Dogs in the Snow

Makayla in the Snow

Finnegan After Running in the Snow

Unlike me, my dogs love the snow.

Whenever it snows they rush outside to play in the cold, wet, white stuff. 

I am always amazed at their reactions as they charge out the door and off the steps into the snow. They frolic, yes frolic, through the snow like they have never seen it before. 



I'm sure that if we had snow all year, they would tire of it, but as it is they continue to enjoy the freshness of the newly fallen snow. 

I am glad at least my dogs enjoy the snow, even though I wish that I lived somewhere that it never falls.

Spring is coming soon, I am sure of it.

I have to keep telling myself that.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flying in the Storm

From the Storm
March 21, 2018

More from the Storm
March 21, 2018

Radio Flyer, my drone, conducted a flight in the falling snow this morning. 

It was interesting because the collision avoidance sensors frequently activated due to the falling snow. 

It was fun flying through the snowflakes and imaging the trees and the yard. Later, I will be flying up the street as the snow is already melting and I am hopeful that this Spring storm is the last of the winter period. It is time for flowers and sunny warmth.

The big snowflakes made the flying interesting, but the flight provided some unique views of the snow on the trees.

I am glad that the leaves had not yet appeared as there likely would have been a lot of tree damage.

It is not 5:30 PM and the storm appears to have spent its energy. Now comes the freezing and the cold!

But then there is the Spring, although temperatures are not forecast to be in the 50's until a week hence, next Tuesday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And This is Spring?

Welcome to the first full day of Spring! And we are expecting 4-7 inches of snow. It may even develop into a snowpocalypse! But probably not.

Beginning of the Storm
March 21, 2018

Schools are closed in celebration of the arrival of Spring! Not really. They are closed because the roads are a mess. 

What a way to welcome Spring, with snow.

Two days ago I was outside working the team during baseball practice. Now, it will be until next week until i can do it again.

The local weather continues to remind me why I want to live somewhere that the sun shines and the temperatures are warm. Even though it was cool during my weekend get away to Florida, it was warmer than it has been in the Baltimore region.

Springtime brings such promise, but the weather can really crush those hopes with reality. 

I was thinking about when I will be opening the pool. May is beginning to look like a definite possibility.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taking the Field

Mike Gathering the Team Before Practice
March 19, 2018

There is a big storm racing towards the Mid-Atlantic region. Hopefully the last gasp of Winter.

GORC Dodgers Take the Field
March 19, 2018

Spring begins today, if you can believe it, at 12:15 PM. Just after noon. 

The weather, however, will definitely be more winter-like during the next couple of days.

A sure sign of Spring, however, is baseball. Last evening the GORC Dodgers took the practice field for the third time and continued their journey developing as baseball players.

There team is actually pretty talented. We have a few pitchers, including Jax, and they have a good sense of how to play defense. It is going to be a great season. It is amazing how quickly practice passes when we are all busy and having fun.

Now, all we need is warmer weather. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 19, 2018

1. Spring begins in two days, even though it doesn't seem like it.

Chris at Carroll Park
March 18, 2018

2. Yesterday's weather was a great foretaste of Spring. The temperature made it into the mid-the 50s. 

3. Chris and I snuck out for a quick round of golf yesterday. I had an interesting round, I think I hit every tree on the course with a ball--it was frustrating. 

Around the Smoking Fire Pit
March 18, 2018

4. The evening was pleasant and we tried sitting around the fire pit, but the wood was a bit damp and we were soon overcome with smoke. We headed under the deck for a propane fire pit to finish off happy hour. 

5. Sunday was a good day to get some lawn work done, and I was successful in getting the work done. 

6. The situation in D.C. has become incredible. That any governing is being done is a miracle. Don't forget, there is another government shutdown looming.

7. There is a major winter storm looming, the region should begin panicking soon.

8. How about Syracuse making the March Madness's Sweet 16? Who saw that coming?

Headlines

Poisoning of Russian ex-spy puts spotlight onMoscow’s secret military labs - The Washington Post

Wireless firms seek to preempt local authority to install 5G equipment in neighborhoods - The Washington Post
Disabled Veterans Waited Up to Seven Months for VA to Fix Their Wheelchairs - The Washington Free Beacon

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"There is one other obligation that all of us as citizens must face up to if we are to preserve our freedom: We must restore the security of America. Without that security, survival itself is in doubt." Address Before a Joint Session of the Alabama State Legislature in Montgomery, March 15, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Despite the Weather . . .

We are a resilient bunch.

With the temperatures rising from an early morning low of 24 degrees into the mid-30's, baseball practice for the GORC Dodgers U10 baseball team was conducted for an hour-and-a-half yesterday. We had a great practice and the boys were really ready for the workouts.

It was cold, but the calm winds made it bearable. 



The temperatures are not expected to improve much this week. It is a very depressing forecast. More cold, ice, snow, and gray skies are in the forecast.

Getting outside despite the cold weather is important. 

Today, there may be some golf in my future. The temperature is expected to get into the 50's and a nine hole round is possible. A short respite form the crappy weather. 

And then there will likely be some yard work accomplished to continue to get ready for the season ahead. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Common Theme--COLD!

Sunset over a Venice, Florida Beach
March 8, 2018

It was a crazy week. Although I traveled the East Coast form Florida to New York, there was one common theme: cold!

Last week at this time I was in Florida and while that should be enough, it was cold in Florida. I go to Florida during March to experience a taste of what is to come when Summer finally breaks here in Maryland. I was disappointed because the temperatures were in the 60's and low 70's--except, of course, for the day I departed when the 80's finally appeared.

Geese in Niagara Falls
March 12, 2018

I did make it to a beach, briefly, while I was in Florida, but it was too cold to stay. Even with a coat on the temperatures were crashing into the 40's and it was just plain cold.

I arrived home after 8PM Sunday night and was on the road for Niagara Falls by 6:30AM Monday morning. If that is not a shock to the system, then I do not know what is.

I really got to experience cold in Niagara Falls. Even the geese were cold!

Leaving Niagara Falls, I returned to Maryland where it was also cold!

It is cold!

The temperature may crawl into the 50's tomorrow, but there are no 70's in sight.

It is 25 degrees outside right now and I have baseball practice in three short hours. 

That means more cold!

I hope it gets warm soon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

2018 Valspar Championship Reflections

Tiger Woods
Valspar Championship Round 2
March 9, 2018

Jordan Spieth
Valspar Championship Round 2
March 9, 2018

It is hard to believe that is has already been a week since I attended the second round of the  2018 Valspar Championship. 

It was my first PGA Tournament in person and Jeremy was very patient with me as I tased a lot of questions as we walked the course.

What a day it turned out to be. It was fun to walk the course and watch the pros play golf. I was impressed and amazed with the access. I was also happy that i was never near anyone who yelled "It's in the hole" as soon as the club connected with the ball.

It was fortuitous that Tiger Woods was in a threesome with Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson on that day. I really like watching Jordan and Jeremy is a huge Tiger fan. 

Tiger Woods
Valspar Championship Round 2
March 9, 2018

I took a lot of images of the activities, but I also videoed some of the hits and putts. 

The day was cool and so it was not a tedious and hot walk like it will be as the season wears on. I actually enjoyed the sun and the crowd, which was very well behaved. 

I love seeing the course and how it was prepared for the pros. The sound of their clubs hitting the ball was different form any sound that my club has ever made.

All-in-all it was a great event. I wish I had time to do more of the rounds. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf Course Critters

Florida in March provides med a chance to get back into touch with the critters that inhabit golf courses. 

Some of them are downright dangerous--like the gators. Some are just enjoyable to watch like the birds, especially the sand cranes (which I failed ot take a picture of this year even though they were everywhere). I love the way they scream like I imagine a pterodactyl would sound.

It is a different experience though walking to the waters edge and having to check for gators. I have a rule about never putting my hand in the water just in case I missed one lurking just off shore. Yes, they are big, but they are stealthy. 

Stealthy Gator
Jim Schaecher took this image

The wildlife on the golf course reminds me that it is possible to be in harmony with nature. Respect the diversity and live together.

There is do much more to do on a golf course than hit the little white ball around.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Niagara Falls, NY

Out the Hotel Window
March 12, 2018

I was expecting a breathtaking view out my hotel window while staying in Niagara Falls, but alas it was not to be. 

Out the Hotel Window #2
March 13, 2018

I did manage a before and after image out the window during my brief, one-night stay at the Hampton Inn on Niagara Avenue. The before was the day of arrival and the after was the day of departure. The difference was a snow storm. Ugh! 

Do we really need to experience snow during the month of March? I think not. 

Snow Falling on the Niagara River
March 12, 201 8

I tried to take an image of the same scene out window, but somehow I forgot how I had oriented the camera. 

Spring is just a week away. Count 'em, seven days. 

I did enjoy the fluffy flakes falling on the Niagara River while we were out watching the water plunge across the falls. It is a scene that I am sure not many people get to see because they are not crazy enough to visit during the the cold, still, winter season. 

I am glad to be south today, although the temperature at the house this morning is 28 degrees. Too cold to be Spring.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD