Waiting for Results--Still

Amazingly, on the eve of Thanksgiving, all of the votes in our recent national election have not been tallied and finalized. Michigan, it seems, cannot get the job done and the 16 Electoral College votes there are still, as of this morning, undecided. 

From 270 to Win

The latest news is that the Secretary of State (Michigan) plans to release the voting tallies at the end of the month and most pollsters will call the state at that time. 

In this world of super fast computers, I find it amazing that the results can take so long to tally. Even in Third World countries the votes are tallied faster. 

Not that it will change the outcome, but I am amazed that it takes 22 days to get the votes counted so that a decision can be made. I'm glad that the outcome of the election is not hanging on those 16 votes. It could have been.

At least we can enjoy Thanksgiving tomorrow knowing who the 45th President will be and continue to watch the sideshow that have become the selection of the cabinet and key positions.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday Thoughts

Tuesday

Tuesday has arrived again. 

It is the day of the week that I struggle with the most. 

Trapped in between Monday and Wednesday, Tuesday almost seems not to have an identity of its own. When there is a Monday holiday, I often refer to Tuesday as the real Monday of the week.

Truthfully, Tuesday is not Monday and that is a blessing all of its own. 

Of course, getting through today means we are at Wednesday and this week that is the Eve of Thanksgiving. So, I guess, in some weird transformation, Tuesday is the Wednesday of this week!

Maybe Tuesday isn't so bad after all.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 21, 2016

1. Thanksgiving is Thursday! Yay for Turkey!

2. An incredible weather change occurred over the weekend going from a high Saturday of 73 degrees to about 45 degrees on Sunday. Brrr.

Snow Village 2016

3. It was Snow Village weekend. The 2016 edition is up and lighted  and ready to usher in the holidays. 

4. It is amazing that we begin putting up decorations well in advance of the coming season.

5. "America is strong, stronger than the critics think. But then, for more than 200 years, when you've added things up that's the answer you've come up with. There is a power in America that has always seemed to surprise the critics and to carry our nation through, even when we in Washington stumbled. It's a power that comes not from government, but from towns and farms, from neighborhoods, schools, and churches all over America. It's the might and wisdom of a free people in a free land." --Ronald Reagan
Remarks to Local Business Leaders at a White House Briefing on Deficit Reduction, November 30, 1987

Riordin in a Bag of Snow Village Snow

6. On this date in 1620, the Pilgrims reached America. If you think about it, what a dismal time to try and start off with almost nothing in a new land. 

7. Cats are interesting creatures. Riordin likes to get into things and we have to be careful to ensure he gets out.

8. Can you believe that Black Friday sales have already begun?

9. There is nothing new about fake news--disinformation has always been around.

10. Take it slow and keep your wits about you as the week progresses.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

November Golf

I managed to get out to a golf course yesterday.

Compass Pointe
November 19, 2016

It was a beautiful morning and the temperature was in the big 60's by the time we finished our round. 

I do not expect to be able to play a round of golf wearing only a short sleeve shirt during November--but by the ninth hole yesterday, that is exactly what happened. Although I started the round with a jacket, it was off and I was enjoying  the bright sunshine at the turn. 

Compass Pointe
November 19, 2016

We played at Compass Pointe, where we have played before, but yesterday we were on the South and West courses which we had not played. It was a spectacular autumn day with a crystal clear sky and golden sunlight.  The golden and rust autumn leaves remain on many of the trees and provided stunning sights as we progressed along the course. The course is challenging and fun. The greens were very hard--the pins were in very difficult positions. 

It was just good to be outside on such a beautiful day.  And playing golf was even better.

Too soon, the cold and wintery weather will be here and I will be looking forward to Spring golf trips and pool opening day. But, for now I was able to extend the Autumn by one more day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Around the Fire

It was an amazing evening.

Happy Hour with George and Sue
November 18, 2016

Happy hour around the fire table, outside during late November. It really doesn't get much better. 

The temperature topped out at 67 degrees yesterday, which is warm, and we were able to enjoy friends and a couple great wines together outside before coming inside for dinner.

That doesn't happen often during November, especially late November when parts of the country are being covered by a blizzard. 

It was very nice not to be wearing a coat and still be warm enough to enjoy the experience.

Did I mention that we also enjoyed some great wines from one of our favorite vineyards in Virginia? That would be Keswick? We enjoyed the 2009 Consensus and the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve. 

Great wines, great friends and a great time. What could be better?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Season of the Turkey

Guarding the Fireplace

It is the Season of the Turkey, the short about four week span between Halloween and Black Friday.

I have been neglecting my turkeys this year. They are on display, but with the election and the weekend trip to California, I just haven to been in the turkey mood.

And now Thanksgiving is less than a week away.  The Season of the Turkey will be over and the headlong rush to Christmas will begin.

My favorite turkey guards the fireplace to ensure that the guy in red does not make an early visit. This turkey was actually one of the first in my collection and I still remember the day at the flea market in Center Township, PA, when I found and came home with this turkey. It has been very durable and spends eleven months every year in the attic waiting for the Season of the Turkey when it becomes the centerpiece of the display.

Door Topper

The door topper is a turkey project that I made, with the help of Chris. It was one of the first projects that I did on my Shopsmith. 

I enjoy putting the turkey door topper over the entrance to the house over the protestations of my family because it sets the tone for the season. 

As I approach the last weekend of the Season of the Turkey, the impending season will begin to push into the living space. This weekend is Snow Village weekend, when the village is unpacked and comes to life yet again. 

But, the turkeys will be watching from their safe vantage points as the transition to another season begins and their time in the spotlight begins to wane.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Mountain-man Look

I am noticing it everywhere.

Mountain Man

The youth of America, at least some of them, seem to think the mountain-man look is appealing.

It seems that everywhere I venture, I see the thuggish, hairy, bearded look lurking.

Lots of youth are adopting the look. It is unkept. 

I do not see the allure.


It must be a testosterone thing. Growing all of that hair and beard. But, they don't keep it neat. 

Many sports stars seem to be adopting the look as well--but that doesn't make it the correct thing to do. And of course there is the impact of Duck Dynasty. 

I suppose if these youth were living in rural areas and chopping wood daily for heat, the look would be appropriate, but as this area is definitely urban and civilized, they should adopt a more dignified look. 

For me, it just doesn't work

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Self-absorbed Living

I have the pleasure of driving in dense traffic on most days. OK, it really isn't a pleasure, it is a chore. And it certainly isn't fun.

I have noticed a trend over the past few years that does not bode well for the future--drivers have forgotten how to use turn signals.

The failure to signal planned activity on the roads while traveling at 60 mph or faster is not just an oversight, it represents a self-absorbed living and places others on the highway at risk. It represents a loss of civility. I find myself more and more trying to anticipate what other drivers are planning based upon small changes in their lane positioning. 

There are other examples of self-absorbed driving. The individuals who drive on the shoulders to get ahead of traffic jams and those who aggressively weave across multiple lanes of traffic driving like they were filming a great movie chase scene. These are additional examples where self-absorbed driving puts others arg risk, needlessly.

Aggressive and self-absorbed driving may be symptomatic of where our society is headed. Lack of consideration for others is not only apparent on the highways. It shows up in other places as well. Simple areas, like holding doors open for the person following through an entrance or exit. Seeing that the person behind in line has only one item and allowing them to go in front.

We are losing sense of community and are becoming a society of individuals without ties to the people around us who are also trying to make it through the day. 

We are all in life together, let's try to approach it as a team sport and work together.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Election Reflections

Michigan still has not been officially decided in the electoral college vote whether for Trump or Clinton. New Hampshire was finally decided for Clinton.

It almost seems anti-climatic at this point.

It is hard to believe that the election happened a week ago, it had become an all consuming event in the 18 months leading up to November 8th.

Projected Election Results from Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections

I am encouraged to see that the President-elect is moderating his stand on some of his campaign statements. It gives me a little confidence that reality will soon set in as the process of transitioning power between the administrations continues. 

There is a huge difference between being a candidate and the President-elect and I believe that reality is beginning to set in for the winning side.

The news media is painting an inaccurate picture of the election results. Clinton did not, and has not, win the popular vote, she had the most votes but not a majority. It is incredible, but I could not find the actual results on line for all the candidates, but I found a projected results chart. There were at least four candidates and none of them had more than 50 percent of the vote. 

Because no one had more than 50 percent of the vote, no one won the popular vote. I believe that it is a fine but important point and the general news media is skewing public opinion about the results.

I still am amazed that the election was a week ago and we still can't get over it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 14, 2016

1. November is fast slipping away. The month is half over tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Cactus

2.  Our Thanksgiving cactus thinks the month is farther along acting as if the holiday has already arrived.

3. It is refreshing to be in the post-election environment. The news media is actually having to report real news. 

4. Sunset tonight in Baltimore occurs at 4:52 PM. Wait, that is not tonight, it is this afternoon!

5. I went outside and looked at the super Moon last evening. I couldn't see the cape (super heroes have capes, right?) and it didn't seem so super. But, it was bright.

Point Mugu State Park, California
November 7, 2016

6. During our drive from Lompoc to Los Angeles last week, we made a quick stop at Point Mugu State Park and snapped some spectacular images. 

7. "There is no more striking symbol of democracy than the picture of a citizen casting a ballot, electing a leader,  choosing his or her own destiny." Ronald Reagan 1982.

8. What a wild day in the NFL. The Saints saw the potential game-winning extra point after touchdown turn into two points for the Broncos. And how about them Cowboys winning one of the most thrilling finishes that I have seen in a long time?

9. The world's saddest polar bear is being rehoused in China according to the New York Times. 

10. On this date in 1969 the Apollo 12 mission to the moon lifted off and the United States went to the moon for the second time during the year. If only we still had the capability to put humans on the moon today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD