The Trip Home

It is the trip home that signals the end of a vacation or time away.

Mom and Dad with E and Jax
Nicole's photo

Often the trip home is the hardest because I know that at the end of it, the daily routine will kick in again.

Yesterday, I took Mom and Dad halfway home. I was met at that point by my brother Tim who helped them to complete the journey back to their house in the frozen hinterland that is often referred to as Upstate New York.

The Family at Thanksgiving

It was sad to see them leave after such a short visit, but it was the quality of the visit which was the most important aspect. 

It was great to have them join us for Thanksgiving, but their departure signaled the return to the daily routine.

Even though the trip home signaled the end of one holiday, there are more holidays ahead and more opportunities to get together and celebrate.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Black Friday 2017

The craziest shopping day of the year is over!

Setting the Game Board
Axis and Allies 2017

I can state, emphatically, that I did not leave the comfort of my house to brave the crowds and chaos. 

Why?

Black Friday is Axis and Allies day for the men of the family. It is a Black Friday tradition that we gather around a table for 8 hours or more and recreate World War II. Although we have played the WWI version of the game.

Axis and Allies in Progress

Yesterday, the Axis defeated the Allies after routing the Russian forces defending Moscow while the Japanese were running roughshod through Asia although the Americans had soundly defeated their Navy during the Battle of Tokyo Bay. 

While the world was a war, I am told, by the family members that went shopping, that the crowds were ferocious. It seems that retailers of brick and mortar stores have not figured out yet that they are driving people online if the shopping experience is not a pleasant one. For instance, waiting in line to check out for over 30 minutes is not a good plan.

I'm glad that I was safe and warm at home while losing the world to the bad guys.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In the Rearview

Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror.

Thanksgiving Day 2017
Elkridge, MD

The football games are over and today is the day of leftovers as we struggle to eat everything that was not consumed yesterday. The turkey carcass is safely in the refrigerator waiting to be made into sandwiches and then into soup.

But it was a grand day. 

When the Reflection in the Spoon Reminds
me of Somewhere Else

Santa arrived at the end of the Macy's parade. I remember as a kid that was a significant moment. It meant that the Christmas season was upon us with all of its magic. 

The weather yesterday was fabulous. The sky was clear blue and the remaining leaves on the trees provided a beautiful mixture of color and contrast before the season fully passes into the grays of winter. 

In an trivial interesting thought, as I was about to pick up my spoon during the meal yesterday, the reflection of the fan in the metal made me think of being somewhere else, like on a beach. I though, just for a moment, that I saw a starfish, rather than the blades of the fan above me.

But no, I was still in Maryland enjoying dinner with my family--four generations of family. 

Family, after all, is where it is at. Here's hoping that you had a great Thanksgiving and that you survive Black Friday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Thanksgiving - 2017

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

I hope that you are well, no matter where you are reading this and whether you celebrate the holiday or not.

It is always good to pause and give thanks for the blessings that we have received. 

I am blessed this year to have my parents here to celebrate the holiday with us. I rescued them from the winter wonderland that became Central New York yesterday and brought them a bit south to enjoy blue skies and 50 degree temperatures. 

Today will be filled with parades, football, food, but most importantly joy and interaction with family. 

If you are interested in a bit of history, The New York Times published an article two days ago describing how Most Everything You Learned About Thanksgiving is Wrong. 

Sometimes I just don't want the myth busted, however. 

Enjoy the day and may your blessings overflow.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pre-Holiday Activity

My Turkey Revving up for the Holiday!

Did you ever notice how much activity has to happen before a holiday to make the day special?

This year, I am happy to have my parents present for Thanksgiving. I completed the round-trip to Ithaca to retrieve them just before noon. 

While driving back today I experienced my first snowfall of the season. Ugh! It was already snowing in Central New York.

I am glad to be back in Maryland where the temperatures are in the 50's and the sun is shining.

Looking forward to Turkey Day.

Remember--eat a turkey, don't be one!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Worship the Fire

Riordin, the Fire Loving Cat

Riordin is a great cat. He is unusually loving and attentive. He also has some very unique personality traits. 

Riordin on the Chair

Last evening I built a fire to warm the room and while Chris and I were enjoying dinner, Riordin found a new way to enjoy the fire. Yes, he was hanging over the arm of my chair soaking up the heat from the fire. 

I have not seen him do this before and I found it amusing. He was quite content and didn't even move when he saw me coming in for a picture. 

I finally had to disturb him to sit down in my chair and resume the evening.

What an awesome cat!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 20, 2017

Blanks Snow Village Canvass

1. I do not fully understand why I cleaned the leaves from the yard on Saturday. The cold and winds of the overnight made the yard look as if I had not done anything by Sunday morning.

2. I decided not to play golf yesterday was the temperatures were falling through the 40's and the wind was gusting to 50 mph. I have enough trouble with my game without adding extreme weather conditions into the equation.

2017 Snow Village Display

3. Winners and Losers: Winners: Ravens, Steelers. Losers: Cowboys, Redskins, Penguins

4. Attention! Christmas is arriving. Yesterday was Snow Village Day and the 2017 edition is on display!

Close-up of the City Portion of the Snow Village Display

5. It seems there is always more to do than time to complete the projects.

6. Thanksgiving is Thursday. Take a moment to be thankful for the many blessings that we all have.

7. As the season of the turkey draws to a close, the holiday season will get into full swing.

8. Be safe as you travel this holiday season.


Headlines

The U.S. must prepare for Iran’s next move in Syria - The Washington Post
Search for Missing Argentine Submarine Raises Grim Scenarios - The New York Times

'Stop saying Christmas' Priest warns Christians to abandon the word - Express

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"There is no reason why people in any part of the world should have to live in permanent fear of war or its spectre. I believe the time has come for all nations to act in a responsible spirit that doesn't threaten other states. I believe the time is right to move forward on arms control and the resolution of critical regional disputes at the conference table." Remarks to Members of the National Press Club on Arms Reduction and Nuclear Weapons, November 18, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taking the Dog for a Ride

Taking the Dog for a Ride

As Chris and I were returning home yesterday after a shopping trip, we came upon a scene that just made us laugh.

At a light, the driver opened the sun roof and out came the head of a large dog. We thought the dog would go back inside the cabin of the car once the light turned, but that did not happen. The car proceeded down the road with the dogs head sticking out.

Chris took my cell phone and snapped an image because we were just fascinated by the scene.

It was a really big dog and it seemed to be really enjoying the ride.

It was a nice afternoon for the dog to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Night Politics

Friday evenings mark the beginning of the weekend for Chris and I and our group of friends.

Friday Night Appetizers

Last evening was no exception. We gathered together at a friend's house to enjoy the end of the workweek and reconnect our lives. 

The food was sumptuous and enjoyable while the wine freely flowed.

The discussion centered on the politics of the week with two topics taking center stage: taxes and elephants.

Taxes have been in the news and we all agreed that the plans being presented by the Congress do not represent wins for the middle class. Robert Reich wrote and article titled The GOP Tax Bill is Everything That's Wrong with Our Democracy and in it spells out the problems and inconsistencies.

And then there was the discussion of elephant trophies. We were collectively appalled that the government was going to allow the importation of elephant trophies. Clearly, every middle class household has room for an elephant trophy and we are all big game hunters on the side. Wile were were having an excited discussion a headline came across my phone which indicated that the President had reversed the decision and the ban will remain in place while he reviews the conservation facts.

Our group could solve the problems of the world, if only . . . 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taxes?

Taxes have been in the news. 

My view is that if a politician's lips are moving, they are lying. 

The tax reform appears to be an attempt to buy the American populace by trying to proposing a tax plan that appears to offer something for nothing.

As I dig into the plans out there, I find that true middle Americans are likely lose under the plans. Those of us who own our homes and try to pay our bills on time are going to be expected to fund the tax deductions for everyone else.

Some of the real problems in the bills:

Loss of the ability to deduct state income taxes--that is a 7 percent hit here in Maryland. 

Fortunately, the Representatives realized that home ownership is the bedrock of our economy and kept in deductions for mortgage interest and taxes--albeit reduced, the reductions should not affect most middle class Americans.

Here is a summary from The Washington Post:

About 30 percent of filers itemize. Most of the people who itemize claim the state and local tax deduction (SALT) where they deduct their state and local sales, income and property taxes. Under the House bill, only the property deduction would remain. This hurts people living in high-tax (and often blue) states like New Jersey, New York and California. Several GOP representatives from these states plan to vote no on the bill in protest.

The adoption credit stays. The 401(k) exemption stays. But . . .

Say goodbye to the tax credits for plug-in motor vehicles. It gets repealed in 2018.

Say goodbye to the deduction for medical expenses. It goes away in 2018.

Say goodbye to being able to write off the costs of your tax preparer. That goes away in 2018.

Say goodbye to the deduction for moving expenses. It goes away in 2018, except for members of the military.

Say goodbye to most tax benefits for college. 

I am not sure how this is going to be a tax reduction. And i clearly am not going to be buying a Tesla in the future.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD