Cinco de Mayo

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo. Those who know me also know that this is my favorite foreign holiday. I have blogged before about the history of Cinco de Mayo. 

Last evening, however, I gained a new appreciation for the popularity of the holiday. We waited for almost an hour at a local Mexican establishment before deciding to head home for a impromptu celebration.

Our celebration, with friends, was far more sedate but also more enjoyable. My margaritas are a lot better than those being served in the Mexican restaurant. 

The holiday is now a good memory, except for the margarita glasses that would not fit into the dishwasher last night and are still gracing the counter. 

I guess I am ready for the remainder of May. Cue the sun and bring on summer!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Health Care

I wrote too soon.

A few days ago I wrote that the lack of a Republican revision to the Affordable Healthcare Act was one of the great aspects of Trump's first 100 days.

Yesterday, that changed as a flawed bill was passed that stands to disenfranchise some 30 million people from affordable healthcare. 

The Washington Post, in an article titled, Here’s what you need to know about preexisting conditions in the GOP health plan, lays out the impact on people.

This had become a too political issue. Someone needs to advocate for people. The real cost of this issue is found in the homes of real people who will lose their healthcare.

And why?

Because our politicians have forgotten that they serve at the pleasure of the voters who elect them.

I am not sure why our politicians are working to take health care away from people rather than assuring that everyone can have affordable health care. It makes no sense.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Electric problems, Decks, Faucets, Pools, Doors

Sometimes my life is defined by projects. 

During the past few days I have become the ultimate handyman. A veritable Tim the Toolman!

Over the weekend I troubleshot and fixed an annoying electrical problem. That took seven hours of my life that I will not get back. But I had success!

Then I gave some advice on a deck project that I will be assisting with in the next few days. It is going to be a great project and since is not my deck, I know I will enjoy the project much more.

Sandwiched in between

Pool Cover Remains

was a new faucet for a sink. It is sad that replacement parts are not readily available and that a whole new faucet was required, but kitchens need faucets. 

I was reminded of this time last year when we were without a sink in the kitchen for a few weeks. 

The pool was supposed to be opened this weekend, but the weather makes it seem as if I will push it back a week. If the temperatures are going to be in the 50's, it does not make sense to open the pool.

And then there is the door. We have a cranky door. Tonight we are getting an estimate to replace it. 

I am sure there will be another project to add to the list soon! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The First 100 Days

There has been a lot of news coverage of the President's first 100 days.

I'm not sure which view is correct anymore.

Has he accomplished the long list of hard charging things that he says he has accomplished? 

Or are the news pundits correct in pointing out the side show that the White House and the administration have become something of a sideshow in politics with very little tangible results?

I think each of us needs to decide for ourselves. Is the government heading the direction that we want? Perhaps the surprising answer is yes!

Why?

Well, the great wall of the United States remains unfunded.

Obamacare remains funded.

We survived a shutdown scare.

The stock market is generally up, but flat.

Congress is finally figuring out how to get stuff done. 

So there are some interesting things that are happening. Most importantly, I believe that ur President is learning how to be Presidential! If only he would give up on Twitter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Recreating a Garden

Recreated Shade Garden

There is an area near the driveway which provides total shade. Grass refuses to grow there and we also have an ugly green Baltimore Gas and Electric distribution box sitting on some prime lawn real estate. The box is ugly. It has always been ugly. Add to that are two other utility related boxes that need to be softened. I wonder why they don't consider the location of utility services when they build out communities?

For a couple of years now, Chris and I have maintained a shade garden in the area. We enjoy the hostas. So do the deer. 

This year we decided to "take it up a notch." Enter a new retaining wall and some flowers. We removed some of the grasses that we used to try to hide the utility box and cleaned up the lines.

We are still planning to place a fern on the big box to soften the lines a bit more.

Springtime. Gardening. Flowers. Preparation for the Summertime!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 1, 2017

1. May has arrived with the promise of the flowers ensured by the April rains.

2. Happy May Day, a holiday celebrated by most of the rest of the world, but not the United States. 

Electrical Issues
April 29, 2017

3. Who would have believed it, but a faulty extension cord cost me over 8 hours of electrical troubleshooting. I did get familiar with a lot of electrical devices in the house.

4. The deer around our neighborhood are fearless. A couple of them came into our yard yesterday, in broad daylight, to sample the plants in our garden.

5. It is getting more dangerous every day to fly it appears. A Delta Airlines pilot hit a woman to break up a flight. 

6. I was able to get the lawn mowed today. It has become a weekly activity again! Yay!

Headlines

7. After hard-left turn under Jeremy Corbyn, Britain’s Labour Party on course for historic defeat - The Washington Post

8. As Economy Grows, North Korea’s Grip on Society Is Tested - The New York Times

9. Trade deal needed before Brexit payment, says May - The Hindu

10. Helium in Crisis - Chemistry World

Quote for the Week

"I remember the old story about a businessman who after many years of dutifully keeping the records and documents required by the Federal Government in his particular business, and with the files really piling up, he wrote the Government asking if he still needed to keep all the old documents. And a letter came back saying, 'Well, it's okay, you can throw away any papers more than 8 years old provided you make copies of each one of them first.'"

Ronald Reagan

Remarks at a White House Briefing for Members of the Young Presidents' Organization, April 13, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Good-bye April

Another month of the year 2017 is about to occur and the year will officially be 25 percent complete. 

Our Lilac Bush

It is hard to believe how quickly the time is passing. The birds of Spring are singing in my ears where just a short month ago it was gray and cold with almost no birds calling to fill the air with song. 

Lilac Close-up

The trees surrounding my yard are still filling out, but I can say that all of my friends have returned for another season. I realize how much I had missed the green.

The lilac bush is finally in full bloom; filling the air with its sweet and unique scent. 

Thus far, my allergist seems to have managed a miracle and my allergies are under control and I am able to enjoy the Springtime without being drugged into submission.

Sitting on my back deck, with the birds, surrounded by the flowering plants of Springtime I am reminded that these are the best days. I savor them and I need to remember them, especially during the dark days of the Winter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

On the Deck

In celebration of a beautiful morning and before I hit the golf course, I am sitting on my back deck enjoying the sounds of nature, interrupted by the noise of civilization.

Through the Screen
My Very Green Backyard
April 29, 2017

The trees are leafing and the green has fully returned to my backyard sanctuary. The birds are busy chirping and I hear at least six different calls simultaneously. I wish I was better at identifying birds from their calls. 

Cutting through the sounds of nature, however, are the passing jets flying out of BWI screaming to make altitude and get on their way to their destinations. Additionally, the sound of trucks in the warehouses occasionally drown out the birds songs. 

Despite the unwanted noise, I still enjoy the sounds of life and the rebirth of Spring. 

I just wish, sometimes, that I lived further away from the noise of civilization. But that written, I also need to enjoy what I am blessed with and appreciate my own backyard.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Taxes

I am not a fan of taxes.

It seems that everyone has a new tax plan. I like hearing that at least some of the plans are to reduce taxes.

How can that be bad?

Having just made it through another tax season, the wounds to my personal bank account are still very fresh. I welcome plans to reduce taxes.

I am patriotic and I pay my taxes, but I know that I would be stimulating the economy more if my tax bite were lower.

Why do some people believe we need more taxes anyway?

I was encouraged by the recently proposed tax reduction plan. Sure, it may not make a lot of sense given that we have a wall rivaling the Great Wall to construct, but if the government can get by with less, I'm a big supporter!

Simplifying the tax structure may actually increase revenue by ensuing that everyone pays their fair share and that the highest per capita earners do not get away paying less than middle income earners.

My Take: Let's reform the tax structure and require government to live within its means.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Different Kind of Competition

Jax at 24 Game Competition
April 26, 2017

I attend a lot of sporting events. It is evident from my posts. The events range from professional sports to youth sports and I participate in in two sports on a regular basis: racquetball and golf. 

Last evening I attended my first math event. It was the Anne Arundel County 3rd Grade 24 Game Championship. Jackson was one of two students representing his local elementary school at the County-wide finals. 

Jax in Action
24 Game Competition

Sadly, due to traffic, I was a few minutes late, but let me set the scene when I arrived at the Annapolis Senior High School gymnasium. There were ten tables with four children at each table with a proctor looking at cards using the four numbers on the cards to mathematically total 24. The crowd in the stands, which were full, was absolutely silent. There was no noise. I was a bit eerie walking into a full gym in silence with every eye looking at me wondering why I was late. 

The game progressed much like a chess match. I love to play chess--I do not like to watch chess being played. It can be like watching grass grow.

As the game progressed we really could not tell how Jax was doing. It appeared he was doing great, but after two rounds of the scheduled four round competition, Jax did not make the cut. But overall he did very well. 

It was an interesting event, but it definitely was not a spectator sport. 

Congrats, Jax! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD