Why so Scary?

I need a mental diversion from the MLB playoffs. I think I am getting a bit wrapped up in the excitement that is this Orioles post-season. I have been dreaming of attending my first World Series game.

I remember being at Spring Training during March, enjoying the sun and heat of Sarasota while watching this Orioles team come together. They are, after all, one of the last four teams standing. Even though they lost again last evening, I am comforted by knowing that when I was in Sarasota the baseball pundits were picking the Orioles to finish last in the division which they won.

But this is October, the month of Halloween!

Scary costumes, parties, and trick or treating. 

I admit, I do not fully understand the fascination with blood and destruction. Like the image I snapped the other day of a display in a store.

It made me shiver--what if I really ran into one of these guys on a dark street?

I'm not sure I could run fast enough to get far enough away.

Do I really want my nightmares coming to life?

I'll stay with the Orioles--at least they are not going to be scaring anyone on Halloween. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Jack-o'-Lantern Carving

It's the season for the harvest and pumpkins. Sunday, we gathered the grandsons, selected a few pumpkins and hosted a carving party.

First, however, was the trip to the Pumpkin Patch to select the perfect pumpkin for carving and to become the jack-o'-lantern of their dreams. That was an experience in an of itself, but it was early enough in the day and the season that the patch was not too crowded and the trip was a great success. 


Next came the carving. Think about it, sharp objects and three boys under the age of 10.

And of course there were the stars of the day, the pumpkins. Prices are up. One pumpkin weighed in at a weight equivalent to $30. It was summarily rejected. It is a pumpkin, not a Christmas tree!

But Ethan, Jackson, and Lucas picked out pumpkins. Big pumpkins. And then, once we returned to the house the carving began. It was organized chaos.

It was not easy wading through the pumpkin entrails to get to the part where they become jack-o-lanterns. But the boys, and parents and grandparents, were up to the challenge. 

After some tense moments, the jack-o'-lanterns began to emerge. The efforts and the design process began to payoff and the final results were in sight. 

We had to opportunity to view Jax and Ethan's jack-o'-lanterns lighted and scary in the night. They are a study in contrasts--traditional and modern. But they are both awesome.

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 13, 2014

1. Happy Columbus Day observed. In 14 hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. We have reduced the celebration of this observance in recognition of the subjugation and genocide directed at the native people inhabiting the hemisphere as a result of being "discovered" by Columbus.

2. The ALCS resumes this evening. Not for the faint of heart. Go O's

3. The grandson's got together in the garage yesterday to put together some Orioles cheers. I wonder where they learned all of those cheers?

4. I am still amazed at how therapeutic it is to get out early in the morning to play a round of golf. I did it again yesterday. At least once every week since August. Not a new low score, but better shots in all parts of my game--well except for 5 putting the par 4 9th hole. I went from putting for par to ugly in a few short strokes. Ugh!

5. Autumn is gracing the trees in our neighborhood finally. The color is beginning to show and the trees are donning their autumnal colors in anticipation of the finally beauty show before the onset of the dark days.

6. I am not a huge fan of the Washington Post, but they are running a series of articles highlighting how local police departments are using asset seizures to fund their operations. The series Asset Seizures Fuel Police Spending highlights how things that I didn't believe could happen in the United States are happening and are apparently "legal." Here is the part that really got me: Of the nearly $2.5 billion in spending reported in the forms, 81 percent came from cash and property seizures in which no indictment was filed, according to an analysis by The Post. Owners must prove that their money or property was acquired legally in order to get it back.

7. Let's Go O's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fumble Recovery and Yards

I getting into youth football because Jackson is playing. Here is my personal play of the game from Saturday. Number 60 is Jax!

Even though it was early on a cold and rainy October autumn morning, Chris and I were there to see the play. And the game. 

BTW--he is only 6.  

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Down but not Out at 0-2

Yesterday was a difficult day for me, in terms of sport. I watched the Orioles lose two games that they should have won.

The first game was a continuation from Friday night's game in to the wee hours of Saturday morning and the Orioles, uncharacteristically, lost the game in the 10th inning. The Orioles gave up three runs in the 10th inning. In the bottom of the inning they and got one back but the game ended with two men on base and the winning run at bat at the plate. Final score: 8-6.

OPACY October 11, 2014

I attended yesterday's game and the ending reminded me of the classic poem Casey at the Bat. The visitors scored first, but the Orioles came back, on multiple occasions. But with the score tied at 4 going into the 9th inning, again our "lights-out" relief corps couple not contain the visitors and two runs were scored. No panic, the Orioles own the bottom of the 9th inning. Even though the first two Orioles batters in the bottom of the 9th failed to get on base, the crowd remained hopeful. And then, Nelson Cruz, the league home run hitting designated hitter singled and stood on first as Steve Pearce came to the plate. Much like the mighty Casey the battle between the pitcher and Pearce progressed. As the pitch count rose, the fans became more hopeful--but then on the sixth pitch of the at bat, after three foul balls; like the mighty Casey:

But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.

And the game ended with the tying run striking out at the plate.

The series now goes to the visitor's city and a brash player for the their team made the statement last evening that he does not expect the series to return to Baltimore because they will close it out at home and gain the American League berth in the World Series. While that statement made me cringe, I was happy to have heard it because it showed me how much the team from the mid-west underestimates the determination of the Orioles. 

Orioles Magic plays well on the road. While their noses are bloodied, I believe the Orioles now realize that they are looking at themselves in the mirror and will be ready to win at least two games on the road, if not sweep all three possible games.

Buck in Control as Andrew Miller arrives to pitch

Like Buck says, "I like our guys!"

Down, but not out. Just making the opposition a bit over confident while we revise the game plan.

We Won't Stop!

Stay tuned for Game 3 of the series on Monday night.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Rescues the Week

I continue to be amazed at how a great Friday can rescue a mediocre week.

I spent the week in a training class and that wasn't bad, but the slower pace of training begins to wear on me after a while. My normal days zip past and I frequently lose track of time. Not so in class--I watch the clock. It is amazing how slowly the second hand moves.

So why was Friday the rescue day of the week? Well, the Orioles were playing baseball in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), although they lost, it was Saturday when the game ended; I spent a great evening at a wine restaurant in Ellicott City with friends; and although I lost the earpiece for my phone this morning--it was returned to me this afternoon. And the training, Oh yeah, it was pretty good too and it ended!

So what is the real importance of Friday? It is the day before Saturday, which is my favorite day of the week. I am now officially in the weekend and I am headed off to the Orioles playoff game today. It should be another great day--because the Orioles will even their series with the Royals today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

October Evening Enjoyment

Lucas

The best evenings often happen without a lot of planning. Like last evening. 

Chris and I were watching Lucas, the sky was clear and the evening was only a bit cool. We enjoyed a glass of wine together in the backyard as evening began to fall.

Bogle Phantom in the Back Yard

I admired the evening, because I know the number of such perfect evenings will be fewer as the year progresses into November and then December. The wine in the backyard was a nice touch. I was even assaulted by a few mosquitoes, just to remind me that autumn has not fully wrested everything from summer's grasp.

Rain is forecast for today. 

I believe we will not be enjoying a repeat evening tonight and the memory of last night will have to remain as the season continues to evolve into autumn and then winter.

I relish every day and every evening more and more. Especially, the ones which create memories.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Take Charge and Take Control

I have been in a class this week learning about achieving effective results as a leader. I have been exposed to valuable concepts, but one thing I ran across--which is not part of the curriculum, is that some people have a victim mentality.

What is a victim mentality? It is perpetuating the belief that we cannot change our circumstances and that we have no control over what happens to us.

I do not subscribe to that idea. 

I do not want to live like a victim--sometimes bad things happen and we truly have no control over the event, but we can control how we react.

We do not need to react like a victim.

While we are not in control, we do not have to be victims--there are circumstances that we can control, and we should exercise controls appropriately.

One of the things we can control are the stories we use to understand the situations in our life. A classic victim story is the one that goes: "I work hard to give you all of the things you want and I have no time for myself." It is a rationalism--it is a victim story. The rationalism suggests that the person is not in control of their life and that everything that happens, occurs despite their efforts.

One of the hardest things we can do is take control of life because it means we can't blame our decisions on others. It goes back to the classic question: "Does a red light make you stop?" Of course not, it is a suggestion--a pretty good one, but we have to decide to follow the advice.

Stop being a victim and take control in the areas of life where it is possible.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Frost on the Pumpkins

Frost on the Pumpkin

The nights have been getting colder and the days are cooler than they have been. 

With each successive day, we wonder if we should finally turn on the heat and succumb to the fact that summer is gone and the autumn has progressed to a point where coats are becoming the norm for mornings and afternoons.

I knew this time would arrive.  Even if it is too soon.

The Halloween decorations are adorning the stores and my neighborhood homes--we even have decorated our house with the trappings of the season.

Sadly, as I discovered on Sunday morning, the frost is on the pumpkin and Jack-o-lanterns are adorning houses. The harvest season is underway.

Soon, too soon, the heat will have to be on to warm the house.

And then November will arrive.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

New Cell Phone Law

Man on cell with banana

Maryland's new tougher cell phone laws went into effect on October 1st. 

To summarize the new laws, basically, breathing on a cell phone while driving is grounds to get pulled over and receive a ticket.

I have some issues with this law--sure, you shouldn't talk or text, but my cell also serves as a GPS and provides turn-by-turn directions. Sometimes I need to look at it to figure out what it is trying to tell me.

It also plays music. 

Adjusting information in these modes would be no different than using the radio or permanently installed GPS. This law seems to be unenforceable and overly restrictive.

As evidence for my assertion, on Saturday, while Chris was driving, I noted the man in the image driving next to us. He was talking on his cell and eating a banana while driving. He was impeding traffic. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't sure which was more important? Talking on the phone or eating the banana, because it surely was not his driving.

Even more frustrating? No police to show him the error of his ways.

We don't need more laws, we need people to exercise common sense.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 6, 2014

Waiting out a Frost Delay

1. Autumn arrived with a vengeance over the weekend. The first frost of the season arrived in many places, including the golf course I waited for two hours to play on yesterday morning. I had never heard of a frost delay before. 

2. I have a bad case of ORANGE FEVER this morning! The Orioles are one of the last four teams remaining in baseball--and the baseball pundits can't figure out why or how!

Cy Young Winners: 1-2-3

3. We held a family October gathering yesterday, not to watch football, but to cheer on the Orioles. It was rumored that at one point someone received a text message telling us to calm down because we were louder than all of the fans in Tiger stadium watching the game.

4. I have to confess, I really didn't care about the scores of the NFL football games being played yesterday. 

5. Baltimore is waking up this morning realizing that it is, and always has been, a baseball town. The only reason that football seemed to be king was that the baseball team abdicated its position for over a decade. They're back!

6. On this day in 1866, the Reno gang carries out the first robbery of a moving train in the U.S., making off with over $10,000 from an Ohio & Mississippi train in Jackson County, Indiana. Prior to this innovation in crime, holdups had taken place only on trains sitting at stations or freight yards. 

7. The frosty morning waiting out a frost delay did provide a pretty picture.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn has Arrived

Falling Leaves

Thankfully, the pool was closed last weekend before the leaves decided to fall off the trees in earnest. I looked out yesterday morning and it was snowing leaves from the trees. I could only imagine the mess and stress of trying to close the pool amidst all of the leaves.

Although the day dawned warm, by evening the temperature had dipped to 52 degrees and was headed into the overnight 40's for the coldest night of the season so far. It was actually 37 degrees when I woke up this morning! I had to close the windows and even considered turning on the heat--but, not yet.

Brrrr.

The leaves fell for most of the day even though they had not yet changed their colors. 

Jax's football game, which started almost two hours late at about 5:30 was downright cold and autumnal. The chilling breeze was most uncomfortable. OK, I was cold even though i though I had dressed warmly. 

Not so, it seems. Autumn took a firm grip on the weather after two weeks of letting summer extend itself.

Pool season is definitely over!

Autumn is in control.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's Hard Work being an Orioles Fan

Chris and I at the Orioles-Tigers Playoff Game
October 3, 2014

Orioles Baseball fans are, I believe, the hardest working fans in all of baseball. And our team knows that we are there.

I attended the greatest baseball game of my life yesterday. I have been to a lot of baseball games--I have seen the good, the bad, and the down right ugly. Yesterday, it took a combined team and fan effort overcome a daunting 3 run deficit in the 8th inning to secure victory is spectacular fashion and demonstrate to a national television audience that Baltimore's baseball team and its fans are ready for prime time!

Orioles Fan at the game

The game lasted 3 hours and 41 minutes. The cheering began well before the game amped up when the stadium announcer encouraged everyone to cheer when the national TV coverage clicked in. Joining me in the stands were over 48,000 of my new best friends--mostly wearing orange and black! It was an undulating sea of orange. It was awesome!

Why is being an Orioles fan hard work? Well, thanks to the MLB television scheduling fiasco, we didn't know the time of the game until Wednesday night--and then it was a Noon start! 

There is a lot of preparation that goes into Orioles playoff baseball game from a fan perspective. The orange jerseys and shirts must be clean and ready. Plans for work must be changed to accommodate the daytime game. Coordination with other fans attending the game must be finished. And then there is navigating the highways to get to the stadium. Baltimore constantly finds new ways to frustrate drivers in their quest to arrive anywhere on time with never-ending construction and irrational lane closures. 

All of that is just the preparation. 

OPACY, October 3, 2014
Sea of Undulating Orange

Once in Orioles Park at Camden Yards, or OPACY, the real work begins. The stadium is an awesome place in which to attend a game. The concessionaires were running at full speed to minimize wait times--but face it, 48,000 fans are no small number of people to keep happy.

The real fan work begins as the game prepares to start. An Orioles fan needs to know the multitude of cheers and be ready for the signature "O" cheer during the national anthem. The echoes returning from the surrounding buildings yesterday were fantastic and the stadium literally shook as the Orioles faithful amped up the energy level in preparation for the game. 

Any Orioles fan who is not hoarse the next day, or who does not have tennis elbow from waving their towel--didn't leave it all on the field!

The game was a seesaw affair. The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning, only to surrender 5 runs in the top of the 4th inning and then get one back in the bottom of the inning. Even though the score was 5-3 until the 8th inning, the enthusiasm in the stands never waned. Having watched this team all season, the fans knew that their moment to secure a victory would soon come--and it did. It was essentially all over for the Tigers when they added an insurance run in the top of the 8th inning, increasing their lead to 6-3. 

Zach Britton, the Closer
Securing the Win!

Down to the last six outs--it was time to play serious post-season baseball. The fans responded and the noise level in the stadium began to exceed that of a jet engine at maximum rated thrust preparing for take off. The cheer "We Won't Stop" echoed off the surrounding buildings as 48,000 plus people were united with their team and the comeback began. Four runs and two Tigers pitchers later--the victory was all but secured. OPACY was rocking! Eleven pitches and three Tiger's batters later--victory was achieved as our closer extinguished any hopes that the Tigers had of spoiling the beautiful October afternoon. 

By the time the win was secured--the fans were exhausted. Like the team, we had left it all on the field. I may not be able to speak for two days because I gave my voice to the throng. 

Orioles fans are called "the best fans in baseball," and I know we are also the hardest working fans in baseball.

Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

O-mazing

Game 1, Tigers at Orioles
October 2, 2014

It was only game one of the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the vaunted Detroit Tiger pitching staff led by three successive Cy Young Award winners--and O what a game it was!

The game was close--mostly within a run until the middle of the pivotal 8th inning when the Orioles sent 12 men to the plate and scored 8 runs to break the game wide open and cruise home to a lop-sided 12-3 victory.

The Orioles were definitely aided by the 10th man--the fans! Camden Yards was rocking all night. Even though I was not there in person, I was getting live reports from the stands on how much the stadium was rocking as the crowd did its job supporting the players on the field. 

I will be there today, doing my part to support the Orioles. 

Game 2 starts at high noon in Camden Yards, today. I need to remember that last night was only game one of a five game series and than anything can happen--but, I can dream! Today's game starts 0-0 with two talented and proud clubs on the field.

It is October baseball and anything can happen. Live the dream.

Wear Orange and believe!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

To the Moon and Back

I heard a story on the Today show the other morning that caused me to stop and reflect. 

The story was titled 

Boy, 6, asks people to 'shine lights to moon' to honor fallen vet dad

The story brought tears to my eyes, thinking about six year old Darren Baysore who would never see his war hero Dad again. But, the Darren and his Dad had special connection through the moon which the he has used to keep his memory alive.

Randomly the other day, Lucas, my youngest grandson, started singing the song about the moon that I wrote for Patrick when he was young. I had forgotten about the song, but the words are as follows and I think it is appropriate:

Mister Moon

Mister Moon

Up in the sky

Looking at me

I'm looking at you

Mister Moon

Up in the sky

Following me

I'm following you

Mister Moon

Sing me a song

Don't make it long

Or I'll forget it

Mister Moon

Up in the sky

Smiling at me

I'm smiling at you

There is a second verse--but you get the idea. The tune of the song is cute and I will video Lucas next time he sings it and add it to the blog.

I hope six-year old Darren Baysore still hears his Dad talking to him from the to the moon and back. And, turn your porch light on!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

October Arrives

October crept in overnight. For all of the Federal Workers that you know--wish them happy new year and happy continuing resolution.

The month of harvests, pumpkins, falling leaves, community gatherings, MLB post-season, and Halloween has arrived. The weather forecasts are already beginning to show the advance of cooler, if not downright cold, temperatures. 

I am embracing October with my new found situational enthusiasm! Secretly, I know it is one month closer to pool opening season, currently planned for Saturday,  May 2nd, 214 days away--but hey, whose counting? (Yes, I have the day planned out already--subject to weather)

October is also home to Columbus Day--a holiday and we get to enjoy that day in two weeks. 

I admit, I am looking forward to traipsing through a corn field maze, drinking apple cider, munching on a crisp newly picked apple, and watching the leaves don their brilliance before checking out from the trees and becoming something to be removed from my yard.

But better than all of that? Since you can't have October without the O, the Orioles are in the MLB post-season and the first game is tomorrow night. It is the baseball post-season and the O's are still playing.

OK October, bring it on.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Diverse Faces of September

The last day of the month has arrived. September 2014 is about to checkout and October is waiting to take its place.

As I reflected upon September, I realized that it was a very diverse  and busy month.

The month began, most fittingly, on the beach! It was my only trip to the beach during 2014. I enjoyed basking in the warmth and sun at Ocean City, Maryland. It was a rare month, because other than the Labor Day trip to Ocean City, I did not travel during the entire month. But, it was a full month, nonetheless.

From a sports perspective, I attended three Orioles, one Ravens football and four youth football games during the month. I also golfed on five occasions for a total of 63 holes. Just in the past couple of weeks, my 18 hole score dropped from 133 to 116. So instead of being horrible, I am just a terrible golfer. But I am having fun and I can't think of a better way to get 10,000 steps in a morning on my Fit Bit.  I have been playing racquetball regularly, too. I can't even begin to count the number of games I played during September.

As for the Orioles, I am poised to attend post-season baseball at Orioles Park at Camden Yards beginning this week--but that is October and I expect rain and cold as the weather changes from summer to autumnal.


Around the house, the pool is closed for the season, but the grass continues to grow and be mowed weekly. The family birthday season began and I am glad mine is the second in the series of eleven birthdays which do not end until April.

On successive days during the month, Chris and I found time to attend a fantastic wine dinner in Frederick and a show at the Hippodrome theater, which may be the worst venue in America for live performances. My review of the Hippodrome can be found at the link. 

I am sitting here looking out the window and it is dark outside. During September, the daylight begins to steadily disappear. Sunrise today is at 7:02 AM and it will set 11 hours and 49 minutes later at 6:51 PM. On September 1st, the times were very different, sunrise was at 6:35 AM and sunset at 7:37 PM for 13 hours and 2 minutes of sunlight.

September is the official end of summer and the beginning of autumn. I am embracing autumn--I really am! (trying). 

I know that the nice weather isn't over, it certainly won't be beach weather, but outdoor activities will continue. The outdoor activities will transition to leaf raking and preparing the yards for winter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 29, 2014

1. It is the lull before the playoffs, there is no Major League Baseball today. The post-season begins tomorrow with the first of two Wild Card games.

2. Writing of baseball--I cannot believe that they have not decided on the starting time of the games beginning on Thursday--fans need to plan too!

Jax, #60

3. September is effectively over, with only two days remaining. Wow. The month seemed to cruise by and now October is looming.

4. Happy New Year--The Federal Government's new year begins October 1st. Welcome to the land of the continuing resolution.

5. Football is becoming a Saturday morning event. Jax is playing and keeping us involved. He is becoming a very good football player. He recovered three fumbles and made three tackles on Saturday. 

6. What a fabulous last weekend in September we enjoyed in this area. Temperatures were in or near 80, the skies were clear and sunny. It was awesome. Next up? Cold and dark as the seasons continue to churn.

7. I can tell that winter is approaching. The deer have decided that our plants and remaining flowers are delicacies to be enjoyed before the first frost. 

8. There is something mystical about the view at dawn when the mist is still rising from the grass in the fields and the light is golden from the just rising sun.

9. I noticed that the constellation Orion has returned to the pre-dawn sky. Another sign of the changing seasons.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Most Depressing Day of the Year

A View of the Covered Pool at the
End of the 2014 Season

My annual trek around the sun on this planet we call Earth can be divided into two seasons: Pool and Not Pool season.

The happiest day of the year is the day when the pool is opened and the anticipation of the summer ahead is very real and close. 

The most depressing day of the year is, of course, the day the pool is closed for the season of darkness and cold.

That day was yesterday. 

We closed our pool in anticipation of the cold weather ahead. The day was, however, glorious. God blessed me with one of the best days we have had during the entire month of September to ease the pain of covering the pool. 

And the day was fantastic. Crystal clear blue skies and temperatures that reminded me of summer days and fun playing in the pool. The memory of my entire family gathered to celebrate my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary was perhaps the highlight of the entire season. But this season also saw the pool receive much needed maintenance in new coping and tile--readying it for many more seasons ahead. 

The beautiful day eased the pain of pool closing and helped me to stay ready for the season ahead--the leaves and then the snow and the cold. By the end of April--in seven short months, the pool will be open again!

Next up? Autumn's leaves will begin to fall. And need to be raked!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birthday Blow-out!

My Favorite Birthday Cake

OK, so it wasn't a blow-out in the classic sense of the word for my birthday, but it was a great day! I want to thank everyone who sent me greetings via cards, phone, Facebook, text, or even in person.

I was surprised and awed by the love everyone showed to me.

I also, have to admit that the surprise party at work was truly a surprise! Thanks. I was humbled.

Cedar Planked Salmon

I had my favorite birthday cake for the evening celebration with my friends. And we had a celebration. The weather was fantastic. Did I say fantastic? The dinner menu was varied with planked salmon, a multitude of delicious side dishes and wine! Yes a wide selection and variety of wines. 

It was a celebration to remember.

Thank you everyone for a great birthday and memories. You are all awesome!

The cake was a hit with my friends--Here is all that is left.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Playoffs Dreaming

They arrived the other day--my Orioles post-season tickets which include two seats to the American League Division Series (ALDS), the American League Championship Series (ALCS), and the World Series. I also got parking!

The excitement is building. This is now the third consecutive year that I have had tickets like these in my possession. So far, I have not been able to use any of them. Even though the Orioles went to the ALDS in 2012, the tickets I got were for home game three, but the Orioles hosted only two of the five games at home, ultimately losing to the team that shall remain nameless from up north.

This year, I know that I will be able to use one pair of the tickets--to game 2 of the ALDS, since the best of 5 series is a 2-2-1 format and the first two games are going to be in Baltimore.

The last time the Orioles won the American League East Division was during the 1997 season--17 years ago. Before that, they won the division during the 1983 season AND the World Series as well. 

I really want to be able to use all of the tickets and celebrate an Orioles World Series championship which has not happened since 1983. 

I'm Dreaming. 

Dreaming of winning baseball and a championship.

And to think, I saw the team play during Spring Training in Florida. It has been a long season and now the Spring Training dreams have turned into post-season dreams reality.

It is all magical. Orioles Magic!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Began

I resolved not to go into mourning for the passing of summer this year.

Autumn's first full day was yesterday and I embraced it by wearing orange and brown.

Secretly, the orange was for the Orioles.

But, I did pull off the autumnal look.

The leaves are beginning to fall in earnest--even though most have not yet transitioned into there Fall glory.  I am pulling them out of the as yet unclosed pool in greater numbers. 

The pool will be closed Saturday! It is time--I need to move on and embrace the season and not hang onto the days which have already passed. It is, after all, September. And soon it will be October with its harvest holidays and celebrations. 

Time to move on!  Time does, after all.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Three-pound Weekend

For our family, late September marks the beginning of the birthday season. Add in the holiday celebrations and the festivities are nearly endless. During the next six months nearly everyone in the family will celebrate their birthday, with only a few out layers.

While birthdays and celebrations are a lot of fun--there are pitfalls.

The "tail end charlie" for birthdays is Ethan, his special day is in April. It is hard to keep the same level of enthusiasm when celebrating the last of an overwhelming number of birthdays. It is almost, sadly, a relief when his birthday arrives and the celebrating eases. 

The real problem with our birthday celebrations, however, I rediscovered last weekend.  Once the celebrating was over, I was disturbed to find out that it had been a three-pound weekend. 

What is a three-pound weekend? It is the realization that the partying was a bit too intense and when I stepped on the scale at the gym on Monday morning after my racquetball match,  I was three pounds heavier than I was on Friday morning before the weekend..

Reflecting on the weekend's activities, I understood why. There was a lot of eating and partying. Three pounds worth! Fortunately, when I stepped on the scale at the gym last night after racquetball, the additional pounds had gone away--whew!

With all of the celebrating ahead, I don't need another three-pound weekend! The end result would be very bad for both my waistline and my budget as I would have to replace my wardrobe. 

Apparently, I will have to use better self-control to ensure my celebrating does not get out of hand and that I do not experience anymore three-pound weekends!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf Thoughts

Eisenhower Golf Course

I have been playing golf regularly for the past month and a half--meaning weekly. I am a terrible golfer, a true duffer, but I realized the other day that if I ever get good at the game I will have less fun every time I play a round. Why? Because I will get to swing my club less. Maybe 25-30 percent less.

Let me demonstrate. 

Sunday, I shot a 133 on an 18 hole par 71 course. Yes, that is a miserable 62 over par. So if I get better and shoot maybe a 96--I will be having 28 percent less fun. I guess that means I will be paying more per stroke in greens fees.

Carroll Park Golf Course

Golf is a frustrating game--of my 133 shots the other day, I was happy with about four of them, but that was enough to keep me coming back for more self abuse. 

I am hitting practice balls in my yard every evening, for all of the good it is doing. Actually, yesterday I hit about 50 balls and by the end of the evening I was hitting about of them towards where I wanted the ball to go--and that was a dramatic improvement. Thank goodness foam golf balls that don't damage things like windows when the run into them.

A few interesting thoughts about golf popped up in my email the other day:

 I'm hitting the woods just great; but having a terrible time getting out of them! 

-- Buddy Hackett

 The only time my prayers are never answered is playing golf. 

-- Billy Graham

 If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball.

 -- Jack Lemmon

I  found them to be both instructive and funny.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 22, 2014

1. Autumn arrives today at 10:29 PM EDT.  Good-bye summer! I look forward to your return next year.

2. NFL Football may be playing out its last season as king of the sports hill. 

Eisenhower Golf Course
Crownsville, MD

3. I played golf again this weekend--I still am not very good but it is fun to get out with the guys. Especially on a beautiful morning.

4. The weather has been beautiful. 

5. Bad news is all the news that seems to get reported these days.

6. The flowers seem to understand that the end is near as temperatures begin to plug and the first frost of the season gets closer.

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flowers on Deck

The Deck Greeting Autumn

It is amazing how flowers and plants add character to an area. Chris and I decided that this year we would upscale our deck and have seasonal flowers in abundance to provide a splash of color.

I think we did OK. 

A few weeks ago we changed over the summer plants for autumn bloomers and the results have been astounding. The deck is a nice place to relax and enjoy the day. The nice part about our deck is that it gets morning sun and evening shade, which means it is a nice place to enjoy a day-ending glass of wine.

We did make plans to close the pool during the coming week--that will be a sad day when the cover goes on, but it needs to be done before the leaves begin to fall. Since autumn begins on Monday and the weather seems cooler, it just needs to be done despite my reticence. 

At least the flowers will bloom until the first frost.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD