Monday Musings - January 15, 2018

1. It is Martin Luther King Jr Day. Some of us get to enjoy a holiday.

2. Driving back from Upstate New York yesterday the thermometer on the car registered a low of -9 in some places. I can't even imagine that kind of cold.

Matt Blowing the Overnight Snow

3. The weather is cold again! It is 15 degrees outside. Ugh!

4. It is fun to watch the news describe the morning traffic when I know that I do not have to drive into it. 

5. Wall, why does it have to be a $17 billion wall?

6. Doesn't The President realize that he is the face of America and everything he utters or tweets becomes what people believe about our country?

7. What is wrong with this picture of Matt blowing snow on Saturday morning in Upstate New York? Everything! It was 60 degrees the day before and there was no snow. 

Headlines

Hopes Dim for DACA Deal as Lawmakers Battle Over Trump’s Immigration Remarks - The New York Times


In Iran, Protester ‘Suicides’ Stir Anger and Calls for Accountability - The New York Times


Jeff Flake expected to deliver floor speech comparing Trump's attacks on media to Stalin's - CNN

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"We're a friend of peace first, last, and always. But the American soul was forged in freedom. And we will be a friend of freedom everywhere, and the foes of freedom will be our foes."

Remarks at the 1985 Reagan Administration Executive Forum, January 25, 1985

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

From 90 to 8

Two days and two different birthday parties. 

Dad and Mom Holding Court
at the Head of the Room
January, 13, 2018

Yesterday was a big birthday celebration with people arriving from all over the country to celebrate Dad and his 90 years. 

Lucas with an Alligator

It was an exciting evening despite the inhospitable weather. It was bitter cold and there was a lot of snow, but the meeting hall was warm with admiration and compliments. It was good to see all of the family that was able to make the trek, despite the conditions, and celebrate Dad's life. It is really hard to corral over 70 people on a cold winter's night and my sisters a great job of getting the family to come together.

From my standpoint, it was great to talk to so many of my cousins and catch up on their lives and families.

The Family Posing with an Albino Python

This morning, we departed a frigidly cold Ithaca about 6:30 AM to be back for Lucas' 8th Birthday Party at EcoAdventures. A couple years ago we had his birthday party there as well. I'm not sure having a birthday party with snakes, alligators, and roaches is exactly the way to have fun, but the kids and even the adults seemed to have fun.

There is something really different about eating ice cream birthday cake surrounded by wild animals. And I don't mean the kids, either.

I am glad that I was able to make both celebrations even though they were almost 6 hours of driving apart.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Snow, Why did it have to be Snow

"Heavy snow, freezing rain, bitter cold," those were the words that the weather channel used to describe conditions this morning. I drove from Maryland to Upstate New York just to experience the worst that winter has to offer.

Parts of my extended family are strewn across the state and region as they continue to attempt to assemble to celebrate Dad's 90th birthday.

No one expected a storm of blizzard proportions. There is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground here, but it is hard to tell how much since the wind is blowing it around and creating impressive drifts.

Yesterday it was 61 degrees here. Idyllic weather for January, but it was a brief respite from the winter. Today it is 50 degrees colder and the ground has disappeared under a blanket of cold, white snow.

The big event party is this afternoon at 5 PM. It is looking like it will be a family gathering rather than the 120 person celebration that was originally planned.

Snow. Why did it have to be so much snow? And I still need to get back to Maryland. Maybe.

I'm glad it's a three-day weekend. I have an extra day the allow the dogsled team to navigate the artic conditions.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Respite

Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, PA

Amazingly it was 60 degrees yesterday. The weeks of below hospitable temperatures turned into a very mild day. I even joked at work about trying to hit the golf course. Of course that never happened nor was it even a potential reality.

We are now looking at the paradox of frozen rivers and shirt-sleeve temperatures. The image is of the frozen Susquehanna River. It looks cold even though the day was 60 degrees.

I enjoyed the respite from the frigid temperatures. I relish the days which remind me that the winter season is temporary.

Some places in upstate New York are looking at getting more than 10 inches of snow tonight. Not my idea of a great way to start the holiday weekend.

Grin and enjoy or bear it.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Thursday

It is Thursday.

What is Thursday after all but the day before
Friday. 

As a five-day per week working society, we seem to love Friday, but let me tell you, I'd rather it be Saturday.

The temperature is well above freezing this morning at 36 degrees. It felt warm when I took the dogs out at 4:15 AM after a transient fox in the neighborhood got them stirred up. 

The weather even made a headline in this morning's The Washington Post! 

PM Update: Turning milder through Thursday
It was nice to be outside and not freezing. It almost felt warm!

