Monday Musings - September 4, 2017

1. Happy Labor Day. The unofficial end of summer is here! Ugh, I can't believe that it is effectively over.

2. Be careful on the roads--schools are back in session!

3. There is another hurricane, Irma, in the weather patterns. It could make a mess for next weekend.

4. The Orioles are still competitive, hanging out just outside the playoff picture. I have to decide whether to purchase my post-season tickets!

5. It is amazing how quickly a quiet evening can turn into an auto repair session.

6. Walking a golf course provides a needed relief from the excitement of life.

7. At least it is not raining! And it is going to be warm today! It will make it into the 80's. 

8. I'm excited to do some grilling on my new grill today!

Headlines

North Korean Nuclear Test Draws U.S. Warning of ‘Massive Military Response’ - The New York Times

A Flying Cowboy Rides to Rescue Cattle Stranded in Harvey’s Floods - The New York Times
How water damages a flooded house — and which parts can be saved - The Washington Post

North Korea is the only country that has performed a nuclear test in the 21st century - The Washington Post

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"We do not seek an America that is closed to the world; we seek a world that is open to America. We do not dream of protecting America from others' success; we seek to include everyone in the success of the American dream."

Radio Address to the Nation on the Farm Industry, September 14, 1985

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Some Assembly Required

Grill Assembly Underway

I sometimes enjoy new projects.

Yesterday we procured a new grill. Chris and I don't buy new grills very often, but the old one had developed a hole in the firebox and the flame was no longer being contained. There was was a definite safety issue involved.

Supervisor Riordin in the Background

I am unsure how long we had owned the older one, but it was a good number of years and it had come to the end of its useful life.Chris had wanted to replace it for a couple of years now, but I had resisted.

Grills are one those items that rarely come assembled! There is some assembly required and that was definitely the case yesterday. 

Assembly Complete

I actually enjoyed the project because I was watching  Maryland defeat Texas in college football as I was putting the grill together. As can be seen from the image, I also had some help, Riordin supervised the process. 

The project went smoothly and I actually had all of the parts required. It seems that often I wind up a bolt or a washer short--but not this time. Everything went together flawlessly and the wordless instructions were generally clear. 

Dinner was cooked on the new grill and I was amazed at its efficiency. The old grill had trouble getting to and maintaining temperature.  I had to keep turning the new grill down--it is far more efficient.

Another "some assembly required" project successfully completed.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Into the Aftermath of the Storm

The news has provided almost non-stop coverage of the devastation associated with hurricane Harvey. 

I admit, I get a bit numb to the television coverage, yet this morning I read two stories that continued to bring home the incredible toll being exacted upon the residents the region and point to the years-long recovery efforts that are beginning to get underway even before the flood waters fully recede. 

One story was in the New York Times and depicts in multi-media style a drive from Houston to Beaumont, Texas, titles Town After town Under Water in the 100 Miles From Houston to Beaumont.

Scene from the Hurricane

The story provides some surface level video that shows in detail how bad it really is on the ground in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

The other story, in The Washington Post, is about what residents of small affordable luxury community are finding upon their return home. In a flooded Texas subdivision, the hard slog of rebuilding begins, is the title of the article. It contains a heart-wrenching story.

Residents said that almost all of the homes in Lynnwood, eventually, would be livable. Maybe the work would take weeks, or months. But there was one exception — the home that was closest to the bayou, the only home that was swallowed up to the roof, the home of the newest couple in the neighborhood. Now Angel Garzoria, 22, and Alexis Hernandez, 20, were parking their car and coming out to inspect the damage. They walked toward their house but couldn’t go in all the way because of the water. There it was, 100 yards away. Some 1,700 square feet. Purchased in March. Built in four months. Lived in since July. And now, half-submerged.

To save for that home, he’d worked 70-hour weeks at Exxon. She’d worked 50-hour weeks as a medical tech treating people with kidney problems. They had just enough money for a 5 percent down payment, a $6,000 porch, a $1,500 65-inch television. They’d bought a refrigerator, a barbecue pit, a foam mattress. They’d spent a little extra for a larger lot, a play area for the kids they planned on having.

“We spent a lot,” she said. 

“Everything,” he said. 

“A nightmare,” she said, and they’d left in such a hurry, even the most basic things — Garzoria’s Exxon employee ID, for instance — were still in the home, underwater.

She sat down on a folding chair looking out onto what was left of the neighborhood. Their house would be torn down. Their savings were drained. They’d have to move in with her parents. Nothing was happening as planned, and drying in the sunshine before her was a final mortgage document, sent days earlier in the mail, one more thing soaked by the flood. Their first payment was due Oct. 1.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

September Arrives

The high temperature today is expected to be about 68 degrees. I guess that is a fair welcome for September. 

We are rolling into the last three weeks of summer and the weather seems more autumn-like. Too autumn-like.

While I am here worrying about the weather, there are millions of Americans worrying about their next sip of water of rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Harvey. Chris and I have signed up to be foster dog caregivers for pets that need a home until their owners can get a place for them. 

According to NPR, here is a list of ways that aid and help can be directed to help those struggling in the aftermath of the hurricane. Here's How you Can Help the People Affected by Hurricane Harvey. 

Open up your hearts and homes. We are only beginning to see and understand the devastation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Playoff Push

From MLB.com

Like runners in a marathon finding a little bit more gas when the finish line is in sight, the MLB teams fighting for a playoff spot are playing just a bit better as August ends and the final full month of the 162 game season is about to begin. 

The Orioles have run off seven straight wins to get back into the wild card race, and with the team from up north whose name shall remain unwritten losing three straight, other wild card spots are within reach!

The wins have not been things of beauty, like last night blowing a 2-0 lead to go down 6-2 and then blowing a 7-6 lead to have to win 8-7; but a win is a win! This time of year, every win seems more important. 

The Orioles have 29 games remaining. The end of the campaign is definitely in sight. 

Let's Go O's. Now is the time to secure a post-season playoff spot!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Devolving into Autumn

It is happening all to quickly. August has lost its grip on summer and is rapidly slipping into autumn. 

As evidence, I present the weather almanac from yesterday. 

The high temperature did not make it even to 70 degrees! The low was also in the 60's! It rained--all day! This morning the temperature in 59 degrees.

I heard people indicate that the weather seemed more like autumn than late summer! 

I am mourning the loss of summer and all of the things that I didn't get done. 

At least today will be warmer with an expected high of 76 degrees.

The trees surrounding my yard are, however, giving up their leaves in fairly rapid succession. It is making pool maintenance tough. The water temperature has fallen to an uncomfortable temperature as well.

I should probably give into the situation and begin planning to close the pool the weekend after Labor Day!

Summer certainly is devolving into autumn!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Power Outage

There was no blog this morning. 

Morning Power Outage Candles
August 29, 2017

Chris and I were without power in the house due to, reportedly, a dump truck driving down US 1 with its back up and tearing down the power lines.

It was weird.

Chris and I have survived hurricanes without losing power, yet a renegade truck changed our morning routine.

I got up at 5 AM, as usual, and made my coffee, yet by 5:20 AM the power was off, again! Yes, again. It had been off from about 2 AM until 3 AM and I had a scared 35 lb fluffy totally freaked out dog sitting on me as I tried to sleep. That is not a TV in the picture, it is a mirror!

Enjoying Her coffee
Light Provided by iPhone

Chris sent me out to Dunkin Donuts to get coffee when she got up. I felt sorry for her and gladly went to get her morning cuppa Joe.. 

Sleep escaped me. She is a mouth breather and panted all night without the fan.

I was able to shower and shave and get off to work. The water in the water heater was hot and provided a nice candle-lit shower. That was funny. 

But it all worked out.

We were much more fortunate than the people of Houston, however, because the power was restored by 9:30 AM and we are not experiencing flooding.

Chris and I are thankful that our power was restored and we urge everyone to donate money, goods, or time to help the people of Texas besieged by Hurricane Harvey.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 28, 2017

Site of one Former Horseshoe Pit

1. August is winding down. Today is the last Monday of the month. Labor Day is a week away.

2. The destruction and chaos caused by hurricane Harvey is unfathomable. My thoughts and prayers are with the people who live in the affected area.

3. The Orioles have managed to claw their way back to .500 and are 2.0 games out of the second wild card position. There are just 32 games remaining in the regular season.

Heron at Eisenhower
August 27, 2017

4. Removing unused, but well constructed, horseshoe pits proved to be a much harder job than expected. Chris and I learned that the brute force method was not the best approach.

5. I love golf courses because of the wildlife that is usually seen. Yesterday a heron posed for me.

6. Busy weekends with great weather do not happen often. This one was awesome.

7. And so it is Monday again!

8. The coming weekend is a holiday weekend! At least it is something to look forward to with the start of September.

Headlines

Full extent of Harvey’s aftermath starts to come into chilling focus - The Washington Post

India withdraws troops from disputed Himalayan region, defusing tension with China - The Washington Post

Fatigue and Training Gaps Spell Disaster at Sea, Sailors Warn - The New York Times

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"You know, some people say it's America's natural resources that make our country so great, but the greatest resource of all is our working men and women -- their skill, hard work, guts, and determination."

Radio Address to the Nation on Economic Growth , August 30, 1986

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tree Trimming Weekend

Piles of Brush in the Side Yard

Mowing the yard has been a weekly affair this summer with the copious amounts of rain we have received. Our yard is lined with juniper trees which need trimming every couple years to remove the dead branches and allow for better access with the tractor while mowing.

Saturday, using my newly acquired chain saw, was tree trimming day. And the trees were trimmed. It opened up the yard and will make mowing more enjoyable by not having to duck as much under the junipers. 

Relaxing Around the Fire Pit

We created huge piles of brush which will be heading off to the dump this week in the truck. I would have preferred to rent a chipper to reduce the brush, but at over $200 for a day, it seems a bit expensive. Although, I do so enjoy running the chipper.

After the work of the day which included removing one of the unused horseshoe pits, then came relaxation around the fire pit. 

A fantastic day. Beautiful, although a bit cool, weather and hard work.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Evening Reconvenes

Last evening we recognized the unofficial end of summer as our wine group reconvened to share stories of summertime travels and experiences.

The evening was cool as we enjoyed each other's company under the clear sky as the sun set. A great dinner and some fantastic wines created the perfect setting for reconnecting with friends.

The summer has not been kind to some of our band and others of us are already beginning to plan for next summer. It is almost like our own personal football season as August comes to an end and September arrives next week.

It was great to be back together with friends. I look forward to enjoying the passing seasons during the next weeks.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD