Thankful

I enjoy Thanksgiving because it provides a time for me to reflect upon the blessings that I have received. 

There are so many things that I am thankful for because I am richly blessed, but I want to take note of a few.

As many of you know, the last half of 2018 has been challenging for me personally as I was diagnosed with prostate cancer--but, I am thankful that everything is working out and that my treatments are progressing and are nearly complete. I am also thankful for the support of my family and friends and coworkers who have shown great compassion towards me as I have been being diagnosed and then my daily treatments. 

I am thankful that Mom and Dad dropped in for a short visit and there is the promise of a return visit when they escape the warmth of Houston (why would anyone go north during the winter?).

I am thankful for my family. All of them. My wife, my children, their spouses (or engaged), my grandchildren, my Mom and Dad, sisters and brother and their families. We are dysfunctional at times, but we are still a family.

I am thankful for the fun cruise this summer. 

I have met a lot of people this year and many of them have enriched my life just by knowing them and talking to them. I chatted with a man yesterday while we were both waiting for treatment. He was three days into his second round of treatment and he related that he is an Agent Orange victim and that he will likely be treated for the rest of his life. Yet, his attitude was positive and he was just happy the be alive and able to be treated.

I am thankful that I live in the greatest country in the world. Yes, we have our warts, but we are still the best place to live.

I am thankful for the readers of my blog and I hope each of them has a blessed holiday season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Ready for the Holidays

The Christmas Lights Go Up
November 19, 2018

Two days in a row now, I have not worked on the basement remodel project. It has been a nice respite, but I need to get back at it soon. The stair treads are arriving today or tomorrow and they are the last major part of the project. 

Last evening Chris and I began two Christmasfy the house. We started outside because the weather was warmer than it is going to be during the next week.While I usually put the outside lights up on Veterans Day, I was busy with the remodel and could not get out to get them up. And I think it rained all day anyway.

Yesterday, as soon as I arrived home after work, Chris and I began to get the lights up. It is a lot easier when it is warmer outside.

We do not turn the lights on until the day after Thanksgiving, but at least they will be ready. I still need to hang the wreath, but at least most of the lights are in place. 

Turkey in Front of the Fireplace

Happy Holidays? 

The Christmas season is upon us.

Wait, Happy Thanksgiving! My turkey still occupies its proud place in front of the fireplace.

Merry Christmas.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 19, 2018

1. It is the third Monday in November. We have cruised into the last half of November and we celebrate Thanksgiving this week.

The Bar
November 18, 2018

2. Home improvement projects drag on for a long time after the enthusiasm is gone. I just want to be complete, but it seems everyday I discover something else that needs to be done.

3. Enjoying a nice November, late-Autumn, day means working outside raking leaves and getting the grounds ready for Winter.

4. Family NFL Results

    Ravens (5-5) defeated Bengals 24-21

    Cowboys (5-5) defeated Falcons 22-19

    Steelers (7-2-1) defeated Jaguars 20-16

    Redskins (6-4) lost to Texans 21-23

5. I have to report that the traffic experience in the region during last week's weather event was as difficult as expected from Maryland drivers. 

6. For those keeping up with my treatment progress, they added one in yesterday (yes, Sunday) to compensate for being off on Black Friday. I now have 30 completed and 14 remaining! Completion date is now December 10th!

7. It is amazing how pets are adaptable. Whenever we bring new animals into the house for a brief time, they all seem to adapt and get along. We enjoyed Jeremy's two dogs Saturday evening for a few hours.

8. We have had three days without rain! What a miracle. I need to drain water from the pool.

9. Next up? Christmas lights. I usually get them up on Veterans Day, but it was raining and I was heavily engaged in the basement remodel project.

10. Today in History. On November 19, 1863, at the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincolndelivers one of the most memorable speeches in American history. In just 272 words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly reminded a war-weary public why the Union had to fight, and win, the Civil War.

Headlines

Stalemate at APEC Forum Over U.S.-China Trade Dispute: ‘Entire World Is Worried’ - The New York Times

Why Teenagers Mix Drinking and Sex - The New York Times

Yemen’s Houthis halt missile attacks on Saudi coalition - Reuters

Trump’s attack on retired admiral who led bin Laden raid escalates a war of words - The Washington Post

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

I have always believed that this anointed land was set apart in an uncommon way, that a divine plan placed this great continent here between the oceans to be found by people from every corner of the Earth who had a special love of faith and freedom. Our pioneers asked that He would work His will in our daily lives so America would be a land of morality, fairness, and freedom.

  -- Proclamation 4979—Thanksgiving Day, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Remodel Project: An Update

I haven't written about the remodel project in a few days, but it continues as our basement is transformed.

Cabinets and Counter
November 18, 2018

The results are finally beginning to be seen. Yesterday was spent finally installing the cabinets and counter. What a process that was. We bought cabinets that measures 48 inches. And we bought a premed countertop that measured 48 inches. Silly me. Of course a 48 inch countertop is not big enough for base cabinets of the same size. So, we had to return the 48 inch top and buy a 60 inch top for $40 more and cut 10 inches off it. Ugh, what a waste, but now it all goes together.

The Room
November 18, 2018

I had never cut laminate before and I received some good help at Lowe's. I also got a nice new circular saw. The job went very well. We still have to install an as yet unpurchased toe kick under the cabinets.

We originally were going to install a wall cabinet above the counter, but it arrived damaged and had to be returned. We have since decided to enjoy the space and add some lights instead.


The room is coming together and we have three areas for conversation and enjoyment. There is the bar, the wine barrel table, and the sofa area for watching television. We tried it out with friends on Friday night, and it worked pretty well. 

Chris and I are enjoying the remodeled space.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Post-Election Headache

I have enjoyed watching television again without being assaulted by political ads bashing candidates. By the time election day arrived I was becoming numb to the ads.

I feel a great sense of relief that it is all over.

I'm not sure how the results are going to play out in results. I fear that we are looking at two years of governmental gridlock. I'm guessing that there will be at least one government shutdown as the two parties struggle for control.

I remember seeing similar scenes in other countries while I was growing up. I never believed that it would happen here. 

Sadly, I fear that the rollercoaster ride is just beginning.

It has started with the discussions and posturing about who will be the next Speaker of the House. I am concerned even about this since the party of the incoming majority cannot seem to agree on where to start with this issue.

Personally, I would like to see a clean start and a bipartisan approach, alas, that is not likely to happen.

While at least I don't have to suffer through political campaign ads, I have to keep seeing it all play out in the news.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The First Snow

The Yard
November 15, 2018

Looking up the Street about 5 PM
November 15, 2018

Yesterday brought the first snow of the season to the area. 

The region shuddered. Schools were closed. Businesses delayed. Drivers gripped their steering wheels in death grips as they navigated the streets.

I, thankfully, was spared the worst of the event because I was at work and only had to deal with some slushy parking lots and wet streets when I departed for the end of the day.

I watched the traffic patterns as I departed for the day and was able to avoid the worst of the traffic. 

Sadly, the snow had helped remove the remaining leaves from the trees and the landscape has not almost completely adopted its winter season look. Trees without leaves now are generally the standard when looking across the landscape.

Weather Forecast for Elkridge, MD

Despite my wishes to the contrary, we have moved into the last half of November, or Movember for some of us. The first snow is out of the way and the good news that there is that there is no rain in the forecast for the next 8 days--until next weekend, of course. I am very excited. Perhaps the lawn will dry enough so that I can do some leaf removal and cut more wood to get ready for the winter.

We have not has a stretch that long without precipitation in a while. I have a lot of outside things to accomplish as the basement remodel has moved into the frustrating final stages. I am beginning to understand why some people never finish projects, the final few items can be appallingly hard. I am currently struggling with the cabinets--which are disappointingly poorly constructed. But that is a tale for another day.

Bring on the sunshine!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Odds and Ends Thursday

What's Wrong in this Image

It is Thursday! The threat of a winter storm has moved into the area and the rush hour should be a mess a bit later in the morning.

It is always an event in this area when bad weather arrives. 

So I have a few updates and some questions this morning. 

The first question is what is wrong in the image to the left?

This is how I found my gate after others had been kind enough to lock up after themselves. The problem? How does leaving the key in the lock really secure the gate?

Not sure.

Cabinets in Place
November 14, 2018

By way of update for the remodel project in the basement, the cabinets arrived last evening. Chris and I picked them up at Lowes and began the process of installation. They look good in the location we chose for them. 

We have a cabinet to install above them. I actually will install the cabinets tonight. Yes, I will install the wall cabinet before the base cabinet. We are still unsure about installing a sink, but will retain the option for the future. 

So, what about the electric wire? It will be used to power under cabinet lights. 

It is exciting that the project is nearing completion, but, there are still so many things remaining before we can consider the project complete.  

Mom and Lucas
November 12, 2018

Finally, I have a nice image of Mom with Lucas. Lucas had the opportunity to play with his great-grandmother while they were here for a short visit. 

It was fun to watch them together. Lucas does not get many opportunities to enjoy the company of Mom, nor she, him. 

It was a short, but meaningful visit! And we christened the remodeled basement, even though it was not yet complete.

An assortment of thoughts for the Thursday morning.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Why I'm Growing a Mustache

I am growing a mustache. 

More than a few people have noticed the addition to my lip as it is finally, after two weeks, beginning to become visible to the casual observer.

Why, some ask? I have never before seriously grown facial hair.

Well, it is Movember. 

What is Movember? It is a month devoted to highlighting men's health issues. Everyone knows that October is breast cancer awareness month, it is hopes that November will become synonymous with men's health issues: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. 

These are tough issues for men to discuss, but men's very lives depend upon bringing these issues into the open.

Men die, on average, six years sooner than women. 

The Movember Foundation is dedicated to highlighting men's issues. The Movember Foundation is the only charity tackling men’s health on a global scale, year round. They have one goal: to stop men dying too young.

One visible way that men show support for men's health issues if to grow a mustache, or moustache, during November. And provide other support to the foundation to fund men's health awareness.

Grow a Mo, save a Bro!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Veterans Day 2018 - A Special Tribute

Veterans Day fell on  Sunday this year meaning that the holiday covered two days. That was a good thing.

While it is unfortunate that the children in most Maryland schools have to attend classes on Veterans Day, because of that I attended one of the most touching and memorable Veterans Day celebrations I can remember. The event was held yesterday at Waugh Chapel Elementary School in Odenton. 

I was invited is because my grandson Jackson is in the fifth grade there. Even better, he had a speaking part in the Veterans Day assembly.  I was honored to attend, but I have to admit I was not entirely sure what I was going to find once the assembly began.

The school body assembled in the gym for the Veterans Day celebration. There were readings and poems, and songs along with a keynote address from a Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer. But, there was also unbridled patriotism and, I believe, a genuine effort to honor the veterans, the moms, dads, and grandparents who were in attendance.

The assembly began by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and then singing the Star Spangled Banner. The readings were short, as they should be to maintain the attention of the school children. Jackson did a spectacular job reading his poem and I was able to capture it on video. I was genuinely touched as the entire student body sang God Bless the USA. They sang with enthusiasm and I felt proud to be there in attendance to see and hear them. I admit, I enjoyed listening to them sing so much that I did not record the moment. It is, however, etched in my memory--the Waugh Chapel Elementary student body singing in unison and the growing enthusiasm as the song continued. 

It was a most special Veterans Day and it made me proud to stand up as an American and as an American veteran!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 12, 2018

1. It is the second Monday in November. I get a day off to observe Veterans Day. 

The Finished Basement Bathroom

Riordin in Finnegan's Bed

2. The basement project is nearing completion. The bar is supposed to arrive today. 

3. Chris returned from Ithaca with Mom and Dad. While she and Finnegan were away Riordin appropriated the dog bed and his own. While the dog was away the cat played.

4. Family Weekend NFL Results

    Steelers (6-2-1) defeated Panthers 52-21
    Redskins (6-3) defeated  Buccaneers 16-3
    Cowboys (4-5) defeated Eagles 27-20
    Ravens (4-5) were on a bye

5. Writing of sports, one wonders why the Orioles have not hired a general manager and a manager.

6. Take a minute to thank a Vet today. 

7. For those counting with me, 24 down and 20 to go! December 11th is getting closer.


8.  Today in History. On this day in 1954, Ellis Island, the gateway to America, shuts it doors after processing more than 12 million immigrants since opening in 1892. Today, an estimated 40 percent of all Americans can trace their roots through Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor off the New Jersey coast and named for merchant Samuel Ellis, who owned the land in the 1770s.

Headlines

In North Korea, Missile Bases Suggest a Great Deception - The New York Times

In China, Desperate Patients Smuggle Drugs. Or Make Their Own. - The New York Times

Iran military says it is ready to protect oil tankers against threats - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work -- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it. 

  --First Inaugural Address, January 20, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD