Disturbance in the Force

The passing of Carrie Fisher yesterday was another dose in a year of multiple reality checks. It was a bigger shock to realize that she is younger than me!

2016 has been a tough year with the passing of so many stars and notable people. The list, which continues to grow can be found on Wikipedia, as well as many other sites. The Mirror has a nicely done list with pictures of the celebrities. 

I am not going to run through those that touched me in a special way except to note that there were more than a few.

The passing of Carrie Fisher caused a large disturbance in the Force. She was one of the stars of three of the Star Wars movies. I am a fan of the movies and her character was inspiring and decisive.

With each passing, I am reminded of their impact on society. Even though they may have been entertainers or sports figures, many of them brought other important issues to the forefront of our consciousness like Muhammed Ali and his heroic battle with Parkinson's Disease. 

Everyone we meet or see impacts our lives--some positively and some negatively. I try to appreciate everyone and hopefully, 
I am having a positive affect on them. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hobby Expansion

I don't usually write about the gifts I receive for Christmas, however, this year I am going to make an exception.

I received a new hobby as a Christmas gift this year. Actually, it is an extension of my current wine hobby--I am going to try my hand at winemaking!

I received winemaking equipment for Christmas.

I have been studying the art and craft of winemaking, but now I will have the opportunity to do it for myself. I know that it is more than a formula or a recipe to follow.

The interesting part is that we are reconfiguring our house to support this expansion of our wine hobby. Yesterday I moved beds and dressers around, including up and down stairs, to make room for the wine making area.

The scary part is that I will be making about 30 bottles of wine. That is two and a half cases! It is going be painful if the wine is terrible and has to be poured out. 

Well, it takes about two months and I haven't really started yet. But I am getting excited.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 26, 2016

1. Today is the last Monday of 2016. It is also Christmas Observed, Boxing Day, the continuation of Hanukkah, and the beginning of Kwanzaa. 

2. Top headline in the New York Times yesterday: Trumps Hurry to Unscramble Business Ties.

3. What was the best gift of Christmas? Answer: Family!


4. The Baltimore Ravens were eliminated from the NFL post-season hunt yesterday. I am ready for baseball season to begin.

5. I love it when the dawn arrives and the sky is clear.

6. I enjoy holidays more when the day after is also a holiday. For instance, yesterday was Christmas, but today is Christmas Observed. It provides an extra day to recover.

7. I am already behind in planning my summer vacation! 

8. Next up--New Years! 2017 is fast approaching!

9. I guess I am going to have to start working on my Year in Review! 

10. Do you know what tomorrow is? (Answer: Tuesday)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas 2016

Chris with Everything Ready
Christmas Eve Brunch 2016

It was dark outside. Christmas Eve had given way for Christmas Day. The brunch from the day before was a memory.

Even though there were no children in the house and no reason to be up until well after dawn, we were awake to enjoy the arrival of Christmas Day. 

Cooking Bacon on the Griddle
Brunch on Christmas Eve 2016

The tree was brightly lit and the Snow Village beamed its light across the darkened room and the house was quiet.

The TVs were off, the only thing we could find to watch was a 1939 movie titled Return of the Cisco Kid. Seriously! It was too quiet around the house and the only noise was the whining of the dog.

The presents were piled around the tree in anticipation of the noise and excitement that would follow during the day. 

It was a quiet time for reflection on the season.

Dawn on Christmas Day is still 50 minutes away, but the sky should begin filling with color soon. 

I can imagine the shepherds sitting in their fields two millennia ago being startled by light in the darkness.

May you find joy today and through the whole year.

Merry Christmas

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas Eve Arrives

It's here!

I remember as a child the excitement, almost painful excitement, of waking in Christmas Eve and realizing that after an excruciatingly long day, the most exciting day of the year would dawn.

Christmas Eve is all about traditions in my family. 

We fill the day with family-oriented events to help build the excitement and make the holiday last longer. I know that personally, I usually like to go out shopping on Christmas Eve--but, fortunately this year all of my shopping is complete and all that I really need to do is wrap the gifts.

Let me share some holiday thoughts from the past, from President Reagan as he was lighting the National Christmas Tree:

"May we give thanks for a free America, an America united in the wonder of a season that includes not only Christmas but Hanukkah as well. And as we light this glorious tree, may Nancy and I offer a final wish to all Americans: that every Christmas that follows will be as full of joy as we have these past years to work in your service. May God bless you all."

Remarks on Lighting the National Christmas Tree, December 15, 1988

May the blessings of the season fill you with joy and wonder.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

An Exclamation Point on the Shopping

Poinsettia Tree
Columbia Mall
December 22, 2016

It is finished. 

I sojourned to the Columbia Mall, by myself, yesterday to complete the shopping task. It was relatively easy given that I had a pretty well defined list. I also had the opportunity to view my favorite Christmas decoration--the Poinsettia Tree that graces the center court in the Columbia Mall. I enjoy looking at the tree.

But, more importantly, I have completed my Christmas shopping and I'm ecstatic.  Now all that remains is to wrap the presents in preparation for the unveiling.

Well, I have to decide the order in which they will be opened.

But, at least I can relax now and enjoy the holiday. Not really, it gets even busier from here. 

Maybe on Monday I can take a deep breath.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sliding Past the Shortest Day of the Year

I felt it as it happened yesterday morning at 5:44 AM EST.

Winter arrived with the solstice. Unheralded, but it arrived nonetheless. 

Autumn departed and the shortest daylight day of the year happened. Daylight amounted to 9h23m59s. Ugh!

No one noticed. I had scheduled a holiday party to keep from becoming too depressed about the advent of winter.

I could use a trip south of the equator to enjoy some searing sunshine. 

I know that snow is in the forecast--not for this week, but for very soon. The holidays are coming and they just scream for snow. I hope it holds off. Maybe we can have a winter with less than 1 inch of the fluffy white stuff.

Springtime is about 90 days away, it begins on March 20th.  That means we only have to get through a few short months!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Holiday Mondays

It is the holiday season for sure.

I made an astounding discovery the other day. Three of the next four Mondays are federal holidays.

I was amazed. Here they are:

December 26 - Christmas Observed (Yes, Virginia, Christmas is a Federal Holiday and so you can say Merry Christmas without offending anyone).

January 2 - New Years Observed.

January 9 -Not a holiday!

January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr Birthday.

There are 10 federal holidays each year and three of them are crammed into a four week span. This year they are on Monday, as they will likely be next year as well. That makes for a convenient three-day weekend.

If only the weather were warmer and I could hit the golf course.

If only I were more motivated and could finish my Christmas shopping.

Happy Holidays--there are three to enjoy!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The President is Elect

The votes are cast and the election of 2016 is finally complete. The results will be certified on January 6, 2017 and a few short weeks later on January 20th, Donald Trump should become the 45th President of the United States.

The Electoral college put the exclamation point on the election. The final vote was 304 for Trump to 227 for Clinton with A few others receiving stray votes which is why the votes were not exactly as expected which was 306-232. 

Hopefully, the country can find find unity behind our new leader who clearly is the outsider that many voters desired. He definitely seems to have some unique and unorthodox ideas.

As our newly elected President takes office, I hope that he remembers that as the leader of the free world, every word he speaks is scrutinized for weakness and intent. 

As a nation we need to dream of greatness. 

I am reminded of the words Ronald Reagan spoke during his first inauguration during January 1981:

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are not heroes, they just don't know where to look. You can see heroes every day going in and out of factory gates. Others, a handful in number, produce enough food to feed all of us and then the world beyond. You meet heroes across a counter, and they're on both sides of that counter. There are entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and faith in an idea who create new jobs, new wealth and opportunity. They're individuals and families whose taxes support the government and whose voluntary gifts support church, charity, culture, art, and education. Their patriotism is quiet, but deep. Their values sustain our national life.

The President, is the President of every American and he must never forget that.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 19, 2016

1. This is the next to last Monday in 2016! In two too short weeks it will be January 2, 2017!

Jackson Owning the Court

2. In youth basketball yesterday, Jackson played a mean game of basketball, his team won 20-7. Ethan's team salvaged a 12-12 tie after a single overtime period. 

3. I saw Rogue 1 yesterday. It met all of my expectations and then some. Recommendation: See the movie!

4. The weather has become very seasonal, it is cold! Too cold!

Ice on Trees
December 19, 2016

5. Winter begins on Wednesday, December 21st, at 5:44 AM EST! Total daylight for that day in Baltimore will be 9h23m59s. That is 5 seconds less than today.

6. The NFL season continues in its lurching fashion. All of the family's teams remain in play: Dallas has clinched a playoff, the Steelers and Redskins currently possess playoff spots and the Ravens are in the hunt!

7. Today is Electoral College Monday! Will the final be 306-228? The President-elect should be official.

8. The ice on the trees Saturday was pretty in a surreal kind of way.

9. I hope the next two weeks are quiet! I would be nice to end the year on a calm note.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD