Christmas Tree Hunt

Arriving Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms
Sykesville, MD
November 29, 2025

  I participated in a ritual yesterday that I hadn’t engaged in for many years. Chris and I joined Nicole and her family in hunting for their Christmas tree. It was a delightful experience that I had completely forgotten. For many years, we’ve used artificial Christmas trees because I’m allergic to real ones.  

Looking Down the Rows of Trees
Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms
Sykesville, MD
November 29, 2025

We headed out relatively early to Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms, an hour away, to find this year's tree. It was cold, a mere 28 degrees, as we drove off and headed out into the country. The drive to the country was something I had forgotten. The scenery quickly changes from houses and stores to fields and trees. Despite the cold, it was a most beautiful day. Arriving at the farms, I was in awe of the thousands of trees I could see in the distance and across the hills. The smell of fresh pine was everywhere as were the hundreds of other families out on their own Christmas Tree hunt!

How Many People Does it Take
 to cut Down a Christmas Tree?
Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms
Sykesville, MD
November 29, 2025

Finding parking was no easy task, but in the end we were extremely lucky to find spots near where we wanted to search for the 2025 Christmas Tree. The farm is divided into fields of trees by type and size. We walked down a hill to the field containing the type of tree that we were hunting. I joked about being "very, very quiet because we were hunting Christmas Trees," but the joke was lost on most of the family who do not remember Elmer Fudd. After a while, and after becoming separated and lost amongst the rows of trees, this year's lucky Christmas Tree contestant was selected. 

Heading out of the Forest
Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms
Sykesville, MD
November 29, 2025

We had some fun felling the tree. I remarked about how many people does it take to cut down a Christmas tree? It was determined that the correct answer was at least four. One to cut, two to hold the tree, and one to three to supervise.

Once the tree was free of its roots, the process of carrying the tree out began. In olden times, I remember just dragging the tree home. But then the ground was covered with snow and the dragging process helped remove the loose needles and other stuff that had accumulated in the tree. Yesterday, given that we were accompanied by two strong young men, the tree was carried. We could have secured a cart to carry it out on, but why? 

From Field to Home
Odenton, MD
November 29, 2025

We took the tree to the central area where it was shaken to get rid of the loose needles and other stuff, tied with string, paid for, and then loaded onto the truck for the trip home.

Once at the house, the tree was installed in a stand, watered, and then, after letting the branches drop for a couple hours, decorated. 

The 2025 Haslup Family Christmas Tree is absolutely beautiful and ready for the ensuing holiday celebrations. It was a great day and I was reminded about how much fun it can be to conduct a successful Christmas Tree hunt. It  was not at all like I remember from when I was a kid, trudging through the snow for hours and finally, once I was totally frozen, Mom would select a tree and Dad would cut it down, then let me drag it down the hillside to home. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Black Friday in the Rear View Mirror

 We successfully survived Black Friday. My only foray into the mass of humanity enjoying the day after the feast was a quick trip to a store to replenish our adult beverages in advance of the Georgia vs Georgia Tech game. My experience was relatively tame, the strip mall to which I journeyed was mostly devoid of shoppers, unlike the Wednesday before Thanksgiving when the parking lot was overflowing with vehicles. 

Axis & Allies on Black Friday
Odenton, MD
ovember 29, 2025

The Axis & Allies game was a rousing success. Six competitors worked through World War 2 and the final conclusion was a narrow victory for the Axis. I was charged with playing Italy. We played until the kick-off for the Georgia vs Georgia Tech football game and had to declare a winner. 

For the Axis & Allies purists, it should be noted that the version of the game being played is not the same as the version I posted the image of in yesterday's blog. That version only provided for 5 players and because we had 6 combatants we made a late change to the version on the table. 

For the shoppers in the crowd, it was a very successful day in the trenches. They reported large crowds of excited shoppers anxious to collect the Black Friday deals. I have not yet been so motivated to actually shop either at brick & mortar stores or online. Perhaps today. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Axis & Allies Day 2025

 Black Friday is Axis & Allies Day. The guys gather around the dining room table to determine who has the best strategy for winning WW2, while the women-folk head off into the shopping maelstrom that is Black Friday. We always hope they return alive and with our credit cards not maxed out!

I think it is far more enjoyable to stand around the gaming table, consuming Thanksgiving leftovers and plotting my next move. The game takes hours, but today we have a hard stop time of 3:30 PM. We have to be in place to watch the Georgia-Georgia Tech game. Go DAWGS!

Axis & Allies is definitely a holiday tradition. I cannot even begin to remember how many years we have been playing the game on Black Friday. My first recorded game day was in 2010, but that blog entry suggests we had been playing it annually and so, I really do not know how long we have gathered around the table to strategize and try to secure lasting peace in Europe on the day after Thanksgiving. 

Just to document my frustration after the Thanksgiving Day NFL games, the Ravens unfortunately lost the evening game last night to the Bengals, with a score of 14-32. The game was so terrible that I thankfully went to bed at halftime, when the score was 7-12, and was fortunate to miss the even uglier second half. The Ravens had the chance to take control of the AFC North with a win, but they chose not to show up for the game. The team needs to conduct a serious soul-searching and perhaps consider hiring new offensive and defensive coordinators. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thanksgiving 2025

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunset at Marley Creek
Glen Burnie, MD
November 26, 2025

The morning dawned 37 degrees cold and mostly clear. We have big plans for family activities all day.

Last evening I was able to stand on the shores of Marley Creek as the sun was setting. I was moved by the American flag flying on one of the pilings. I had just heard of the shooting of two National Guardsmen in D.C., and I was disturbed by the upheaval in civility that has gripped our nation. There are too many people speaking hateful words and inciting people to violence. And, sadly, much of that hateful rhetoric begins with the leader of our nation. 

I am thankful that I am an American and that I devoted my entire working adult life to this great country. I am thankful for the millions of others who, like me, are tired of hearing the constant diatribe of hate-filled words and are searching to find peace amid the noise of the world. 

I offer this prayer for Thanksgiving.

Gracious God, this Thanksgiving, I lift up a special prayer of gratitude for the precious gift of family and friends. Thank You for the love that binds us, the memories we share, and the support we offer one another. I’m grateful for laughter-filled gatherings, for shoulders to cry on, and for the unconditional acceptance found in these relationships. Bless each one, Lord, with Your peace, Your protection, and Your provision. For those facing challenges, be their strength. For those celebrating joys, multiply their happiness. May our bonds grow stronger, rooted in Your love, and may we always be grateful for the beautiful tapestry of relationships You’ve woven in our lives. (50 powerful prayers)

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Being Watched

 

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

Thanksgiving is primarily recognized as a uniquely American holiday, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This holiday has its roots in early 17th-century harvest festivals, particularly the 1621 feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Chat GPT)

From Atop the Fridge
Odenton, MD
November 26, 2025

Animals can become the spotlight during holidays as they make themselves either scarce or become a nuisance during the holidays. We are presently dealing with three dogs and two tuxedo cats. And I have to say, the cats have become the stars of the season for their antics. 

The cats like high places. I caught this one, named Merlin, observing the activity in the kitchen from atop the refrigerator. Merlin had staked out the vantage point to keep track of the people and the dogs that were active. 

For tomorrow the cats and dogs will be confined to rooms so as not to interfere with the holiday activities. I will miss being watched from above. 

Tomorrow also signifies the end of the season of the turkey and I’ll have to store away my sole remaining reminder of the season when we return home to Florida. Chris allowed one turkey to remain as a reminder that Christmas can only officially begin when Santa arrives during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. That’s when the real Christmas rush begins, as we indulge in a festive feast and become utterly engrossed in the football games. 

My wish is that we can remind ourselves of our blessings and give thanks for them and to also give thanks for the friends, family, and acquaintances that make our lives meaningful. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Colder and Colder

 

Apparently there is a cold Polar Vortex preparing to visit the United States compliments of our northern neighbors. 

I found a forecast map for the next 8-14 Days and it looks cold, well except for South Florida. But I am not going to be in South Florida. Maryland does not seem to be too much below normal, but it will still be cold. 

Out the Windshield--Perfect Driving Day
Somewhere in Virginia
November 24, 2025

I reflected upon the drive north that concluded yesterday. Chris and I were blessed with perfect weather. Mostly blue skies with the exception of some light fog in northern Florida as dawn was breaking.

We passed a few accidents during the two-day drive. Two of them, however, we found very disturbing. Both involved  trucks that had managed to overturn and end up pointing opposite of the direction of travel. One was a box truck that was in the median and had spilled its fully loaded contents all over the highway as it overturned and skidded to a stop. The more disturbing one was a cement mixer that had, for an unknown reason, apparently dropped a tire off the road surface, I saw the town up grass and mud, and the driver overcorrected causing the front to slow quickly while the back continued around and spilled wet concrete onto the highway. That was going to be a difficult clean-up.

Well, we are here for Thanksgiving! Yay. And to visit with family and friends. Despite the weather, it will be warm in our houses and hearts. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - November 24, 2025

 

1. It is the final Monday of November. Time grows short for the year 2025 as there are but 5 Mondays remaining. Next Monday marks the beginning of December and the short sprint to Christmas and then the New Year!

2. Family NFL Report. Four of the family teams were in action as the Dolphins and Commanders had the week off. It was a winning week, for a change, for the family teams as they went 3-1. The teams are now collectively 30-35-1, .462 for the year. Still overall losers. 

Ravens (6-5) stumbled past Jets (2-9), 23-10 

Dolphins (4-7) and Commanders (3-8), had the week off

Cowboys (5-5-1) stunned Eagles (8-3), 24-21

Steelers (6-5) were gored by Bears (8-3), 28-31

Chiefs (6-5) overcame Colts (8-3), 23-20 

The View from our Window
Dunn, NC
November, 23, 2025

3. Out the Hotel Window is not much of a scene. We have been here before and the view is not that exciting, but we are a short hop off the interstate. The big news here is that they have finally repaired the Burger King sign! Yay. Based upon some housekeeping issues at this hotel, we have decided not to stay here during future trips and so this is likely our last visit to Dunn. The housekeeping issues have been recurring and different each time, but the most recent one was significant enough to cause us to make the decision. Worse, there was no maintenance available and I had to remedy the situation. They offered us a different room, but we had already fully unpacked.

4. In other sports news, Arsenal defeated the Tottenham Spurs 4-1,  to remain atop the Premier League.

5. Today is another travel day. We are up early and preparing to head out onto the ever congested I-95.

6. Today in History. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, a groundbreaking scientific work by British naturalist Charles Darwin, is published in England on November 24, 1859. Darwin’s theory argued that organisms gradually evolve through a process he called “natural selection.” In natural selection, organisms with genetic variations that suit their environment tend to propagate more descendants than organisms of the same species that lack the variation, thus influencing the overall genetic makeup of the species.

Darwin, who was influenced by the work of French naturalist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and the English economist Thomas Malthus, acquired most of the evidence for his theory during a five-year surveying expedition aboard the HMS Beagle in the 1830s. Visiting such diverse places as the Galapagos Islands and New Zealand, Darwin acquired an intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, and geology of many lands. This information, along with his studies in variation and interbreeding after returning to England, proved invaluable in the development of his theory of organic evolution.

US, Ukraine work on 'refined' peace plan to end war with Russia - Reuters

Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter - Reuters

Trump faces same reality as Biden: Americans despise higher prices - Reuters

Record US Black Friday crowds to find fewer bargains amid high prices - Reuters

Trump expected to unveil new health care cost proposal - CNN

G20 summit in South Africa ends with US’ glaring absence after Trump’s boycott - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Travel Day - Dunn, NC

Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?
St Johns, FL
November 23, 2025

 Chris, Finn, and I headed out this morning under the cover of darkness to begin our journey to Maryland for Thanksgiving with an overnight in Dunn, NC, where we have been stopping for the past almost two years. It is a long day, but it sets up a much shorter second day to reach our destination. 

Along the way we have to make stops to get out of the truck and move around and handle bio issues, both human and canine. 

At one of the rest stops Finn and I were confronted with the sign in the image. I have never been confronted with a venomous snake sign! It was a bit creepy and I began scanning the grass looking for, of course, the most venomous snake I could think of--the coral snake. Suffice it that Finn and I did not remain in the vicinity very long. 

I would write of that being the highlight of the day, but no. 

The highlight of the day was the traffic, or rather the lack of significant delays--even in South Carolina. I did enjoy the sunrise in Florida over the low lying mist in the fields. I wish I could have taken an image, but I was driving. The red sky silhouetting the low lying trees clothed in the mist was inspiring.

But, we arrived in Dunn, NC, without incident setting up our short second day five-hour drive. 

More road tomorrow and a return to the cold weather. 

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Flock of Flamingos

Pink Yard Flamingos
Tequesta, FL
November 21. 2025

 I was shocked yesterday, as I rode my usual route around Tequesta. I came across a flock of pink flamingos. No, they were not the living kind, but they were the classic Florida pink yard flamingos. 

I have never seen so many pink flamingos in one yard. They definitely made me smile. Are they Christmas decorations? I am not sure. But it was surely a yard full of pink Florida yard flamingos. A flamboyance, for sure. 

OK, so I had the idea to ask Chat GPT to write a short whimsical five paragraph story about the pink yard flamingos. It turned out better than I thought it might. 

On the seventeenth mile of your bike ride through sunny Tequesta, where the palms swayed like lazy metronomes, you stumbled upon a most peculiar sight: a full-blown flamboyance of pink yard flamingos staging what could only be described as a neighborhood takeover. The house stood still and dignified, but its lawn—oh, its lawn—was alive with a plastic commotion that felt halfway between a parade and a picnic. Their pink bodies gleamed boldly in the morning light, as if they’d been waiting just for you to roll by and witness their moment.

At the head of the flock stood the tallest flamingo, Sir Beaksalot III, renowned leader of the Great Tequesta Migration (or so he believed). He had spent nearly two hours orchestrating the arrangement of his flock into what he claimed would be “a flamingo formation so beautiful the humans shall weep.” Unfortunately, the rest of the flamingos were more interested in arguing about whose turn it was to stand in the shadiest patch of lawn. You could almost hear the tiny bickering in the breeze as they tilted this way and that.

To the left, near the hedges, Lady Featherworth presided over her own project: a plastic-pink ballet recital. Each flamingo was instructed to bend slightly forward—gracefully, theatrically, dramatically. Some pulled it off with flair. Others simply looked like they’d dozed off mid-pose. Still, she was determined to prepare them for the annual Palm Frond Pirouette, a prestigious event in the lawn-ornament arts. If her dancers performed well, she hoped to win back the coveted Sprinkler Trophy.

Meanwhile, two troublemakers—Twirl and Squeak—plotted a grand escape toward the driveway. They had long dreamed of reaching the open road and seeing the world beyond this carefully trimmed yard. As you pedaled by, they seemed to be inching forward, willing you to take them along on your adventure. Alas, their metal legs got stuck in the grass again, ending yet another attempted breakout.

And as you coasted past the scene, wind in your face, the flamingos seemed to freeze proudly in their quirky tableau. Perhaps they knew they’d made your seventeenth mile just a bit more magical. Perhaps they simply enjoyed the applause of a passing cyclist. Either way, the flamingos of Tequesta—plastic though they may be—had succeeded in adding a delightful dash of whimsy to your ride.  (Chat GPT)

The story made me smile!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Dog Tired Dog

Fin Napping on the Veranda
Tequesta, FL
November 20, 2025

 Finnegan had a rough day. It was time for his every six-week grooming and he had to be up and out by 8:45 AM to be at the groomer by 9 AM. 

That is relatively early for Finn. He usually gets up, does his morning business and then sacks-out until at least 9:30 AM. 

He was at the groomer for about 4 hours and when we retrieved him after 1 PM, he was one tired dog. I am sure he didn't nap the entire time he was away from Chris. He rarely does, unless it is at home while she is out shopping. but he looked great and smelled really good. 

Yesterday afternoon, he was especially cute sleeping on the sofa out on the veranda. Although, he was keeping a watchful eye on me. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL