Pets

 Chris and I just completed a two week visit with family and friends, but  the pets in our lives also received a lot of attention. 

Chris and Ethan with Finnegan
December 7, 2024
Odenton, MD

Of course there was Finnegan with his antics and needs. He was so exhausted from the visit that he crashed on the sofa pretty much the entirety of yesterday after we arrived home. Finn can be a party animal. He easily slips into the pack mentality with Lily and Arthur, Nicole's dogs, and even wanted to play with the newly arrived kittens, Merlin and Percy. Finn was lucky to escape one play session with a minor scratch just below his eye, that is the one partially closed in the image.

Percy and Merlin
Odenton, MD
November 28, 2024

Merlin and Percy are the newest arrivals in the house. They are expanding their territory and range on a daily basis as they crash their way into everyone's hearts. There is no other way to describe them--they are just cute. They are growing very fast and will all too soon be cats. Living with dogs is good for them because they are integrating themselves into the family and learning that dogs can be friends, too.

It was a wild time, but also fun to watch the five pets interact--or sometimes not. Nicole has done a good job giving the kittens a same place away from the dogs to escape into if they feel the need. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - December 9, 2024 Travel Edition

 

1. The second Monday of December is upon us. There are but three Mondays remaining in the year 2024! Christmas is a short two-weeks hence.

A Somber Scene as We Departed for the Airport
Odenton, MD
December 9, 2024

2. Today was a travel day. Chris and I, along with trusty dog Finnegan, returned to the warmth of Florida aboard a very nice Southwest Airlines flight after two great weeks in Maryland. While in Maryland visited with friends and family while enjoying a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. 

Nicole after extinguishing the Candles
Odenton, MD
December 8, 2024

3. Yesterday we celebrated Nicole's birthday. It is not her actual birthday, but fully 50 percent of the family will not be in Maryland on her actual day and so we made it a special and festive day for her. Nicole graciously dropped Chris, me, and Ethan off at the airport before 8 AM this morning so that we could fly to our separate destinations.

4. We were lucky to attend the first game of Jax's basketball season yesterday. While it was a losing effort, it was good to see him on the court getting into playing shape for the upcoming season. He made a few great plays and is definitely a force in the middle. He is tall and when he gets his wings fully extended he can tower over the opposition.

Jax - Force in the Middle
December 8, 2024
Severn Run, MD

5. I had the opportunity to meet Joe Scarborough in the Palm Beach International airport as we deplaned this afternoon. I was surprised to meet him, but he graciously shook hands with me as I told him how much I appreciated his MSNBC show, Morning Joe. I was honored that he took a moment to greet me and shake my hand. I have to admit, that is the very first time in my life that I have stopped someone of consequence to say hello and get a handshake.

6. Airport Horror Story. We arrived at BWI this morning without having eaten breakfast and on one cup of coffee. The idea was that we would get a "too expensive" breakfast at the airport. We ate at Firkin & Flyer and even though I advised the waitress that we had a boarding time which was 25 minutes away (we had already sat with no service for 15 minutes)--breakfast was delivered two minutes before boarding time. I was livid! We asked for boxes and forks and walked very quickly to our gate finding the first half of the B-group already boarded. We had A-group boarding. We ate our now cold and somewhat unappetizing breakfast after the jet reached 10,000 feet.

7. It felt good to get off the plane this afternoon and not be cold! I am relishing the high 70s temperatures! I am barefoot for the first time in two weeks.

8. This being the travel edition, I am dispensing with Today in History and Headlines. Catch them next week. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Fiery Sunset

Sunset on I-70
West of Frederick, MD
December 7, 2024

 Last evening as Chris and I, along with friends George and Sue, were headed to Rohersville, MD, for a winery event art Big Cork, we experienced a magnificent sunset. Since we were driving west we were able to enjoy the sunset for what seemed like forever. 

The clouds were perfectly positioned to reflect the sun's last rays. We were driving west on I-70 just east of Frederick, MD. 

The sky colored as if it were on fire. A patch of blue sky directly in front of us provided some relief. It was a beautiful ride and since I was the front-seat passenger, I was able to get an image of the sunset to remember.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

And the Band Played

 

Jeremy with Flood Watch
Desantis' Pizza Grill & Bar
Perry Hall, Md
December 6, 2024

Chris and I enjoyed a real treat last evening. We went to a local grill & bar to watch Jeremy sing with the band he is in; Flood Watch. 

Jeremy with Flood Watch
Perry Hall, MD
December 6, 2024

We had great fun, even though they did not take the stage until 9 PM. The band plays mostly 90s music which is generally loud and fast. I actually know some of the songs although not many of the words. 

The restaurant, Desantis' Pizza Grill & Bar, is a nicely located in Perry Hall, Maryland. The place is small, but last night it rocked with wall-to-wall people there to enjoy pizza, adult beverages, and the band.

Because of the late hour at which the performance started, Chris and I were not able to remain until the final songs, but we definitely enjoyed what we heard. 

It was great fun and we definitely enjoyed the restaurant and the show!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

It was so Cold

Solitary Turkey Vulture
Odenton, MD
December 5, 2024

 It was so cold yesterday that the only thing flying when I took Finnegan for a very short walk was a solitary turkey vulture. 

It was so cold that at one point the wind chill, or feels like temperature, was 18 degrees. And yes, that is Fahrenheit. 

It was a bright sunny day, and cold.

I have not ridden my bike since the month began, of course I did not bring it along on the trip because I expected it to be too cold to ride. I only managed 110 miles during November and am 92 miles from logging 5000 miles on my bike! I am hoping the weather is nice in Florida the next two weeks so that I can get a few rides accomplished and maybe cross the 5000 mile threshold. 

Chris and I have been having a wonderful time reconnecting with friends and family and we look forward to more enjoyment when return closer to Christmas. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Preparing for the Holidays

 

It was a quieter day yesterday as Chris and I continued preparing for Christmas.

We have been spending time on the computer and less time in the stores, although, we do need to head out to the brick and mortar places at some point to secure the final Christmas gifts.

Holiday preps take time!

We are heading to Florida on Monday for two weeks of warmth. But we will return for Christmas and the New Year. We will likely be in Maryland celebrating until lmid-January. 

Oh yes, travel and the holidays. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

I Forgot--and I got Stressed

Baltimore Looks Serene
Baltimore, MD
December 3, 2024

 I drove across Baltimore yesterday for an appointment. When I checked my mapping app, the drive was 42 minutes, BUT because of trouble on the beltway inner loop I was being routed through Baltimore City. 

I never like going through Baltimore City. The streets are a mess and the traffic is unpredictable. I padded my travel time because I have been through this before. 

Well, yesterday my travel time suddenly gained an extra 10 minutes due to an accident and a school program involving 10 buses. Ugh! It was then I remembered an earlier vow to never drive through Baltimore City to access I-83 and avoid beltway traffic. 

My stress level went up as at each turn it seemed I was confronted with a new unplanned traffic disaster.

I made it to my appointment later than the suggested arrival time, but still earlier than the actual appointment time.

Note to self: Driving through Baltimore is never an option.

As I was leaving my appointment about 2 PM, my mapping app again suggested driving through the middle of Baltimore. I decided instead to use the beltway and drive the long way around using the east side because thew west side was still bound up. I was much happier with this decision. The app said it was a. 2 minute longer route--but I am sure I would have lost a lot more than 2 minutes driving through the middle of Baltimore!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

It Even Looks Cold

It Looks Cold
Odenton, MD
December 2, 2024

 Chris and I walked Finnegan yesterday. We try to walk him every day to get the wiggles out and encourage him to take care of his personal business. 

It was cold. The temperature was hovering around 38 degrees. This morning it was 28 degrees. As we walked, I noted the scene looked every bit as cold as it was. 

Fortunately, we were bundled up appropriately and although we could feel the cold, we were comfortable. I checked the forecast and am looking forward to the high 70s and low 80s waiting for us upon our return home to South Florida next week. We will warm up there for two weeks before returning to the frozen north. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - December 2, 2024

 

1. We made it to December. This is the first Monday of the last month of 2024. There are only four Mondays remaining in the year. Three weeks from today is Christmas Eve Eve!

Finn Under the Tree
Elkridge, MD
December 1, 2024

2. We enjoyed an afternoon at Jeremy's house yesterday. It was football Sunday and Finn found a great place to get away from Jeremy's bigger dogs. He looked like a present under the tree because he was wearing his snowman sweater. He would periodically head there to get out of the way. When we took him home we discovered that he smelled like the scent added to the tree to make it smell like a real tree. His reward for being so cute under the tree was a bath!

3. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 4-2 in the multi-day game holiday game format. The Steelers won the highest scoring game of the season with 82 points posted between the two teams. The Ravens suddenly have a field-goal kicker problem. The historically most accurate kicker in the NFL left 7 points on the field which resulted in a gut wrenching loss to the Eagles.

Cowboys (5-7) made it past Giants (2-10), 27-20  

Commanders, (8-5) thumped the Titans (3-9), 42-19

Steelers (9-3) slipped by Bengals (4-8), 44-38 

Ravens (8-5) lost to Eagles (10-2), 19-24

Dolphins (5-7) were drowned by Packers (9-3), 17-30

Chiefs (11-1) made it past Raiders (2-10), 19-17

4. I am becoming cold-soaked with the Maryland daily high temperatures in the 40s. I looked at the long-range forecast for Tequesta and noted that temperatures when we return next Monday will be in the 80s. Looking forward to reviving my fading tan!

5. Programming note: I will no longer be referencing Wall Street Journal headlines in the Monday Musings News section, as I have terminated my subscription. I continue my subscriptions to The NY Times and The Washington Post.

6. Today in History. On a day like today, Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity was published, after the German physicist shook the foundations of Physics with his presentation to the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin.

On December 2, 1915, after it was officially presented on November 25, Einstein's theory of gravitation was published in the minutes of the Prussian Academy of Sciences, in a four-page article entitled The equations of the gravitational field.

The Theory of General Relativity, reformulated the concept of Newtonian gravity and gave way to a deep development of cosmology, a branch of physics that studies the origin and evolution of the universe.

Biden’s pardon of his son gives Trump an opening - CNN

Syrian and Russian jets step up strikes on rebels after opposition seizes much of Aleppo - CNN

Putin approves record defense spending – a third of Russia’s budget - CNN

Exclusive: Latest US strike on China's chips hits semiconductor toolmakers - Reuters

Guinea stadium crush kills 56 people after disputed refereeing decision - Reuters

Philippines' Marcos says presence of Russian submarine 'very worrisome' - Reuters

Threatened by climate change, Panama Canal has big plans - Reuters

Potential conflicts of interest may haunt Dr. Oz’s confirmation to run Medicare, Medicaid - The Washington Post

Snow continues to bury Northeast, with more expected through Monday - The Washington Post

U.S. Dual Citizen Thought to Be Alive in Gaza Died on Oct. 7,  - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Odenton,MD

Snow Village 2024

 

Julienne and Chris Looking at the Snow Village Staging Area
Glen Burnie, MD
November 30, 2024

Welcome to December, the final month of a turbulent 2024.

Yesterday was Snow Village day. 

We were invited over to Patrick and Jen's to assist with the annual Snow Village set up. Sadly, Chris and I decided not to set-up our Snow Village this year because of our travel schedule and so we were excited to assist in this annual event. 

Snopw Village 2024
Glen Burnie, MD
November 30, 2024

When we arrived all of the pieces were unboxed and placed on a table as Patrick was preparing the display stand. I assisted with the final touches and then it was onto planning the village.

Planning the village is multistep process assisted by some technology. All of the buildings were placed and their relative final positions determined and then a video of them was taken as they were all removed back to the staging area while the snow blanket was added and height was also included to give the village a more realistic view. Once the contouring was finished it was time to reset the buildings and proceed to lighting. The video was used, frame by frame, to remind us of the building locations. Patrick displayed the video frames on the adjoining big screen. Following lighting it was onto the trees and accessories which bring the village from a ghost town to a thriving community. 

It was great fun to participate this year. I especially like the way the lighthouse seems to project an angel on the wall.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD