Monday Musings - December 21, 2015

1. It is Christmas week. The craziness will be over by next week, but the celebration will continue.

Sunrise in Pennsylvania from the Moving Car

2. I love the sunrise, especially in new places like Saturday morning, in central Pennsylvania on the way to New York.

Snow Starting to Fall

3. Holiday parties are a lot of fun. It is too bad the holidays end.

4. This is a great time of year, there are four holidays in two months!

5. Snow, why did there have to be snow. Chris and I drove form Maryland and encountered snow in northern Pennsylvania. 

6. Is it baseball season yet? The Ravens are reduced to playing pre-season games to close out the season.

Snow out the Car Window

7. I have not been traveling much lately, hence, there have not been any "Out the hotel Window" posts. I miss traveling.

8. I was excited that Congress finally accomplished its Constitutionally-mandated business and funded the government. Yay!

9. Snow is a lot more palatable when I know that I get to leave it behind.

10. Uneventful car trips are the best kind!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Apple Tree in Snow

A few weeks ago, I snapped an image of this apple tree as autumn was ending.

I happened past the tree again yesterday and saw it again during a snow storm. The same tree, with apples on its branches still, standing against the onslaught of winter.

It was a cold day. The snow was falling, but not accumulating in any great amount. The sky was dark and gray. But the tree stood strong.

I liked the apples still clinging to the bare branches. Holding on against the dark season.

It certainly isn't a Christmas image. But it is life.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Birthday season

It looks like a Christmas tree. But in reality, it is a birthday tree and the presents under the tree are not Christmas presents.

We celebrated another family birthday last night. Celebrating birthdays in the middle of the Christmas season helps restore normalcy to the frenetic pace life.

Did I mention that it was a surprise birthday celebration? That made it even more fun. At least for those of us who were in on the planning. I'm sure that Tina had other plans for her evening after a tough week.

Considering the pace of life for a moment, I am writing this morning from the car racing along route 15 somewhere in central Pennsylvania headed to Ithaca to retrieve mom and dad for the holidays.

The week ahead is already crammed with excitement and activity leading up to next Friday, when it all really begins. That being, I can take a deep breath and look forward to the ending of the year and doing it all over again.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Central Pennsylvania

Star Wars - Review

The wait is over, I saw Star Wars - The Force Awakens last evening. I will not divulge the plot and hopefully this review will focus on my reactions as a huge Star Wars fan to the movie without being a spoiler.

Spoiler Alert--it is almost impossible to discuss the plot without being a spoiler. I'm going to avoid discussing the plot.

What I Liked:

Unlike the prequels, the movie is true to the character and style of the original trilogy. 

It felt like a Star Wars movie.

Yes, there is the obligatory club scene with the assorted characters from around the galaxy--it just wouldn't be Star Wars without a scene like that.

The movie answers the question: "So what happened next!" The Force Awakens is set about 30 years after Return of the Jedi, (1983) during which the Empire was soundly defeated and the was Republic firmly established. The main characters have aged, and a new generation is taking control of the galaxy. The never ending struggle of good against evil continues and is at the core of the movie.

The original characters are more than cameos in the movie, but are integral to the plot and the action.

Chewbacca is--Chewbacca, the lovable, but scary Wookie.

The character development was good. The questions were answered, in most cases, about what has been happening during the past 30 years.

The new characters, as seen in the image on the left, as believable. The new droid, BB-8, is fun.

The trailers and all of the pre-movie releases DID NOT give away ANYTHING!

I liked the ending! 

I wasn't fully satisfied and I want more! 

What I didn't Like:

At times, the movie felt too much like A New Hope, (1977) which was the first movie to be released, but titled Episode IV because of the prequels.

There are a couple of critical unanswered questions--but, these are what sequels are made to answer.

The movie has slow spots. 

I didn't like one particular plot twist--I'm not going to write about it, because it would be a spoiler--but suffice it to say, I understand it, but that doesn't mean that I like it. 

Recommendation:

Drop whatever it is you are doing, take a day off form work and go see this movie. EVERYONE is going to be talking doubt it and if you don't see it soon, there won't be any surprises left.

May the Force be with you!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Long Time Ago . . .

. . . in a galaxy far, far away--it began.

Well, maybe it was only 38 years ago on a few movie screens across America. It only seemed to be far, far away and that, of course, was the magic of the movie Star Wars. 

Tonight, the saga continues as the early opening-night showings begin and billions of dollars are spent by movie goers to finally answer the question that was left hanging in 1983 at the end of Return of the Jedi--"so what happened next?"

The epic battle between good and evil continues, finally. The detour through the prequels has been completed and the main story continues.

I have tickets for an evening showing and it will be an incredibly long day as I wait to stand in line to see the movie. 

The hype and the anticipation have given way into reality and I am looking forward to being transported into another place and time. At least for a few hours.

May the Force be with you!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Be Afraid!

Be very afraid.

I admit that I did not watch the debates last evening, but I have been reading the accounts of the proceedings.

One of the common themes was a continuing assault on our Constitutional rights.

Between keeping people out of the country on religious grounds and the discussions of what the government should know about us, from the New York Times article, our Constitutional protections are under attack:

“I promise you, the next time there is an attack on this country, the first thing people are going to want to know is, why didn’t we know about it and why didn’t we stop it?” Mr. Rubio said. “And the answer better not be, ‘Because we didn’t have access to records or information that would have allowed us to identify these killers before they attack.’ ”

Enforcing something like this would strip Americans of privacy.

In a related issue, the ACLU is looking into the use of the No Fly List. In an article titled, Until the No Fly List is Fixed, It Shouldn't be used to Restrict People's Freedoms. 

I understand that many people scratch their heads and ask, why not? But the simple answer is that placing people on the No Fly list is arbitrary and incomplete. There is also no due process! All Constitutional violations. I urge you to read the ACLU article to understand the Constitutional implications associated with the No Fly list. Denying people access to protected freedoms based upon an arbitrary list compounds the offense.

Even more frightening, the government uses the phrase "predictive judgement" in determining whether to place people on the No Fly list. That sounds like a movie called, The Minority Report. I am not against the No Fly list, just the lack of oversight and due process associated with placing people on it.

My Take: Fear must not overtake our guaranteed freedoms or we will soon become a totalitarian society with no freedom.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Ides of December

Not My Trees--But Similar

We are halfway through December. The dark season is in full swing with two months remaining. 

I raced home after work yesterday to enjoy 45 minutes of daylight!

And then it was gone. 

At least it was warm and I could enjoy walking outside. Except that the rain had started. Fortunately it was not snow.

The landscape is becoming so bleak--the trees are bare, but the grass is still green. I think playing golf on Sunday was a much needed shot of outdoors. If only there were a way to play more.

Maybe a Bit Larger than I Need

I looked ahead at the weather forecast for Christmas. I believe that I can safely say that there will NOT be a white Christmas in the Baltimore area. A rainy Christmas almost assuredly, but not white.

Too bad about the rain--that will keep the fleet of new drones that many people will receive grounded. Although I don't know what I'd really do with one--I'd like a drone, too. And even big enough to have to register it under the new FAA rules.

Aha, the joys of Christmas! I remember when I was a boy and I received the bicycle of my dreams on Christmas morning. It was awesome, except that I couldn't ride it until April because of the snow in Upstate NY.

Ides means the middle day of the month. I thought it was the 15th for all months, but there seems to be some discussion about that.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 14, 2015

Sunday Morning December 13, 2015
Patient Greens Golf Club at Sun up

1. December golf in shirt sleeves. Wow, have I moved south overnight? It was an awesome way to start the day. And the gold was good, too.

2. I took a weekend off from the news. It was very cool.

3. I think Chris and I have completed most of our Christmas shopping! We went out Saturday and were amazed at how on-line shopping has reduced the numbers of people at the stores.

Riordin cleaning Louis

4. Cats can be fascinating to watch. Our two, Riordin and Louis go from fighting, to sleeping, to caring for each other in a matter of moments.

5. The incredibly warm and mild weather has me hoping for a "palm tree" Christmas. I lived in Miami for a while and I know I like walking the beach on Christmas day!


6. Traffic seems to be getting heavier. I wonder if it is a seasonal thing?

7. Do shoppers really "rush home with their treasures?" In my experience, it is usually a slow slog through heavy traffic.

8. Given that they have not defeated Navy in 14 years, should Army continue to field a football team?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

December 12th

What a day! It was an awesome late autumn, yes, it is still autumn, day. Temperatures were very mild.

December 2015 in Maryland

So mild, that I was outside most of the day without a coat and having a great time.

There was the obligatory Christmas shopping and then present wrapping which consumed most of the morning.

But then the afternoon arrived--and I was actually in the yard on my tractor doing some light mowing, you mowing, and leaf removal. 

And from there, the day really picked up.

Wine, Fire, and Christmas Lights

There was a long walk to enjoy the sunshine and the mild temperatures. I chatted with neighbors along the way and saw many people putting out their Christmas lights 

I even was able to hit a few golf balls in the yard to keep my swing steady.

And then it was dark.

But wait, we have a fire table and it was fantastic to sit outside,during December, not risking frostbite, and enjoying a perfect wine for the occasion. 

It was a perfect ending to a great day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pre-Christmas Birthday Season

Nicole's Birthday Celebration

Birthdays are fun--and when they occur during the Christmas season, they can be all the more fun.

Nicole and Chris

Last evening we celebrated Nicole's birthday. It was fun to have a non-holiday focused, holiday season get together! The houses are decorated and the neighborhoods are bright with lights, but we obtained a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the shopping/holiday season.

As family and friends gathered together, there was the obligatory cake and rendition of Happy Birthday--and then it was to a local establishment off for adult beverages and munchies.

The gathering was well attended as everyone else seemed to have the same idea--enjoy a great happy hour and celebrate a very special person in our lives.

Nicole and Me in a Selfie

I guess that is really the whole idea for take time out of our too busy lives to celebrate others. In a perfect situation, we change the focus of our lives from self-centered into a other-centered.


I really enjoy hearing the boys sing Happy Birthday. And so, I captured their rendition below.

What else did I learn last night? I am really bad at taking selfies!

Happy Birthday Nicole!!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Boxes

A concern I have about on-line shopping is the accumulation of extra boxes.

Last evening I collapsed and took a large number of boxes, mostly from on-line retailers, to the street for recycling. While on-line shopping sure is easier, the accumulation of waste seems to be greater. 

So, while the shopping is easier, the waste is greater. 

It is just something we need to consider. Although I recycled them, there is a lot of energy that goes into the manufacturing process, it would be more efficient if the boxes could be reused. 

Add to that the paper form the wrapping, and the tape, and the bows, and tags--Christmas can be a high trash season. 

Recycle, recycle, recycle!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gas Prices Drop

Call it an early Christmas present.

Over the course of the past two days, I have filled up all three of my vehicles with gasoline for less money that is cost to fill one just a year ago!

I was in shock! 

Unbelievable!

Amid all of the hustle and bustle of the season there is a bit of good news! Gas prices are down just at the time when we are spending money on other people! 

That is awesome.

Frankly, I haven't seen $1.93 at the pump in Elkridge in forever.

I know that gas can be found lower in other places, but Elkridge is where I shop and gas prices here are very competitive.

I am amazed at people who drive around to save a penny a gallon--that usually equates to about 15 cents during as fill-up. If you fill your car 50 times a year, that is then $7.50 a year in savings. Not counting the extra gas spent to go to the other station and your time!

Enjoy the gas prices and Merry Christmas.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Political Upheaval

The true colors of one presidential candidate were clearly revealed yesterday.

He (yup, it was HE) does not support the Constitution. His statement about excluding people from entering the country based solely upon religious grounds is evidence of that.

His message appeals to the fears that people have about people who are different than they. 

I can see a very messy election ahead with three candidates--Republican, Democrat, and Trump.

This may be a case where the country is saved from disaster by the Electoral College--one of the most brilliant and yet widely misunderstood ideas that our Founding Fathers included into the Constitution.

Rational voters hopefully will prevail against the reactionary forces.

We live in uncertain and dangerous times.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Most Versatile Bomber Ever

B-17 and B-52

Imagine my surprise yesterday as I was reading the New York Times and came across an article titled, After 60 Years, B-52s Still Dominate U.S. Fleet. 

It was only just the other day that someone asked about my favorite aircraft and I told them that I had two, the B-17 and the B-52. No, I do not fancy the hot fighters that everyone is so enamored about. I have become a huge fan of the workhorses of the fleet--the aircraft designed to carry large payloads of weapons to ruin the day of our adversaries.

I found the following paragraph from the article most interesting:

Now in its 60th year of active service, the bomber is slow, primitive and weighed down by an infamy lingering from the carpet bombing of Vietnam in the 1960s. But 76 B-52s still make up the bulk of the United States’ long-range bomber fleet, and they are not retiring anytime soon. The next potential replacement — the Long Range Strike Bomber, which has yet to be designed — is decades away, so the B-52 is expected to keep flying until at least 2040. By then, taking one into combat will be the equivalent of flying a World War I biplane during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

B-52 Taking Off

The B-52 has grown from a Cold War warrior into an impressive power projection jet bomber that strikes fear into the hearts of adversaries everywhere. Why?

Because it can!

The are few things more impressive than watching B-52's roll down a runway and take-off with less than 30 seconds between each jet. I wonder if they still practice that. 

The B-52 will be about 80 years old, from their production dates, when they are retired in 2040. Somehow, I don't believe we will ever really be able to say good-bye to such a versatile warrior!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 7, 2015

1. It is Pearl Harbor Day.

2. I listened to the President last evening, I was encouraged when he said that "freedom overcomes fear."

3. The news media is over-hyping the mood in the country, I do not think that Americans are afraid in their homes.

4. I watched NFL referees get it wrong a number of times yesterday. An every Sunday occurrence. Their incompetence probably cost the Ravens the football game.

5. I saw the wine glass at the right in a store over the weekend. I feel that way. But then, who doesn't?

6. December seems to be flying by.

7. Is there anything that a glass of wine doesn't improve?

8. The dark days are upon us! I'm looking forward to April. I went outside yesterday and hit 50 golf balls into my net, just because.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Christmas Letter

I read a touching article about a Christmas letter the other day. 

The article, on ABC News, was titled, Man Finds Little Brother's Note to Santa 50 Years After His Death. 

The synopsis is that Paul, the 9-year old little brother of Ray, wrote a letter to Santa during the 1966 Christmas season. Paul died during February 1967. The letter was placed in an encyclopedia and not discovered again until this year by Ray.  

I read the article and was touched by the simplicity of the letter. 

The note reads: My Santa List

A Subbuteo Game

England v Argentina only

A torch

and some buses

and cars

thats all

Santa

I believe that the notes to Santa today are such more complex and detailed. Just to remind everyone, a torch is a flashlight. Life was simpler in 1966.

Maybe we needed to be reminded about simple things. True joy does not come from things--it comes from within.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Midnight Madness in Ellicott City

Ellicott City Midnight Madness 2015

How do I know the Christmas season has really arrived? Midnight Madness in Ellicott City, that is how I know. 

Last evening Chris, Patrick, Tina, and I headed down to the city to experience this annual event. The weather was awesome and we arrived early enough to obtain some prime on-street parking. We noted as we were leaving, after 11 PM, that some people were parking over a mile away! We parked in the middle of everything.

Ellicott City Midnight Madness 2015

The shops are all open and the throngs of people move en masse from shop to shop. There are goodies, too. We have gone almost every year, in recent memory, but this year at least two places were providing wine. But cookies and cider were everywhere. I admit, there is something pleasant about shopping with a glass of wine in your hand. It makes it all seem a little bit better.

As most people know, I am not a big fan of shopping, but a glass of wine or champagne really makes it more palatable. It was hard last evening, however, because it got a bit too cold outside, but the stores were a bit too crowded and hot to hang around inside them for long.

I guess I failed at midnight madness shopping since we left shortly after 11 PM instead of after midnight.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

170,000 miles

As I got into my truck yesterday morning to head off and play racquetball, my eye caught the odometer.

It read 170,000 miles!

I was shocked. How did my truck get that many miles on it?

2000 GMC Sonoma
Showing a bit of wear

I admit, I have put only about 62,000 of those miles on the truck. I bought it used to replace my stolen truck. I can't even remember what year it was when I bought the truck.

It has ben a good truck and has been borrowed by many of my family and friends.

I think every family needs a truck!  I know ours does.

I wonder when I should consider another one?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Media Double Standard

I have been amazed at the media derived double standard that is apparently employed in covering the current political races in our country.

One particular candidate receives more coverage for making wildly outlandish statements and then gets even more coverage as the media debunks the statements. The media continues to cover these statements at the expense of serious candidates who have real plans.

Consider the statement that "terrorist's families should be targets." What rational person makes statements like that? Or that millions were cheering when the Twin Towers were attacked? Or that Muslims should register! Really? Let's give them a red crescent to wear as well while we are at it.

The more I hear these statements and notice that the national media has not relegated the person making them to crackpot status, the more concerned I become about our country.

There are disturbing historical similarities to another people and another time.

The following is scary: “When Mexico sends its people … they are bringing drugs and they are bringing crime and their rapists.”

This statement represents a mass stereotype made without any concern for facts or reality.

My Take: This is not the person we want to lead the most powerful military on the planet. 

Just saying!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Old Guy Down

I had a scary experience while leaving work yesterday afternoon in the rain. Crossing one of the streets, the crosswalk ends with a slight incline that I know is slippery even when dry. Yesterday in the rain, it was even more slippery.

Elbow Damage from Fall

Even though I was being careful, I slipped and fell landing on my left hand, left elbow, and left hip. It is amazing how quickly it happened and how the actual event occurred is slow motion.

Ouch!

Another person came over and immediately asked if I was OK. I got up and said that I was fine, even though my hand, elbow and hip were banged up. I was surprised how much the pavement hurt my hand even though there was no obvious damage.

My pride was hurt the most.

The voice in my head was screaming, "Old guy down in the parking lot!"

Fortunately, I am mostly OK. I skinned my elbow, but I played racquetball last evening and don't seem to have any lingering pains this morning except for the usual ones I wake to every day.

Note to self--be MORE careful! Actually I think I slipped because I was being careful.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

December Arrives

It is with some trepidation that I acknowledge the arrival of December. 

2015 has entered the final act of the 12 month performance. The cold weather has effectively arrived across the country and the darkness is creeping and becoming more prevalent.

I struggle against the darkness. Today will have 10 hours and 36 minutes of daylight filtered by the clouds. It will be gray and gloomy, but thankfully no snow here.

Yes, it is the Christmas season and the bright colored lights do fight against the darkness in the same way that I do.

And by the end of the month we will have turned the corner on the darkness and will just have to make it through the frigid weather.

Warm weather is coming, I only wish that I had a Caribbean vacation planned for late-January or February.

158 days, approximately, until pool opening day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 30, 2015

1. It is the last day of November. December begins tomorrow. 2016 is one short month away!

Axis and Allies in Progress

2. The annual family Axis and Allies tournament was a huge success. I wish that we could have changed history and that the Axis powers had won since I was playing Italy and Germany--but, it was not to be.

3. I have been enjoying my four day weekend. Why can't every weekend be four days long?

4. The NFL must work on its product--the referees are killing the game.

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Dessert

5. It is weird that Thanksgiving is over. It was a feast and I still remember it. I am going to pay heavily for my eating this morning on the racquetball court.


6. While shopping last week, we discovered hummus from Ithaca for sale in our local Wegman's. Turns out it is really made in Groton, but it carries Ithaca on its label.

7. Is anyone seriously supporting Donald Trump? He is an uninformed, opinionated, thug. I do not like the personal attacks he makes on people.

8. Why do cats like to eat the tinsel off Christmas trees?

9. I remember that when I was a kid, December was the longest month of the year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Decorating Day--Done!

Christmas 2015 Decoration

It is mostly complete. A day long event dedicated to transforming the house from Thanksgiving into Christmas.

It took most all of the day. Two Christmas trees were erected, decorated, and even redecorated. We did have remove the icicles because the cats thought they were candy--and that is a bad thing.

Snow Village Wonderland Under Construction

During the day, Chris and I listened to Christmas music, watched a campy Santa Claus movie and consumed a bottle of wine. We kept the pace slow and the mess, associated with redecorating

Mountain Snow Village
Nearing Completion

As we were preparing to do dinner and nestle down together for the evening,  we got a call from Patrick and Tina to come visit with them and lend assistance in creating their Snow Village wonderland. That was a lot of fun. They were in the middle of a mountain scene that took an incredible amount of planning and construction. That, and it also has a voice activated computer controlled light system. Pretty cool!

It was a full decorating day! The Christmas season is in full swing and the best part was, with the exception of running out to a pharmacy to pick up a prescription, I didn't grace a store or shopping mall. A nearly perfect day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Most Wonderful Time?

Outdoor Decorations are Installed

I'm sitting here listening to Andy Williams sing about "the most wonderful time of the year" as the season of the turkey gives way to four weeks of 24/7 Christmas.

It can be stifling. 

I do admit, the weather outside is fantastic and the sunrise is stunning. I'd rather be golfing, but today is decorating day. The transformation of our home into a winter wonderland. The word I use for it is, Christmasfication. 

It can be stressful, if I let it get that way.

There are 10 boxes, or more, of decorations in the attic waiting to be hauled down and installed. It is a process.

And the lists and the shopping? We have already begun the shopping process--which is a good thing. Unfortunately, no matter how early shopping begins it never seems to end. And then there are the returns.

It is still November! I cannot believe how quickly 2015 is drawing to a close.

Brace yourselves--the New Year is in sight!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Black Friday: A Worldwide Event

Black Friday, the first official shopping day of the Christmas season AND the day after Thanksgiving has moved across the Atlantic into Britain!

Who knew? And they don't even celebrate Thanksgiving. There are also reports of Black Friday occurring in India, Mexico, Canada, Romania, and France! The international flavor of commerce and especially eCommerce is bringing the blight of the American shopping season to a country near you!

One of the funniest articles that I have read in a long while was in this morning's New York Times titled, Britain Adopts Black Friday With an All-American Frenzy. 

In the article, I learned a new word, contained in the follow excerpted paragraph:

The explanation for how Britons came to embrace Black Friday seems to reside in a mix of canny unbridled capitalist opportunism, the fetishizing of things American, the explosion of online shopping and two giant retailers called Walmart and Amazon.

Do not misunderstand, although the article is humorous, it is a serious examination of how a uniquely American phenomenon has spread across an ocean and is having negative impacts on other nations and cultures.

My family is dialing back the Black Friday madness this year. No one went shopping at midnight and the shoppers in the crowd are heading out at a reasonable 9AM to risk life and limb for the remaining sale items.

In truth, Black Friday has expanded this year--I have been getting Black Friday special buys from retailers for almost two weeks now. November, it seems, is becoming a month-long series of Black Fridays.

The final paragraphs of the article provide an interesting view of Black Friday. 

Valerie Faulkner, 41, an assistant producer at an events company who was walking through the store, said she initially had no idea that Black Friday was an American tradition until she searched for it on Google.

“I don’t think most people realize it’s an American custom,” she said. “I just assumed it was some marketing ploy by shops to get rid of lousy, unwanted items before Christmas.”
Sadly, her opinion is more truth than we may suspect. I saw a news show that warned "buyer beware" on some of the deeply discounted specials as they may be of inferior quality and consist of items special built for the Black Friday frenzy.

Happy Black Friday. May all of your shopping be online!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

I plan to enjoy the holiday. Mixed in with the food, family, and football I will take a few moments to give thanks for the blessings that I experience every day.

Thanksgiving also rejoices and gives thanks for the blessings in the lives of others! It is good to be thankful for friends and their successes and blessings.

We live in and as part of a community, when we get together to give thanks--as in celebrating a special dinner together, we can appreciate each other better and their contributions.

The words of the classic Thanksgiving hymn ring even truer this Thanksgiving as the world is facing the fear of terrorist threats and security is on everyone's mind. We must not be paralyzed by fear, but draw our faith from God, the provider of all good things.



We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

-Adrianus Valerius

-Theodore Baker (translator)

Happy Thanksgiving. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD