to read without a magnifying glass.

8. Landing a space launch booster on a barge is an incredible feat. Elon Musk's SpaceX did it again! How Buck Rogers is that? The video in the linked article is really cool!

OK, I thought it was so cool that I included it here!

9. Did I mention that the Orioles managed to win a close game yesterday!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD