Bird of the Day - Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone on Jupiter Island Beach

Found this bird on the beach yesterday. It is a fairly common looking bird, but I haven't seen one before. It is also more commonly known as a sandpiper. OK, Chris won that one after I found the real name.

I have not seen many of these birds on the beaches we frequent here in Jupiter and so it was worthy of a few pictures.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Endless Summer Vineyard and Winery -- Review

Endless Summer Vineyard and Winery Entrance

Yes, I found a winery in Florida that actually grows grapes and makes wine. That, of course, deserved a visit to check out the wines and help drive away the blues of a rainy day.

The Endless Summer Vineyard and Winery in Fort Pierce, Florida is roughly a 45 minute drive from Jupiter. The winery is just a short two miles off the interstate and has a nice tasting room adorned with a beach theme. The winery is striving to develop serious Florida wines that will appeal to many people.

Palms and Grapes

Entering the tasting room provides a great introduction to the winery. Surf boards and beach items adorn the walls. We were met be a very nice and wine savvy hostess who helped us to understand the wines and the grapes used to make the wine for this vineyard. The tasting room has been open for only a year and the vines are only four years old--so they are using juice from other vineyards to make their wine. But, next year they are expecting to produce  their first home grown vintage.

The winery provided my first introduction to the muscadine grape, which is the only one that will grow in this part of Florida. I was amazed to find that there are over 300 varieties of muscadine grape. The grape is very light and sweet. I found that it smells a lot like the niagara grape grown in upstate NY. Likewise, the wines made from this grape smell like grapes and not berries like those made from the other wine making grapes. The grape nose is in every wine that the winery offered. Some of the wines are blended with merlot and chardonnay sourced from, of all places, Arkansas. One wine blended with a mango wine.

Endless Summer Vineyards

The wines that Endless Summer wines have very creative names: I found Marlin Monroe and Rated Arrr to be the best. All of the wines are on the sweeter side and all have the pronounced grape nose. These wines are good for drinking around the pool. This winery represents the furthest south in Florida that grapes are grown for the purpose of making wines. There is another winery further south, but they do not make wine from grapes.

Driving by the vineyards, it is clear the the vines are very young--but that does not dampen my enthusiasm for this winery. I am very impressed with the location, the concept, and the idea that they are going to produce the best possible wines from the grapes they can grow.

RECOMMENDATION: A must visit if you are in this part of Florida. The whites are the best and the reds are light, summery offerings.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Bird of the Day - Egret on the Beach

Egret, probable juvenile

Chris and I have been taking many, many, many (read over three hundred) pictures of birds while on vacation.

So we have decided to publish a few of the better ones--OK, we are getting one better one per 300 images taken. Thank goodness for digital imagery!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

The Lone Ranger - A Review

I had the opportunity to view The Lone Ranger the other day.

Despite the poor attendance and dismal reviews, I liked this movie. It was far deeper and more complex than I imagined it would be. The interaction between Johnny Depp (the Ranger) and Armie Hammer (Tonto) was complex, funny and serious.

The story is set in the late 1800's but told as a narrative by Tonto to a young boy named Will during a fair in San Francisco during the 1930's. This narrative setting worked well and Johnny Depp's portrayal of Tonto is fantastic. The story is about how the Lone Ranger came to be "Lone" and I admit that I never knew the back story behind the larger than life hero portrayed by Clayton Moore for so many years on television. The relationship between The Lone Ranger and Tonto was an portrayed in the movie uneasy one which developed over time. I had expected a campy, corny, fun movie and saw instead movie about genocide, treachery, murder, and human trafficking to in the pursuit of greed and fortune. There are many very difficult scenes to watch in the movie which, in retrospect, I am not sure really needed to be part of the plot or story line.

The movie is a serious endeavor with humor often juxtaposed to help the audience overcome the depth of the tragedy just witnessed. The plot if deep with many twists and turns. The acting is very good, although there are no Oscar worthy performances. The villains are villainous, and the heroes are larger than life. I especially enjoyed the antics of the white horse--which eventually was named Silver in keeping with the history of the story. At one point Tonto utters that there is something not quite right about that horse. It is fun to watch the horse. It was also fun to watch the interplay between Depp and Hammer--they reminded me of the the interaction between Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr in Sherlock Holmes. I admit though, for the closing scenes hearing the familiar Lone Ranger Theme (William Tell Overture) was a blast from the past and provided the spectacular movie ending that I had come in search of--but it remained a serious ending to a difficult movie because of its tough and often graphic reality.

I read a fair and even review of the movie that carefully lays out the positives and negatives of the film in   The Nerdist. I found it to be very accurate and I generally agree with it.

RECOMMENDATION: I liked the movie. The movie is not suitable for the pre-teen group due to its graphic nature and difficult subject matter which includes inferences of prostitution based in a western setting in addition to a particularly disturbing murder scene. One reviewer suggested that it was the most generous PG-13 rating in a long time. I agree! Based upon the violence and the subject matter an R rating might be more applicable.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Leatherback Turtles: Saving Hatchlings

Leatherback Turtle Hatchling on Jupiter Island Beach

Another rainy day is in store and Chris and I headed off to the beach earlier than normal to try to grab some beach time before the afternoon rains become oppressive.

I attempted snorkeling in the too rough waters, only to realize after about 15 minutes that my attempts to see or do anything meaningful were futile. So I wandered the beach, which we had all to ourselves, looking for shells and taking pictures, until the battery on the camera expired, of birds and critters.

Second Leatherback Hatchling of the Day

We relaxed on the beach for a few hours before another couple appeared on the beach. They appeared intently interested in something on the beach and we considered the possibility of a turtle nest eruption, whereby a couple of dozen turtle hatchlings make the mad dash for the ocean and begin swimming for the deep water to begin their lives, providing they do not become a snack for some predator.

As we wandered over, it was apparent that something was indeed happening. Chris was in the lead and upon arriving at their location she began emphatically motioning for me to hurry.

Arriving at the scene, it was not an eruption underway, but rather one lone straggler that had become entangled in fishing line on the beach and unable to make its way to the surf with its nest mates. AND, it was a leatherback. The first leatherback that either Chris or I had seen in the wild. For a hatchling, it was big compared to the green turtles and loggerhead turtles that we had watched make their way into the ocean on other occasions.

Leatherback Turtles are the fourth largest modern reptiles. And interesting fact that I didn't know until I did some research for this article. I know that they are rare in the wild and I have never seen an adult leatherback. Their food of choice is jellyfish--which helps to keep the jellyfish population under control.

This hatchling needed help. Chris knew what to do. I proposed carrying it into the surf to let it get on its way. That turned out to be a bad idea as we learned later its probability of survival was near zero. The better idea was to take it to the Loggerhead Marine Wildlife Center--a few miles down the road. And so converting a dive mask container into a turtle transport device we headed off. The staff at the Center was elated to receive the leatherback hatchling.

Chris was rewarded with a nice certificate for her efforts and we learned that we should not transport the hatchlings in sand covered with water, but rather, just damp sand.  That was important because we decided to return to the beach and scour the debris to see if any other leatherback hatchlings were similarly entangled.

As it turns out, upon returning to the beach and scouring the other debris we indeed found another ensnared hatchling which appeared to have given up hope of making it to the sea. We scoured the area thoroughly and were reasonably convinced that no other hatchlings remained on the beach. I counted 20 sets of tracks that ended at the waters edge--and with these two, the nest produced about 22 turtles. I am not sure how many of the other 20 will survive, but I know these two have a great chance of making it because they both arrived at the rescue center where they will be boated out to the deep water and will skip the feeding frenzy off the beach that the other 20 had to endure to make it to the relative safety of the deeper water.

Chris is a hero--at least for these two turtles, well, and of course to me.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

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