One of the regional golf courses even opened up one of their four nine-hole courses for play!

But still, it is only January. There is more snow and ice in the forecast.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In a Sunbeam

Even on the coldest days, out animals seem to be able to find the best places to nap.

Riordin, Makayla, Finnegan in a Sunbeam

The other day, when the temperatures were Arctic-cold, they found a sunbeam to warm themselves as they napped.

What is interesting is that they all decided to line up in the same sunbeam on hitting the floor. That there were two dogs and one cat dod not seem to matter. Actually, the cat holds his own against the dogs and we have a pretty close knit family.

And they slept there for quite a while until the sunbeam moved away from them.

It must be great to live a dog or cat's life in a good warm home. I wish I could curl up and sleep in a sunbeam.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Twice as Warm is Still Below Freezing

Ice, why does it have to be ice?

My driveway and presumably the street I live off are a sheet of glazed water-covered ice this morning. The most slippery combination known. 

The temperature seems to be moving up in terms of dozens.

Two days ago it was 0 degrees. Yesterday it was 12 degrees, and this morning it was 24 degrees. At least the trend is in the right direction. Yesterday the region officially ended the deep freeze as the temperature rose about 32 for the first time since December 30th. 

I am hopeful of making it to work on the ice covered roadways. At least the schools have a two hour delay so there will be somewhat less traffic on the roads.

It is still dark outside.

And the ice is lurking!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - January 8, 2018

1. It is the second Monday of 2018. It is hard ti believe that a week in the new year has been completed.

2. It was 12 degrees warmer this morning than last with a temperature of 12.7 degrees. 

3. It was amazing that both the Mega Millions and Power Ball jackpots were hit on successive days for more that $400 million each. There are two very happy people out there.

4. Chris and I spent a busy Sunday watching sports. We watched most of the NFL playoff games and also were treated to two youth basketball games won handily by our grandsons' teams.

Beach Home St Croix

5. I have found a couple interesting articles for headlines this morning. I intentionally stayed away from the politically charges headlines of the past few days because, frankly, I'm tired of the same finger pointing and accusations that continue to be replayed in the media.

6. The cold is supposed to break this week and we are expecting temperatures above freezing for the first time since December 30th when the temperature crawled up to a balmy 33 degrees.

7. Wouldn't it be nice to have a beach home in St. Croix or almost any Caribbean Island right now?

Headlines

Beijing bets on facial recognition in a big drive for total surveillance - The Washington Post

Woman run over with her own car while trying to escape cat attack, troopers say - ClickOrlando.com
Boeing 747 retirement: Farewell to the 'Queen of the Skies' - CNN

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"It was once written that America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. I have no fear that the character and generosity of our people will erode. But I am concerned that we don't draw from that deep well of compassion and goodness nearly enough. Together, we can bring back the recognition voluntary action, private initiative, once enjoyed. We will remind the American people of how good and how great they really are. And in so doing, we will ensure our inner strength for generations to come." Remarks at a White House Luncheon for Members of the President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives, December 8, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Messages from the Ice Box

It is cold.

How cold is it?

It is so cold that I saw a polar bear walk by headed south.

The temperature outside my window hit 0.9 degrees this morning. And since it is not dawn yet, I expect it to head lower as dawn approaches. Maybe it will go into negative numbers. 

It is cold. Just too cold to mention. 

I wonder if they truck will start in the cold?

The Christmas decorations are going to stay on the house for a while yet.

January 2018 is off to an extremely cold start. Too cold. Maybe it will warm up soon. 


Q: When are your eyes not eyes? 

A: When the ice cold wind makes them water! 

The cold weather is the big story of the New Year. 

I am watching HGTV's Beachfront Bargain Hunt  about a couple from D.C. looking at houses in St Croix, Virgin Islands. 

Stay warm!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

On to the Playoffs

No, I don't feel any better that the Bills made the NFL playoffs for the first time in 17 years because of a Ravens defensive collapse.

Jeremy in his Steeler's Garb

It was hard to watch my team "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" with less than a minute left of the clock. The Ravens went from playoff-bound to spectators with one improbable 4th down and 12 yards to go play. Properly defended; the Ravens are in the playoffs. As it is, they are on the outside looking in.

All of the family's teams, except one, met similar fates this season. The Redskins and the Cowboys, similarly underperformed. Only the Steelers demonstrated excellence on the football field.  

They are so good that they do not have to risk the frigid temperatures this weekend as they have a bye.

I suppose that given the playoff choices, I will have to throw my support behind the Steelers. 

And so the playoffs begin! May the best team win without gratuitous assistance from the referees.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD