Travel Crisis

The Hole in the Tire
Brunswick, GA
January 16, 2025

 Driving is supposed to be worry free.

And for almost every trip Chris and I have made that has been the case. 

Until yesterday. 

I noted, as the trip began, that the truck would go over 100,000 miles. I should have suspected that this would not be a maintenance free trip. We were 30 minutes from our hotel for the night when the truck tire monitoring  system advised me that the passenger rear tire was losing air. Rapidly. I was traveling about 75 mph at this point in the left lane of three lanes.

Fortunately we were about a half-mile from the Brunswick, GA, exit and I was able to navigate to a gas station. Sadly, they were unable to help except for giving me directions to a tire company. I filled the tire with air and we made it the additional half-mile to the tire dealership. But wait, as we pulled away from the gas station we started hearing a loud metal banging noise. Upon arriving at the tire company I discovered that one of the tail pipes had separated from the muffler.

I bought two new tires and had them installed, but that left the tail pipe. The tire store was unable to provide any assistance for the tail pipe. After unsuccessfully trying to find a muffler service shop, I determined that I could bungee the tail pipe in place and continue on to Tequesta and have my own mechanic repair/replace it. 

All-in-all we were delayed about 1.5 hours--but the truck should be able to make the roughly 4-hour run to Tequesta tomorrow.

Turns out the tire was in a lot worse shape than I originally thought. It was on the back and I could not examine the tread without contorting myself. It used to be on the front, but was recently rotated and I fear there may be a camber issue with the back tires.

-- Bob Doan, Kingsland, GA

On the road home

On the Road in North Carolina
January 16, 2025

Chris and I are on the road home to Florida. We evacuated Maryland about 4 am and were in North  Carolina just after 7am. 

It is bright and sunny, but cold. It was 12 degrees when we started out. It is just past 9 am and the temp crested 32 for the first time today. Yay. 

We spent a great afternoon and evening with Beck and his parents. Chris held him most of the time except for a short walk we took with them and Rex, their dog. Beck was well bundled. 

It was a great last evening in Maryland for a while. 

Bob Doan — Fayetteville, NC

Celebrations for All

 I never realized it before, but January has become a month of celebrations and remembrances.

The month starts off with the New Year excitement and then family celebrations kick-in. Before mid-month there are three birthdays and an anniversary. With the arrival of Beck, two of the birthdays on the same day. 

Last evening we celebrated the birthday of our formerly youngest grandchild. We had a great time gathering at a Japanese Steak House to celebrate Lucas' birthday. It was good to see him again before we evacuate Maryland for warmer temperatures in Florida. We are looking forward to the forecasted 80 degree temperatures in Tequesta this weekend. Maybe I'll thaw out.

But, the month of remembrances and celebrations is not over yet. Of course there is the MLK remembrance, but following I have a sister with a birthday nearing the end of the month.

Wow! Celebrations for all. It gives us all something to look forward to during the cold, dark month of January.

Programming Note: I expect to be traveling tomorrow and Friday so the blogs will be short, if at all. I can usually get one out after the sun comes out and Chris takes over the driving.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

 

Frozen Pond

Runoff Pond
Odenton, MD
January 13, 2025

It is cold!

How cold is it?

It is so cold that I have not seen water in the runoff pond next door since before Christmas. 

I think I am getting used to the cold. Yesterday, the temperature crested 40 degrees and I put new windshield wipers on the truck, in preparation for the return south, without donning my coat. I was not cold! OK, so I was not warm either. I was just surviving the too cold weather.

Grandma Chris with Beck
Glen Burnie, MD
January 13, 2025

I also added air to the tires because they were a bit low due to the cold.

The truck is now ready for the 1000-mile  trek to warmer temperatures. 

I'm not so sure that Chris is ready to return south. We were able to spend some additional time with Beck yesterday. It was good to see him again and he is doing very well, as are his parents. 

But, the frozen pond reminds me that we belong a bit further south. It has been cool in Tequesta, but still warmer than here. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - January 13, 2025

 

Winter Sunset
Odenton, MD
January 12, 2025

1. It is the second Monday of the year. That means there are only 50 Mondays remaining in 2025. Don't let it slip away!

2. Family NFL Report. It was a good weekend for the family teams in the playoffs. Three of the four playoff teams advanced to the Division Series, which is the best to be expected since two family teams played each other in the Wild Card Round. 

  Ravens defeated Steelers 28-14 to advance. They play the Bills next Saturday

 Commanders defeated Buccaneers, 23-20. They face the Lions next Sunday.

 Chiefs had a bye and will face the Texans next Sunday.

3. Chris and I are expecting to visit with our newest grandson today. We are very excited because we will soon return to the land of warmth and sunshine and will miss getting to know Beck.

4. Today in History. On January 13, 1129, at the Council of Troyes, Pope Honorius II grants a papal sanction to the military order known as the Knights Templar, declaring it to be an army of God. Led by the Frenchman Hughes de Payens, the Knights Templar organization was founded in 1118. Its self-imposed mission was to protect Christian pilgrims on their way to and from the Holy Land during the Crusades, the series of military expeditions aimed at defeating Muslims in Palestine. For a while, the Templars had only nine members, mostly due to their rigid rules. In addition to having noble birth, the knights were required to take strict vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. In 1127, new promotional efforts convinced many more noblemen to join the order, gradually increasing its size and influence.

Ukraine losing ground on the battlefield as Trump team pushes ceasefire - CNN

Venezuela’s Maduro starts another disputed term in office more isolated than ever - CNN

Protests turn violent in China after student falls to his death - CNN

Final draft of Gaza truce deal presented after 'breakthrough' - Reuters

Robust US economy may not need Trump's big reforms - Reuters

Trump's crowd-size obsession to be tested at inauguration after 2017 controversy - Reuters

ukraines-capture-of-north-koreans-offers-rare-insight-into-russian-alliance-says-zelenskyy - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

WX, Ravens, and Beck

Beck goes Home
Annapolis, MD
January 11, 2025

 An amazing thing happened yesterday--the temperature climbed above freezing. It almost felt warm at 33 degrees. I shouldn't get used to it because Tuesday the temps drop below freezing again.  

Last evening, I was happy to watch the Ravens in their first playoff game of the season. They played their nemesis and division foe the Steelers. The Ravens have not done well against the Steelers in recent years, except for this year when they played three times with the Ravens winning two. And so the Ravens move on with a likely date in Buffalo next week, unless the Broncos can find some magic today. 

In other news, Beck was given a clean bill of health and departed the medical center where he was born yesterday. It is reported that Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Beck all got some sleep after they arrived home. That is good because I am sure they all needed some rest after being in the hospital. It is time for them to begin finding a family rhythm. Chris and I are hopeful of visiting grandchild number 4 today. We will have to see how that all goes. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Welcome Beckett

Me with Beckett
Annapolis, Md
January 10, 2025

 

Chris with Beckett
Annapolis, MD
January 10, 2025

What a time to be alive. And to be born. 

The grandparents were invited to the hospital yesterday to meet Beckett Michael Doan under the watchful eye of his parents. He was about 10 hours old when we were introduced to the newest member of the families. 

Chris and I both enjoyed holding him and hearing the tale of his birth--which was, fortunately, fairly routine. I like routine when it comes to hospitals.

Beck, as he will be called, was very relaxed and a joy to be around. He snuggles really well and I was able to have some time with him for about 20 minutes. It had been a very long time since I held a newborn. Beck likes to have his left arm free--I wonder if he is going to be left-handed? He also seemed to be dreaming while I was holding him. I wonder what newborns dream about?

Both Chris and I are looking forward to getting to know Beckett more after he arrives home. Chris says she will be making monthly trips north to have time with him. Finnegan better get used to spending time with his second family in Florida!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

A Cold Winter's Sun, but Joyful Hearts

 

Cold Winter Sun
Odenton, MD
January 9, 2025

It is cold. 

The temperature has not made it above freezing for two straight days, although we are expecting a high of 33 degrees today! Whoopee!

Although the temperature is freezing, there is joy in our hearts this morning as our newest grandson, Beckett, arrived just after 4 AM this morning weighing in at 9 lbs 1 oz. Mother and father are doing well. He shares a birthday with my Dad who turns 97 years old today. 

Happy Birthday to Beckett and to my Dad!

January 10th must be a good date!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Allies don't do that to Allies

 I have been reading to and listening to the president-elect's desires to invade the Panama Canal and Greenland, and annex Canada. 

Are we crazy?

Do we not remember that the U.S. is the cornerstone of NATO and that Article 5 stipulates that an attack on one is an attack on all? That article had been employed only once in history--after 9-11 when our good friends and NATO allies supported the U.S.

What is our president-elect thinking? If he takes Greenland by force, as he has suggested, he would make the U.S. one of the worldwide oppressors and the NATO allies would have to defend Denmark employing Article 5. 

Even a tariff war could be considered an attack--an economic attack. 

And then . . . 

Annexing Canada? Really? We invaded Canada once (War of 1812) and lost. We have no business annexing Canada.

And then there is the Panama Canal. Treaties were written and signed. It is estimated that the U.S. has broken more than 370 Treaties over time. It might be construed that our word is not our bond.

Allies don't do this kind of stuff to allies. 

Invading Greenland would make us the same as Russia in Ukraine and China in the South China Sea. 

I don't think this is the mandate that Trump was given. How is he planning to lower gas and grocery prices? I'm not hearing much about those campaign promises from the guy who said he would keep every promise. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Snowy Walk

Finn on the Snow
Odenton, MD
January 7, 2025

Tracks in the Snow
Odenton, MD
January 7, 2025

 The snow stopped yesterday. 

Yay. 

By the afternoon the sky was clear and the paths in the snow had become passable. Chris and I took Finnegan for a walk. The sidewalks were clear, but one area where we walk was fully snow covered, although therefore passable tracks in the snow. 

We stopped along the way and placed Finn atop a snow pile. He was not amused. While he enjoyed the walk, he just did not like being on the snow pile and took every opportunity to return to the sidewalk. 

Chris took every opportunity yesterday to remind me how beautiful is the freshly fallen snow. I responded with "It's cold."

It is cold. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD