Heralding Autumn's Arrival

Chris Preparing to Help Place the Cover

Although autumn does not officially arrive until later this week on September 22--or Thursday, it arrived at my house yesterday. 

The pool was closed yesterday for the season and that marks the beginning of autumn for me. Why did I close the pool early this year when I normally keep it open until the last week of September or the first week of October? The dry heat caused me to close early.

Pool Ready for the Dark Season

It does seem a bit strange that dry heat would cause me to close early, but the arid conditions have caused many of the trees to start dropping their leaves--many of them still green and I could not keep up with the maintenance on the pool. My pool is a collecting point for leaves.

I always gauge closing the pool with the numbers of leaves falling to the ground. I mowed the lawn yesterday not because the grass was long, but to remove the leaves from the yard. Its sad that summer is ending so abruptly. I had hoped for a smooth slide into autumn.

While it was sad to place the cover and say another long good-bye to summer, I hate to admit that it was time. Pool season has effectively ended with morning temperatures in 60's the water temperature is getting to cold to be enjoyable. 

On a good note, we moved the fire pit into the yard to begin to enjoy the autumn evenings on a more personal basis! 

That is a lot like trying to find a silver lining in a black storm cloud.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sitting by the River

Along the Magothy River

This time if year is perfect for evenings outside as sunset arrives.

Even last evening on the Magothy River. We enjoyed a great Friday evening with friends at a restaurant in a marina watching the evening fall. The clouds arrived and blotted out the sun before the sunset. 

Too soon the weather will be too cold to allow for enjoyment such as this on a Friday night. 

I enjoyed the moment! Along a river on a Friday afternoon as the day is ending and night is falling with friends. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flying into the Sunset

Chris and I went out on a date night last evening to Annapolis. We decided to enjoy dinner at Cooper's Hawk Wine Bar and Restaurant which recently opened. 

Flying into the Sunset

We chose to sit outside to enjoy the evening. It was a beautiful late summer evening. One of those times when the heat and humidity of the summer begins to give way to the dryer cooler evenings of the autumn.

Cropped Version of Image

Dinner was great but the transition from day to night was occurring as we ate and I had a ring-side seat to observe evening arrive. 

The restaurant is near the approach patten for BWI airport and every few minutes another plane would fly into view. I could not hear them as they were still a good distance away, but the clouds made it appear the the planes were flying into the sunset. 

I imagined, for a moment, my own travels returning home at sunset and flying the same route. I wondered how many people looked at the jet that I was on and thought similarly.

The scene provided a canvass of reality which stimulated our conversation during a pleasant dinner for two. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Stop for the Bus

There is a problem in our area, and perhaps, across the country. The problem is that people are not respecting stopped school busses. 

An opinion piece in the Baltimore Sun, titled School bus danger ahead, describes the incredible problem of people not stopping for school busses on-boarding or discharging passengers. 

I was amazed at the sheer numbers of people who ignore the flashing lights and risk injuring a child. In Baltimore County there were 1,002 incidents on one day!

I admit, I get impatient around school busses. The numbers of children getting on or being discharged from the busses can be quite large and it takes a lot of time. If I am stopped by a bus in my neighborhood it means I am already late leaving for work and the last thing I need is to be slowed further by a bus making four five minute stops going down the street.

Regardless--I stop. Kids are unpredictable and busses have a lot of blind spots. Ignoring a stopped bus is dangerous.

Stop when the lights are flashing.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Barely Staying in the Race

It has been a frustrating baseball week. 

From MLB.com

Last week the Orioles had clawed their way to within a game of the AL East Division lead and this week finds them two games out with 18 games left to play. 

The Orioles have been flirting with disaster at almost every turn. After making it to one game out of first the O's have fallen as low as three games out on two occasions during the week. At some point they will need to get the wheels turning again. 

Looking to the future, the O's still have 5 games remaining against the division leading Red Sox, four at home; and 3 games against the Blue Jays in Toronto. The remaining games are against Tampa, 4 at home; Arizona, 3 at home; and finishing the season on the road with 3 on the road against the team whose name shall remain unspoken.

Last night's 6-3 win over the Red Sox game was a model for success. Take an early lead and depend upon solid pitching to get a 1 in the win column. They will need that tonight as they face a 20 game winning pitcher.

This is the final push to the playoffs--and I'm expecting a division championship not just a play in wild card spot.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Keeping the Old Phone?

I reviewed the details of last week's iPhone 7 release. 

Usually when Apple releases a new iPhone, I get excited and try to determine how soon I can get the new model. I confess that I have had at least 3 iPhones (4, 5, and 6) and have adapted to the phone's peculiarities which integrates very well with the electronics in my home.

I'm not as excited about iPhone 7. 

The advertisements have not created a need for me to spend hundreds of dollars to replace my perfectly functioning iPhone. 

I even found an article which encourages keeping the old phone alive and working!

That's where I am. The commercialization of my life has not made me a willing consumer for an upgrade. I, at least right now, am content and even though my phone is over two years old, it is my phone and it works great.

It is a liberating feeling not to be enslaved to a technology upgrade. I think Ill wait and see what the iPhone 8 has to offer in a couple more years.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 12, 2016

Sunset in the Sky
September 11, 2016

1. It is the second week of September already. Unbelievable.

2. I played golf at Eisenhower Golf Course yesterday and enjoyed teeing off just after dawn. I also enjoyed the fast 3 hour 30 minute round. I also enjoyed making birdie on a par 5.

3. Chris and I went for a walk last evening and were treated to a beautiful sunset sky. It was fun to walk and watch the sunset deepen and the stars come out.

4. Our family celebrated opening Sunday of the NFL by gathering for a great party. Riordin was excited about the party as well, he decided to guard the Doritos. 

5. The Orioles had a good weekend and remain in the hunt to win the AL East Division. They remain only two games out of first place and are currently tied for the first wild card position. There are 20 games left to play.

Standings After Games of September 11, 2016
From MLB.com

Chewbacca

6. We took Thursday's happy hour on the road and made Chewbacca, Patrick's dog, very happy.

7. I thought that the 9/11 observations were very tasteful. It is hard to believe that it has been 15 years.

8. There are a number of good movies that seem to be hitting the theaters right now. I want to see Sully and Pete's Dragon--yea I'm a sucker for a boy meets dragon story.

9. With the arrival of Autumn on the horizon, the pace of life will significantly change.

10. September baseball decides which teams will be playing late in October for a chance to be World Series Champions.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday Sports and Events

It was hot here yesterday. The stress index was over 100 degrees and the actual temperature climbed to 96 degrees.

Jax #8 Ready for the Play

Football happened, the deconstruction of the unused swing-set in the back yard happened, and time in the pool happened.

Life continued despite the heat. We just took it easy and drank lots of liquids. 

Washer Motor

Jax's football team finally scored, in their third game of the season, but sadly still fell to defeat 12-6. The other team had one play that the boys just couldn't seem to stop reliably. 

In other action, Chris and I decided to dismantle the swing-set which had been unused. As we were deconstructing it, we realized that it was definitely at end of life.  Now the pile remains in the yard waiting for a trip to the landfill.

Did I mention that I wasted  another four hours on the washing machine? I believe the problem is in the wiring and I have ordered a new wiring harness. After that the washer is declared dead and we will replace it!

A busy Saturday. Right now, I am heading to the golf course to relieve some of yesterday's stress!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Football Arrives

With the game between the Broncos and the Panthers on Thursday night, the NFL returned and moved back onto my weekend calendar threatening to push aside all of the wholesome things I used to do on a quiet Sunday afternoon.


Our family is a huge NFL family with many different teams being represented as fan favorites. A quick survey finds that members of the clan root for the following teams:

Baltimore Ravens
Dallas Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers
Washington Redskins
Denver Broncos
Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Giants

A true mixture of rivalries. 

I wish that football would wait until the baseball season is over, but that seems unlikely since baseball continues until October. And then the NHL (yes Hockey) season gets going. 

We have a robust family Fantasy Football League and we are all vying to be the League Champion! I guess it is just that time of year where the collision of the sports teams happens. 

And this is just week 1. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections of Summer

As school is back in session and the kids have lost their summertime freedom, Ethan, my grandson, made the following observation:

"We don't realize that we should treasure every day of summer because too soon it is gone and all we have left are the memories."

That was deep--very deep.

Be in the moment and enjoy the moment.

I spent a lot of time yesterday getting my pool ready to close for the season. I could feel summer slipping away even though the temperature was in the 90s. 

But I was fully enjoying my work on the pool because I know that in a few very short weeks, the cover will be on and the fun will be over.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Losing the Light

Chops on the Grill
September 7, 2016

I went out to my grill last evening and fired it up to prepare dinner. It was after 7PM and I was amazed at how dark it had become. It was too dark to cook. Fortunately, I have a grill light that was ready to pierce the darkness and illuminate the cooking surface.

I looked at the evening as it was falling and realized that it only happens sooner every night from here. Each successive day is about 2 minutes and 30 seconds shorter right now. Sunset tonight, in the Baltimore area, will occur about 7:25 PM. Just a short month ago, sunset occurred at 8:10 PM.

All I know is that I had to turn the light on to see the meat on the grill. Of course, there were some rainclouds in the area that provided a short shower a while later. It was dark and that made me sad. The light of summer is fast fading.

I need to grill as much as possible right now because too soon I will be standing outside in the dark wrapped up in a heavy coat grilling as the snow flakes blow past my face.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Clawing Back into the Race

Standings as of the games played on September 6, 2016
From MLB.Com

It is the closest division in all of major league baseball--the american League Eastern Division. Three teams are within one game. Two are tied for the lead and the Orioles, after a poor showing during August, are poised just one game out of first place.

It is September baseball. 


The smallest lead in any of the other five MLB Divisions is 4 games--but the AL East is a true fight between the Bluejays, the Red Sox, and the Orioles. There are 24 games left to play in the regular season and now it seems that every game is just a little bit more important. And the team whose name shall remain unspoken is just 4.5 games off the pace, too--something added to make it interesting.

The push for the playoffs is underway.

This is the time when the 162 game season gets serious for teams still in contention.

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Three-day Weekends

Holiday weekends are a great change of pace. I enjoy having a Monday off--until I get to work on Tuesday and realize that I what backed up over the three-day weekend.

I especially enjoy the idea of being able to head off somewhere, like to the beach, for a quick weekend away, or to complete a larger than normal project around the house. 


The season of holidays is upon us. During the next four and a half  months, we will celebrate seven of the ten Federal holidays. I have a feeling, for instance, that a new and better fire pit will be my Columbus Day project. It will be October then and there will be many opportunities for its use immediately after it is built. 

I do miss going to the beach. I only had about one day of beach time this year--it that. Amazing for a beach lover. I am glad, however, that we did not go to the beach for Labor Day this year because of the tropical storm that sat off the coast. And I got to help with a remodeling project which took a lot of time and creativity.

Well, Labor Day is over and it is back to work and getting into the rhythm of September. Too soon it will be October.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 5, 2016

1. Happy Labor Day!

Jeremy and Mike as the Flooring
Begins to be Laid

2. We turned out to be geniuses by not planning a beach vacation for this Labor Day. Tropical Storm Hermine has been keeping many beaches closed and providing for less that beach fun weather.

At the End of the Day
Still more to do

3. Laying flooring is a hard and long job. the weekend has been mostly devoted to getting a flooring project done for Nicole and Mike. 

4. Makayla was tired last evening on the ride home. She fell asleep on my arm. Fortunately, Chris was driving.

5. Interesting problems associated with the President's arrival in China. The New York Times reports that the Chinese and the Americans disagreed about many things related to the arrival and both countries get a black-eye in the incident. 

6. More people prefer printed books to electronic books! Yay. I'm not weird. 

Makayla Sleeping on my Arm

7. The Orioles are clawing their way back into the AL East Division race. They fell to three games out of first place yesterday, but did win the series from the team whose name shall remain unspoken from up north.

8. The swirl around Colin Kaepernick's protest bothers me. I support his right to protest, I do not approve of the widespread media coverage. The media has again created news rather than reporting news.

9. The weather is going to get hot again this week! Yay! 

10. I enjoyed three relaxing mornings this weekend. Two of them included sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee reading the newspaper. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Football Arrives

Jax (#8) On the Ball Carrier

It was hard to believe, but it was already the second game of the season for Jax's youth football team.

Jax after the Game

I hate to admit it, but it was a beautiful September afternoon on a local football field which was clearly built for the home team while the visiting team had to sit in the weeds around the other side. 

It was, sadly, another blow-out for the boys from GORC. They lost 31-0 and have now scored a total of 0 in their two games and given up over 60 points.

But they are learning the game and they have good attitudes. The coaches are doing a great job with all of the raw talent they have on the team.

Jax did make a highlight worthy play. He hit the opposing quarterback just as he released the ball for an attempted pass. The ball fell harmlessly to the ground. Jax got a defensive sticker for the play!

If they are playing football, it must be September!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

September Morning

Sitting on the back deck this morning with the temperature in the upper 60's, I had to accept that September had arrived. I have been in denial.

September Arriving

Although the leaves still retain the vibrant green of summer, the breeze was blowing many of them down into my pool--which prompted the question, "When are we going to close the pool?"

I hate that part of September--closing the pool.

Even though the pool still looks like summer, autumn is creeping closer to steal away the sun, the warmth, and then the leaves.

The pool is still open and the water is warm. The air, however, is cool.

It was a great summer and the thought of its passing makes me sad. But there are many joys in the memories.

The circle of life continues.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What is a TNC?

I learned something new last evening.

I learned what TNC and TNCS stand for.

I think.

I had to pick up someone form BWI (Baltimore Washington International Airport) and spent some time at the Cell Lot.

There were lighted signs at the entrance to the Cell Waiting Lot announcing that TNS and TNCS pick-up were illegal!

That seemed pretty extreme.

I had no idea to what they were referring. I wondered if I was doing something bad?

Turns out the signs were referring to transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.

Who knew?

I would think that something as important as having a big sign about it would be a widely understood term. I guess not.

Beware the illegal TNCS pick-up!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: The Media is Selecting Our Next President

I have been very busy lately with the pace of life speeding up as school starts and summer ends. I have even lost the "bubble" on the Presidential Olympics.

Do You Know These People?
One of them will likely be our next President

I have noticed that the two "horse" race seems to be broadening.

In some of the latest polls, which I view on RealClearPolitics, there are four names in the race.

The current face-off between the front runners is a media creation. Uneven coverage of the issues during the primaries and coupled with the sensational antics of both of the current major party standard bearers caused the electorate to focus on "form" and overlook "substance."

The same is happening now. But, may be beginning to change.

I have heard commentators suggest that both of the leading candidates are flawed Presidential contenders--yet, the media, when showing poll results continues to focus only on those two even though there are at least two additional candidates garnering up to 20 percent of the potential vote (depending of course on which poll results you choose to view).

Even the scheduled presidential debates only recognize the two major party candidates. The media is limiting the access of Americans, the voting public, the We the People to a predefined paradigm without recognizing that many Americans are asking for alternatives.

Can you name all four of the candidates who received at least 5 percent of the interest as recently as the August 30 NBC News Poll?

My Take: Keep your options open and do not let the media shape you views or vote!Search for the truth by digging deep!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Airs

I can feel it in the morning when I can also see it in the stars above. Autumn is approaching.

Morning temperatures have been in the 60's--which seems cool. I even had to drive my convertible to the golf course on Sunday with the heat running and the windows up because the air seemed too cool on my arms.

Orion has returned to the morning sky and the fact that I see stars again as I head out for my day reminds me that the days are growing shorter. Too short it seems. I went out for a walk last evening about 8:30 PM and it was dark. Totally dark. Scary dark.

Daylight has been reduced to just over 13 hours per day and I noticed yesterday morning that the sun was only just beginning to rise as I left the club following a tough racquetball match. Since daylight peaked during the solstice, at just less that 15 hours during June, we have lost almost two hours of sunlight. 

With the demise of August, the slide towards December darkness continues at a steady rate of about two and a half minutes per day. By the end of September the sun will be rising after 7AM and setting before 7PM. We lose over two hours of sunlight per day as September progresses and finally becomes October.

I need to make the most of the remaining daylight. And enjoy it and remember it until it begins to return and strengthen.

The first days with a highs less than 80 degrees are on the horizon for the weekend. 

Summer is slipping away. Too fast. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles August Blues

OPACY August 29, 2016
The Sun Setting on the Orioles Season

I can almost feel the successful baseball season slipping away. 

I witnesses another lackluster hitting performance by the Orioles last evening which squandered some outstanding defensive plays and a solid pitching performance in a 5-1 loss.

It was good to be at the park, although at times the most exciting thing happening was happening with my Pokemon Go.

It almost looks like the Astros visit to the OPACY two weeks ago all over again. The pitching staff responded admirably with 11 strike outs against a Bluejays team that is definitely gearing up for the post-season, but the hitters were largely ineffective at the plate. 

Box Score for Middle Five Hitters
AB, H, R, RBI, BB, SO, LOB
Bluejays vs Orioles
August 29, 2016

The vaunted offense was stifled with only 4 hits--two by JJ Hardy including the lone Orioles run, a solo shot that food its way out of the stadium. The five big guys in the middle of the order were 0-16 with a walk. It was painful to watch as the Orioles slipped to four games out of first.

September is almost upon us and here's hoping for a resurgence of the power that I witnessed earlier in the season. The playoffs are in sight, but the vision is fading. 

It is definitely go time!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 29, 2016

1. It is the last Monday of August 2018. The eighth month of the year will come to an end later this week leaving us at the mercy of September.

Sunrise at Renditions in Davidsonville, MD
August 28, 2016

2. Early morning golf, just at sunrise on Renditions in Davidsonville, MD. It was a beautiful morning and I do enjoy watching the world wake from the serenity of a golf course.

3. I just learned that although Maryland has a 6 percent sales tax rate, and a separate 9 percent tax on alcohol, it also has a variable tax on other items, like golf courses, up to 10 percent. Based upon cost of living computations, Maryland residents are the 7th most taxed in the country, ranking 44th out of 51. 

4. The Zika panic is spreading across the country after cases have been discovered in Florida. Could it come here? With the exception of Wyoming, it already is, although Florida is the only state, so far, where the virus is being caught from local mosquitoes. 

Little League World Series Winners
Maine-Endwell, NY

5. I love the Little League World Series. I enjoy watching the boys play baseball in its nearly pure form. And I enjoyed watching a team from near where I grew up win it all this year. Congrats to Maine-Endwell, NY. 

6. I remember reading an interesting assessment of the most dangerous, to humans, animal in the world. It was the mosquito.

7. After giving up 25 runs in their previous two games against the "team whose name shall not be spoken" from up north, the Orioles clawed out a stirring 5-0 victory yesterday. Sitting at 3 games out of first place in the division, and with the division leaders coming to town tonight--this series could be for the division lead!

Preparing to Blend a Bordeaux Style Wine
Pearmund Cellars, VA

8. If you want to have some fun, try this test from the Washington Post--try naming 10 national parks just by looking at their maps. I did OK (7 of 10). 

9. Had fun blending wine with friends this weekend at Pearmund Cellars. A different approach to blending great wine. We even got to bring some of our blend home. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Crazy Drivers

I think too many drivers have been watching the scenes from adventure movies and are adopting some of the poor driving practices in their own lives.

That makes driving dangerous for everyone.

Within a five minute span yesterday, I was faced with two dangerous driving situations which should never have happened.


The first was a white SUV driving in the wrong lane--not just one wrong lane, but coming towards me in the right turn lane of a three lane road. The other two lanes were full of people stopped at the traffic light. I'm not sure why this person decided to use the lane, at first I thought they were going to turn into the gas station, which is near the corner--but no, they drove the entire distance almost to me and where the traffic opened before they zipped across the other two lanes and into the proper lanes for the direction in which they were traveling. 

If that was not enough as I was entering I-95 on a long ramp with a blind curve just a few minutes later, just as Chris urged me to slow a bit a minivan came into view driving in reverse in the middle of the ramp. Reverse! There was no where for me to go, although I had a plan as I laid on the horn--I wished I had a bigger horn. For some odd reason, the person driving the minivan stopped, put their vehicle in drive and then proceeded to enter I-95 and I have no idea what was happening--except another very dangerous driving situation.

Be careful out there! It is a jungle!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Making Trucks Go Slower?

I read an article in this morning's Baltimore Sun about how some brilliant person in the government wants to impose mandatory speed restrictions on trucks--supposedly in the name of safety. 

As I did my research on the topic, I found a lot of information especially in BigRig Blogger. 

Obviously, I do not have access to any scientific research on the matter, however, I my observation is that most truck accidents involve an automobile. Clearly, there are the single truck accidents where the accident can be attributed to too much speed--but even so, it is likely because the operator was traveling too fast for conditions--like sliding off a slippery road or flipping while traversing a cloverleaf.

The problem, in my mind, with trucks is not that they go too fast, but rather they travel too slowly and that causes automobile drivers to do dumb and dangerous things to get around them which contribute to the accidents. When trucks become blockers the speed demons on the highway's start driving aggressively to get around them. 

Limiting the maximum speed of a truck to 68 MPH, as proposed, might increase dangerous driving activities and possibly increase truck-auto accidents. There are places in the country where the speed limit on the highways is 75 MPH or higher! We tend to be myopically focused upon the east coast and extreme west coast areas.

The bigger problem, I believe, is to create situations where the trucks do not become blockers. Improve the highways so that the trucks do not block faster traffic--especially in hilly areas as they lumber at 60 MPH us a long hill with a 70 MPH speed limit. 

Installing speed limiters in trucks is not the answer, in my mind.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Falene Wanders By

Falene in the Garden
June 2016

The fawn that I photographed sleeping in our flower garden earlier in the year wandered through the edge of the yard yesterday. 

Falene and Mother
25 August 2016

My how she has grown--but remains under the watchful eye of her mother.

They were not particularly concerned about my presence, in fact, the doe made a gesture that I interpreted as almost wanting to come to me for food. We have not been feeding the wild animals. But, they understand that our yard is relatively safe space. Makayla is very good about not chasing the deer, although she was the one who alerted me to their presence in the yard yesterday. 

It is fun to watch the small, seemingly helpless fawn grow into a deer. Life continues. Even in our relatively small community. 

I hope we have a mild winter.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

O's v Nat's

The annual beltway series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals is underway. 

The MLB schedulers certainly have come up with a good plan by ensuring that these two teams face each other in a four game 2 and 2 series each year. What does that mean? They play four games with two games in each stadium. 

The O's are doing well this year having won the first three games, with the last game to play tonight.

Last evening was a significant game, however, because Zach Britton's Orioles record of over 43 appearances without being scored upon was broken as the Nats scored a run late in the 9th inning. At least he got the team out of the wild 9th inning that saw the Nats score 5 runs to make the final score 10-8.

But it is a win! 

The O's are now only one game behind the tied division leading Bluejays and Red Sox. 

As the season slides closer to September, every game becomes that much more important. An ugly win is still a win! And to get into the post-season, the team needs wins!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cool Evening

Not My Feet!

I walked outside last evening, barefoot, to get the mail. I noticed the cool evening air, in the 70's, and low humidity. I was struck by the contrast of last week's unbearable temperatures with stress indexes in the 100's. 

But last evening was markedly different. I could feel the summer season beginning to pass right before me. I enjoyed stepping onto the still warm pavement of the driveway as I walked the hundred or so paces to the mailbox. 

It was an exciting feeling--the coolness of the evening air and the warmth of the pavement beneath my feet.

I see more 90 degree days in the immediate forecast, but I know that they are becoming less prevalent. It is August, after all, the transition month from the ecstasy of the summer to the dark times of winter. The arrival of September brings changes as leaves fall and frosts arrive to paint colors onto the canvass of the scenery.

I did enjoy the coolness of the evening air, just as I enjoyed the 60's of this morning as I let the dog out. But I miss the dog days, which by some reckoning ended on about August 11th. Summer is slipping away!

How did it pass so quickly?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Troy Whittemore Classic - 2016

Sunday, I played in the Troy Whittemore Classic Golf Tournament at the Trumansburg Golf Course in Upstate NY.

It was the third annual offering of the event designed to remember my very special nephew and fund the scholarship established in his name.

I really enjoy the weekend, remembering Troy and his special humor and life along with many of his friends that I have come to know. 

Best Dressed Golfer?

The tournament is a lot of work and I know it is a labor of love for one of Troy's best friends--Mike Kasel, and we all appreciate the hard work that he puts into getting everyone off on time. While this year's tournament included a drought ending rainstorm--it was a drought ending rainstorm, however, which was a good thing. It did not dampen the spirits of those who attended.

The rain, however, did cause some fun on the course. Once I donned my rain jacket, which did not go well with my outfit, I was an interesting sight. I ran across another golfer similarly attired. Which one pulls the look off the best?

Thanks to the golf course and thanks to Mike and his family and friends for all of their hard work. I am already looking forward to next year's tournament.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 22, 2016

Troy Whittemore Classic
Trumansburg Golf Club
August 21, 2016

1. I experienced a drought-breaking rainstorm in Central New York yesterday. Unfortunately, it happened while I was in the middle of a golf tournament. And it all began so peacefully.

2. I did get to play 36 holes of golf over the weekend.

3.  The Orioles are suffering through a mid-August drought of their own. They are 1-5 in their last 6 games!


4. I did finally get a good image of a hummingbird in flight at my Dad's feeder! I successfully stalked the hummingbird.

5. School is beginning in some Maryland counties. Drive safely!

6. Hate is unacceptable and often directed at the wrong people. An article in the Washington Post made me very upset that people can be so shallow!

7. The Olympics are over. Congrats to the U.S. team! They represented us well by bringing home 121 medals.

8. Want to know your trash score? How eco-friendly you are? Check out the quiz from the Washington Post.  

9. It is good to be home again. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Stalking the Elusive Hummingbird

I find hummingbirds to be fascinating. They are so quick at everything that it is hard to get an image of them. Chris and I have been unable to consistently attract them at our house.

I sat in my parents back deck this morning trying to get a good image of a hummingbird at the feeder. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. They seemed to know when I looked away and then swooped I. To feed. By the time I took the image, the hummingbird was gone.

I did manage this one image of a hummingbird trying to decide whether to feed. I wouldn't call it spectacular, but it was the only one that I managed to obtain during over 30 minutes.

It was a beautiful and clear morning. Hopefully it foretells another fantastic day.

The hummingbird stalker was mildly successful.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY

As the Mist Rises

Driving through northern Pennsylvania last evening as the sun was setting Chris and I saw the fog, or was it a mist, rising from the low areas. It had just rained to quench the parched and hot earth. I could almost smell the wet earth in the scene.

It was pretty. The clouds, the setting sun, the hills, and the mist created a visually stimulating sight. It was more beautiful to me because I have been living in flat areas. I do enjoy the beauty of the scene.

It was a beautiful evening. One to remember and fun to observe as I was driving. I still enjoy the sunrise more, however.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY