Pollen and Baseball

Pollen on the Pond
Odenton, MD
April 14, 2023

 I was shocked yesterday as I looked at the pond near Nicole's home and noticed the thick layer of pollen floating on the water. It is no wonder my allergies are running rampant. The incredible amount of pollen in the air is a good reason to stay inside, but the problem is that the weather has been so idyllic that I want to be outside. Thankfully, Claritin keeps my allergies in check so that I can be outside. 

Jackson gets a Hit
Glen Burnie, MD
April 14, 2023

I was outside in the pollen attending the Arundel Junior Varsity Baseball Team's game in Glen Burnie last evening. It was the third game of the week, but fortunately the weather has made attending the games very pleasant. 

Last evening's game was a rout, sadly, as Arundel pounded the undermanned Glen Burnie team, 25-1. I felt very bad for the Glen Burnie team as they were clearly outmatched. Even though the game ended after 5 innings due to the mercy rule, it still took well over 2 hours to complete. I was impressed with the Arundel coaches who recognized during the 5th inning with the game in hand that Glen Burnie was out of pitchers. With the bases loaded, as they had been for most of the top of the 5th inning, and a 24-run lead they allowed Glen Burnie to get an easy third out to end the inning and the bleeding. I actually heard the Glen Burnie manager yell "Thank you" after the play. Long before that, during the inning, Arundel had stopped aggressively running the bases to keep from running up the score. Glen Burnie was retired quickly in the bottom of the inning to end the game. It was demoralizing for the Glen Burnie players who only had 11 players compared to Arundel's 19. Not a deep bench.

The entire Maryland family, along with a family from Ithaca attended the game and were treated to Jax getting a hit and playing in the field. I am getting a bit better with my camera and recorded the hit. It was good that everyone made it to the game. Since we have moved to Florida, we have had fewer opportunities to gather together to celebrate. 

After the game many of us gathered at Nicole's and enjoyed pizza while watching, of course, the Orioles once again come from behind in the late innings to win a baseball game. The Orioles are tied for third place in the AL East with the Yankees. The are also tied for 5th place in the American League with the Yankees and the Guardians.

And what is on tap for today? 

Baseball! Outdoors! Pollen! And Happy Hour with friends.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Turning 18

Me, Ethan, Chris
Odenton, MD
April 13, 2023

 It is a momentous day; turning 18. 

We celebrated Ethan yesterday as he crossed over to adulthood. 

It was quite a day. 

Ethan's favorite football team, Washington, announced that a deal to sell the team had been reached. 

WASHINGTON -- Dan Snyder has reached a preliminary nonexclusive deal to sell his Washington NFL franchise to a group led by Josh Harris, who also co-owns teams in the NBA and NHL, for a record $6.05 billion, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday. (ABC13)

But wait--there is more.

Ethan was given tickets to the afternoon Orioles game against the Athletics. It was game 4 of a 4-game series and the Orioles needed the win to secure the series 3-1.

It was a rough day on the mound for the Orioles starting pitcher. After 5 innings the game was tied 7-7 and the relievers for both teams were called in to settle the batters. No runs were scored by either team until the bottom of the 9th when, with the score still tied, the Orioles' first batter of the inning walked to the plate. It was, of course Adley Rutschman, the Orioles catcher. Adley is Ethan's favorite Orioles player. Adley was hitless for the day (0-4) and in danger of ending his consecutive games with a hit streak at 6. Orioles Magic was back in the park at that moment. Adley hit the second pitch over the fence for a walk-off homer to end the game, 8-7. Ethan was seated 7 rows from the field right next to the Orioles dugout and felt that he was part of all of the action.

But wait, there's more! How could a birthday be complete without a massive dinner to cap the momentous day? And there was. A visit to Fogo de Chao, the Brazilian Steakhouse, was in store for the evening. And the meal was grand; of course there was far more food than can comfortably be consumed. But it was perfect for celebrating an 18th Birthday.

Wow! Happy Birthday Ethan. What a day.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Springtime Projects and an Update

 

Electric Mower
Odenton, MD
April 11, 2023

I live in a condo community and so I do not have yard work. I must travel to have the opportunity to get out into the yard with a mower and create the dust and pollen to which I am allergic. The other day I mowed the lawn at Nicole's townhome. It is much smaller than the lawn I used to mow on my tractor and I used a self-propelled electric mower. I was good to be in the yard doing work. I did need to boost my allergy medicine afterwards--I am very allergic to Maryland. Funny, I don't need allergy medicine in Florida. 

I actually enjoyed getting out in the yard and doing one of the first mowings of the season. Chris and I used to compete to do the first mowing at our house in Elkridge. 

As an aside and a follow-on to yesterday's blog about the Arundel Junior Varsity Baseball Team, Chris and I attended a home game last evening. The Arundel team spotted the visitors 10 runs in the top of the 1st inning, but over the course of the remaining innings of the game outscored the visitors 14-2. Final score: 14-12 Arundel! Jackson did not get into the game, but it was thrilling to see the boys claw back into the game by tying tie the score at 11-11 in the 4th inning and then press on to win. It was a long almost three-hour game, but it was full of action and drama.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Baseball Afternoon

Jax on the Mound
Southern High School
Harwood, MD
April 11, 2023

 One thing that both Chris and I are experiencing during our visit to Maryland is junior varsity high school baseball. And it is great to be at the games we otherwise would be tracking on GameChanger. 

Yesterday we traveled to Southern High School for an afternoon game. The weather had warmed since the weekend and was absolutely perfect for baseball. 

We had comfortable seats, in the shade, for the game. I have to admit, I was thankful that I brought a sweatshirt to ward away the cold which began to sink-in about mid-way through the contest. 

Jax was not in the game as a position player, he often plays an outfield position. As the game wore on, into the third inning, the score began to get more lopsided and we were hoping that the contest would end after the fifth inning by mercy rule--a ten-run advantage for the Arundel Wildcats. 

Then, to begin the bottom of the 4th inning, who should appear from the dugout and stride to the mound? Jax! We were very excited to see him pitch in person. He had only posted one other appearance this year--two solid innings of work combining for a shutout. Today, however, was another day and we held our breath as he took the mound. 

When the game was over, Jax had posted two solid innings of work. Two hits, one unearned run and two strikeouts. He threw 27 pitches to 8 batters, 20 of which were for strikes. He also demonstrated a great pick-off move which caught the runner leading too far off first base leading to a rundown which ended when the runner was tagged out. He held the more than 10 run lead and the game was mercifully over 2 hours and 15 minutes after it had started.

Since we have been in Maryland we have seen Jax play right field, pinch run, and now pitch! Oh yes, and bat!

Today, we will be attending a home game!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Birthday Burger for Lily

Lily Waiting for Birthday Hamburger
Odenton, MD
April 8, 2023

 Celebrating dog birthdays is something our family enjoys. We do not celebrate them with the same level of excitement that people receive, but they are special moments for the furry four-footed members of the family.

The other day Lily, Nicole and Mike's dog, celebrated her 5th birthday! The special event was planned for lunch time. We were having burgers and one had Lily's name on it. It was better than a birthday cake and in an effort to keep the event sane, the burger was quartered and given to her in pieces. I have the video below, but it is important that fingers were definitely at risk as the birthday burger was provided to the dog of honor!

Lily is a great dog. She is a rescue and a foster fail. She is devoted to the family and a steady, if not loud and excitable force in the house. No one would ever consider entering this abode uninvited once they hear Lily on the other side of the door--and they would be wise to heed her bark!

Sadly, I forgot to turn my phone to horizontal. Ugh. I hate it when that happens.

Everyone survived without permanent injury.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - April 10, 2023

 

1. Welcome to Easter Monday 2023. It is the second Monday of April and there are 37 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Creatively Hidden Easter Eggs
Glenelg, MD
April 9, 2023

2. Chris and I celebrated Easter and enjoyed multiple egg hunts and meals. Brunch was highlighted by many children racing across a vast yard to snatch as many easter eggs as possibly. Most of the eggs were hidden in plain sight, but even so required some manual dexterity to retrieve. The weather, although cold in the morning, was made enjoyable by the crystal blue skies and warm sun! 

3. The colder weather of Maryland makes wardrobe choices a bit tougher than the normal tee-shirt, sandals, and shorts that I normally wear back home in Tequesta.

4. The Orioles are off to a slow start for the season. They are 4-5, having dropped series to division rivals Boston and New York while winning the series from Texas. They have to do better against the division teams. 

Flamingo
Flamingo Gardens, Davie, FL
February 27, 2023

5. Chris and I will be enjoying Maryland for another week! I am enjoying the Springtime, but the cold is disheartening! There is a lot of junior varsity high school baseball in our future, however.

6. Fun Fact. Flamingoes are only pink because of chemicals called carotenoids in the algae and fish (which also eat the algae) they eat; their feathers are grayish-white when they're born. (Parade Fun Facts)

7. Today in History. On April 10, 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is founded in New York City by philanthropist and diplomat Henry Bergh, 54.

In 1863, Bergh had been appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to a diplomatic post at the Russian court of Czar Alexander II. It was there that he was horrified to witness work horses beaten by their peasant drivers. En route back to America, a June 1865 visit to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in London awakened his determination to secure a charter not only to incorporate the ASPCA but to exercise the power to arrest and prosecute violators of the law.

Offices are half-empty. That could be a risk for banks - CNN

Highly classified Pentagon documents were leaked online, leaving US officials rattled - CNN

Fox News reaches settlement with Venezuelan businessman in election defamation case - CNN

Ukraine says Russian forces using 'scorched earth' tactics in battle for Bakhmut - Reuters

China ends Taiwan drills after practising blockades, precision strikes - Reuters

China hands lengthy jail terms to two lawyers in rights crackdown - Reuters

Auditors Didn’t Flag Risks Building Up in Banks - The Wall Street Journal

Tennessee’s Political Divisions Deepen Between State and Its Cities - The Wall Street Journal

Research with exotic viruses risks a deadly outbreak, scientists warn - The Washington Post

‘Not going to be bullied’: Why Ron DeSantis went after Trump, then retreated - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Happy Easter 2023

 

Springtime Blooms
Odenton, MD
April 8, 2023

Good morning.

Happy Easter!

May the blessings of the risen Christ be with each of you.

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Savior, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

— Author Unknown

Enjoy the day and if you are able to celebrate with family, take a moment to appreciate the opportunity. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Colors of Spring

Mini Daffodils by the Walk
Odenton, MD
April 7, 2023

 

Bluebird at the Feeder
Odenton. MD
April 7, 2023

I have been enjoying the colors of Spring. The redbud trees are in bloom along the roadways and blossoms cover many of the trees. The forsythia are a ball of yellow on the landscape. The daffodils are everywhere, although their time is almost past as the tulips are arriving more and more daily. 

There are also many animals about. I have seen deer still in their darker winter coats, birds of many varieties, squirrels by the dozens, and I have heard the peepers at night singing the song of Spring.

It is fun to see the world wake from the dark days and burst into the light. 

Here is hoping you have a blessed and happy Easter.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Springtime

Young Leaves Off the Back Deck
Odenton, MD
April 6, 2023

Sitting at the high school JV baseball team doubleheader yesterday it became clear that Chris and I had been transported from eternal summer into the middle of springtime. 

I became aware of the springtime explosion almost as soon as we got off the plane, but as the day went on I became more sensitive to the light-green new leaves and the bright flowers dotting the landscape everywhere.

Probable Apple Blossoms
Crofton, MD
April 6, 2023

We had noticed new leaves sprouting on the trees in Florida, but so many trees there do not lose their leaves that the new growth tends to blend into the old. Not so here in Maryland where the entire scene is composed of new leaves struggling to grow and mature.

Sitting at the games yesterday, we were under a blooming apple tree. I took this image looking straight up from the chair in which I was sitting behind the screen at home plate. 

Last evening I stood on the deck at Nicole's home and looked at the expanse of new leaves on the trees against the dark rain clouds. It was a sight to enjoy. Springtime against the backdrop of a storm. We actually experienced a real rainstorm driving after  the game yesterday. South Florida is in severe drought conditions and the area is seven inches (or more) below normal rainfall for the year. We have been enjoying the rain-free weather, but need rain.

It is nice, however, to be in Maryland to enjoy the Spring.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

80s in Maryland

Arundel High JV Baseball Team
Crofton, MD
April 6, 2023

 Chris and I landed in Maryland just a few hours ago and we are already at a junior varsity baseball doubleheader enjoying 80 degree temperatures. 

The Orioles canceled their home opener due to the threat of thunderstorms, but the skies at 2 PM were partly cloudy. 

We had an early morning flight from West Palm Beach which went smoothly. The plane was packed. 

Of course this is a holiday weekend and we are back in Maryland for Easter. 

Sitting here, I am amazed at the number of kids on the team that I have had the honor to coach with my son-in-law Mike in the past. They are so big now and still using the fundamentals of the game we taught them. Wow! 

- Bob Doan, Crofton, MD