Faces of the Sea

Rough Seas and Blue Skies

Stuck in the house due to the torrential rains that blew in from the Bahamas, I was thinking about the many faces of the ocean that I have seen during the roughly week and a half that I have been in Florida.

Calm Seas and Dark Skies

Chris and I spent parts of both Monday and Tuesday mornings chasing the sun, visiting multiple beaches per day as the storms descended. We were actually chased off one due to the crash of thunder occurring within moments of the flash of light from the lightening. Ugh! I mean, we get wet on a beach so a little bit of rain isn't a problem. Torrential rain, however, is a different story. And throw in lightening within less than a second's worth of distance (roughly 1,126 feet) and that is too close. When that happens it is time to race off the beach and into the car.

Wild Seas under Gray Skies

The different seas we have experienced this week are dramatic. From rough to wild to smooth.

Wow. As for snorkeling--only twice. Ugh!

Rough seas, water with too much junk in them, thunder storms, chasing the sun to find a beach. What a couple of weeks it has been.

It should only get better.

I hope. I have a lot more snorkeling to do.

Let the sun shine.

--Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Out to the Sea

Morning Sky heading out to the Ocean

Fishing the ocean in a small boat on a rough day with storms not only on the horizon, but nearly on top of the intrepid fishermen may seem crazy--but, it was a great way to spend the better part of the day.

Leaving before dawn from a park near Stuart, Florida, to be on the water as the sun arose provided a fantastic start to the day. Dawn is one of my favorite times of the day, and I was not disappointed even though the clouds were heavy with rain.

Turtle Tracks along an Abandoned Boat

It was a beautiful morning though, trolling along the coast for tarpon or other big fish. Sadly, we didn't see any. But, it was enjoyable trolling along the long sandy beach seeing the turtle tracks from the egg laying during the night before. It is reassuring to see so many turtles crawling up the beach to continue their species.

My First Snook

But, there were fish to be had. Deciding that the big tarpon were not in the area despite an abundance of potential breakfast food (read bait fish) we headed to another area to fish for snook--which although out of season to keep are a lot of fun to catch and release. We caught a few of these fairly significant fish and it was nice to see them up close and personal. I did smell like fish for the rest of the day, though. I'm not sure what I was thinking about to have such a serious look on my face--I really didn't want to hurt the fish anymore than hooking it had already done.

Francis and the Snook

Francis also landed two snook during our expedition--here he is holding the second one of the day--we kinda dropped the first one back into the water before I could snap the picture which was good for the fish, but not so good for posterity.

Bill, the owner and captain of the boat can be seen in the background of both pictures. He clearly knew not only where to go for fish but when to be there for the best opportunity of success. I learned a lot about fishing and fish and while I had a lot of nibbles on my bait--I didn't land too many more.

It was a great morning of fishing despite foreboding weather which never materialized.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Monday Musings - July 15, 2013

1. If I stayed on vacation forever then it wouldn't be a vacation, right? It might be considered retired though!

2. Onto the ocean in a small boat chasing big fish--it is right up there with some of the best ways to spend a day. Catching a big fish and then releasing it is also right up there on the list!

3. How to spend a day when it is raining is one of the great questions I have been wrestling with lately. What a good problem to have.

4. I enjoyed celebrating Bastille Day yesterday. It is, after all, my second favorite foreign holiday. Everyone then asks me what my favorite foreign holiday is, and it is Cinco deMayo of course! Check out the linked Wikipedia article on Bastille Day. There reportedly is a celebration in Baltimore that I have, for some strange reason, never attended.

5. It is amazing how quickly important issues fall from the consciousness of the populace--take the Federal government sequester for instance. A lot of people are suffering simply because our elected representatives cannot do their jobs. The same thing happened over student loan rates when they could not act to precent a rate doubling.

6. It is the MLB All Star Break. The Orioles are hanging tough playing 10 games over .500 and only 1.5 games out of the wild card with the division clearly in their sights for the second almost half of the season. Home Run Derby tonight--will Chris Davis become the fourth Orioles player (Ripken, Anderson, Tejada) to win? Actually, I hope not, it could hurt him during the second part of the season.

7. Regarding the Zimmerman acquittal verdict--the jury has spoken. It appears that we are forgetting that in this country people are innocent until proven guilty of crimes and that the standard of proof is set high to preclude innocent people from being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. Despite all of the issues surrounding the cased which tried to cloud the issues, the jury still rendered its verdict and the system still works despite what any of us would believe otherwise.

8. With two weeks remaining on vacation, I am amazed at how much time has already passed. I was asked, what has been the highlight of the vacation? After thinking for a minute of all of the great things I have done, I think the highlight is getting up every day, assessing the weather and asking--so what do I want to do today with no preconditions or plans already made.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Flying into the Clouds

The flight of pelicans seemed on a journey into the clouds the other day as Chris snapped this image. Almost as if they were flying into the Twilight Zone.

I love the way the pelicans patrol the beach, keeping all in order.

They soar together--seeking food and companionship.

They also provide something to watch and marvel at on beach days.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Finding the Rainbow during the Storm

Double Rainbow

Although I could have considered the evening to be a washout as the storms arrived, it was not. During dinner, as the rain fell, I noticed that sun was shining. I decided to look up at the sky and was rewarded with a beautiful rainbow and then--as double rainbow. I had to do a lot of processing to make the second rainbow visible in the photo I took--but it is there.

Jupiter Lighthouse, July 12, 2013

Every day brings its share of challenges and rewards. Sometimes, like the mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, we just have to search for the up side.

Consider the June automobile accident that I was involved in which resulted in the loss of one vehicle. It was definitely not a good experience but there were a few upsides: no one was injured and after a lot of work the vehicle was replaced something new which will last for many more years.

Similarly, rainstorms can cause destruction and damage--but they also bring the rains which nourish and refresh the land.

Often, during the storms, there are some spectacular sights--like the gathering storm clouds surrounding the iconic Jupiter Lighthouse.

I just need to look to see.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Sometimes the Storms Come

Palm Tree against the Gathering Storm in Stuart, FL

I love Florida for the heat and the sunshine. It is in the storms, though, that I realize how much I really do love the sunshine. Yesterday as we were shopping in the quaint downtown district of Stuart the day went from bright and sunny to dark and stormy.

We had enjoyed a good snorkeling morning on the beach in Jupiter with sun and pleasant skies and decided to spend the afternoon re-exploring a town we had visited a few years ago during a previous trip.

During our excursion, the day changed from bright and sunny to dark and stormy. At least the storms provided some really cool images. I especially love palm trees against a dark stormy sky background.

Walking over to the inter coastal waterway, I was able to see the storm in more completeness. It looked ferocious and foreboding.

I tried to get some images of the lightening associated with the storm, but it seemed to be flashing in the places that I wasn't looking. It was an impressive storm gathering across the waterway.

It was a complete turn around from the idyllic morning on the beach, but I found beauty in the storm.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Two Times Per Day

Jupiter Beach morning July 10, 2013

Beach time is precious when on vacation, especially when the weather is threatening--like this weekends threat of a tropical storm. Yesterday was a twice on the beach day--morning and evening.

The day began with thick clouds hanging over the area--but no significant rain. A decision was made that "by golly we are on vacation to spend time on the beach and we are not going to let a few ominous clouds keep us from our goal. "

I Think Crabs on the Beach are Funny!

It was a great morning and early afternoon--even with the heavy clouds. The winds were light and the water warm resulting in a great beach experience. The clouds were constantly changing and provided an impressive display above the gray water crashing onto the beach. The surf was a bit rough--but fun to watch and enjoy.

Pelican in the Evening Sun

As Happy Hour arrived, the decision was made to head back to the beach. The clouds had broken and the skies were fairer. The decision was rewarded by calmer surf and that allowed for the first snorkeling excursion of the vacation. Although the waters were still cloudy, I enjoyed gliding over the rocks and spying many different fishes during a relatively short, thirty-minute swim.

Back on the beach, life was abounding from small land crabs to birds and of course Happy Hour. How can I not love being on the beach as the day draws to an end?

I dunno.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Birds I've Seen this Week

Bald Eagles at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

Cameras are awesome things. They allow me to capture images to enjoy and also I often enjoy trying to capture the images. Although, yesterday it seemed that I was more the hunted than the hunter as I was descended upon by a horde of hungry mosquitoes who rather enjoyed the repellent I had applied.

Chris and I visited the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter to view the animals since it was too rainy and cloudy to head off to the beach. Some of them were in the wild, others, like the eagles here, were caged. All of the caged animals were rescued and either in some stage of recovery for eventual release into the wild or were too injured to return to the wild.

Added to the images of birds from other days, we are amassing quite a collection of wildlife images for some unspecified future use.

Shore birds and water birds along with other birds. Maybe I'm a little bit bird brained. Sometimes we even see birds while enjoying happy hour at our favorite watering hole.

All in all, it is great fun watching the birds watching me.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Art on the Beach

Octopus at Carlin Park Beach

Occasionally, I stumble into some fun activities occurring on the beach. Yesterday was one of those days.

Dragonfly in the Sand

Chris and I had been enjoying another idyllic beach experience when we happened upon a family engaged in a unique and creative competition--sand art. This was not your usual sand art competition based around who can build the biggest castle and moat, but rather who can make the best creature in the sand.

Starfish creation

It was fun to chat with the contestants, who were clearly enjoying themselves. The octopus was big, the starfish creative, but the smaller dragonfly was my favorite.

And it was a Monday on a public beach, in Florida, during the summer.

What a great way to spend some time and energy. Sadly though, like all sand creations, at high tide they become just memories. But, at least I have images to prove they once existed and made the transition from the mind of the artist and into reality for me and the other transient beach goers to enjoy.

What a fabulous way to decompress and spend quality time on the beach.

Awesome.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Monday Musings - July 8, 2013

1. Time passes differently while on vacation. My day is measured in terms of before the beach (BB), on the beach (OB) and after the beach (AB). I am currently BB.

2. The Boeing 777 crash in San Francisco reminded me that flying is serious business and that every passenger is responsible for knowing the emergency procedures when they fly. One other thought about the crash--God smiled on them!

3. Standing on the beach watching the waves crash on the shore I imagined that I could be standing, as I have, on many other beaches around the world.

4. I closed my eyes on the beach yesterday and heard the sound of the waves running along the beach as they came ashore.

5. Why did mortgage interest rates jump on Friday? Perhaps bankers and investors are not committed to preserving the economic recovery.

6. I am sitting watching the Today Show wondering why the exploits of the Kardashian family are getting more air time that the news of the day. Are daytime television viewers that shallow and in need of escapism?

7. I love the weather report--for the next few days, highs in the 90's, sun in the morning, passing showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon followed by more sun! OK--so there is a tropical storm in view for Thursday or Friday, that too will pass!

8. My internet connection here is frustratingly slow! Xfinity! Not so fast.

9. I like taking pictures of birds on the beach.

10. Well, it is time to head out and walk almost three miles--I want to return home after vacation still in pretty good shape and the surf has been too rough to snorkel.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

On the Beach - Jupiter

Jupiter Beach July 6, 2013

It was a busy day on the beach yesterday. There must have been 30 people in the one mile long beach that we frequent. Crowded! But, it was a holiday weekend.

Still, it was our beach. A familiar spot on the planet where the Atlantic Ocean meets the warm, even hot, sands of the beach where I can relax and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. And they did crash on the beach yesterday.

Goodyear Blimp Flying Along the Beach

I can hardly believe that July is a week old today. Wow--how quickly it has gone and although it is vacation day 3, I am already feeling stressed about the impending end of my vacation--which I have only begun to enjoy. Every great beginning, it seems, has an ending. We considered taking a last minute cruise out of Miami--but while we were deciding, the cruise sold out.

So for now--it is beach time.

We even had a brief visit from the Goodyear Blimp while we were on the beach yesterday. I always enjoy watching the Blimp fly along the beach and imagine myself riding along. There is something magical about Blimps--even though they are becoming a bit more commonplace, I still enjoy their presence.

What wonderful things will happen today?  I guess I will just have to find out for myself.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Surviving the Highway

After fifteen hours on the highway, we arrived alive at our vacation spot in Florida.

I am amazed at the number of distracted drivers on the highway. It seemed that every hour or so we had to take evasive action to help avoid another accident as a distracted driver began to weave or slide into our already occupied lane.

Invariable, each of the drivers was also holding a cell phone.

I have not been a big proponent of cell phone bans--but, after the drive yesterday I could be convinced.

The number of vehicles which sway across the lane as they drive is astounding. I just do not remember seeing so many before. I may be a bit more sensitive to it given our recent accident, but still, we actually avoided being involved in one accident when a driver started to made a lane change into us and saw two other potential accidents as drivers drove out of the driving lane and onto the shoulder. One was towing a trailer that almost went over and then they corrected their vehicle almost into the side of a a tractor trailer--just two cars in front of us.

It was scary.

I wish all roads could be like the one I found in this image. No cars and straight (almost) fun driving.

Be careful out there! Watch out for the other driver because they are not looking out for you.

Drive safe.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

On the Road

If it is Friday, then I must be in the road somewhere in North Carolina. Vacation has officially begun. It is part of the continuing Independence Day celebration where I end up on a beach in Florida.

We got off a couple hours later than planned, but are doing ok. We have dodged an attempt to run us off the road by an inattentive driver.

So far the weather has been fabulous. Cool with pretty puffy clouds. The dawn came as we were cruising through northern Virginia.

Traffic has been light and fast. The nab system indicates there are more than 10 hours remaining of the 16 hour trip.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from somewhere in North Carolina

Don't Honk, We're Geese

Driving through the local Lowe's parking lot the other day, we happened upon a strange convoy. It was not a convoy of cars or trucks heading into or out of the home improvement store planning to execute projects designed to improve the quality of our personal environments--but rather it was a convoy of geese walking unhurriedly through the parking lot.

It was last Sunday morning and Chris and I were loaded up with additional materials necessary to complete the shed project. The rain clouds were already forming and we needed to get the roof covered on the newly constructed shed. Even so, we took a few minutes to watch the procession of geese.

They walked slowly exerting their right to be in and on the parking lot. I chuckled to myself about what they might be planning to purchase at Lowe's.

As they passed, it was clear that we were helping to keep them safe by alerting other, less aware drivers to the parade.

And then, sadly, it was time to be on our way armed with a couple of images and some memories of the unhurried gaggle which had just wandered into and then out of our lives.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Holiday Weekend Begins!

Celebrate the 4th of July.

Party!

Enjoy the fireworks which commemorate the way our country began and the independence our forefathers earned.

This is also the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Was it a turning point in the Civil War? Volumes have been written about the first days of July 1863.

No matter though, it is time for celebration and a parties. This year, since the holiday is on Thursday, we effectively get a four day (plus) weekend. Enjoy the weekend and be safe.

Have some fun and take the Independence Day Trivia quiz. I took it and got 10 out of 11 correct.

I am doubly blessed because before the weekend is over, I expect to be on a beach somewhere in Florida erasing all of the stresses of life by slipping into the Atlantic Ocean surf.

It is a bit disconcerting that I am leaving for such a long time, I am just beginning to play respectable racquetball and am seeing the ball and reacting to it better than I have in a very long time. I will get to start over in August.

But how can vacation be bad?

And how can getting away from the daily grind for relaxation be bad?

Or even, getting away from the unnumbered series of house projects be bad?

It isn't.

Celebrate! Enjoy, Travel and Relax.

That is what i am going to be doing for the next few weeks.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Project Finished

The out building construction project is complete!

Finally.

Thank you again to Tina and Patrick for the help on Saturday. Without their hard work--it would not yet be complete.

I cannot believe how hard it was to get it done and finish all of the small details--like the shutters next to the window. Even getting the locks aligned was no fun--nor driving screws into blind places.

It still requires painting--note all of the bare wood trim, but that will wait until we return from Florida. Hopefully the wood boring insects will not eat it by then.

Even the lock on the door was problematic. I think I placed it a bit too high and I had to put a top in place to keep the clasp from breaking the window when the left door flings open.

Although it is not yet occupied, it is ready for the overflow form the garage to make room for the new highlander, a/k/a/ Cleo.

I still need a ramp to get the tractor into the building, but that should not be too difficult.

The roof was a lot of fun. As many of you know, I installed the roof system on Sunday between rainstorms. I hate working on roofs, but I overcame my irrational fear of sliding off a roof and got the job done. I just had to put on my big boy pants and do it!

I wonder what the next DIY project will be?

Hmmmm.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 1, 2013

1. OK, it is here. Let's have a great blast off for July 2013.

2. Abuse of power? What would you do if seven people assaulted you in a dark parking lot? Read about the University of Virginia student jailed for possessing water. Although they don't want to admit it, ;aw enforcement went too far.

3. Enough of Paula Deen. Everyone makes mistakes why have we become such an intolerant society? And not only are we intolerant, we have become vindictive.

4. Independence Day is later this week and then it is off to Florida for beach, sun, snorkeling and recharging after a really trying and stressful project filled June.

5. Who knew that constructing a simple shed was such a complex and lengthy project?

6,. Writing of my shed, I was cautioned that it was OK to call it an out building, but I probably shouldn't call it an out house. LOL.

7. If you are traveling over the 4th--be safe. If you are staying home--be safe, especially if you are planning backyard activities.

8. For all of my friends and family who remain Yankee supporters, all I can say is: "Sweeps are a beautiful thing."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Construction Continues Through the Heat of the Day

Who knew that constructing a storage shed was such a complicated and demanding project?

I certainly didn't. And I'm betting that Tina and Patrick, who spent their entire Saturday helping Chris and I construct the shed, did not understand the tortuous complexity of the project either.

The day was sunny and hot! Hot being the operative word. Thankfully, we kept ourselves well hydrated and so no dehydration ailments occurred. We worked steady but not frantic. It was nice when we finally transitioned from constructing walls in the hot driveway to constructing the shed in the relative shade of the yard.

As we ended construction work for the day, about 6pm, the shed was well on its way to completion, but still lacking a few critical items like doors, a window, and of course the roofing system. Isn't it amazing that I have begun to talk about a roofing system and not just slapping some shingles on the roof to keep the rain out?

Amazingly, the building took shape from a relatively small pallet of materials. Everything was precut--which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it simplified the construction and a curse when we could not find some of the pieces. Specifically, two smallish trim pieces which became critical components could not be found for some time and we continued on without them--until they were discovered, of all places, inside the folded door panels.

But the shed is taking shape--I think I will call it the "out building" just to be different.

Today, hopefully, we can finish the building and begin moving stuff into it. I also need to build a ramp for the mower to get into and out of the out building. We will paint it when we return from Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Our Humans Have Abandoned us

Florence, Makayla, Jeff, Ben, Chewie watching us eat dinner

The kids are away this evening and Chris and i are watching all of the family's canines. That made dinner a bit problematic--and so we invited them all outside while we ate inside. After being outside all day building our shed, we needed some air conditioned comfort.

There are just too many of them and some of them do not have acceptable dinner manners--they are a bit too forward in helping us eat.

So--there they are--the doggies in the window.

I was reminded of a song we used to sing when I was a kid, on the soon to be restored player piano at my great grandmother's house. It was How Much is that Doggie in the Window? and it was truly one of my favorite songs to sing along with on the player piano.

Makayla, Jeff, Ben, Chewie

The chorus went like this:

How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)

The one with the waggley tail

How much is that doggie in the window (arf, arf)

I do hope that doggie's for sale

These doggies are not for sale, but they are certainly cute in the windows on the deck.

We did let them in as soon as dinner was over and they were most happy.

--  Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Action and Reaction: Cars and Garages

At the end of this busy couple of weeks revolving around the traffic accident earlier in the month in northern Pennsylvania.

Well, after the crisis and finding a new vehicle now comes the next part of the process.

Storing it.

Yes--the new vehicle cannot be stored outside, it seems. And so, a storage shed in under construction in my yard--to house my tractor and the rest of the stuff from the garage that must be moved to make space.

And so, in the yard there is a new floor for the new shed already complete. The rest of the shed should go up today.

Another day, another project it seems. Room for the new vehicle requires another project.

Let's see how it looks at the end of the day.

Or maybe weekend.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Crazy Fence Climbing Cat

The cat that came back, who was once lost for a week and then restored to us has developed a nasty ability. He can climb fences! Yup. No longer content to be constrained by the fence in the backyard, he can climb over the fence to freedom.

That creates a bit of a problem for us--now we cannot allow him outside unsupervised. He loves wandering around inside the fence and pretending to be a big time hunter.

Creativity was and is his downfall.

Who knew that cats could climb fences?

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Magic of Compounding Errors

I remember learning about the magic of compounding when I was a kid in relation to saving money. It almost seemed that a little money could magically turn into a fortune--except it never seemed to actually do that in practice.

Yesterday, I learned about the magic of compounding as it relates to errors and time. One little error can magically compound itself into a string of errors and chew up a lot of time.

I noticed the first error at fitness club as I was leaving a little early after my racquetball games. I was feeling good--right up until I reached into my pocket for my keys. Not there! Panic set in. OMG, this is gonna be bad.

I thought, they must be in the truck--but I never leave my keys in the truck. Upon reaching my truck and peering inside, I saw my keys on the passenger seat. It took me a while to realize how the keys came to be on the passenger seat. Digging through my foggy early morning memory, I remembered  that I had decided, after parking, to charge my bluetooth earpiece and I must have laid the keys on the seat and subsequently forgotten them after I hooked the charger up.

I then had locked my truck using the door lock, as I always do--and the error was made. My keys were on the wrong side of the locked door.

Ugh. At least I had my cell and I called Chris to come rescue me. I figured at this point that I was going to lose at most 15 minutes--no big deal.

And then compounding errors began to kick in.

After 10 or so minutes, Chris called me to inform me that in her haste to come to my rescue, she had forgotten to grab the truck key. Did I just want her to go back for the key or continue to me and she and could take me home and I would drive a different vehicle for the day. I told her to bring the key--having three vehicles out and about with only two drivers did not make good sense and we had a really busy day planned with no time to recover the truck later. An additional 10 to 15 minutes was to be lost in by this first compounding error.

She arrived and gave me the key--it was then that I realized that I did not have my parking pass for work--ugh, and with the time getting late there would be precious little, if any, close in open parking. And so I needed to go home to get the pass from the other car.

Whereupon, I realized that I the truck was going to need additional gas if I was going to do all of this added driving--I changed to a car when I arrived home to pick up the parking pass to save some time.

In the end, through the magic of error compounding, the 15 minute mistake wound up creating a series of misfortunes which ultimately cost over an hour delay.

I dearly wanted a do over. I should have stayed in bed!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window June 2013- Huntsville, AL

Boring. Green and not very interesting.

That is how I describe the view out of my hotel window during my recent visit to Huntsville.

There are so many interesting things to see in Huntsville--a life size Saturn V copy of the space launch vehicle which sent Apollo 11 to the moon, mountains off in the distance, and many other things except green lawn.

Did I get any of those?

No.

Just lawn.

Yawn, I have a lawn at home.

I wish there was more, but alas there is not. I was hoping for something on the exciting side of life--but not. I guess it is better than looking at a parking lot or the side of another building. But still--there are so many possibilities

--  Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Defunct Airlines -- Bringing Back the Memories

As I was flying yesterday, for some unknown reason I started trying to remember the names of all of the airlines that no longer exist-- many of whom I had the opportunity to fly on.

There is even a website devoted to defunct airlines.

Some of the great ones came to mind:

Eastern (The Wings of Man)
National
Braniff
Pan Am
TWA

Mohawk
America West
Allegheny (a/k/a Agony Air)
Continental
Northwest

Some of these airlines were pioneers of air travel--yet, as with so many industries they failed to innovate and remain competitive.

Innovation and staying relevant. That is the key.

But it is good to remember old airlines of days gone by.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Monday Musings - June 24, 2013

1. Was the moon really brighter Saturday night, or did we just think it was brighter because they told us it was?

2. Why does a new vehicle require its own space in the garage?

3. The Orioles got swept this weekend--hopefully they have it out of their systems now and can get back to playing baseball.

4. Vacation time is rapidly approaching! Yay!

5. Help me with this equation: one new vehicle plus a two vehicle garage that can't hold two vehicles equals a new storage shed to clear space in the garage. Some assembly required. It arrives Wednesday.

6. I have noticed that I have a much bigger bubble around the new vehicle while driving than I have around my other vehicles. I wonder when it will shrink down to normal?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Funny Thing Happened Today

Two Cars in a Two Car Garage

Chris and I are trying to find a way to use a two car garage to actually house two vehicles! Imagine that. With a lot of work and some really close parking we actually got her new Highlander (Cleo) into the garage with my Jag (Cat).

To get this done, a new shed is being constructed to house some of the other things we store in the garage--like the tractor.

But, in the end, we got both vehicles into the garage just to prove that we could do it.

The shed is being delivered later this week and will be constructed next weekend. Another weekend, another project.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer Arrives, For Real This Time

Flower Box on the Deck

We cruised past the summer solstice the other day and now are officially in the season of summer.

I smelled it yesterday while outside. The sweet smell of fresh cut grass baking in the hot mid-day sun mixed with the damp odors of the forest next to the lawn.

I was transported back to my childhood and the hills and fields of upstate New York where I grew up. I loved summer then--and I still do.

I love the heat, the humidity, the smell of summer. The hot sun beating down on me.

The summer flowers are in bloom and I am hearing the cicadas in the trees. In the evening hours, the fireflies are lighting up the canopy of trees that surround my house. I love their twinkling, it makes the dark night trees alive with points of light.

The weather, so far this summer, has been mild. Mornings in the 60's and days topping out in the 80's. The forecast is for some 90's this coming weeks and in my usual brash way I say, "Bring it on!"

Sitting on the deck, enjoying morning coffee, reading the news on the computer--what could be better?

Oh yeah--sitting on the beach with toes in the water after just completing an early morning snorkeling expedition.

Yeah--it is summertime.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What a Two Weeks it has Been

Cleo in the Driveway

The process that began two weeks ago on a rain drenched highway in Northern Pennsylvania is complete.

From the roadside where our Lexus was loaded onto a tow truck and taken away, now we know that we will never see it again, through the continuation of our trip for Mom's birthday and back to Maryland where the rest of the story has played out.

Fortunately, no serious injuries were sustained during the accident and the major loss was only property. Unfortunately, our property.

But through it all, the twists and turns and delays of the insurance companies and through the adjusting process--Chris and I have persevered. I was pleased that the other company called me this past mid-week to accept liability for the accident on behalf of their client. And then they promptly reminded me that he does not carry enough insurance to cover our losses.

My insurance company--though not a smooth process by any means, has performed well. I give them a solid C plus. I was a little miffed that it took eleven days for them to render a decision to call my vehicle a total loss and then told me I had seven days left on my rental car to replace my vehicle. There is something wrong there.

But at the end of it and through the incredibly hard work and research that Chris put into replacing our vehicle--we have a new vehicle in the stable. Joining Kitty, and Cat, and "the truck" is Cleo. I don't know why we name our vehicles, but then I don't know why the Navy names it ships and submarines either.

Cleo is a Toyota Highlander--which has many similarities to our now totaled Lexus. It drives similarly, but did not have the "luxury" vehicle price tag. Cleo is also postured better for our current lifestyle in terms of people hauling and versatility.

I was especially impressed by the people at Koon's Annapolis Toyota. They worked hard to make the sale and we enjoyed working with each of them. So thanks to you guys for the great work. I have to admit, when we pulled onto the lot for the first time and the vehicle was sitting in front of the show room ready to be equipped with tags and full of gas--I was impressed. JD gave us a superior overview of the vehicle and its features--trust me, even though I have driven a lot of different vehicles, I like getting a personal tour AND he helped Chris get her phone integrated into the car. All BEFORE we did the obligatory paperwork.

The two week foray into accidents and vehicle replacements is over. I can relax on a floatie in the pool and listen to the Orioles game. They lost, again.

But wow, from the accident scene through the insurance companies and finally to the replacement vehicle purchase--we have met a lot of really great people. That is one of the blessings that has grown out of this experience.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Vehicle Shopping -- Choices, Choices, and then Options

Vehicle shopping is a lot like watching a stream tumble over rocks on its long journey to the sea. There are twists, turns, and options at every point along the way.

Think about the complexity of it all. From a standing start, with no intention of purchasing a vehicle to being in crisis mode and needing to purchase a replacement vehicle.

The first option is, what kind of vehicle? Auto (mini, compact, mid-size, standard, luxury) or SUV (cross over, small, large, luxury, AWD, 2WD, 4WD)

OK, so we focused in pretty quickly on replacing our SUV with an SUV and probably not the luxury version. Although, there is the desire to get a slightly bigger vehicle.

Next is manufacturer. Domestic (Chrysler, Ford, GM, Tesla), foreign (Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar) , or mix (Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Acura)

That one is still in the air but it seems to be centering in on Toyota or Honda, but Jeep still has a dog in the mix.

Then it comes down to models. Ugh!! There are so many, Grand Cherokee, Highlander, Pathfinder, Pilot, MDX.

Currently the focus is in the Highlander with the Pilot close behind.

Once this is decided, then it is down to trim and options. There are about ten separate trim options (counting the 2WD vs AWD differences) for the Highlander. And that doesn't include Hybrid options which adds two more.

Once the trim option is decided, color (exterior and interior) and other lesser options are decided. One of the biggest discussions we had was over the need for an entertainment system with DVD/Blueray capability. We decided no, we hardly used the one in our previous vehicle.

Once all of these choices and options are narrowed down, then you would think that the hardest part of the decision process had been completed. But, no. The hard part is just beginning.

The grand daddy of all of the choices--which some people start with, but in reality is the culmination of all of the other decisions: New or Used (OK, call it pre-owned, ugh!)?

That is an incredibly interesting decision. One with which we continue to wrestle.

The really hard part of this entire process is that usually, we spend months shopping, looking and deciding. Now, however, it seems like we need to get a vehicle much sooner. I feel this puts us at a distinct disadvantage and has caused us to change some important plans.

But the decision tree will be completed and another vehicle will soon be stabled in my driveway. Although I am told that I may have to make room in my garage for it. That should be interesting.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Decisions--Make Them Without Panic

One of the most important traits of effective leaders is the ability to make decisions. Good leaders are inherently effective decision makers and risk takers.

Some people hate making decisions, and so they often make decisions by not making them or said another way, they are default decision makers.

One of the keys to making decisions is to realize that the decision maker rarely has perfect knowledge and therefore must make assumptions to fill in the unknowns. A good decision is one made based upon the best information available at the time. Late information is of no use in making a timely decision. Fretting over making a bad decision is not useful--usually, making a decision is the most important part of the process. Being decisive includes the ability to anticipate the probability of future events and incorporate potential outcomes into the decision making process.

Hindsight may provide the opportunity to second-guess, but hindsight has the advantage that making decisions in realtime does not have: historical knowledge. In my experience, perfect knowledge is too late in the decision making process to be useful.

Decision making is, therefore, an art. It is the art of understanding when enough information exists, allowing for timeliness requirement,s to ensure the decision is effective. For instance, making a decision to buy flood insurance after the storm has arrived and the flood waters are rising is probably not going to have the desired outcome. The decision needed to be made earlier based upon the elevation of the property, the proximity of water, and the probability of flooding based upon the 100 year flood plain.

Decision making improves with practice. The more decisions that are made, the more effective decision maker a person becomes.

Some people make many important decisions per day. Others make few decisions per week. The big decision makers have a methodology to make decisions and realize that almost any decision can be second guessed later--but at the time the decision was made, only certain facts were known.

I am currently working through opportunities related to my recent auto accident. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured and so the primary decision involves how to replace the vehicle which was declared a total loss. This decision involves whether to just replace the vehicle with a used vehicle within the value of the loss, buy a nicer used vehicle for some additional money, or to take the opportunity to purchase a new vehicle. The final decision will be a combination of fiscal resources and opportunities!

The key though, it not to panic. Take a deep breath and enjoy the decision making ride.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Using the Flea Market Rule to Replace a Vehicle

I thought it was time to follow up on the continuing saga of how the traffic accident and recent developments.

Although it has taken eleven days for the insurance adjusters to decide that my vehicle is a "total loss." I was also informed yesterday that they will only continue to pay for my rental vehicle for another seven days. That nearly put me off the deep end. I am expected to find and purchase a replacement vehicle, from a standing start, in seven days or less.

Thanks so much. It is like I always know what is out there and an ready to walk into a dealer and buy a vehicle--without thinking. Thank you for your consideration. I guess it takes time to find the right vehicle--even more so when the purchase was unplanned.

And the victims continue to be victimized.

I am going to have to take time off from work to get this done. It is not easy and we have some specific requirements for the replacement vehicle. We have also canceled our weekend plans to attend our High School Reunion--for which we have already purchased (at no small expense) tickets, in order to locate and purchase a vehicle.

I continue to be insulted by the incredibly low valuation placed upon my vehicle. When it is all said and done, I will likely spend many extra thousands replacing my vehicle with a different one. I have been out car shopping two nights in a row.

We just missed the vehicle of Chris's dreams last evening. It was sad, we saw it driving off for servicing just as we pulled onto the lot. We had known it was there from the internet and the salesman confirmed that it had just been sold! Chris was crushed--but I reminded her that the Flea Market rule applies!

What it the Flea Market Rule?

The Flea Market Rule was developed during a time in our lives when Chris and I used to frequent a lot of flea markets. Upon arriving at the market, we would walk around the market first to see what was available. Often we were tempted to make a purchase at one of the first tables--but we knew that prices or selection might be better somewhere else in the market. We forced ourselves not to buy and to complete the tour of the entire market before making a purchase. The rule is: If it is meant for us to have it, it will be there when we get back.

That rule works in so many places in our lives.

We do not need to make a snap purchase decision without surveying the landscape or the availability, first. Although it did hurt last evening to the the vehicle of Chris' dreams driving off the lot as we were arriving.

There are others out there, this was was not meant to be ours!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Man of Steel - Review

Superman is back! The imagination and excitement that accompanies the fictitious super hero is palpable. Why? Because Superman is probably the first and purest super hero on the stage which has now become crowded with heroes.

The tale of the first and perhaps best super hero is epic. Man of Steel is a reboot for the Superman enterprise and it accomplishes the task with flair and director Zach Snyder has taken the timeless story and provided some new twists for those of us who grew up as Superman junkies. Working with a cast including Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent) and Laurence Fishburne (Perry White) in key supporting roles certainly helped the endeavor along, but the task of bringing Superman to life once again on the screen ultimately fell to Henry Cavill (Clark Kent/Kal-El a/k/a Superman) and Amy Adams (Lois Lane).  

The movie possesses the classic Superman storyline. Kypton, the home planet of Superman's race is dying and in an effort to preserve the species, Jor-El sends his baby son off to Earth before Krypton implodes. But there is drama to this story as the spaceship containing the baby Kal-El barely escapes the attempt of General Zod (Michael Shannon) to stop its flight.  The youthful Clark Kent is shown in flash backs while the main story continues. It is the classic Superman story except it does highlight the conflict that wages within Clark about wanting to use his powers for good versus his father's fear that he must remain unknown to the human race for very practical reasons. One area where this reboot differs significantly from my remembrance of the story is in the death of Jonathan Kent which is an out growth of the fear of discovery.

I will admit, the movie has the obligatory fight scenes, which in my mind continue for a bit too long as they do in many movies. The plot is complex, yet direct and provides a solid basis for the movie which is much more than--look up in the sky . . .

I liked the movie. It was complex and the story was compelling. The acting was solid--no oscar worthy performances, but strong performances nonetheless.

RECOMMENDATION: If you saw Avengers and any of the Iron Man or Batman movies, see this movie. Although rated PG-13 (primarily for violence) it is suitable for for the more mature pre-teen crowd. I gave the movie a solid 8 out of 10.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 17, 2013

1. I saw a number of meaningful quotes related to Father's Day during church yesterday. They helped to remind me of the importance of both being a father and a son. The most meaningful thought of the day was:
 The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

– Theodore Hesburgh

2. Hiking a trail in the forest on Saturday reminded me of being a kid when the forest was my playground.

3. Baseball season is nearing the half-way point. The O's have played 70 of the 162 scheduled games.

4. Summer vacation has arrived for the schools--I am just a little bit envious.

5. The release of the summer blockbuster movies is underway--I saw Man of Steel yesterday as part of my Father's Day present. It is a great reboot.

6. I am amazed how slowly insurance companies act when they are wasting my time and money, but how quickly things begin to move when it is their nickel.

7. The pool saw a workout this weekend. After adding some heat, it was a great place to enjoy on the almost hot weekend afternoons.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hiking Along the Patapsco

Patapsco State Park

An idyllic day requires unique activity. Yesterday, we did just that. Hiking along the Patapsco River with two of the grandsons, Jax and Ethan, enjoying the low humidity and a bit too mild temperatures.

It is, after all, mid-June and I would expect temperatures in the high 80's and struggling to reach 80.

We hiked one of the trails to a waterfall, and amazingly kept the boys dry. We forded various creeks along the way almost without incident.

The scenery was peaceful and the exercise tired the boys. And the grandparents, too.

It was, something different on a placid enjoyable Saturday afternoon.

There was fun on the trails and rocks to throw into pools of water, without, of course, hitting each other.

After the hike, it was off to the pool for a well deserved afternoon swim and relaxing evening.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Changing it Up

Looking Towards the Statehouse in Annapolis

Sometimes life needs a change up. I find that on occassion  I need to do something different that either pushes me out of my comfort zone or deeper into it.

Last evening, it was deeper into my comfort zone. We headed off to Annapolis to enjoy the evening, the water, and the ambiance of that great city.  While it is not a beach where I can put my toes in the sand, Chris and I along with  a few of our friends found a table on the water to watch the comings and goings. It made for an enjoyable exclamation mark on the ending of the work week.

The evening was glorious, cool--but not cold, with low and pleasant humidity. I was comfortable in my Friday attire--an aloha shirt.

It seemed that everyone like us who had been held hostage to the storms of the week decided to come out to experience life on or near the water. It is evenings like last evening that sometimes cause me to think a bit too seriously about getting a boat--but in reality, I do not have time for a boat. I enjoy boats vicariously through the lives of others.

Last evening, I was deriving enjoyment and moments of pleasure from the sights, the sounds, and the activity in the harbor.

The sky was blue with puffy clouds. The storms were gone and the world was bathed in warm sunshine.

It was, for a few hours, an enjoyable respite from the week behind and a launching pad into the weekend ahead.

Yes, I usually enjoy sitting on my back deck--but sometimes I just need to change it up.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Other Driver Drove Away

I have been reflecting upon the accident which occurred one week ago today.

Frustration at the slowness and the prospect of spending potentially thousands to replace my vehicle.

I am still hung up on being the victim and the responsible party seemingly gets off. The other driver doesn't have enough insurance to cover my vehicle, clearly was at fault, and still is shirking their responsibility for the accident.

I am glad that no one was seriously injured, but I hate car shopping. And spending the money.

There are a lot of cars out there--but I am stile mired in the thought, why does it have to be my car that took the brunt of the accident?

But it did.

Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. But then, life isn't fair. Life just is. We add the value to life and try to discern fairness--but in truth, there is little fairness.

That is why the other driver drove away in a seemingly unharmed vehicle and mine is still being assessed for damages.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Funny Headlines--Can Bear's Really do That?

While at my parents over the weekend going through old photos and newspaper clippings, I ran across a headline which had no relationship to the reason the paper was retained--but it was funny.

How can something like having a bear drop out of the sky onto a car happen?

The photo on the page below the headline is actually of my Dad and his brothers who had gathered for a reunion after 50 years, but upon inspecting the paper--the headline stole the show.

The bear fell from a tree over a road onto a convertible.

What a rotten day for the driver--and the bear as well for that matter.

It was a good day for my Dad and his brothers though.  They had a great reunion.

I've noticed other funny headlines in papers--although I have been so desensitized to them that I frequently do more than note their passing.

This one, though, was special and made me launch and read the article.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Punish the Victims

Sadly it had already begun, in the aftermath of the auto accident which occurred on Friday the victims are in the process of being soundly punished for being in the wrong place in time.

Day two of working with the insurance companies didn't go well. While the at fault driver in the accident, according to the police report, drove away from the scene in his relatively undamaged vehicle, I cannot even seem to get my vehicle brought home to Maryland and furthermore it appears that among many other things the ridiculously low insurance standard in Pennsylvania means he doesn't even have enough insurance to cover the damages to my vehicle.

I see it happening already. I will be the victim multiple times as this scenario plays out. My insurance company is taking over to make me whole--but I am already getting a lot of "no's" from them about what they will not do, like have my vehicle returned home for repairs. I do not live in Dunmore, PA. Why on earth would I want to have repairs done there? And, why should I be expected to go back to Dunmore, on my own nickel, to retrieve my vehicle when the repairs are done?

Then there is the matter of whether the damages to my vehicle exceed the value and that terrible concept of totaling out the vehicle. I hate that. I cannot replace the vehicle for what I expect to receive in payment. That story is still playing out--but I have been down this road before and been low balled by the insurance company.

There has to be a better way. I faithfully, and as required by law, pay my insurance premiums only to be treated like this? Lose my vehicle, not receive enough compensation to replace it, and spend enormous amounts of time negotiating with the insurance companies to be made "whole."  I already know that will not happen.

And the at fault driver drove off.

Being a victim never ends it seems.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weddings, Funerals and Other Times, Too!

Nuclear Family

I have proof that families actually can get together for functions other than weddings and funerals. Last weekend, my sisters and brother collected ourselves from across the country and descended upon my parents house to celebrate Mom's birthday.

Even cooler, it was not one of those "significant" birthdays (those ending in 0's or 5's). It was a birthday and we decided to make Mom's wish come true for all four of us to be gathered in one place, with her at her house, on her birthday.

Yeah, OK, I needed a little prodding from my wife--but it worked out fabulously. And it was good to see my siblings in a non-threatening setting for a couple of days. We have become a bit distant, in more than just the geographic sense. Getting together for a fun and not somber occasion--with just us, was awesome.

The Fun Slightly Extended Family

And it made a birthday wish come true for a woman of faith and strength.

What could be better than that?

Nothing.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD