Sitting by the Pool

The YMCA of Pasadena
September 25, 2018

Sometimes it does not have to be my own pool. Sitting by a pool brings back the feeling of summer, especially on a humid evening after the storms have cleared a bit.

The evening ended in beautiful fashion. The skies cleared a bit and sitting  by the pool at the Y watching Lucas practice was not so bad.  It was an hour away from the noise that complicates life, like traffic. 

Chris and I retrieved Lucas about 4:45 PM for a 5:30 PM practice and made it through traffic, with the help of Waze. During the hour that we were waiting, the skies began to clear a bit and the Sun even made an appearance. 

Today is, however, the cross-over day as the Sun rises at 6:59 AM and sets at 6:59 PM. After today, it is all downhill into the dark season.

Hopefully, the rain for clear soon and we can begin to enjoy outdoors activities again. The almost 80 degree temperatures of yesterday reminded me of a nice summer afternoon. 

And I was sitting by a pool. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Activities

With the arrival of Autumn, it is time to begin maintenance activities to prepare for the impending dark season.

I noticed last evening that it was dark by 7:15 PM. Very dark. Officially, sunset was 7 PM, but with the heavy cloud cover darkness descended upon the land shortly after the Sun sank below the horizon. At least I believe there was a sun because I never saw it during the day.

Right Front Tire on Chris's Highlander
September 23, 2018

The maintenance activities are beginning in earnest. Chris's vehicle now has not only new brakes, but is equipped with a brand new set of tires to prepare for the season ahead. I decided her tires were too worn to safely make it though the winter.

There are other activities that will begin to happen. The ornamental grasses around the pool will be cut and recycled, wood will be gathered or purchased, windows and latches will be inspected. These are among the many projects that will be accomplished during the next few weeks.

Through all of it, I will dream of another vacation in the sun and warmth. It is also time to make vacation plans. I was thinking off a cruise across the Atlantic in April to Barcelona, Spain, but when I checked out the return airfare prices I decided that the good deal for the cruise was completely offset by the incredible airfare to return home. The airfare was equal to a balcony cabin on the cruise.

The forecast for the next few days is for more rain, but then, amazingly, for the weekend the Sun comes out! We may even see one last 80 degree day before the temperatures fall into the 60's and below for good.

Maybe there is some golf in my future after all!

Autumn activités are swinging into full gear in preparation for the winter's dark, cold days. I will be ready.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 24, 2018

1. It is the last Monday of September. It is also the first Monday of Autumn and the first Monday since I closed my pool.

Me Diving in the Bahamas
August 27, 2018

2. The forecast for the week is for rain and more rain!

3. I finally got access to some of the images from my Bahamas dive with Patrick and Tina. They are very interesting. I still have not found the video of the shark we saw. The images bring back great memories and remind me that there is nothing better than breathing compressed air and exploring the world below the surface that we can only visit for short periods of time. 

Right Front Brake Pads Replaced
September 23, 2018

4. The Orioles (45-110, .290) actually won a game in New York, defeating the Yankees yesterday. There are 7 games remaining. The Orioles are still on pace to lose 115 games.

5. I figured out what to do on a rainy day: replace the brakes on Chris's vehicle. Which I did, yesterday! The temperature was moderate and the garage kept me dry as I replaced the brakes on all four wheels. My new floor jack was particularly useful in lifting the Highlander, my old jack did not have the necessary throw to get the job done.

Turkey Vulture in Dumpster
Elkridge Fire Department
September 23, 2018

6. Where do turkey vultures go when there are not enough dead things around to eat? Apparently they go to the nearest dumpster and do some dumpster diving. Chris and I found about six of them at a local dumpster yesterday. 

7. The family weekend football team results are in and overall it is better than last week:

Ravens (2-1) defeated Broncos 27-14
Redskins (2-1) defeated Packers 31-17
Cowboys (1-2) lost to the Seahawks 24-13
Steelers play tonight against Buccaneers

8. How about Tiger Woods winning the Tour Championship yesterday. It was spectacular seeing him raise his arms in triumph after so much adversity wearing his classic red shirt and black pants on a Sunday afternoon?

9. Today in History, from History.com. 
The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. That day, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside as chief justice, and John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison, and James Wilson to be associate justices. On September 26, all six appointments were confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Headlines

Over and out: CB radio-maker struggles to adjust to Trump tariffs - The Washington Post

The Republican Party has laid itself bare - The Washington Post

China Is Confronting New U.S. Hostility. But Is It Ready for the Fight? - The New York Times

Hong Kong pro-independence party formally outlawed in first such move since handover - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. It is a continuous revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek alternatives.
    Address to Students at Moscow State University, May 31, 1988



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Arrives

Pool Closing from Radio Flyer
September 22, 2018

Autumn, heralding the arrival of the dark season, arrived last evening and with it the weather has already changed. The cooler air blew in while Chris and I were enjoying dinner with the temperature dropping to 64 degrees as we headed home. This morning the temperature has fallen to 59 degrees. A confirmation of Autumn's arrival.

The Water Level is Lowered
September 22, 2018

With the cooler weather, the rains have returned. We are facing a week of rainy weather.

The big project for the yesterday was closing the pool in advance of the cooler weather, falling leaves, and rains. Frankly, I was tired of hauling leaves out of the pool everyday and I had not swum in the pool during the past few weeks since returning from the cruise. Of course, I would have been swimming on Labor Day, but the pool was green and I was killing the algae bloom that had developed while we were away.

Chris and Finnegan Helping to Close the Pool
September 22, 2018

I flew Radio Flyer to get an image of the pool closing. By about 7:15 AM, I already had the back-up pump running to draw the water down in the pool. I had to use the back-up pump because the primary pump had burned out a few days ago. I also had the pool cleaner, known as the Dolphin, running one last time to rid the pool of leaves and debris. 

Once the water was lowered to the winter season level, I added the chemicals, my witch's brew as I call it, to help the pool make it through the next almost eight months. I used the pump and outlet hose to mix the water and chemicals to be ready for the final act--installing the cover. 

Cover Installed Ready for the Dark Season
September 22, 2018

Finnegan turned out to be very interested in the entire process of closing the pool and was by our sides the entire time. He did give us a scare as he started to run across the not yet fully installed pool cover and Chris was concerned that he would fall into the water and that I would then have to rescue him. You read that correctly, she wouldn't rescue him, I would be responsible for that act of courage and bravery. 

Sunrise, the Last Day of Summer Dawns
September 22, 2018
Radio Flyer

By 11:17 AM, when I took the image of the fully installed cover, the process was nearly complete. All that remained was to fill the lines with anti-freeze and close them off. Then it was clean up time! We were done well before noon. Another successful pool closing.

I still have to get the newly arrived pump motor set-up, but that will not take too much time. I won't actually install it into the pump until Springtime. Pool opening day is about 223 days away, tentatively scheduled for May 4th of 2019!  Of course if the weather seems nice in April, I may open it earlier. 

We may resurface the pool at some point during the off season which will also cause us to take the cover off and effectively open it. Hopefully after the leaves are all off the trees. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Trees Fall

After the Felling
September 21, 2018

Yesterday was a momentous day around the house. 

Looking Through the Backyard
From Radio Flyer
September 22, 2018

Five dead ash trees were felled cleaning up the sight lines from the house. I was smart enough to pay professionals to drop the trees. Some needed to be topped first.

We are no longer looking at dead trees, but rather, at least for a few more weeks, an undulating sea of green.  The way it is supposed to be.

Now comes the hard part--cleaning up the mess. At least I have my trusty chain saw.

We have a lot of ash wood now lying on the ground waiting to become firewood. It was sad to lose the mighty trees, but at least the falling limbs no longer pose a hazard to life and property. 

Just another day at home!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Last Full Day of Summer

The last full day of summer has arrived. Autumn officially begins tomorrow at 9:54 PM EDT. At that time the Sun will cross the equator to preparing to spend the winter season in the southern hemisphere. I never thought about the Sun being a "snowbird" before. I want to be a snowbird when I grow up!

Pool Pump Motor - Non-Functional
September 21, 2018

It is fitting that as summer ends, tomorrow is also pool closing day. To make the closing process more interesting, the motor for the pump burned out two days ago. What a fitting end to the pool season. I admit, I knew the motor was nearing the end of its useful life due to the noise it was making, but I was hoping it would make it to the end of the season. It did not. At least the neighbors are likely happy to have relative silence during the daytime hours now.

Not having a working pump motor makes closing the pool a bit more difficult since I have to lower the water level in preparation for the winter and mix a witch's brew of chemicals into the remaining water. Fortunately, I have a back-up pump which can help me accomplish the task.

Pool closing is a sad day around my house. It marks the official end of the swimming season. It is fitting that it will be accomplished on the last day of Summer as Autumn is preparing to arrive. I am hopeful of documenting the day with Radio Flyer, which has been grounded for almost a month now by weather and my busy schedule.

First, however, I have to make it through another Friday! I don't know why so many people look forward to Friday. I'm a much bigger fan of Saturday!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Thursday - The Lost Season

List of Worst Major League Baseball Records
Modern Era (Since 1900)

The Orioles set a record the other day. The 2018 version of the team has accumulated the most losses of any Orioles team in history.

An inglorious record.

Futility.

Last night the Orioles, (44-108, .289) amazingly won a game against the Blue Jays. The team is 59 games out of first place and 47 games out of qualifying for a wild card post-season position. With the win last night, the Orioles have assured themselves of not tying the 2003 Detroit Tigers for 119 losses! The Orioles have almost assured themselves of not reaching the 50 wins plateau this season. They are 3-7 for their last 10 games and with 10 games remaining they would have to win 6 to achieve 50 wins. My prediction of 115 losses seems very possible and possibly a bit conservative. 

The Orioles are already listed in the List of worst Major League Baseball season records.

The Orioles are a team which defines futility. I have seen them lose in almost every imaginable way this season. The real losers, however, are the fans of this once proud baseball team. We will still be here long after the players and the coaches who contributed to the debacle that is the 2018 season have moved on. We will remember this season for a long time.

The off season cannot arrive soon enough.

 I have to admit--I did not see this coming.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn is in the Air

Decorated for Autumn
September 18, 2018

The remnants of the former hurricane Florence passed by yesterday dumping inches of rain on the region. Since then,  the temperatures have cooled a bit and I detect that Autumn is in the air.

The season officially begins on Saturday evening, but I already detect the subtle signs of its arrival. 

One way to tell are the decorations outside our front door. The season has definitely changed and the orange and reds of the autumn are visible along with the pervasive pumpkins.

The leaves are beginning to fall from the trees. These first ones have just decided to let go from their branches without changing color, but I know the big change cannot be far off as color will fill the senses after the first frost. 

It should be a busy couple of months as the seasons change from summer to autumn. 

Bring on the pumpkins!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sitting Here Watching the Rain Fall

It rained again last evening.

All evening.

Even during the night I was awakened by a thunderstorm. 

It is raining. A lot. 

Chris knew that I had had a particularly trying day and had happy hour waiting for me when I finally made it home about 6 PM after a long day. It was a great transition into the evening. 


I sat on the porch looking out at the sea of green punctuated with dead ash trees and I realized that autumn is not too far off. Many people get excited about autumn and the bright display of colors that nature provides to ease the transition from summer's warmth and green. I admit, the colors do provide temporary enjoyment.

I began thinking about the trees and how much I appreciate and respect them. I don't know why I used to color tree trunks brown when I was a kid, they are gray. The summer green gives way to winter gray and it remains gray until springtime revives the world. I wonder if Crayola has a crayon named Winter Gray?

We have had a lot of rain. And gray skies. The forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms until about 6PM. According to the local weather station we have received 1.36 inches of rain since midnight!

More rain. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and bright! We will see. I hope so. I have almost forgotten what that bright orb in the sky looks like. I enjoy feeling its warm rays on my face.

Until then, more rain.

Until then, like a tree, I will just enjoy the view.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 17, 2018

1. A weekend without rain, mostly. 
it was a different way to start the second half of September.

Moon over Elkridge in the Sunset Sky
September 16, 2018

2. The leaves falling from the trees are making the job of keeping the pool open and clean a daily task. Unless I get a contract to resurface the pool, next weekend I will close the pool.

3. Weekend family sports teams results were dismal:
    Ravens (1-1) lost 23-34 to Bengals (Thursday)
    Steelers (0-1-1) lost 37-42 to Chiefs
    Redskins (1-1) lost 9-21 to Colts
    Cowboys (1-1) defeated the Giants, 20-13

Finnegan Rocking His Colors
September 16, 2018

4. The Orioles (43-106, .289) set a milestone over the weekend. By winning Sunday's game over the White Sox, the Orioles cannot lose 120 games this season and therefore cannot tie the 1962 Mets for the most losses during the modern MLB baseball era.

5. Finnegan got into the spirit of NFL football Sunday and dressed out in his jersey yesterday.


6. For the first time in about a week, I saw the moon last evening while Chris and I were out on our walk. 

7. At the beginning of another week I take a moment to consider the activities laying between me and the weekend. Am I really living through weekdays just to get to the weekend?

Burnside's Bridge
Antietam Battlefield
July 28, 2018

8. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, but it is easily treated when caught early - the problem is that too often it is not. That is why the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC), – a national organization committed to men’s health and a leader in prostate cancer screening – is sponsoring its 27th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW) from September 17-21, 2018.

9. Today in History. Beginning early on the morning of this day in 1862, Confederate and Union troops in the Civil War clash near Maryland’s Antietam Creek in the bloodiest single day in American military history. I visited Antietam during July and was reminded of the titanic struggle and unfathomable loss of life that occurred there. 

Headlines

Typhoon Mangkhut Hits China and Hong Kong as Philippines Death Toll Rises - The New York Times

Florence has made Wilmington, N.C., an island cut off from the rest of the world - The Washington Post

Washington Post: Kavanaugh accuser comes forward - CNN

Myanmar youth, journalists demonstrate against jailing of Reuters reporters - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.
   -- D-day Commemoration in Normandy, France, June 6, 1984


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD