Florida to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls
March 12, 2018

It has been a crazy couple days. Sunday I was in 80 degree temperatures in Florida. Yesterday I arrived in frozen Niagara Falls to attend a funeral for one of Chris's aunts. This morning it is snowing liberally and a blizzard is hitting the east coast.

I want to go back to Florida.

I drove past snow covered golf courses on the way here and reflected upon some of my better strokes in the bright, warm Florida sun just hours before.

It is amazing how so much weather can be packed in such a short time.

The images I took of the falls show the power of the water in the frigid temperatures it was a good time to visit as there were no crowds. Similarly, many of t
he touristy attractions were not open. But parking was plentiful.

I guess I enjoy visiting popular attractions during the off season.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Niagara Falls, NY

Monday Musings - March 12, 2018

The Team for the Golf and Baseball Weekend
Jim, Andy, Jeremy, Bird, Mike, Me Steve

1. The golf and baseball weekend was successfully completed and I have returned to the cold northern climate. I wish I was still in Florida!

Final Score
Pirates vs Orioles
March 10, 2018

2. I learned something about golf this weekend. If you play every day, either you get better or your muscles quit working.

3. I got to run the bases at Ed Smith Stadium. I think it is pretty cool that they have a seniors run the bases event. Up north at Camden Yards they only have a kids run the bases event.

Banana Tree and Fern

4. I want a banana tree in my back yard.

5. Sometimes flying can be very interesting. Yesterday Jeremy and I sat next to Senator Ben Cardin on the flight from Tampa to Baltimore. We did not discuss politics.

6. I thoroughly enjoyed the Valspar PGA Event. Where else can you get up close and personal with the golf legends?

Headlines

How Trump’s Disdain for the Iran Deal Makes a North Korea Pact Even Harder - The New York Times

Jordan Spieth
Valspar Championship
March 9, 2018

China’s Xi Jinping gets expanded mandate, may rule for life - AP

Missouri is a destination wedding spot — for 15-year-old brides - The Kansas City Star



Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"There is one other obligation that all of us as citizens must face up to if we are to preserve our freedom: We must restore the security of America. Without that security, survival itself is in doubt." Address Before a Joint Session of the Alabama State Legislature in Montgomery, March 15, 1982

-- Bob Doan, writing from Elkridge, MD

Bridge with ears

The Skyway bridge over part of Tampa Bay is an interesting and somewhat pretty structure. I stopped to take a picture of it on our way to the airport.

It was a beautifully warm and sunny day. Finally. The cold gave way to a nice warm 80 degree day. The day began to get warm during our morning golf round at Sarasota National. Although gray and foggy as we teed off, the gray cleared and the bright warmth was appreciated.

It is too bad the Florida warmth arrived as our group was leaving. But even the brief warmth made returning to the cold north difficult.

Cue Spring. When is Summer?

— Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, Florida

Sunset in Venice

Did I mention that I am in Venice, Florida?

Florida is supposed to be warm.

If has been very cool. But the sunset over the Gulf the other evening was beautiful.

The baseball and golf during the trip has been fabulous. I attended my first PGA event, the Valspar tournament and was impressed with the access to the players. More on that in a future blog.

I'm not too sure I want to leave Florida.

— Bob Doan, writing from Venice, Florida

Running the bases

Home Plate
Ed Smith Stadium
March 8, 2018

I got to enjoy running the bases after yesterday's game at Ed Smith Stadium. It was awesome to me on a baseball field and running the same bases where I had just watched a major league Spring Training game. I took the picture of Home plate just before I crossed it.

The Orioles lost the game, but hey, I'm in Florida.

It was good to be in the sunshine although the weather was cold.

Spring is here!

— Bob Doan, writing from Venice, Florida

The Painting

Finnegan

My wife is talented. 

Tuesday evening she painted a picture of our newest family dog, Finnegan. The picture is very realistic looking and has been positioned in a place of honor in one of the bedrooms.

The painting looks just like Finn. 

She did a real nice job. And then she had to drive home in a storm and was lucky not to have an accident.

We got about an inch of snow which was mostly gone by morning. The flakes were huge and the headlights could not penetrate them to show the road. 

But, she made it without incident.

And the painting was safely brought to the house.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunset Flight

Sunday afternoon about sunset, Radio Flyer, my drone, made a flight around the neighborhood. The sky was blue, which has been a bit of a rarity lately. 

I turned into my highest flight to date at over 230 feet altitude. I was working with the video as Radio Flyer ascended. I also did a low-level pass in the yard to further work on my controls as Radio Flyer is in motion. 

I did enjoy the ascending part of the flight and I am doing better flying the drone at low level. The panorama I tried was too fast--but I think it will get better with time. I received my first high winds warning during this flight. I was a bit concerned, but Radio Flyer handled the winds well and I continued my flight. 

Try not to get vertigo as you watch the video. 

-- Bob Doan, Ekridge, MD

And into Double Digits

Jax's 10th Birthday Party
Family Edition

Jackson turned 10 yesterday. Jax, as he prefers to be called, made it into double digits and celebrated a complete decade.

What a decade it has been since his birth. 

The family celebrated Jax last evening. Everyone was in attendance and it was a great way to begin the week. Our family gatherings seem to be fewer of late as we all seem to be busier.

Jax is a sportsman. He plays basketball and baseball. He is a math whiz and has an infectious personality that can fill a room--or sometimes clear a room!

Such are the joys of Jax! Birthdays are great times to think about the joys that people bring to our lives!

Happy Birthday Jax!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 5, 2018

1. March has arrived. There are only 16 days until Spring!

2. After the storm came the yard work. Chris and I are already Clearing the yard in preparation for recurring maintenance.

Sunset Above Elkridge, March 4, 2018
Radio Flyer

3. We met one of our neighbors yesterday, he has lived in his home 10 years and who only just met. Of ouches, he lives across the hedgerow and we go there only infrequently.

4. Radio Flyer, my drone, made a sunset flight above the house on Sunday evening. It took a couple fantastic images.

5. Leaves seem to be everywhere as Chris and I attempted to get them removed.

6. The Orioles have improved to 5-5 in the Grapefruit League Spring Training. That is really a turn around from the week before.

7. Without basketball games to attend on Sunday, it was a very different day. Here's looking forward to baseball season.


Headlines


‘Like a pinball machine’: Lawmakers struggle to negotiate with an erratic Trump - The Washington Post

Trump Advisers Fervently Defend Tariffs (Unless They Change, That Is) - The New York Times

Indonesian Christians flogged outside of mosque for violating sharia law - Fox News


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"And you who are on the cutting edge of human achievement understand that freedom is not a luxury but a necessity. Freedom to think, freedom to imagine and create, these are not privileges, but the very source of our life's bread and the hope of mankind's future."

Remarks at the Presentation Ceremony for the National Medals of Science and Technology, March 12, 1986

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Storm Damage

Limbs in the Yard

Chris and I went out yesterday to assess the damage from the storm.

We were lucky as we had many downed branches, but little other damage. We even enjoyed the relative warm mid-40's as we cleaned up the yard. 

Bleeding Hearts
March 3, 2018

I was shocked at how some of the branches wound up imbedded into the ground. I heard that a 77 year-old woman was killed by a falling tree limb whole retrieving her mail. I can see, from the mess in my yard how that could happen.

We also made a run to the landfill and said good-bye to the tiki bar. It served us well for many years, but its time had come. 

In the it must be Spring category, the bleeding hearts are popping up in the yard. I was amazed to find the clumps already striving to find the sun. I expect them to grow even more this week. Who knows, within two weeks they may even be blooming!

It should be exciting as the day dawns bright and clear. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD