Cats

I have two very different cats.

Louis Asleep Outside

One sleeps. The extent of Louis' physical activity is getting up to find food or to change sleeping locations. 

He often asked to go outside to sleep in one of the lounge chairs under the deck. I'm not sure he realizes how much he sleeps--but it is a lot. The only time he comes around is in the morning to get some cookies and food. But he is pretty when he sleeps. His disposition in not all that inviting. He is a loner and does not like to be held.

Riordin on the Pool Deck

Rirordin, on the other hand, is a people cat. He is more of a dog than my dog. He is active and around. He likes to sleep, but on or with people. And he plays. He runs with reckless abandon through the house to stay in shape. 

When he goes outside he has to be watched because he figured out how to climb the fence. 

Riordin is a cat who is definitely not happy with the status quo--he wants to be part of everything and greet every person. He even enjoys some of the family dogs that come to visit.

Two cats--two different personalities, one house.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Pool Party of the Year

KJ, Chris, and Patrick

The first pool party of the year was a success. It was not a large affair, but it was huge in its impact. Patrick and Tina joined KJ, Chris and me around the pool and then the fire table for a relaxing evening to for dinner and to celebrate just being together.

Patrick and Tina regaled us with stories of their just completed bike trip from Pittsburgh to Cumberland along the Great Allegheny Passage. The images of the trip and the short movies provided by their GoPro added laughter to the evening. Who knew that a biking trip could be fraught with so many perils and humorous events? The stunning vistas imaged from the bridges along the trail and the incredible mud of the one tunnel highlighted the discussion of the evening along with the stories of sleeping in the cold and finding refuge in a hostel for one of the nights along their journey.

As the evening fell we continued to enjoy being together telling tales. Sadly, it will be a long time before we all can gather around the pool again, but the memories of laughter and fun will sustain us.

Pool season has arrived and with it, outdoor living.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Annapolis in the Evening

Annapolis Docks

Just because it was a beautiful evening, and that KJ had never visited Annapolis, we headed off to the State Capital last evening to enjoy the sights and some dinner.

We waited until after 6PM to depart and that meant the traffic was not too bad. The trip, which used to seem like a long one, has over the years become familiar. Upon arriving, we wandered through the old town area along the docks enjoying the sights and stores--most of which were closed because it was a Wednesday evening. 

KJ and Chris in Annapolis
May 6, 2015

The city was alive. The usual bustle of the midshipmen from the Naval Academy added to the ambiance of the crowds, their white uniforms glistening in the waning light of the day. 

Even though the skies were not clear blue, the evening was generally warm with a cool breeze from the water. There is something enjoyable about getting near the water and Chris and I exchanged our usual joke about wanting a boat. 

Main Street as Sunset
Annapolis, MD

As evening turned into night the colors of the city accentuated and the taillights of the cars could be seen driving up Main Street into the cloud covered sunset. The water, the historic buildings and the cars created a scene that I had to record.

All of the walking around the city made us hungry and we decided to enjoy dinner along the docks at Pusser's Caribbean Grille. Sitting along the docks enjoying dinner at sunset--what could be better? 

Curried Scallop Sautee
Pusser's, Annapolis

My dinner was a sight to behold and equally as good to enjoy. I do appreciate dinner served with a bit of panache.

It placed the exclamation point onto the end of a long day in a most perfect manner. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Needing a Baseball Fix

Nationals Park
May, 5, 2015

Needing to get to a live baseball game, I hadn't been to one in over a month since Orioles Opening Day, I headed off to Washington last evening to a Nationals game with my nephew KJ who is visiting from Colorado. I have had to miss one and reschedule another of my Orioles season plan ticketed games. 

It was very different heading off to a baseball park to a game in which I wasn't rabbit about one of the teams. I had been to Nationals Park before--but when the Orioles were playing. This time it was different--I was cheering for the home team--and it wasn't the Orioles who were managing to lose to the Mets in New York.

Many of the fan songs are the same--I did the obligatory rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the Seventh Inning Stretch. The Seventh inning Stretch has quite a history and some believe that the idea of stretching during the middle of the seventh inning may have begun in Washington, DC, although the tradition may have already been in place and just observe by President Taft. 

The Presidents

Speaking of Presidents--I met a few last evening. Yes, I met George, Tom, Abe, and Ted. They were standing in a row when I went to find ice cream.

They were, I must say, larger than life in person. And the Geico Gecko was even there.

The game was close and exciting. The home team was behind by a run entering the bottom of the ninth inning and got two men on base with the opportunity to tie theme or take the lead--but, alas, the Nationals failed to plate a run and the game ended in a 2-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. 

Thoughts? 

Nationals Park is a great venue. The variety of food is great and the fans were nice. 

I did have a problem deciding what to wear because it is very poor style to show up at a game wearing the colors of a team that isn't playing and so I had to leave all of my Orioles team clothing and accessories home. 

The drive to the metro station at rush hour is a prime reason I don't go to more Nationals games. Also, getting home after midnight and then getting up to get ready for work at 5AM puts me in an extreme sleep depravation situation. 

All in all--great evening, good fun and if the home team had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, it would have been perfect!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Games go On

View of the GORC Pirates Bench

Although the Baltimore Orioles did not play baseball last evening, the GORC Pirates took the field for their third game in five days! It is a tough and demanding schedule--no practices to work on fundamentals, just game after game. 

It has been a string of tough games. Thursday the game was shortened because of lightening, Saturday the team dropped a close 3-2 game when the opposing team scored two critical runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. Last evening was a long, almost two-hour affair played in bright sunlight that resulted in a demoralizing loss by more than 10 runs. Ugh!

Me working with the Infielders 

The boys get a break and we finally get a practice on Thursday. There is so much to work on the hard part will be selecting the truly important fundamentals that need to be addressed. For instance, base running. Last evenings game saw our team victimized by a double-play on a pop-fly that could easily have been a triple play except we already had one out. In reality it should have been an infield fly rule situation. And then there was the ground ball home run! 

This is where baseball is played and skills are learned--in the trenches! I love the dust of the infield and the short outfield.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 4, 2015

1. May the fourth be with you! Smile, it is Star Wars Day!

2. My favorite foreign holiday is tomorrow--Cinco de Mayo! It is interesting that both of my favorite foreign holidays involve the French.

3. And so summer begins! The pool is open--bring on Memorial Day. 

4. Seven of the next ten days are projected to have high temperatures above 80 degrees! Yay!

5. Responsible dog owners know to pick up the poop. I read an article about excessive dog poop on a mountain near Aspen, Colorado, where dog owners are not cleaning up after their pets. It is call Smuggler's Mountain. 

6. The curfew is lifted in Baltimore! That doesn't mean that life has returned to normal. 

7. As the home team in an away stadium this weekend the Orioles took two out of three from Tampa! They head to New York to relive the excitement of the 1969 World Series beginning tomorrow against the Mets. I hope Baltimore wins this time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Surprise--The Pools is Open

The Pool is Open

This is a late day edition of my blog because I didn't get one done earlier. 

When I woke up this morning, opening the pool was not in the plan for the day. 

I did expect to play a round of golf and spend the afternoon doing projects around the house.

When I returned home after playing a good, for me, round of golf, the temperature was heading for 80 degrees and the view in the house was that today was the day to open the pool. 

Ugh! Really? But it was still before noon and there was plenty of time to get the project completed--and so we began. With incredible enthusiasm the cover was removed and the real work began.

The reward for a long hot day's work? Burgers on the grill.

The pool was actually in pretty good shape and the entire attitude in the house is that summer has actually begun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunlight on the Green Leaves

From the Back Deck

Looking out my window today as the day dawns, I am enjoying the green. I still remember how bare the trees were just a few weeks ago. They have filled out with leaves to catch and filter the light.

The sight is something I want to etch into my mind. 

As I was landing in Baltimore returning from Denver the other afternoon, I looked out the airplane window and saw the trees--they were full of leaves. Just two weeks earlier the leaves were barely visible as I was returning from my trip to Salt Lake City. On the areas surrounding Baltimore, the trees are everywhere and surround the houses in many neighborhoods. 

There is something peaceful about the trees that fill in the spaces around the houses. People sitting next to me on the place remarked about the number of trees in the area. Denver has some trees, but mostly open fields and spaces.

I enjoy the green, and I know that the leaves are not fully deployed yet--soon they will envelop my yard and provide and amazing screen of privacy for the summer.

Next weekend is pool opening weekend! Finally the cover will come off and hopefully the last throes of winter will be past. Outdoor living will begin! 

And the trees will provide privacy, shade, and quiet broken only by the chirping of the birds.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, Colorado, April 2015, Part 2

Out my Hotel Window
April 29, 2015

I was reviewing the post about the scene out my hotel window and I realized that it was a pretty gloomy view. 

Over the past two mornings, however, I was treated to am such more exciting sight out of the window. In the first, the early morning rays of the sun cast long shadows across the land, but the sky is clear and the day is dawning with great promise. 

Pikes Peak
April 30, 2015

In the second,  taken a bit later in the morning, Pikes Peak is in view to the south. The snow capped peak was majestic on the horizon rising almost 9,000 feet above the plains well to the south to an elevation of 14,114 feet.  It is sad that my cell phone camera could not capture the spectacular beauty of the scene that greeted my eyes. 

Out my hotel window the scene changed every day. I'm glad that I took a few moments each day to view the world as the day began.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Would it be a Game, If no Fans were allowed?

April 29, 2015 White Sox vs Orioles Game
Without Fans

Yesterday the Orioles defeated the White Sox 8-2 in a MLB record setting game. The stadium was empty--no fans were allowed to attend the game due to the unrest in Baltimore. 

A game without fans? The players demonstrated that baseball is our national pastime whether fans are allowed or not. Further--this weekends home series between the Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays has been moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, where despite not being in Camden Yards, the Orioles will be the home team for statistical purposes. the series promises to set records for low attendance as it it much too far for the Orioles faithful to make last minute plans to attend. 

Yes, it was still a game. This weekend's series will still be games as well--it is just that the local fans do not get the enjoyment of seeing our team in person.

Buck Showalter
Baltimore Orioles Manager

I was having trouble understanding understanding the decision to play a fan-less game, so I did some digging. Turns out, it was because the Orioles did not want to dilute the police and security forces protecting the city to be at the game for crowd control. I hadn't thought about it like that before, but it does take quite a large security force to keep us all safe when we attend sporting events.

Buck Showalter, quoted by MLB.com, had one of the classy comments of the day:

 "Everything in life, this too shall pass. Something's bad if you keep repeating it. We hope to take out of it a starting point for our city." 
-- Orioles manager Buck Showalter on the magnitude of the game

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, Colorado, April 2015

Looking at Denver April 27, 2015

Yes, I am at a hotel near Denver looking south across the plains to the mountains and the ever increasing urban sprawl. 

It is amazing how different the scene can seem separated by a day. 

Looking at Denver, April 28, 2015

Even separated by a day, however, the effects of the drenching rains can still be seen in the huge puddle in the overflow parking lot. Both images were taken in the morning, just about sunrise. One day dawned rainy and cold with only the promise of more rain all day. The next dawned cold but clear and ended with sunny and bright skies.

From the ViewHouse Restaurant
Centennial, Colorado
April 28, 2018

Yesterday's ending was far more spectacular than I would have imagined. I enjoyed dinner at the ViewHouse Restaurant in Centennial, Colorado, and was treated to the spectacular sunset as I was leaving. I could not pass up taking a quick image of it--the colors were fantastic and placed an exquisite exclamation point on the end of the day.

Today promises to be an even better day!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Unrest, Anger and Baltimore Burns

It pained me to see my home city of Baltimore figure so prominently in the news during the past few days. 

It obviously was not for something good and it has become almost a media circus not unlike a feeding frenzy.

I am saddened for the good people of the region that are being held hostage and viewed in a bad light by a few thugs who have taken a valid and important point and protest and moved it into the theater of the absurd.

A man, Freddie Gray, is dead. Riots and vandalism do nothing to bring the people who killed him to justice and they further do nothing to promote increased awareness of the causes for which the peaceful marches were held. I was encouraged that his family called for peace and also noted that the violence tarnishes the memory of their son and brother.

I watched CNN most of last evening in total disbelief that the city that I most closely associate with my home with was being held hostage by violence for the sake of violence. I was appalled that one of the targets of the violence was a newly constructed senior center--which was constructed by a church to serve the people of Baltimore. 

I was appalled that the Mayor of Baltimore failed to act proactively.  I was, however, encouraged that the newly elected Governor was ready to respond within seconds of the request for help to stem the violence with the National Guard.

I believe there is a problem that needs to be investigated and reviewed, but it cannot be accomplished amid the destruction and unrest of the moment. 

Pray for peace. Work for healing and help rebuild the damaged areas.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Monday Musings - April 27, 2015

1. Weekends pass too quickly. There always seems to be more things to do than time to do them.

Victory Cheer

2. Flying is becoming like being packed in a cattle car. Has anyone flown on a plane lately with an open seat next to them?

3. Although I missed the game because I was at a wine fest, the Pirates, Jax's baseball team, won their first game in dramatic walk-off fashion! It is fun to be coaching in a league where the scores actually matter.

First Tee at Carroll Park
April 26, 2015

4. I got to play nine holes of golf yesterday morning. It was nice to be out on the course. I played miserably--but that is golf. I'll do better next time. I am learning more and more every time I venture out. Weirdly, yesterday I did best on the par 3's--they usually are my toughest holes. 

5. Prayers and support are needed for the people of Nepal after the earthquake and aftershocks. 

6. I just have to write it--the 18 runs the Orioles scored yesterday are the most in a single game since 2006. I hope they didn't use up the whole weeks allotment of runs.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Waiting at the Door

Dogs have a way of expressing themselves even without words. 

Yesterday, while we were stopping by Patrick and Tina's house to drop off Makayla for a play day, two overly rambunctious dogs--Chewie and Warren, had to be separated from the larger group.  Realizing the error of their ways, they stood at the door hoping be reunited with the group. To no avail. Makayla was sitting next to me, quietly enjoying the respite from her high energy companions.

But Chewie and Warren were clearly repentant.

Really? Is that anthropomorphism? I think so. 

But they were cute standing at the window hoping to be allowed to rejoin the group. 

Another day in the life of a dog.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Night Living

Chris--Posing

Friday evenings are perhaps the best of the entire week when I gather with friends to put the exclamation point on the end of the workweek and cast a glance forward to the weekend.

It is a rhythm to living that I have grown accustomed to repeating--in a good way.

There is something about getting together over some great munchies and some nice wines to compare notes and relive highlights and low lights of the week.

Fran and Pam

It is therapeutic, truly, to be with friends who really care about what is happening in each others lives.

I took some candids last evening of us sitting around--eight friends, one week, and, yea, a couple bottles of fine wine.

Bring on the weekend--we can conquer anything!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Redbud and Grill

Chops on the Grill

It dawned upon me last evening about 7:30 PM, as I was warming up the grill with a couple of pork chops, that the daylight is truly lasting longer. It was just two months ago that I would have been grilling the meat in darkness--illuminated by only the porch lights.

It stopped to snap a picture of the scene to remind myself that this is what the best part of the year is all about--living outdoors. Now if only the temperatures would become more seasonable. It is 37 degrees this morning as I write this with an expected high in the high 50's for the day. I was thinking of taking Cat, my jaguar, out today--but the top is still down from the last time it drove it.

Our Redbud Tree

Ugh, it is cold. And I know Upstate New York received snow yesterday. 

At least our redbud tree is in bloom. As I was doing some research, I discovered that tradition has it that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a redbud tree. Wow, it is amazing the things I learn when I go deeper into the background of the things I am writing about. 

If Spring would ever take control of the temperatures, I would get ready to open the pool and start the slide into summer. But--with the continued cold, there truly is no rush to uncover the pool. I guess I will have to be content with the signs of the season which appear around me on a daily basis and be happy in the knowledge that warmer weather is coming, even if the thermometer doesn't indicate that it is here, yet!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fortunes on the Field

Jax and Jack

Yesterday was a frustrating day for both of my baseball teams.

The Pirates, Jax's coach-pitch baseball team were out slugged in a game and the Orioles managed to find another creative way to lose to the Toronto Bluejays. 

Not a good day on the field. 

The Pirates played an older and more experienced team and held their ground during four of the six innings. Unfortunately, a comedy of errors resulted in a blow out score for the final. But, that is why we are there--to learn the game. I think the final was 13-4. 

The Orioles were victimized by the long ball and dropped a close game 4-2. They just can't seem to get the hitters and the pitchers working together, but the season is still young.

While the on field fortunes for my teams were not good yesterday--today promises to be a better day. Well, at least the Pirates don't play today. Their next game is Saturday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hammocking Around

Patrick and Chris Demonstrating Stability
 in the Hammock

I had not considered a hammock for many years. They are not one of those backyard adornments that interest me.

Until last evening.

I was introduced to a new hammock concept at Patrick's which interests me enough to investigate further. This hammock, unlike to traditional ones, is very portable and was also very stable. I was able to get into and out of it without getting intimate with the ground. 

I am notoriously unbalanced in hammocks and this one was very stable. 

The other problem is experience with hammocks are flying insects, a/k/a mosquitos. This hammock, I am told has an optional mosquito net--which is an absolute necessity for my yard which is bounded by a wild area containing water and sufficient quantities of mosquitos to sustain a brown bat population for decades. 

I wish I had remembered the name of the company which produced this variant.

At least I took a picture.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sounds in the Middle of the Night

One of the joys of the Springtime is sleeping with the windows open allowing the air conditioning to be off and fresh air, with pollen, to fill the room. 

Fortunately my allergies are fairly well under control this year and I can actually enjoy the fresh air, but there are sounds that happen during then night which disturb my sleep and cause me to be cranky in the morning.

For instance, last night it was the sound of a screaming fox, probably a vixen, walking up the driveway right below my window. Of course, Makayla had to alert me that there was commotion outside and begin barking which caused the cats to stir and become agitated. It takes time to go back to sleep and get everyone settled after the offending animal has departed the area.

Of course there are other sounds which can disturb the house in there middle of the night as well and which are enhanced by sleeping with the windows open. 


Sirens on the interstate. 

Planes taking off on the little used runway which seems to fly directly over my house.

Thunderstorms--like the one last night that followed the fox incident.

Of course, the sound of the cat spitting up a hair ball is especially bothersome and occurs whether the window is open or not.

Maybe tonight it will be quieter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 20, 2015

1. According to Lucas, it is two and a half movies from Baltimore to Pittsburgh.

Weeping cherry in the Yard

2. With 12 games played and 150 to go in the MLB season, the Orioles are holding up well and are tied for first in the AL East.

3. Why is the Social Security system so complicated?

4. I mowed my lawn for the first time of the year this weekend. It was a great experience to be on the tractor again. It was fun mowing under the canopy of our weeping cherry tree.

From the 7th Tee at Patuxent Greens

5. Golf can is a frustrating game. I played a round yesterday expecting much better results than I received, but being out on the course made everything better. 

Bleeding Hearts

6. I am enjoying watching the Springtime flowers blossom. My bleeding hearts are huge--they grow so quickly.

7. It is Monday--I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.

8. Why did gas prices jump almost 15 cents per gallon for the weekend?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Joy of Saturdays

When asked, I often say that Saturday is my favorite day of the week.

I enjoy the ability to plan my own day and accomplish anything, or nothing, as choose. It is freeing.

Until yesterday--it was the Saturday with too much to do!

Mike and Jim and some of the Pirates before the parade

It began innocuously enough with my morning interface with my computer to write my blog. It was fun taking the image of the deer in the yard and relaxing with my coffee for a few minutes.

And then the day really began.

The was the opening day parade for the Jax's baseball team, the Pirates, which began at 8:30. Depart the house at 8:30 so as not to be late. 

That ended about 9:30 and then it was back to the house to get some of the springtime chores accomplished. I did get my first lawn mowing of the season accomplished! 

Ethan after LAX

But wait! There is always more to do. By 12:45, I was back on the sports fields watching Ethan and the GORC Wildcats play lacrosse. It was quite a match which GORC won 8-5. Ethan nearly had his first score of the season as an attacker--which was pretty exciting. 

Then it was back to the house--remember it is about 20-25 minutes each way from Odenton, where the games are played, to the house. 

I had time to accomplish more projects and to relax a bit. But, I had to be on the baseball field at 5PM for the Pirates opening day game! Although the Pirates lost, it was a lot of fun seeing how the boys had advanced and how they are coming together as a team. Jax made some great plays in the field and there are a lot of positives that we are going to be building upon.

By the time Chris and I got back to the house, for the third time of the day, it was time to relax--for the evening. Dinner, some TV, and early to bed because we were both exhausted!

What a Saturday!

Let's do it again, next week!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Tree Blossoms

April 17, 2015

Cue the weeping cherry!

Yup, in the symphony of Springtime it is time for the arrival of one of the big kahunas--the weeping cherry.

April 14, 2015

Flowering trees are everywhere now. They have literally exploded during the past week and the region is alive with what I call the ice cream cone season--the puffs of color on tree trunks all along the roadsides.

I can begin to see leaves on trees as well. Yup, it is Spring, finally.

Morning Visitor Checking out the Weeping cherry
April 18, 2015

I love them. My allergies don't particularly appreciate them--but I'm making due this season. 

The lawn will be mowed today for the first time--in my view it is almost one month later than normal. During a more normal year I would be considering opening the pool, but that is at least two weeks off yet.

Pool time will come soon enough--but I do want to get the cover off the pool and begin to enjoy the warmer days! At least it's not snowing like it was when I was in Salt Lake City.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Salt Lake City, Part 2

Out My Hotel Window
Salt Lake City
April 16, 2015

What a stunning difference a day, or two, can make when looking out the hotel window.

When I first looked out the window of my hotel room, and for the first two days of my trip to Salt Lake City, the scenery was obscured by the Springtime snowstorm that engulfed the area. Who really knew what was there?

All I saw was the snowstorm that held the region in its grip, snarling traffic and bringing cold and misery to the area. And it was cold--temperatures in the 30's and 40's. During the storm I removed at least six inches of snow from my rental car. Because of the elevation and the relative warmth, the snow fortunately did not accumulate on the ground, else the region would have been completely shut down.

Out My Hotel Window
Salt Lake City
April 14, 2015

I could tell that Spring had truly arrived, however, because the trees had leaves on them--not fully mature leaves, but leaves that were well into the process of bring Spring to the region. As I drove around, I could see the flowering trees were in flower--they were covered in snow--but, flowering nonetheless. 

As it turned out, once the storm subsided on the morning I was departing, the scene outside my hotel window was stunning! 

Salt Lake City from the Airport
April 16, 2015

I was so impressed with the view when I arrived at the airport to depart, that I snapped a quick shot of the city of Salt Lake City nestled at the base of the mountains from the airport. There is a lot wrong with this image--the reflection on the glass for instance, but I was never able to get another opportunity to take a better one. 

Why do the good things always seem to happen when I am leaving?

At least the trip home was uneventful! And there is no snow--hopefully I am finally done with snow because it seems that Winter doesn't want to end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Did You See What I Saw?

Regions of the country seem to possess a unique character. I notice it as I travel, but I always notice it more when returning to Ithaca, NY.

Things are just different there. Perhaps it is the influence of the Cornell and Ithaca College or perhaps it is caused by the flower children of the 60's who never grew up, But Ithaca is a different region. 

Whatever the reason--I almost always see something while visiting the Ithaca area which causes me to take note. I have grown used to the no fraking signs--they are old by now--but still prevalent.  

Near Wegmans in Ithaca, NY

Chris snapped an image of a man in the rainbow-colored jacket emblazoned with a "Peace" symbol walking into the local Wegmans. What a unique mixing of social issues from different eras. 

I can't recall the last time I saw a peace symbol. And I know I have never seen the "Peace" symbol from the 60's anti-war movement juxtaposed upon rainbow flag colors currently associated with the gay rights movement. 

Wow--there certainly were a lot of issues in one jacket and one image taken by Chris on a Saturday afternoon in Ithaca, NY.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Salt Lake City, Utah 

Out the Hotel Window - Salt Lake City

Snow Falling in Salt Lake City
April 14, 2015

I have not been to Salt Lake City, Utah, in many years. I do remember that last time it was summer--and that meant warm. I remember wandering around the Temple Square looking for ice cream!

Outside my window yesterday, as I arrived, it was snowing. What a shock to my system. I stood in the window in disbelief that snow could be falling from the mid-April sky. 

Snow outside the Hotel Window

But it was. 

I have heard, and remember that there are mountains around here somewhere--they were not visible due to the snow. 

So I am not sure what is truly the scene outside my window except for a view of some business buildings. 

And snow.

It is time for winter to be over--seriously.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Salt Lake City, Utah

10 Years Already--Happy Birthday Ethan

Ethan with his Golf Clubs

Yesterday Ethan celebrated his 10th birthday. It is a milestone birthday because he went into double digits. Turns out there are a few milestone birthdays--10, 13, 16, 18, and 21. Unfortunately those are followed by the decade years with the magical 65 and 75 tossed in for good measure.

It is hard to believe that he is 10 years old already--the time certainly has flown by. 

Although I know his favorite gift was the trip he revoked for an overnight at Great Wolf Lodge, my personal favorite was his golf clubs--I look forward to spending quality time on the golf course enjoying teaching him the game--not that I actually know how to play it.

Growing up seemed to take so long when I was young and growing, but it happens so fast now that I am watching my children and now grandchildren pass each age milestone.

I enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to him. And I also enjoyed him on his scavenger hunt to secure his final and most wanted gift. 

Happy Birthday E--may you always have joy in your heart.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD