A Sink Crisis

I hate it when simple projects turn ugly.

The task: Replace the kitchen sink with something more modern while at the same time replacing the dysfunctional garbage disposer.

The timing: Get it done before the Mother's Day weekend arrives.

The problem: No good deed goes unpunished.

The Hole in the Counter

So there are now three kitchen sinks in the house. The one that used to be installed in the kitchen, the one that I bought and the one that Chris bought because she liked it more.

Just a note--the one that I bought fits nicely into the hole. The one that Chris bought should fit into the hole in the counter, however, it has mounting rails underneath that are 1/4 inch too big for the existing space in the Silestone (fused quartz) countertop from which the preexisting sink was removed.

I do not feel equipped to cut fused quartz!

The kitchen is a mess with pieces of faucet everywhere!

I had hoped to finish the project yesterday afternoon before going to the Orioles game. That did not happen.

Who knew that there are mounting raise under stainless steel sinks? Why are they 1/4 inch too big for the existing hole when the sinks are the same size??

This has turned into another project gone wild!

I wish I knew how this was going to shake out, however, I fear that I will be on a frantic search for a sink during the next few days.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flying Gets Worse, If That is Possible

The forecast for summertime travel is not good. 

American Airlines Security
Chicago, IL
March 18, 2016
New York Times/Twitter

I read a New York Times article that suggests that summertime air travelers should budget hours and not minutes to clear security. The article titled Catching a Flight? Budget Hours, Not Minutes, for Security. 

I know a lot of people who like to arrive at the airport just minutes before their scheduled flight and think they can slip through the security lines and make the flight. That will be happening less and less it appears.

We pay extra for airport security! There is a $10 fee added to each ticket for security--and this is how TSA responds?

TSA claims the problem is more travelers, but the airports maintain that it is inadequate TSA staffing. From my experience, I think it is the latter. There is no secret how many people are going to be traveling. TSA has access to the travel information well in advance and should be able to plan for increases and busy times. 

The Times article details some of the horrors:

Denver airport telling people to arrive three hours early.

600 passengers missing flights in Charlotte on March 25th because the security line was three hours long! TSA maintains that it was never longer than 1 hour 15 minutes. 

Whoever believes that a security line should be longer than 25 minutes is living in the wrong time zone. Only Disney World can get away with lines that long. 

On my recent trip to Alaska, I must confess that I had planned for security delays, but due to the times of day I was catching flights I did not experience long lines. So maybe catching flights at 5PM and 1:45 AM are a good thing.

One other travel tip--once you clear security and board your flight, don't expect an open seat next to you. Airlines are filling the planes to maximum capacity--yes, even on my 1:45 AM flight from Anchorage to Seattle there were no empty seats!

Flyer beware! It is a jungle out there. If your driving time is 5 hours or less, you might consider driving instead of flying.  Just saying!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 2, 2016

1. May arrived over the weekend with the promise warmer temperatures. Despite the arrival, it was unseasonably cold and rainy here.

Geese on Patuxent Greens Golf Course
April 30, 2016

2. Saturday, being the best day weather-wise of the weekend, a round of golf was attempted. Despite the cold temperatures, the course was packed with other golfers and I played the slowest front 9 known to man, taking three hours to complete 9 holes. We decided not to play the back 9.

3. There were a lot of Canadian Geese on the golf course Saturday. 

4. It is beginning to look as if the front runners in the political races are going to secure the nominations. It could be a lot of fun at the conventions this summer.

Gustav Becker Grandfather Clock Repair

5. Our grandfather clock has not been gonging. I took time to examine and repair the problem yesterday. It was fun to be deep into a clock again.

Post Game Celebration with GORC Pirates
April 30, 2016

6. The GORC Pirates, Jax's baseball team, are very good. They won another close game on Saturday by employing some excellent defense.

7. Chris and I took Saturday afternoon, before the rain, to get grass seed down in some of the bare areas of the yard. The rain and warmer temperatures should help the seed to germinate quickly and fill in the yard.

The Green Has Returned
May 1, 2016

8. I completed a number of small projects around the house during the incessant rain yesterday. 

9. I noticed, both on the golf course and in my yard, that the "green" has returned! Yay for the green leaves of Summer!

10. Yesterday was May Day--a holiday throughout much of the northern hemisphere. I hope their weather was better.

11. Did I mention that the Penguins tied their playoff series 1-1 with the Capitals even after a late hit that has resulted in a three-game suspension for one of the Capitals players? Go Pens!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Who is on our Money?

The debate about whose face graces our money rages and I have heard some irrational and just wrong statements.

Presidents and Founding Father's have not always been and are not the only people on our money! Our money has seen generals, mythical gods and goddesses, inventors, famous people, and others. 

Here are some of the non-Presidents or founding fathers who have been on our money:

Salmon P. Chase is on the $10,000 bill right now! Who is Salmon P. Chase and why is he on our money, even if the $10,000 is not in general circulation?

Martha Washington has been on the $1 bill twice.

Susan B. Anthony is on the $1 coin.

Sacagawea is also on $1 coins.

Mercury (yes, the Roman god) has been on dimes! 

Liberty (the goddess) has been on dollar coins.

Indian likenesses have graced both pennies and nickels. 

In addition, the Wright Brothers, Ceasar Rodney, Helen Keller, and John Muir have been on quarters. 

On currency, 53 individuals have been depicted. You might be surprised about who they are. 

Who is Running Antelope? He was once on the $5 bill.

General George H Thomas on $5 bill

General George H. Thomas was on the $5 during the 1890's.



The list goes on.

It is amazing how different reality is from common perceptions!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pool Opening Delayed

The Pool is Ready to be Opened

Today was supposed to be one on my favorite days of the year: pool opening day! The day when Summer begins arriving.

Not going to happen.

I have reinstalled the motor in the pump housing and the water lines to the filter have been reconnected. The chemicals are in the pool house ready, but the weather forecast is terrible. Rain and highs mostly in the 60's for the next week have factored into the decision. Not the kind of weather that screams for a pool to be open. At least, unlike Denver, Colorado, there is no snow in the forecast. 

10 Day Weather Forecast for Elkridge

Because the event will now occur during May, this will be the latest that I have ever opened my pool.

I am bummed. Summer's arrival is delayed.

The weather forecast is not good for golf either. The courses promise to be wet and soggy. It is also not good for baseball--either coaching youth baseball or attending Orioles games.

At least the leaves are almost fully on the trees and the "green" has returned.

Next Saturday is the rescheduled pool opening day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Parking Lot Dance

I had the pleasure of visiting multiple parking lots last evening as Chris and I scurried around the county to get our chores done.

People are strange (that's the only way I can say it) about parking their cars. 

Being a Thursday night, the parking lots were generally lightly populated and yet, people waited for my space because it was two or three places closer to the door rather than just driving to an open space and being on their way.

It seemed funny to me that to in order to save 30 feet of walking, people would wait for a few minutes behind my car for me to depart.

It was not raining and so that was not the reason for the waiting. Nor was the sun blazing super heated rays upon the scene either.

People just wanted a closer spot. The trade off was a closer spot instead of the immediate gratification of being able to park a few spaces away.

I don't like to spend time waiting in parking lots and I don't mind walking a few extra feet--I am usually just happy to find a spot in the lot. 

Clearly, however, I am going have to do more shopping on Thursday evenings because not only were the parking lots sparsely populated, but the stores were empty, too!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Election Reflection

I have been reflecting on yesterday's primary election results.

I am not amused by the choices being made by the majority of the voters,  but I think I understand what is happening.

People are voting to remove those who have been obstructionists for the past 8 years. No one who is part of the Republican establishment is likely to get elected. 

I found it interesting the Cruz garnered 3 additional delegates and Kasich received 5. Trump won 109. That qualifies as a landslide.

The harder the Republican establishment campaigns against Trump, the more delegates he receives. The voters are sending a message.

It could be an interesting election in November. 

I, personally, am having a problem supporting someone who uses personal attacks, ethnicity, and gender as a basis for campaign remarks. I don't understand why so many Americans continue to support someone who says the things that he does, except that it is a backlash against the Republican Party establishment.

And then one the Democratic side--I don't understand the appeal of one of the candidates over the other. I look at them totally opposite of the majority of the voters.

My Take--that is why we have elections.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Finding Elections Results

The information age has created the expectation that I can find election results on line in an easy fashion the morning after the election. I need to be able to do this since the newspapers no longer come to my home and they go to print before the election returns are in.

I could not, this morning, find out the complete results for all of the elections I voted in yesterday.

Yes, I knew who won the Presidential Primaries last evening as CNN made the call at 8:05 PM -- but, I could not see the vote tallies. Even this morning, not all of the vote had been tabulated and certified. 

Finding the results of the local elections was almost impossible--I was really interested in the School Board results. I still do not know the outcome.

Life in the information age can be frustrating because I know the answer is out there, somewhere, but I just cannot find it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Eastern Rat Snake Encounter

Chris and I have a pest company that is supposed to keep the house and pool house free from rodents and bugs.

We are terminating them.

Freed Eastern Rat Snake Leaving the Scene

They recently started using the most inhumane form of pest eradication ever invented--sticky or glue cards. They are terrible--the animals get stuck and starve to death.

Yesterday I walked into the pool house and was startled to see a 3 foot long Eastern Rat Snake trapped on one of the cards. Chris and I spent about 30 minutes freeing the snake from the card--the snake was not entirely helpful, was a bit freaked out and hissed at us a bit--but after a while it figured out we were helping and not hurting.

Eastern Rat Snake Climbing the Bush

It was terrible how the sticky or glue traps ensnare animals.

I did not take a picture of the snake on the card because my save the animal emotions kicked into gear, but I did take some of the recently freed snake slowly leaving the yard. 

I respect snakes, I don't particularly like them but this is a beneficial snake and did not deserve to die. I know I have friends who believe the only good snake is a dead snake, but I disagree. It the snake is not venomous, then it is serving a useful purpose keeping vermin away from the house.

I will not use these sticky cards or glue cards again! 

And I am happy the snake went away after it was freed. I am not sure why it climbed the bush, but it seemed to know what it was doing.

I am going to have to be more aware of the tree limbs above em now.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 25, 2016

Oysters for Snack

1. Heard this in a restaurant: "I don't like that, it has too much taste."

2. Saw this sign in a restaurant: "Unattended children will be given espresso and a puppy."

3. Spending a weekend at a wine fest is awesome, except for all of the work that did not get done around the house.

St Michael's, MD
April 24, 2016

4. Oysters--I like oysters.

5. A beautiful morning in St Michael's is a great way to start a day!

Jellyfish in a Boat Channel

6. I wonder what a jellyfish thinks about when it is undulating in a boat channel?

7. Maryland gets to have its turn in the Presidential Olympics this week. It is almost exciting that the outcome has not yet been determined.

8. It is good to wake up on a Monday and feel ready for the week ahead.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

St Michaels Wine Fest

St Michael's Fest Tent

The day was cool and cloudy with some passing showers, but the annual St Michaels Wine Fest kicked off its two day run yesterday to throngs of people. This is the one wins fest that we make an effort to attend every year.

Why?

The venue is the entire town of St Michaels and it is an enjoyable town to stroll through and shop while enjoying wines from around the world.

I will write more about the fest in my wine blog, but I recommend the St Michaels Wine Fest as another rite of Spring.

Good wines and friends mixed together.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Easton, MD

Spring Takes Control

Azalea in Bloom

It has finally happened. The last vestiges of Winter have been thrown off and Spring has taken control of the weather. 

Red Bud Blooms Fading

Yes, that means rain--and not just a small amount. But the results have been spectacular. The leaves are visible on the trees and the flowering plants are in bloom.

I was stunned to see my white azalea in full bloom yesterday even as the red buds are fading from the that tree in my yard.

I was fortunate enough to play golf in a short sleeve shirt yesterday.  Another sure sign of Spring. 

Today, Chris and I are off to St Michaels, MD, for the annual wine festival! Although the weather is rainy and overcast this morning, it is expected to clear off and fantastic by the afternoon. If you are in the region, come out and enjoy the wines and the weather.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taking a Down Day

I made it home last evening after a fast and busy week on the road. I am still amazed think that I started yesterday in Anchorage and finished the day in Elkridge and somewhere in between I had to have breakfast in Seattle and coach on a baseball diamond in Odenton. 

My Clubs

Today, given all of the traveling, I took a day to recover. 

And recover I did. I mowed the lawns, vacuumed the house, did some laundry, ran to Costco for supplies, but did find time to play 9 holes of golf at a local course. It was a toss up between heading to the range and playing golf--Thanks to Jeremy for talking me into a round of golf.

The golf was clearly clutch. I did something a bit different though. I was teamed with two older guys who were slow players--I felt bad because neither one could actually reach into the hole to retrieve their balls--they both used their putters to get the ball out.

They were very slow and they offered to let me play ahead and leave the group, but I was having a good time with them and they were nice guys. I realized that sometimes it is not all about the game, but it is about the people. I was taking about one shot to their two or three--but I enjoyed being teamed with them because they were easy going and were just out whacking the little white ball around the course.

Yes, it took over two hour to play nine holes--but I never checked my watch even once because we were three guys out on the course enjoying the day and encouraging each other when they needed it and congratulating each other on good shots!

I think that is the true spirit of golf.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Airport Window -Seattle

I have already been crammed into an overfull aircraft cabin for almost four hours today flying from Anchorage to Seattle. There is something wrong with starting a day of travel just after midnight. And there is still so much travel left today.

By the end of the day I hope to be home. But time changes are tough. I boarded my flight in Anchorage for looking forward to sleeping just as my family was waking at home. It was pretty funny.

The sun it trying to burn through the clouds here in Seattle and get the day going. The airport is alive. At least the coffee is warm and breakfast is on the griddle.

It has to be better than airplane food.

Good morning world. I'll try to stay out of your way today. I may be a bit jet lagged.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Seattle-Tacoma Airport

Out the Hotel Window - Anchorage, AK

Anchorage, Alaska
April 19, 2016

The mountains in the distance across the city are quite a sight. It is not one of those awe-inspiring vista views that I have seen in other places, but the view outside my hotel window had some beautiful qualities. The trucking company parking lots in the foreground certainly are detractors from the view.

The view here is stunning, however. Almost everywhere I look there is either the water of Cook Sound or the mountains behind , north and south of the city. On a clear day, Denali can be seen, although I could not see it yesterday I was able to see it during some of my previous trips.

I do enjoy the view out of my hotel window.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Anchorage, Alaska

Flying the Skies

I have become spoiled! Five years ago I never would have admitted that Southwest Airlines got it right, but after my chaotic experiences yesterday boarding two Alaskan Air flights, I am a believer.


As the boarding process began, it was chaos in the boarding area. Nonexistent were the orderly lines that Southwest uses to queue people up. It was a mad dash for the overhead bin space based upon flyer preference status and then, for the rest of us, row assignment. 

Dinner on the Flight

I foresaw the confusion and did well in the scramble for limited overhead space, but others were not so lucky. 

One area where the flights yesterday were abetter was the food service. I had a 5 hour flight followed by a 3+ flight. There was food! And wine.

But, it only made about 25 minutes go by of the entire flight.

Flying--it had its ups and downs.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Anchorage, Alaska

Monday Musings - April 18, 2016

1. It was a rare weekend with idyllic weather in Baltimore--I was able to enjoy some of it!

2. After their searing start, the Orioles have cooled a bit. At 8-3, they still have the best record in the American League and a second straight day off today.

3. I mowed the lawn for the second time this year. It still feels great be doing yard work.

4. I could tell I was feeling a lot better yesterday, I finally felt like hitting golf balls into my net. It was even better that I could go outside without my eyes tearing so badly that I could not see.

5. Every year as Spring gets into full swing, I am reminded how many projects there are around a house to get everything working and ready after the Winter.

6. Amazingly, I cleaned the shed yesterday. Why? Because I could!

7. Is the New York Primary finally going to happen tomorrow? The build-up has been crushing!

8. When did reporting the news become entertainment? An interesting editorial in the New York Times titled For News Outlets Squeezed from the Middle, It's Bend or Bust  prompted that question. 

9. The best part about recovering from being sick is when I realize that I feel almost normal again!

10. Tamiflu is the real deal. I wish I had gone to the doctor one day sooner (shhh, don't tell Chris!)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flip flops, Tee-Shirts and an Abundance of Sunshine!

This morning's Baltimore weather report is quoted as the name of this entry!

This is the first time I have heard the weather forecast in such a creative way and it is more useful than the usual temperature and rain chance reporting. I am truly looking forward to putting my flip flops back on and enjoying the weather.

Bleeding Hearts in Bloom

I was looking at the forecast, and it is pretty awesome, too. There are 80's in the future. Maybe Winter's last gasp has finally expired here in the East and we are free to enjoy the summer. 

I was doing some very light work outside yesterday and I marveled at how the gardens are already filling in, even though the trees are painfully slow in falling-out with leaves. 

Our outdoor living room adjacent to the pool is ready for the summer and I believe that pool opening will be the weekend of 30 April! Now all I have to do is get the chemicals ordered!

Life is ramping up and it is time to enjoy the season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Hour -- Modified

On a normal Friday evening, Chris and I enjoy Happy Hour with our friends and catch up on the week's activities while planning future fun.

Happy Hour Selections
April 15, 2016

Being laid up this week, we decided it was not wise to spread the flu virus among our friends and did not attend the weekly gathering. But, we decided to enjoy a happy hour of our own. We pulled out a small selection of wines and of course, in an effort to prevent the flu from spreading to the uninfected, there was the obligatory can of Lysol.

The selections included regional wines. We had some California 2013 Carnivore, rated 90, left over from earlier in the week and we included a Maryland wine from Big Cork, the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc. As a back up, we had a Virginia Merlot from Vint Hill--which remained unopened. 

The can of Lysol was to remind us to keep the flu bug at bay and prevent reinfection or additional infections.

Even though I'm under the weather does not mean I have to give up living. Chris and I had an enjoyable evening conversing and watching a movie while enjoying our wine selections. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Unreal Flu!

I had been feeling crappy for a couple of days and finally took Chris's advice and went to the Doctor.  I could not believe the diagnosis.

There it was on the little quick Flu test card--Type A flu!

My life is too busy to be laid up to overcome the flu.

I got my flu shot this year like I do every year! It is April after all--definitely not the middle of flu season. 

I'd Rather be Doing This

I found a few articles on the net about how you can get the flu even if you get the flu shot, but why me? I even found a weekly report for Maryland flu cases. There is way too much medical-ese in it, but the flu is minimal and widespread.

I wasn't looking for a sick timeout at this time. It is Springtime and life is taking off full speed. There are baseball games, house repairs, golf and so many other activities in which to be involved. Instead I spent yesterday on my sofa under my "sick" comforter barely conscious after coming home form the doctor.

Tamiflu is a great medicine, I think it is the reason I am feeling much better today. At least I am awake and have stopped coughing up a lung every time I move. 

The sun is shining! That's a plus.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Political Catastrophe

Every day it seems the news from the Presidential Olympics becomes darker. 

The candidates continue to spew forth utterances that would be unacceptable in the workplace about their competitors and in mean spirited ways.

I also find it sad that one candidate, in particular, continues to believe that if the race is not going well then it is a problem with the rules. I am mystified that so many people do not see through the bellicose bluster and find little meaningful substance beneath. The rules are not stacked against him, he just needs to take time to read the rules book!

It is almost like the kid who shows up at the playground to play a game that everyone else has been playing for years only to tell everyone else they are doing it wrong when he starts to lose.

Change the rules to fit the situation.

And it is not just one candidate taking the stage to participate in a "let's talk bad about the other guy" session. With the exception of one candidate, they all are filling the airwaves with what in almost any other venue would be considered slanderous remarks.

Turning to the Trump family--doesn't anyone find it disingenuous that they are complaining about the rules to register to vote in New York? With the exception of the 9-year old, they are complaining they didn't register to vote in the primary in time. 

Here's a thought--the oldest is 37 and the youngest 21--why didn't they register years ago when they turned 18 and start participating in the process then?

Twisting the news and the rules to meet the personal situation. 

My Take: People must accept responsibility for their shortcomings and not blame something or someone else--like the rules, or immigrants!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

O's Magic

The excitement is certainly back. The only undefeated MLB team, the 7-0 Orioles are finding ways to win and staying in front of the pack. This is the best start ever for an Orioles team. The best start in franchise history was 9-0 by the 1944 St Louis Browns.

Batting Practice in Sarasota, Florida
March 10, 2016

I remember it was just last month, the Orioles were 0-10-2 in Spring Training and I was present for their first win. I could tell that the team was better than its record, but that the manager was checking people in positions and getting ready for the season. 

Apparently, he was successful.

There are still 155 more regular season games to be played, but the team record start is fun to watch. It is far better than the alternative. And I have had the anguish of watching that happen as well.

A 7 game win streak is something special for the Orioles. They have not had a 7 game win streak since April-May 2005.

Looking back to last season, they had one 6 game winning streak and suffered through two 6 game losing streaks. During the 2014 campaign, when the O's won the division, they managed just one 6 game winning streak, but never lost more than 5 in a row. Tonight, the Orioles go for their first 8 game winning streak since September 1999.

Note: the worst start in Orioles history was 0-21 in 1988. Ugh!

The statistics were from Baseball-reference.com.

It is exciting to see success after a season of frustration.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Finding Consensus

Cindy Schornberg Holding the
Virginia Governor's Cup for the Best Wine in Virginia for 2016

The time for the annual trek to Keswick Vineyards to compete in the 2015 Consensus blending event arrived last weekend. Our intrepid team gathered at the vineyard during Saturday's late morning hours to blend an award winning wine. You may be wondering why it is the 2015 Consensus blending event and not the 2016? Because the wine will be a 2015 vintage.

Steven Barnard the Winemaker
Helping the Teams

Blending wines from raw material is both a fun and sometimes frustrating experience. This year's selections were all 2015 wines from Keswick and consisted of Merlot, Chambourcin, Touriga, and Norton. There were limits, however, the final blend could contain no more than 20 percent Chambourcin and 25 percent Norton. The Merlot and Touriga were unlimited.

There were 11 teams competing on the last day of the six days of competition. The winning wine of the day will compete against the other five daily winners to become Keswick Vineyards 2015 Consensus Wine.

Our Team

Of course, the first requirement of blending is to taste and describe the raw ingredients. Each of the wines were tasted and our team assessed its strengths and weaknesses. As a group, all of the wines this year had good color--and obtaining a nice, deep color was not a problem as it had been in other years. 

The Formula Sheet

The next decision was what to use for the base. Our team decided upon the Merlot and based upon the flavors we decided to use Chambourcin to help improve the Merlot. These wines together were a bit acidic and we added Touriga for balance and some Norton at the end to increase the whole mouth experience. The team's final blend, after only two hours of blending was 77% Merlot, 15% Chambourcin, 6% Touriga, and 2% Norton. I know the image would suggest that a different blend was the final winner, but that was a final check before deciding to go with an earlier blend.

The team took a slight detour and worked with a Touriga base for a couple of blends, but decided that the Merlot based wine was a better approach. 

Our Team in the Barrel Room

Our final blend was very nice. It was a medium-bodied wine with a light fruity nose showing hints of summer berries and contrasted by some smokiness and cherries on the tongue. It had a persistent finish and a well balanced full-mouth feel. It was bit acidic but there were some mild tannins supporting the experience. This was not a wine to be cellared for many years, but to be enjoyed tomorrow, although a year or two in the bottle would have certainly helped it all blend together. We liked it.

Suffice it to say, our wine did not win the competition as we had hoped. A Touriga-based wine was the winner of the blind competition. The winner was very dark and full-bodied with the ability to be cellared for a few years. Interestingly, the winner was our teams lowest rated wine. 

On this Saturday, our team was reminded that creating a wine that we like is no assurance that others will appreciate it. 

While we did not win the day, we had a lot of fun being together and continuing to expand our knowledge of wine making.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 11, 2016

1. I figured out how that I must be getting close to retirement because people have begun asking when I plan to retire.

2. 50 degree days seem a lot colder after spending a week on vacation with temperatures in the high 70's and up to the 90's.

Helicopter over Keswick Vineyards
By Cindy Schornberg from Facebook

3. Wine is agriculture and unseasonably cold temperatures can destroy a whole crop. This weekend while I was visiting Charlottesville, the vineyards were using extreme measures to save the vines from the cold--burning hay, flying helicopters to move the air, and employing uniquely designed flame throwing machines to warm the air between the rows of vines.

4. The quote: "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" took on a new meaning this weekend. By the way, I always thought I was quoting Vince Lombardi, but it turns out that UCLA Bruins football coach Red Sanders is the originator of the phrase. 

5. The political landscape remains in complete upheaval. The conventions this summer should be a lot of fun.

6. The Orioles are the only undefeated team in all of Major League Baseball at 5-0. They tied for best start of the season by any Orioles team yesterday with a win. The last, and only, time the Orioles started 5-0 was 1970 and they won the World Series that year!

7. Yesterday's Master's finale showed how the fortunes of golf can turn in just a few holes. Congratulations to Danny Willett for a solid performance. Condolences to Jordan Spieth but also congratulations for his accomplishments. 

8. It doesn't matter of you come in 2nd or 11th--you still lost and that is a hard pill to swallow.

9. One week to Tax Day--are you ready?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Good Morning Virginia

The sun is breaking over the mountains of Virginia this morning. In all of my recent travels, seeing mountains is a relatively new experience.

Florida is flat. So are the Bahamas. The hugest points of land in both places seem to be bridge overpasses. That is why it was so good to watch the rising sun illuminate the mountains this morning.

A change of pace and scenery.

Springtime is not lost, it is just taking a detour.

-- Bob Doan writing from Earlysville, VA