On an Damp and Cold Night

The night was cold. The crowd was loud. The game was on the line.

Orioles Park - October 8, 2012

The city seemed united behind a bunch of baseball players locked in a struggle between the rebel alliance and the evil empire.

I looked at the clock as the game ended--it was 11:59 PM on October 8, 2012.

The upstart Orioles pulled even with the Yankee juggernaut in the best of five elimination series.

But they had help.

48,000 fans were louder than I have ever heard them. I was listening to the cheers echo off the surrounding buildings during the pauses. Fans united, trying with their voices to help the team find a way to win.

Oriole Park - Post-season Baseball
October 8, 2012

And, in no small way it seemed that we did.

Nine innings of baseball with the crowd growing stronger with each pitch finally reaching a deafening roar as the last Yankee batter struck out to end the game.

Nothing could be sweeter for Orioles fans.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Baseball -- First Playoff Game in 15 Years

Last evening I attended the first home playoff MLB game is fifteen years at Camden Yards.

The stadium was alive. It was decked out for the game--spirits dampened only by the rain which delayed the start by two and a half hours. The crowd was alive and the team responded. Even with the rain and the delay--it was electric.

And I hope tonight will be more of the same.

That is the great thing about the baseball playoffs--they last for more than just one night/day; unlike the NFL.  When the season is 162 games long it is good that the playoffs are not a series of one-and-done affairs.

Go O's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 8, 2012

1. Baseball is a 27 out game, unless tied. The Orioles were great for 24 outs yesterday. Unfortunately, the Yankees owned the last three outs.

2. Winning ugly is still a win.

3. Busy weekends pass so quickly. From Charlottesville in the morning, to Monticello, and then and Orioles game. Wow, what a day. Anyone want a holiday?

4. I am wondering if I am beginning to overload on baseball? Nah.

5. The colors of autumn are really beginning to invade the hills. We saw a windblown leaf storm this weekend.

6. Holiday mondays are a great way to recover form a busy weekend. Why are holiday's so busy, too?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wings Over Wine Country

One winery we visited yesterday was hosting the Wings Over Wine Country awareness for injured animals for the Wildlife Center of Virginia.



The organization brought along a few animals. including the screech owl in this picture.

This owl is missing one eye and the other is damaged rendering her effectively blind. They believe she may have been hit by a car or a train. he was found along railroad tracks near an intersection. Now she is a permanent ambassador to raise awareness for injured animals.

It is amazing what one finds while spending a great day sampling the fruits of the vine.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Charlottesville, VA

Out the Hotel Window - Charlottesvile, VA October 2012

The autumn colors are creeping into the afternoon sunlight illumined trees. The weather, although warm, is turning cooler with each passing night. The vineyards have harvested the grapes for the upcoming winemaking season and the preparation of the 2012 vintages are well underway.



It was an awesome day. I is a stop along a busy weekend that began last evening with the O's first playoff victory in over 15 years. Today was sampling wines at many of our favorite and one newly discovered vineyards.

Tomorrow a visit to Monticello and then home for a busy Sunday in the middle of a busy three day weekend.

It is becoming an annual event--doing something special on the first weekend in October. The weather is beautiful with the summer still close enough to remember and the autumn rain and chill still something that yet has not arrived.

But it will. Until then, enjoy life, drink wine, and love deeply.


-- Bob Doan, writing from Charlottesville, VA

Orioles Magic--Pushed to the Brink

One game play in. The October hunt is underway.

It sounds great, right up until it is game day and the entire post-season is on the line.

The team that few of the pundits believed in at the start of the season is one of 10 teams still standing and starting the post season today. Twenty other teams are sitting at home watching on their televisions.

The odds seem stacked against the Orioles:

An away game, in Texas who won 5 games against 2 losses this season against them. The O's are 1-2 in Arlington this season.

Starting a pitcher who is a clear candidate for Rookie of the Year honors (Yu Darvish,16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings)

Texas, who has a guy who hit four home-runs against them in a single game this season (Josh Hamilton)

Coming off the final series of the regular season after being held to 5 hits and 2 runs over the last 18 innings (2 games) and losing two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays to wind up on the road for the Wild Card game.

But it is the Orioles!

The team projected to lose possibly 120 games (they lost only 69 while winning 93).

The team that was in the toughest division in baseball with one of the smallest payrolls.

The team that set a new major league record for roster moves during a season.

The team with two players with more than 30 home runs, and five with more than 20 home runs.

I like our odds.

Take one scrappy team living the dream and play against a team that blew a 17 game lead in their division, put them together to see who advances on one night .

This is post season baseball and regardless of the outcome, Orioles Magic is back!

Like the first verse and chorus of the Orioles Magic song:

Something magic happens, everytime you go
You make the magic happen, the magic of Orioles’ Baseball!

When the game is close, and the O’s are hot
There’s a thundering roar from 34 to give it all they’ve got 

And you never know who’s gonna hear the call
Every game there’s a different star
That’s the magic of Orioles’ Baseball! 

Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen! 

O - R - I - O - L - E - S ! 

Magic! Magic! Magic! Magic! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Life in the Friendly Skies

I reflected upon my recent traveling experience trying to remember the golden days of flying, when passenger comfort was what air travel was about instead of making a profit.

Yesterday, at times. I felt more like self-loading cargo, a term I remember pax (as we were called) being referred to when I was on active duty in the Air Force.

Looking at the 737 Being Readied to
Fly from Denver to Baltimore

Starting with the screenings before being allowed into the terminal, everything seems designed to remind us that we are the by-product of the system rather than the reason everyone there has a job. Oh, generally the people who work in the airport are nice and deferential--but I am convinced they believe that it would be a great place to work if there were no passengers.

Kind of like schools--a great place to work except for the students.

I remarked to another passenger that with all of the cost cutting measures (or cost increasing measures from a passenger perspective) soon we are not going to need to check our bags anymore. The will have us walk down the ramp and stow the bags in the cargo hold ourselves before going back up the ramp to our seats. And we will retrieve them after the flight. Oh yeah--they will still charge $25 per bag for the self-service option.

I have to chuckle at United's boarding sequence. I guess they have seven boarding groups. Somehow I was in group four yesterday. Turns out, I was the only person in boarding group four. And the plane was jammed. Many people went before me and most came after me, making me feel very conspicuous going through the gate.

Food on a flight? Fly first class or buy it. I remember when meal service was standard for all classes. Problem was that everyone complained about the food so they did away with it and now we can complain about not getting any.

I think the greatest thing that has happened in air travel is the permanent no smoking situation. I remember the days when the back  of the plane was blue with cigarette smoke. Getting stuck in the back was a sentence to a terrible trip--worse than sitting next to a screaming infant that pukes on nearby innocent passengers.

The next greatest thing in air travel will be allowing mobile devices to be used during take-offs and landings. The pilots are using iPads, why can't we? From a practical perspective it would save the airlines money because I wouldn't drag a book along with me to read during take-offs and landings. Since books have weight and fuel is used to fly weight--there would be some savings if most people decided not to bring additional reading material along.

So many stories and so little time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Debate or Orioles?

Really--do you need to ask?

Tonight is the final baseball game of the regular season. It is also the first presidential debate.

The Orioles have played all season and a large number of things come down to tonight. Or tomorrow night. Or Friday night.

There are so many options and permutations.

The Presidential debate will not settle anything. Tonight's baseball game will settle a lot.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, Oct 2012

Denver International Airport in the Distance

I did something different this time. I took the image during the late afternoon as the sun was setting behind me over the mountains and the white tops of the carnival tent looking terminal at Denver International Airport could be seen in the distance.

It was a pretty scene and I zoomed a bit on the airport terminal.

The sky was clear and the day was warm and inviting. The trees are beginning to change over from green and into their autumn colors. It was one of those season ending nice days that get etched into your memory.

I keep getting a room that does not face the mountains in this hotel. I like the mountains, but the prairie has its appeal as well. I like staying here because there is always a great view out of my hotel window.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Trouble with the Curve -- Review

Trouble with the Curve, although touted as a baseball movie, this movie will appeal to those who are not baseball fans. The movie is a story about the relationship between a father (Clint Eastwood) and a daughter (Amy Adams).

The father is baseball scout suffering from failing health and eyesight. The daughter is a high powered lawyer who is one the fast track in her law firm for partner. The baseball team is confronted with technology advocates and the scout refuses to use a computer. He evaluates talent on sight. There are some classic technology battles in this story--can a computer and statistics really tell you everything you need to know about a person or a team. The movie conflicts with the premise of the movie Money Ball, that in fact computers are better than eyes on scouting.

Add in a little love. A lot of past history and a bit of basebll and you have a good solid, yet predictable movie.

I enjoyed the movie and the character development. Clint Eastwood was masterful in the part and amy Adams played the conflicted daughter very well.

Recommendation: Go see this movie.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Monday Musings - October 1, 2012

1. A storm swept through last evening with strong winds to churn the still green trees and which dropped the temperature about 15 degrees accompanied by some cold rains--the first cold rain of the coming season. I wonder if it was September saying good-bye?

2. Don't look now, but the team some pundits projected to lose 120 games, just made the MLB playoffs for the first time since 1997. Go O's.

3. I have to admit, for the first time in a long whole, I don't have a good idea of what happened around the world over the weekend--I have been kinda focused on a particular stadium in Baltimore.

4. I used my new smoker to smoke a chicken and some ribs yesterday--although I have some more tweaking to do, they came out all right. Practice makes perfect, so I expect there will be more smoking in my future.

5. Here's an interesting thought--on this day in 1908 the Ford Motor Company unveiled the Model T. I remember what Henry Ford reportedly said about customers--"If I had asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse."  Truth is, he probably never said that, but that is a discussion for another time.

6. A kick ball, three boys, and bases equal about an hour of fun.

7. What is the best time of the day? Morning of course, because at dawn the day is still full of hope and promise.



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What I did Last Night

My birthday celebration continued yesterday. Yes, I'm spoiled.

We went off to Bin 201 for a personal tasting for the entire family. Three birthdays were celebrated: mine, Mike's and Jeremy's. It was a Birthday Bash for the Boys.

Bin 201 did an awesome job with the personal wine tasting. It was fun. The wines and the food selections were great. We were there for two hours getting a personal tasting of wines from Paso Robles, Barossa Valley, Spain, and Sicily.

Afterwards though, we went across the street to Cadillac Ranch and I got to ride the bull. Really. I have never in my life ridden a bull. It was over pretty quickly. Thankfully and no bones were broken or bruised in the making of the video.

OK, it wasn't pretty.

Thanks to Chris, Nicole, and Nicole for setting up such a great evening.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tinge of Autumn

I noticed it this week in some of the trees on my street. The first signs of autumn's brilliant colors creeping onto the trees.

First Colors of Autumn

There is a maple tree at the top of the street which always seems to be the first one in the neighborhood to take on the color of autumn. And it has begun. It is a stunning tree standing alone and I see it often reflecting the first rays of morning light. Although now that the season has changed I am going to work in darkness and no longer get to enjoy it reflecting the golden rays of the dawn.

I am noticing the color of autumn in other trees as well. The first hints of red on the edges of the leaves.

Last Saturday, when autumn arrived, reportedly, Jax got up in the morning and was shocked to find the leaves still on the trees. He thought that magically, overnight, all of the leaves would fall from the trees so that he could play in them. Fortunately, we still get to enjoy the leaves as they change color before they fall to the ground.

But, autumn is here and the colors are coming. I could complain that summer is gone, but it is a lot more fun to find joy in the daily changes around me.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Post Season Dreams

They arrived yesterday and were waiting on my doorstep when I arrived home.

I have never held in my own hands tickets that provided admission to a World Series game. And even more, the two I have provide admission to a world series game for the Orioles, should they make it that far.

I love dreaming. I remember springtime in Sarasota watching the Birds play during Spring Training. Wishing. Hoping, that this year would be the year.

And maybe it will be. It is late September and we are still in the hunt with only a handful of other teams.

The tickets seem magical right now.

Six games remain in the regular season for the Orioles and they control their own destiny. Winning all six would be the best. Winning 4 of 6 would do the job.

The team the pre-season pundits picked to lose the most games in Orioles history has already made history.

There is so much more to do.

But right now is the time to dream of meaningful October baseball, the play-offs and the World Series.

I believe!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

One of the Greatest Birthday's Ever

Where do I begin? My birthday was yesterday and it was one of the most awesome birthday's that i have ever celebrated.

I want to thank everyone who sent me birthday greetings. They were awesome and I am humbled by how many of you took time to send me a special greeting.

The day was planned to be a full day. I took the day off from work, Chris had the day off as well, and we decided to do some things we haven to done in a while.

Gilbert Stuart George Washington

I started in the morning by going to the Walters Art Museum. I throughly enjoy art and the Walters has some great pieces. There was no exhibit in town, just the permanent collection. I enjoyed seeing the Gilbert Stuart Washington and paintings by Monet, just to name a few of the highlights. But I always get my mind expanded when I view art and consider the period and the subject.

Then it was off to the new Clint Eastwood movie, Trouble with the Curve. A baseball movie, but more than that a movie about the special relationship between a father and a daughter. I highly recommend it.

We finished the movie, headed home for a wardrobe change and then it was off to Camden Yards to see the Orioles wearing one one my birthday presents: a new orange O's jersey! Time to rock the orange at the yard.

Windmills Near Zaandam - Claude Monet

The O's badly needed a win to keep their post-season aspirations in tact and so this game had a play-off run feel to it. So there I was, with almost 27,000 of my new best friends watching a tense game through the top of the fifth inning. With the score 2-1 Toronto, the Orioles bats finally came to life and the nightcap of my birthday turned into a celebratory rout 12-2 Orioles. And in there somewhere I even saw my name on the scoreboard to acknowledge my birthday.

Wow! What a day. Thank you to Chris for making it happen--especially the scoreboard and me name to celebrate my birthday as well as for being there all day.

I may start taking my birthday off every year!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

NFL Refs -- Overshadowing the Election?

It is a labor dispute.

It is bigger than when the auto workers walk off.

Bigger than when the airlines stop flying.

It is unbelievable that the league and the owners don't notice that every passing day the fans grow more supportive of the referees and less supportive of the league. And the results on the field make their position more tenuous.

There is just way too much money and prestige at stake.

And some of the bad calls are really bad.

I think it is taking on such importance because it provides a counter-point to the presidential elections which have been underway for two years, it seems. Maybe we will finally get a respite during late November.

Politicians should take notice about what really gets the interest of the American public. Maybe they should begin using football terms when discussing foreign policy to generate the same kind of interest in things that really matter in the world?

We are going deep against Iran on the next play. It is a full out blitz against the Taliban. 

OK--maybe not.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Tragedy of the NFL

The referee's strike continues in the NFL and the replacement ref's are under fire from everywhere: the owners, the coaches, the players, and the fans. Their product: sports entertainment, is losing its shine and turning to dust right before the eyes of the richest players in all of sports.

And what is the real tragedy?

That the over paid professionals cannot police themselves. They cannot play the game without needing officials for every call--no matter how obvious.

What is this teaching our youth?

Why do we tolerate such immature behavior from these overpaid sports "heroes?"

Someone said it is all part of the game.

Sunday evening, I saw Bill Belichick of the Patriots behave like a spoiled schoolyard ruffian. He even grabbed a referee after the game. I remember my high school football days--if such behavior had occurred then I am sure the league would have suspended the coach--immediately. I also remember our coach would not tolerate less than perfect integrity from the players and no fighting was ever allowed on the field. I remember one game when one of our players started a fight on the field. When he got to the sidelines the coach sent him home--right in the middle of the game. The behavior was not tolerated. Period.

Why do our professional athletes not adhere to the same ideals?

The tragedy of the NFL is that we now need officials to make every call, no matter how obvious, instead of just the close calls. Players should make the majority of the calls without the officials being needed. A fumble is a live ball and a dropped pass is an incompletion.  Players know, why can't they make the calls instead of needing an outsider to make an independent determination.

Wouldn't it be cool to see a player tell the ref that he dropped the pass, instead of acting like he made a clean catch?

Sadly, he would be unemployed the very next day.

That is another tragedy of the NFL. Too much money and too much emphasis on winning at the expense of sportsmanship.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 24, 2012

1. I found a new way to celebrate the arrival of autumn--close the pool.

2. Visiting Fogo de Chao for the very first time Saturday night, I finally see what all of the fuss is about.

3. It was a beautiful and sunny weekend for working outside--and I  did.

4. Baseball is all about winning more than a team loses. Even though the O's lost yesterday--they are still in control of their destiny. Ten games to go--and two tonight!

5. Tools are like toys, they both begin with "T."

6. A good project is one which winds up with a new shiny tool in the tool box.

7. The ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter equals Eskimo Pi.

8. I am still amazed when I look at the night sky and realize that the light from the stars I see began their journey to my eye years (tens, thousands, millions) ago--yet it is present in my here and now.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Breakfast in the Wild

Walking outside yesterday morning, I spied a spider enjoying a breakfast feast of some unlucky bug.

The spider was fairly large--and in an accessible location.

It was feeding outside near where I was celebrating the last morning of summer by closing the pool. It was fascinating to watch the spider, who seemed not to notice me as I took some images for posterity.

I like spiders and am fascinated by their hunting skills.

And they do hunt. Their lives depend upon it.

Sometimes, it is really interesting to just enjoy their skills and watch them reduce the unwanted bug population--on dead bug at a time!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Today's Finale Just in Time for the Next Beginning

That's all folks!

After today, actually in just a few hours, it will be gone forever never to return.

Butterfly at Monticello

Hopefully, its passing leaves fond memories and crammed picture albums (or thumb drives) of places visited.

Yes, autumn arrives today marking the finale of the Summer of 2012.

Just as surely as the butterfly in the image will never again visit that flower--so 2012's summer is passing away into the autumn.

It was a great summer. I wish I was standing on a beach somewhere to mark its passing into fond memories of places visited and fun with family and friends.

But, I guess, I am figuratively on some beach, somewhere in my mind enjoying just one more happy hour and listening to the lapping of the waves and making imaginary shapes out of the clouds.

I am hesitant to welcome autumn. I know where it ends.

But, autumn is full of fun, too. Leaves and celebrations, and birthdays (mine included). This year, hopefully, there will be an added autumn treat--playoff baseball in Baltimore for the first time in 15 years!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Garage Success--Rear Bearing Hub Installed

Sometimes a successful auto repair actually happens within the confines of my garage. Last evening was an example.

I completed a five hour marathon rear bearing hub assembly replacement on Chris's car. The same repair that I had started on Sunday morning and then been thwarted due to lack of the proper axle nut socket.

The socket arrived Wednesday evening, as promised form Amazon, but I wasn't up for the challenge and so the remove and replace repair waited until last evening. Although I had a good plan, auto repair is fraught with unexpected delays.

Last evening was no different. Everything went fine right up until the time to remove the bearing hub from the backing plate.

New Rear Bearing Hub in Place

No joy! The rust from the weather and almost 150,000 miles of use had effectively welded them together. For two hours, really, I worked with the assembly working to separate the pieces by brute force, creativity, frustration, and even prayer.

They finally parted and I was able to begin the process of reassembly. Thankfully. The shiny new bearing hub was fit up and ready for installation. I was a bit miffed at the manufacturing process. I had read that some of the cheaper, non-OEM parts did not have large enough holes in them for a socket to get through to tighten the back bolts. So I bought a better quality OEM hub. Unfortunately, the access holes in this one were too small as well. This delayed the installation a bit as I had to creatively access the bolts to turn them down until the socket was able to be placed on top of the bolt due to tight clearances.

But in the end, the job was completed and an extensive test drive confirmed the success of the repair. The droning sound heard while driving the car is gone. The new tires, which we thought were the source of the noise, are fine.

I am not sure the $300 I saved doing the repair was worth the seven hours I put into it (considering the time driving around looking for the axel nut socket on Sunday and the two hours of pleading with the hub to separate from the backing plate last evening), but it is done!

Chalk up an auto repair success and now for the next project--whatever it is.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Two Roads and a Field

A cool September's morning mist
hovered above sun scorched grasses
in a small field sandwiched between
two rush hour crammed highways

The motionless scene, frozen in place
framed by a stunning blue sky and the golden dawn
provided a visual respite from the traffic clogged highway
creating a paradox of traffic and nature

I longed to stop my truck and walk into the field
feeling the coolness of the place
savoring the fragrances captured in the mist
expecting damp softness to caress my face

Pausing, if only for a moment
enjoying the thick wet dew on my shoes,
or better yet, kicking them off
walking barefoot among the late summer foliage.

Springtime's greens had long been bleached brown
by the relentless summer sun
dried Queen Anne's lace haloed in the mist
sparkled in the morning light recapturing its beauty

Trapped behind the wheel of my steel steed
I could only imagine the small plot's peace
isolated between the hazards of the highways
yet captured in my mind, as a place of escape.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rain, Storm and September

Some ferocious storms blew through the area last evening. We had been suffering from a mini-drought and the lawn was beginning to show signs of stress from the dry heat and sun., so at least the rains, if not the wind, was welcomed.

I didn't have to mow this week. I guess that is a plus. The dry conditions hopefully will change as September fades into October.

After the storm, the pool was a mess again--the sycamore trees are beginning to give up their leaves early because of the dry conditions. Many of their leaves now adorn the surface of my pool. I definitely need to close it up this weekend and bring an official end to the summer fun. I think I am procrastinating.

I enjoyed walking barefoot in the yard during the storm, being dispatched to the garden for some oregano, and feeling the soft earth giving way beneath my feet. It was rock hard just yesterday.

As I departed out of work last evening a large number of people were waiting under the awning for the rains to subside. I smiled. I love rain and walked past them right out into the fury of the storm. I made a point of walking, not running, to my car so that I could enjoy the raindrops slapping my face and careening into my clothes.

Smiling, because the raindrops do not care where they land. Even if I run, others are waiting. They bring me joy.

The rain was warm.

And wet.

It was a September storm with warm rains--unlike November's storms which are cold and numbing. Something else to enjoy as the season winds down.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

From the Beach--A Reflection of Clouds

I saw an image of Lucas riding in the surf Myrtle Beach surf the other morning. It made me laugh.

Lucas at Myrtle Beach

I remembered my own visit to the ocean during July and the fun and frolic that being on the beach provides me to escape the realities of work and life.

The clouds in the skies over the ocean often create characters that stimulate my imagination--there is a duck, or a dragon, or Texas,

How strange that I feel the need to create order from the chaos of the wind whipped vapors that are the clouds.

Clouds off Jupiter Island Beach

The color of the water changes as the clouds pass overhead make the ocean either inviting or foreboding. I think this cloud looks like a dog--a pointer focused on its target with its tail straight out.

To imagine. To lay on the beach and enjoy the lapping of the waves, the warm breeze, and the bright sun.

And the clouds to stimulate my imagination.

Beach days!

They are the best times!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 17, 2012

1. Believe it or not, September is more than half gone. Where has it gone is the question in my mind.

2. Heard in a movie-- Yes we are going to die. You are going to die. I am going to die. The crew of this ship is going to die. Just not today!

3. Football is a tough sport--one play and a short second make the difference between winning and losing.

4. I have been fascinated by the fury surrounding the pictures of Kate Middleton. It is sad that people need to go to such extremes to secure privacy. I think most of us take privacy for granted.

5. The weather the past few days has been fabulous. These final days of summer have been inspiring with the crystal blue skies and moderate temperatures combined with low humidity. I wish I could bottle them up and save them for days which are not so nice.

6. Car repairs should not be attempted when in a hurry.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Backyard Auto Repair

Frustration. Whenever I need to be frustrated beyond belief, all I need do is attempt auto repair.

At least the garage was clean, so I had a nice environment to work in and have my tools near me. That is something that hasn't happened in a while. Usually I'm on the asphalt in the driveway, in the sun or rain.

That was where the happy notes for this project ended.

Chris' car needs the wheel bearing replaced on the right rear. Not a seemingly big deal and I found step-by-step instructions.

But when I started the project what was the first thing I found?  The lug nuts were so tight that I couldn't budge them. Really! Mr. Tire must be using Mr Universe to tighten lug nuts. I even called Patrick over to give them a twist. No joy.

Off to Lowe's for something to motivate the lug nuts. An air hammer and a piece of pipe to use as a breaker bar came home with me.

Even with the reinforcements, the lug nuts were not easily persuaded to allow themselves to be removed from the car. I wound up using the pipe and almost standing on it to get them moving.

That entire process took almost two hours of an expected four hour repair.

Next was the removal of the caliper and the brake pad holding mechanism and the rotor. Yay, that went extremely well.

Now for the axle nut. All I needed was a 12 point 32mm socket. I knew that in advance and I had that. Oops! It needed to be a deep socket. I have a 32mm 6 point deep socket. No good.

Off to the auto store--surely they will have one. Nope. Off to Home Depot. Nope.

Off to Sears. No joy. I called Pep Boy--none there either.

Stand still. Total stop.

Total frustration.

My 32 mm, 12 point deep well socket will be here Tuesday, I ordered it from Amazon.

The car has been reassembled and can be driven for the next couple days, and then I get to do it all over again.

Did I mention that the garage is clean?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball vs Football vs Soccer vs Wine Tasting

For the first time in years, we are having a hard time deconflicting sporting events across different sports instead of just teams.

It is a good problem to have.

Today we are faced with soccer vs wine tasting. OK--so wine tasting may not be a sport, but it does take up time when planned. Two of the grandsons, Ethan and Jax, have soccer games this morning followed by a trip to Annapolis for a planned event tasting Southern Italian wines.

At least there isn't time to close the pool!

Tomorrow, Sunday, about 4pm is a catastrophe. The Cowboys play, the Redskins play, and more importantly, the Orioles are facing a huge challenge in Oakland. They fumbled the baseball a bit last evening and lost only their eighth one-run game of the season.

I am almost wishing for Monday to escape the completing schedules insanity.

I may just have enough TV's and inputs to cover all of the events.

At least the Ravens play in an open time slot in my life.

Somewhere in there the lawn needs to get mowed, groceries purchased, and some relaxation and book reading need to be accomplished.

I love weekends!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

End of Years of Frustration

I attended the Orioles baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.

Middle of the 14th Inning,
September 13, 2012

The game lasted 5 hours and 14 minutes, officially, going into the 14 inning before ending in a victory for the home team--the Orioles. I don't normally get to enjoy 14 inning baseball games from start to finish, they usually end too late for me to stay awake, but this game began at 12:35pm with me in attendance at the park on a beautiful day with the Orioles playing meaningful September baseball for the first time since 1997. The day began with the O's tied with the New York Yankees, the thugs of baseball--and ended with the pressure cooker that is the end of the season squarely on the Yankees who were playing the Red Sox and eked out a win of their own to remain tied.

My Front Door After the Orioles Win

The game had the feeling of a play-off game--which although it wasn't, the implications were huge. The Orioles were trying to sweep the Rays in a three-game series and keep the heat on the Yankees who seem to be cracking under the pressure of season ending baseball.

At the end of the day, the win assured the Orioles of their first non-losing season since 1997. The Orioles ended the day at 81-62, 19 games over .500 with 19 games left to play. A huge triumph for a team picked by the pre-season pundits to finish with possible 110 losses.

I sat through the game yesterday almost unbelieving. The score was tied at the end of nine innings 2-2, every batter and every out was critical. I watched the Orioles blow a 2-1 lead at the end of seven innings. I saw the team battle in a manner I have not seen in years.

The losing is over.

The winning attitude is here.

When I arrived home after the game, my house was decorated appropriately by Patrick and Tina--complete with brooms by the front door for the sweep of the Rays!

I thought the Orioles on the garage door was an especially nice touch.

Although it would be easy to call the season a success--this team and its fans want more. There is even talk of winning not only the division form the hated Yankees--but the World Series. I love to dream--but sometimes, dreams come true.

But for now--yesterday was a win during a long 162 game season which signaled the end of over a decade of impotence and frustration. I celebrate with the city and the region the return of a proud baseball franchise to relevance. And, I am just happy to be along for the ride.

Go O's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Insanity and Civilization

I an still trying to wrap my head around the violence taking place in Libya and Egypt that has resulted in the death of brave Americans who were there trying to help the people of the region obtain freedom and safety from oppression.

How could the Libyans forget so quickly that it was the United States that helped lead them out from under the oppressive policies of a dictator and into self control of their government?

Same for Egypt--where although the U.S. did not take an active role, we quickly embraced the new government and offered assistance.

And this morning I read that the violence against Americans has spread to Yemen.

Why are the people of the U.S. seen as pariahs while those who daily foment violence and chaos seen as liberators? And they kill their own.

Why is the world so upside down?

All of this is because of an inflammatory film? Really? Are they that insecure in their faith? Is their god not big enough to shrug these slights off?

I have seen and heard a lot of inflammatory statements made about and against my God--but I know that my God is bigger than weak and feeble-minded statements made in ignorance and I also know that we humans are imperfect to begin with. My God is a God of forgiveness. Just ask!

I am sure that I am on their list now for questioning the omnipotence of their god. I read that it is not a popular thing to do.

But this morning I mourn the loss of brave, devoted American patriots who were killed doing their jobs for ungrateful peoples in places of the world that I have no desire to visit.

I am beginning to understand that tolerance is a foundational building block of civilization. We cannot consider ourselves civilized without appreciating diversity.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Return of the Hunter

I am amazed at how it sneaks up on me during September.

Hanging there in the pre-dawn sky yesterday morning Orion made his presence known to me as I was returning to the house after Makayla's morning walk.

I am always happy when Orion finally disappears after transitioning to the evening sky. It means Spring has returned. For now though Orion's return signals that the dark, cold times are on their way.

The constellation is stunning though. Besides the Big Dipper, Orion may be the most recognizable constellation, although Cassiopeia is a close second.

I enjoy the way the imaginary hunter watches over me. Some of the stars that comprise Orion are friends as well. Betelgeuse and Rigel are my favorites.

The return of Orion means pool closing is at hand. The leaves will don their autumn gaiety soon, and the snow and cold of winter are not far behind.

So much cold and darkness before the return of moderate temperatures.  And all because Orion has returned.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Awesome Image

Patrick took a really cool image of Camden Yards while we were at the game on Sunday.

It is a panoramic image.

It shows so much of how this season is different for the O's. This is a September game with over 46,000 people in attendance-and most of them are wearing orange! Not blue or red.

On the very right side--in the orange you can see myself and Jeremy watching the on field activity intently.

A beautiful September afternoon--puffy white clouds in a beautiful blue sky.

A perfect day for baseball. If only . . .  Sadly, the image was taken during the 8th inning when the Orioles defeat was assured and so the stands are beginning to empty.

But September isn't over yet. Good things are going to happen.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 10, 2012

1. It is really demoralizing to leave a baseball game after 40,000 fans showed up but the team didn't and wound up getting blown out. On top of that, the O's lost to the Yankees.

2. There is something depressing about realizing that the end of summer is as close as it is--and it was a great summer.

3. We had a loud humming noise associated with a new set of tires on Chris' car only to find out that we have a bad wheel bearing.  I have some work to do.

4. Opening Sunday of the NFL season and I was at a baseball game--how cool is that? So much for Sunday Ticket.

5. Makayla had a check-up last week--she has bad knees. Otherwise, she's healthy but still freaked out about the wood floors. They don't give dogs anti-anxiety medicine.

6. An amazing thing happened on Friday while trying to get back home after a week in Denver, I called to change my travel reservations less than six hours before the flight I wanted to got on--and they had a seat and I pulled it off, getting back a whole day early.

7. I'm not very happy with my Samsung Blu-ray player. It won't update itself and none of the special features work. It is only a year and a half old--and now all it will do is play Blu-ray's and DVDs. It was out of warranty in March. I called Samsung support for help--and they didn't.

8. I was reassured by the news that Congress is returning to work this week after their five week vacation. I wonder, will they really work?

9. Saw an interesting phrase on a greeting card: “Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” -- W. Clement Stone

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Words that Signal the End of Summer

Sitting together for breakfast this morning, Chris uttered the words that signal the end of summer to me.

The conversation went something like:

"Bob? What are we doing next weekend?"

I responded too quickly, "I think next weekend is open, why?"

And then she had me, "I think we should close the pool, the nights are in the 50's and so it is going to be too cold to swim. And the leaves are going to be falling off the trees soon."

Ugh! She had me. I had not only opened the door to the trap, but had cheerfully walked through and shut off any escape route behind me. I never saw it coming. It was a long distance kill shot. Perfectly sniped.

Closing the pool is one of the saddest weekends of my year. Not because of the work--but because of what it means.

The end of summer. Closing the book on the most joyous season of my year and ushering in the season of cold and darkness.

I need a house on the other side of the equator to escape to during the upcoming seasons. I'm thinking of perpetual summer rotating between the U.S. and maybe Chile or Australia.

In wine a wine region of course.

All of this because I have to close my pool--the site of summer fun and frolic.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, September 2012

I am fascinated with the views out of hotel windows, as many of you know. And so, as I was at the Embassy Suites in Denver again for a couple of days, I decided to do something a bit different--document the breaking of the dawn--especially since I was up anyway.

I took a series of three images out of my window as the sun tried rising in the east the other morning.

In this one--the sky is uniformly lit by the sun which is still minutes below the horizon.

It was very dark and the iPad camera did a relatively good job capturing the scene.

In the next one, the sun is just below the horizon--the orange glow can be seen.

I love the way the light is reflected off the clouds. They shimmer and look silver.

The final image is of the scene in dawns light.

Or almost, anyway.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

O's -- All in Yet?

I was reviewing the Facebook postings from family and friends about the Orioles and was reminded of a question someone asked last week--

When should we go all in for the Orioles?

My response-- two months ago!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Simply O's

I was planning to do another blog on out the hotel window--but the O's played the Yankees last evening--and won what was the most important game in the past 15 years! And now tonight's game is the most important game in that same span.

OMG--it is September and the Orioles are playing to win the division for the first time since 1997.

Am I excited?

Camden Yards from Pickle's Pub

Yes. This is the first time the Orioles have been playing for the post season since I've been a season ticket holder. They are tied for the second best record in the American league.

I can't wrap my head around it. Neither can my family.

Whether they actually make the playoffs or not is almost immaterial--but I have been wishing for a beltway World Series between the National and the Orioles, just because both teams deserve the recognition.

I have some of the tickets for post season games--but I fear I will go broke supporting the resurgent O's which are arguably, one of the best teams in baseball.

How can I possibly miss a game?

I can't.

How can I not fly to Tampa for the season finale when the O's will likely secure a post season playoff spot, or not.

I saw on TV that over 46,000 people were in the Yards last night--and it made me happy that Baltimore, one of the premier baseball towns in America was back with a swagger.

I read a Yankee blog and it seems that Yankee fans know the Orioles are for real. They are panicked!

Can the O's really win the AL East? Or even wild card. Remember, at the beginning of the season they were predicted to lose more than 100 games and be worse than the Houston Astros?  The Astros have already been mathematically eliminated from post-season play--the only team in baseball with that distinction and they are on track to lose about 110 games. I feel bad for their fans--I've supported a team that has been there.

My what a few months will do.

O's.

However it ends, the ride has been great and I love baseball.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Denver, CO

Sleeping Away from Home

Something that seems to elude me when traveling is good sleep.

I enjoy some aspects of traveling--especially changing timezones so that the end of the Orioles game is at 8PM, or the end of a nighttime football game is right at my 10PM bedtime.

But then the fun begins--finding the best way to enjoy the bed provided to me for sleep.

I think that most of the problem is that I am alone--and so I have too much space to fill. Chris is not next to me and neither is Makayla nor the cats. While this should be an advantage, it seems that it isn't.

It is too quiet and too still.

There is no reassuring breathing (or panting in the case of Makayla) to create the sounds that mean sleep to me. I can't feel me bed mates struggling to carve out their own piece of the bed.

I am alone with a lot of space to fill.

And pillows--seemingly a multitude of pillows, yet none exactly like the ones that I am comfortable wrapping my arms around or placing my head upon.

And it is too hot or too cold.

No matter where the thermostat is set--it is wrong at some time. I find I like my hotel room a bit warmer than the default temperature. But even though I set the thermostat for the same temperature as home--it is not right.

I sleep. But in spurts.

I check the clock constantly. Sometimes on the half hour hoping that I had slept and it is time to get started on the day.

But no--it usually doesn't happen.

And that brings the weird dreams. Like last night when I was riding a bicycle with a flat tire, double with Chris, and we stopped at a gas station for air where they were fishing and a some professional soccer players were having their cars fixed before heading off to soccer training camp. Someone needed a boat to go fishing in the river, where the air pump was.

Really, I can't make this stuff up--well, I guess I did.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Denver, CO

What Does the Situation Warrant?

I committed a traffic infraction over the holiday weekend.

Yes, I admit it--I looked at the traffic situation and then did something the sign said not to do.

The situation:

About 10 AM on Monday, Labor Day near a mall outside of Williamsport, PA, we had made a quick potty and coffee stop at a Burger King off Interstate 180. At the intersection onto the road coming out of the shopping area was a sign--Right Turn Only. I, of course, needed to go left. There was no traffic on the road. Seriously, no one.

Why is this sign so absolute when there clearly are times when making a left turn is not a traffic issue. My guess is that during the busy part of the day, left turning vehicles back up into the shopping area creating congestion and fostering risky driving behaviors as people attempt to turn into tight traffic spaces. But, I don't know because we were the only car at the intersection.

Am I allowed to evaluate the situation and make a conscious decision that obeying the sign does not make sense?

The situation:

Nighttime, red traffic light. No other vehicles or headlights in sight. Anywhere!

Why am I waiting for the light to turn green? Yet, I do.





The situation:

Sitting at a red traffic light on a one way street in Ithaca, NY (Seneca and Tioga Street). Tioga does not cross Seneca at this point, the only turn is right and there, by definition cannot be any cross traffic or turning traffic--yet there is a "No Turn on Red" sign above the intersection.

Why is this turn not allowed?






The situation:

A STOP sign at an intersection with great view of the approaching vehicles when attempting a right turn.

Stop, or roll through treating the STOP more like a YIELD sign?



I confess, I am not really sure where this line of thought is headed--but I am pondering that question I heard many years ago:




Does a RED light make you STOP?


-- Bob Doan, Writing from Denver, CO

Holiday Traffic Thoughts

I experienced the Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of traffic situations this weekend trying to complete the trip first to, and then from Upstate NY.

First, I am happy that we (Chris, Makayla, and I) got away for the weekend to see family. So, if this sounds like complaining, it isn't. The traffic just was.

The trip to NY on Friday afternoon was an experience. The Baltimore beltway going north to I-83 was at a crawl for much of the way--and we departed at 12:30PM to attempt to miss the crush of late holiday travelers. Undaunted we continued on as we had expected such a mess.

Traveling north on I-83 still in Maryland we encountered the first of three major accidents we would experience along the way. As traffic slowed to a stop and emergency vehicles were passing us on the right we were able to extract ourselves form the highway onto a parallel road and get around the accident. We also saw a very nice policeman giving a frustrated driver a ticket for crossing the median in an attempt to reverse course. Total delay -- about 20 minutes.

Accident number two was in PA just before Harrisburg. The traffic stopped just past an exit ramp and I thought we were doomed. But, at least for a bit as the emergency vehicles were arriving, they were allowing two lanes of traffic by. I was amazed as I watched one ambulance arrive and take up one of the lanes of traffic just after we passed the scene. Delay: 15 minutes.

By now the frustration factor was rising in the car.

Clear sailing until Selinsgrove, PA. No accident, just slow traffic causing us to wait at every traffic light along that stretch of US 15. Delay: About 10 minutes.

At this point I think I am out of the woods because from there to Corning, NY (our first stop on the trip for dinner with Tim and Stephanie and their family) is usually a fast trip. But no, along Route 11 headed to PA 147 to join Interstate 180 for the swing through Williamsport, traffic is at a stop--I can see the turn, but it is not moving. 30 minutes later after a heated discussion in the car we head over the mountain and rejoin Route 15 and head north.

Original scheduled arrival time in Corning: 5PM. Actual arrival time: 6:30 PM. Ugh!

The return trip was a breeze by comparison. There was only one accident, along the Baltimore beltway where we slowed from 60mph to 40mph. Total driving time: 5h 30min. Even with the occasional rain we made great time screaming through everywhere we had waited on the trip north.

It is hard to believe the difference a couple of days can make.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 4, 2012

1. Happy Labor Day. Enjoy the holiday.

2. I was rereading my blog from September 2009 and I reflected on the item about trying to remind people that there were still baseball games to lose. This year, the Orioles are in the middle of a pennant race.

3. Writing of the Orioles--I am still pinching myself to be sure I am not dreaming especially after they won the series against the Yankees over the weekend.

4. Well, it is back to home today. I have a broken car to fix and a bunch of stuff to do before the holiday weekend ends.

5. Last evening, sitting around a bonfire as evening fell, I enjoyed watching the stars come out and looking for the satellites which were flying overhead. It was a beautiful, quiet evening.

6. I saw the Milky Way last night--something that does not happen where I live in Maryland.

7. The rabbit in the yard was spooked away by something just moments ago. I wonder what?

8. Traffic. I will be sharing the road with too many other drivers soon.

9. The golden rod is in bloom everywhere. Autumn is at hand.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

On the NY Wine Trail - September 2012

What a great afternoon--checking out a couple of the wineries on the
Cayuga Wine Trail.

We visited Americana, Sheldrake Point, Thirsty Owl, and Goose Watch.
A whirlwind afternoon in Central NY with a lot of other wine lovers. There were a lot of other people out enjoying an idyllic afternoon doing the same thing.

All of these wineries have stunning views of the lake and provide nice interpretation of white wine, which are really the best varietals grown in the region. The Rieslings were generally great. Every attempt at a red wine resulted in a thin interpretation which left me wanting something more.

Americana has a large selection of wines which they do generally well. We continue to buy many of their whites to enjoy with our friends. I enjoy their tasting room and the ambiance of the winery done in a barn. Their new selection of Rieslings are especially good and come in a variety for every palette from dry, to semi-dry, to semi-sweet. They all had a vibrant character which made them very enjoyable.

Sheldrake Point does dry wines and has a really enjoyable white blend called Luckystone White. We make a special trip to the winery for this wine. And it was on a great sale, too. Sheldrake Point was designated as the NY Winery of the Year, so the place, located right on the shore of Cayuga Lake is really worth the visit and the dry wines re especially good.

Thirsty Owl, another winery with a great view, is dabbling in the reds in addition to the whites and provided a nice red wine using the Chancellor grape. But, their white wines are why people visit the winery.

The final stop of the day was Goose Watch, another winery with another great view and a nicely done tasting room. They provided some very nice whites, but I felt their offerings this year were not as desirable as some of the other wineries we visited. They are good wines--don't get me wrong, but just a bit above average. Nice drinking but not spectacular.

All in all it was a great afternoon. My parents were real troopers to dare to head out onto the wine trail with us--and it was nice to ave them along for the afternoon drive along the west shore of Cayuga Lake.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Dancing on the Horizon

The bright orange ball danced
just in my view
along the horizon
moving between the trees
like a big rubber ball
the kind I used to play with
when I was a kid.

It hid behind the trees
and then behind a hill
as I made my way to work
as if it was rolling there
waiting for me to pick it up
and play a game of dodge ball

I remembered the paved playground
Where games always played
during the all too brief recess
between the classes of math and reading
looking forward to a respite
and then back to the studies
with the games but a memory.

I was entranced for a moment
racing down the parkway
by the memory of the days past
realizing that nothing has changed
I still look forward to playtime
it's just that the toys have changed.


-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Cat Fails

One of my cars--the Jaguar convertible, is known as Cat. Cat has an issue. As I pulled into the garage last night clouds of steam billowed up from under the hood and orange coolant began forming on the floor of the garage.

Cat has a problem. One of the heater hoses burst and hot coolant was steaming out everywhere. It was a huge mess, and frankly it was something that I really didn't need after such a nice drive home on a beautiful afternoon.

In retrospect, where better for a car to fail than in the driveway?  At least I was not stranded on the side of a rush hour clogged highway with scores of travelers gawking at me wondering what was wrong.

I was safely in my garage.

I was home and my biggest concern was moving my racquetball gear to my truck in preparation for the morning.

Do I call AAA and have them tow Cat to a repair place? To a Jaguar dealer?

Do I attempt a backyard repair?  It looks pretty simple. Really. Only problem is that I spend most of the evening online and cannot find the hose needed to effect the repair. It has two bends in it.

Monday! I'll fix it on Monday afternoon.

I hope.

Ugh! Why do cars break? Why when we least need them to break. Although, when is a good time for them to break?

At least, as I wrote earlier, it was not alongside the parkway on a busy afternoon. I hate being stared at. People wondering what transgression I committed for my car to fail.

I'll drive my truck today.  I could drive Kitty. I have choices.

I am blessed in so many ways.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tragedy in a Baltimore School

I decided that I needed to comment on tragedy which occurred in a local high school this week--a 15 year old boy allegedly (OK, they saw him do it) shot another student in the lunch room on the first day of school.

The school? Perry Hall High School--with over 2100 kids the largest high school in Baltimore county.

The weapon? A shot gun.

The shooter? A troubled boy, who reportedly was bullied and comes from a problem filled home and life.

The tragedy? This is a far reaching tragedy which includes first and foremost the boy who was shot and is in critical condition at a local hospital, his family, the students of the school, the community. The tragedy is in the lives destroyed by this incident.

A sensational article in the Baltimore Sun really got me going, and on my soap box about irresponsible reporting. Apparently everyone is to blame for this shooting--from parents and step parents, to everyone who knew this kid and even those of us reading the article after the fact should have intervened it seems. I'm not sure if the article placed any blame on the shooter.

The article in the Baltimore Sun begins:

Charged as an adult in the Perry Hall High School shooting, 15-year-old Robert Wayne Gladden Jr., was held without bond Tuesday as a portrait of a withdrawn and occasionally bullied student with a troubled home life emerged through interviews with classmates and court documents.

The article goes into a very detailed look at not only his life, but the lives of everyone associated with him. Their lives, and mostly their failings, are laid out for everyone with even a passing curiosity to read and ponder. I felt that some of the details presented passed beyond responsible news reporting and into the realm of tabloid sensationalism.

Did I find it interesting that the shooter's step Dad was arrested later that same day after police searched his house and found marijuana and firearms? Turns out the step Dad is a convicted felon and it is against the law for him to possess firearms. Is it germane to the situation? No, because as the article continues, the shot gun used in the shooting came from his Dad's house where he "sometimes stayed."

For the gun control advocates--BTW--there is a data point that gun control doesn't work.

Another news agency, Business Insider, provided a more balanced view of the shooter and his motives.

Interestingly, another article suggests that the student that was shot was a bystander and the shooting occurred after the gun was discharged at the ceiling for effect and subsequently went off as he was being tackled. This is the only article I could find about the incident and really changed my perception of the events.

This incident is a tragedy. We may never know the real reason that this young man decided, with some premeditation, to take a disassembled shotgun and some vodka to school that day. But, the desperation that many people are facing in today's world is reflected in his face and his actions. And everyone around him suffers as a result.

Pray for everyone involved in this tragedy. They need hope. And don't forget to pray for the recovery of the shooting victim and for his family. They are the true victims of this tragedy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Winds of Autumn

I noticed it yesterday morning for the first time this season. It was dark when I took Makayla out and I couldn't really see very well to clean up after her. I had to feel around on the ground for the warm spot.

Autumn is coming.

The morning temperatures are drifting down. I noticed they were expecting 48 degrees in Upstate NY this week. Not just cool, but cold.

Too cold for me.

Too cold for palm trees.

And the darkness of autumn is already upon us as the daylight grows shorter every day. The equinox is coming--even though still three weeks away its presence is being felt, or seen.

Football is in the air. Cold is clinging to the morning in the dew.

Even after the rain and an 85 degree day, it is cool in the morning.

I have noticed the leaves beginning to turn and fall in small numbers form some of the trees. I was asked when I was closing the pool--never I replied, although it was merely bravado. I don't have the time to clean it once autumn fully arrives and the leaves fall to the ground in waves.

The grapes are being harvested to make wines--2012 vintage. I'm sure the rains of the past few days have been a real problem for the wine makers.

And daylight fades into darkness as the grip of autumn strengthens.

It is almost September. Wow. Just yesterday, it seems, we were moving from May into June and the hope of the now completed summer was still in front of us.

At least summer is coming somewhere south of the equator.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Upset

It doesn't happen too often, but I got really emotional and, frankly, pissed off last evening while playing racquetball.

Why?

Philosophy.

I play racquetball because I love to play. I don't call hinders and screens unless they are flagrant. I played a guy who was so intent on winning that he called even the most minor, and frankly not there, hinders. I could not believe some of the calls--in fact when I won the second game I was more concerned with looking around to make sure he couldn't call a hinder than I was celebrating a great comeback and a stolen win.

We had played last week and he upset me with his tick-tacky calls then. As we were discussing that game after last night's game he admitted he called screens on two of my ace serves because they were close. The standard is 18 inches--and at the time I knew they weren't that close. That is just the wrong approach. If we were playing for money in a tournament, then there would be a disinterested party, a/k/a/ referee, to make close calls. Without a referee, my philosophy is--play on.

I know how to lose--Lord knows I lose more than I win now. I just don't like losing when we are playing two different games on the court. I play racquetball because I love the game and the competition.

But I admit, I kinda lost it last evening and just let the other guy have the last three points of the tiebreaker--just because I was so upset about the bad, questionable calls he kept making. I didn't even return the last three serves just to express my dissatisfaction.

Bad on me.

Today is a new day though. I'll try to do better.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 27, 2012

1. Heard at the wine tasting about one of the lesser know Italian wine regions, Lazio, around Rome: They produce wines in quantity, not quality. Historically they had to supply the Roman Legions and the Roman Legions were just a bunch of guys sitting around drinking wine.

2. Manned space is in the news again with the death of Neil Armstrong. It is hard to believe that those first pioneers of space are getting so old. And now we can't even put a man into space anymore. Priorities need to be reevaluated.

3. The Boston Red Sox have apparently packed in the season by sending off three of their highest paid players to the Dodgers. The Orioles have moved to within 4 games of the Yankees!

4. Preseason football is really difficult to enjoy. It is even slower than regular season football.

5. The Republican Convention begins a day later than planned. Do we get a respite from the campaigning for a day?

6. Communication is behind most of the problems we have,

7. “Houston,Tranquility Base here.The Eagle has landed.”~ Neil Armstrong (1930 – 2012 ) I remember that day so well. We were all united together as two Americans landed on the moon.

8. To the educators, the bus drivers, the janitors, the parents, and the students--let's have a great school year. Enjoy day one of the 2012-2013 year!

9. I had an interesting conversation yesterday where the NCAA and the US Anti Doping Agency (USADA) were both considered to be agencies that need someone watching over them due to their apparent arbitrariness.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tasting Tuscany Wines--Bin 201

Yesterday, I sojourned to Annapolis to a wine store named Bin 201 for a tasting of wines selected from Italy and more specifically, Tuscany and some of the nearby regions.

I enjoy attending these tastings because they are more than just tasting wine--they are about understanding the grapes and conditions in the region.

Bin 201 Being Prepared for Tasting

Although Tuscany was the principle region for yesterday's tasting, I was also treated to a sampling of wines from Umbria, Marche, and Abruzzo.  But the wines of the day truly were from Tuscany: Chianti, Chianti Classico, Super Tuscan.

I admit, one of the wines did not have a pleasant nose--it smelled like a cat box, but most of them were very nice and enjoyed. The tasting was complete with a plate of cheese, salami, prosciutto, and of course some palate cleansing bread.

The Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello de Montalcino 2000 Tuscany was clearly the wine of the day. But it was $87.99 and I just don't buy wine that expensive because I never want to drink it--so the enjoyment is never fully realized because it just stays on the wine rack.

The best buy was Ornellia "Le Volte" 2009, Bolgheri, Tuscany for $29.99. This was a Super Tuscan, being a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. It gets a solid average 88 rating on Cellar Tracker and I think it will be awesome with pasta.

I love expanding my wine knowledge and my tastes, and yesterday was no exception as I also tastes a few whites--but nothing spectacular.

While the Bin 201 tastings are not free, they are not expensive--less than tastings for more in Napa. And, we tasted 10 wines coupled with history and a small intimate group of 14 people. It makes for a nice Saturday afternoon activity. I highly recommend these events.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD