Monday Musings - June 19, 2017

Summer Flowers Blooming in my Garden

1. The summer solstice is Wednesday. The longest day of light for the year will arrive. And then it will be passed.

2. The forecast for the past few days has been for rain, yet none has materialized.

3. I enjoyed a very different Father's Day. I spent time individually throughout the day with each of my children and grandchildren.

4. Third Eye Blind gives a great concert. It incredibly exceeded my expectations last evening. Unfortunately, we did not arrive home until after midnight. I fear I am going to have a very long day.

5. The red Sonoma should be removed from the driveway today. It will end an era.

6. We discovered a new place to relax in Baltimore. It is called Sand lot and it is right on the water in Fells Point with libations and lots of food. 

Baltimore
June 18, 2017

7. Baltimore has a pretty skyline, especially at sunset. 

8. The Orioles have figured out how to win again! They took a weekend series from the Cardinals, but it was with the bats and not pitching. The winning scores were 15-8 and 8-5. Way too many runs given up.

Quote for the Week

"Our fathers bear an awesome responsibility -- one that they shoulder willingly and fulfill with a love that asks no recompense. By turns both gentle and firm, our fathers guide us along the path from infancy to adulthood. We embody their joy, pain and sacrifice, and inherit memories more cherished than any possession."

Ronald Reagan

Proclamation 4845 -- Father's Day, 1981, May 20, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Where does Chocolate Milk Come From?

This is serious, although I am still mystified.

According to a report in The Denver Post, 7 percent of American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows.

The article, titled, The surprising number of American adults who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows, is really a very deep and interesting discussion about how detached from our food chain Americans are becoming. 

The article summarizes the problem as follows: “At the end of the day, it’s an exposure issue,” said Cecily Upton, co-founder of the nonprofit FoodCorps, which brings agricultural and nutrition education into elementary schools. “Right now, we’re conditioned to think that if you need food, you go to the store. Nothing in our educational framework teaches kids where food comes from before that point.”

The education system, including parents, needs to ensure the entire food chain is known. And it extends beyond chocolate milk and cows.

Brown eggs versus white eggs?

A pickle is a cucumber?

French fries come from potatoes?

Wine comes from grapes? (I had to throw that in)

I am glad that I grew up in rural America where I watched and sometimes helped farmers milk cows, we had a garden, and understood where food comes from.

Drink up and remember that a farmer somewhere is milking cows for their milk, plain white milk no matter the cow color. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Right, Wrong, and The Rifleman

Growing up, television was much different than today. We had the choice of three networks and four channels. Three channels were form Syracuse and represented the networks NBC, CBS, and ABC. Our fourth channel was from Binghamton and was a CBS channel. 

TV was black and white, our color TV was delivered during my 12th birthday celebration. We still only got four channels and had to move the antenna on the roof to see them clearly. 

One of my favorite TV shows was The Rifleman about a widowed rancher who was raising his son during the post-Civil War period in the Hollywood-style Old West of New Mexico. Unlike the TV shows of today, this show had a definite sense of right and wrong. It also portrayed civic responsibility in the idea that sometimes community came before self. It also highlighted the concept of defending those weaker than you. The show aired form 1958 until 1963, but was in reruns for many years afterwards. I can still find it on occasion. 

I realized, the other day, that much of what I learned about right and wrong and community and service came from watching The Rifleman and similar shows.

The show always portrayed a clear sense of right and wrong and it seemed, in my memory, to revolve around a conflict where "bad" showed up required someone to step outside their quiet life and take action to restore order and protect the lives and property of neighbors and friends. The show also portrayed the judicious application of force to protect and serve, a concept that escapes many today.

I'm not sure there is too much of this moralistic storytelling on television today. I find it harder and harder to watch shows on a recurring basis because morally they are self-interest oriented. 

They don't make shows like The Rifleman anymore. I wonder, is that a good thing?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

New Truck

2000 Red GMC Sonoma

Well, it finally has happened. My red Sonoma has reached the end of its trail at 179,990 miles traveled. 

It still starts and moves, but needs some likely expensive work. No fluids are leaking and even after the mechanical catastrophe happened almost two weeks ago, the faithful spirit of the Sonoma deposited me safely in my driveway after a sometimes harrowing and extremely slow 20 mile ride home. 

Ram 1500 Big Horn and Me

Enter the new truck!

Chris and I shopped around and decided to get a new truck to replace the Sonoma. A trucks the size of the Sonoma are not produced anymore, it was clear that we were going to get a larger truck. It turns out, I didn't fully realize how much larger until i actually saw both trucks together. 

Imperfect Size Comparison

The new truck is a Ram 1500 Big Horn. It is not really new, as it is a 2016, but it is new to me. I'm still getting used to the size and creature comforts. 

The Sonoma was power nothing--that's correct I had to manually roll down the windows and the door locks were manual as well.

The new truck is power everything with more options than I could imagine. Even the tailgate has an electronic lock. Who knew?

I am anxious to take it on a longish trip and see how it feels for hours on the road. It certainly rides more like a car than a truck!

My hope is that some 16 years and 180,000 miles from now that this truck is still serving faithfully like its predecessor! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

End of the School Year Party

End of School Year Party
June 14, 2017

For the students and teachers of the Howard County Public School System today is day one of summer vacation! 

What that meant was the the end of the school year party was conducted in my pool yesterday afternoon. And it was a fantastic party. 

I really enjoy sharing the pool with friends and family. It makes all of the work and expense worth it when others can share the fun and joy.

The end of the school year party has almost become an annual event and Chris and i look forward to it every year. It gives us a reason and a date to have everything up and running. This year, despite the forecast for thunderstorms, the weather was fabulous!

And another party is in the books. Cue summer, let's play!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Makayla and the Fox

Makayla, Defender of the Yard

The day got off to a racing start this morning as Makayla defended our  yard from a fox.

Ugh. It all happened at 4:40 AM (that is 0440 hours for the military mind). What does the 0 stand for? Oh my goodness, it's early!

I had seen the fox a few days ago. I had expected a fox to return to the neighborhood because of the rabbit explosion. Rabbits are everywhere! Through the years I have noticed a cycle of that starts with abundant rabbits, then a fox arrives, then less rabbits are seen. And the cycle repeats.

This morning the fox was in the driveway when I let Makayla out for her morning constitutional. I always look outside before I allow her out, but I admit I look for larger animals, like deer. I did not, in the darkness, see the fox. 

Makayla did! For the next ten minutes the fox chase was on and Makayla pursued the fox, which was crying the whole time, through the adjoining neighborhood. Fortunately she tired of the game and came home with the promise food.

At least she was not injured.

Hopefully the fox will stay out of the driveway, but there are a number of rabbits living near the drive and so I fear that it will be a long summer of fox sightings. It is a scrawny fox, too. 

I will do a better job making sure the area is clear tomorrow.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer is Cleared to Arrive

Endless Summer Hydrangea in Full Bloom

The last two evenings erased the last vestiges of Winter and Springtime. With the crowning of the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins on Sunday night and the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors last night, summertime has officially begin. 

It takes a long time for some sports to end. Hockey and basketball began during October and now eight months later they have finally concluded!

On to baseball, except the Orioles are turning in losing scores that look like football contests. They lost 10-7 last night. By one count they have given up 44 runs in their last four games!

But the weather is hot, the pool is cool, and the summertime flowers are abounding in the gardens. June is slipping away so quickly I can't believe it. The solstice will be here all too soon. 

I just enjoy each day and each moment because i know what is lurking just a few months away.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 12, 2017

My New/Used Truck at the Dealer

1. The weather is finally getting to be summer-like. Highs in the 90's and lows in the high 60's or low 70's. 

2. I found a replacement for my truck. It is a 2016 Dodge Ram Big Horn. I take possession of it tomorrow!

3. My 2000 GMC Sonoma has been a faithful servant for the past 10 plus years. I will be sad to see it leave, but the time has come. 

Jackson and Me after the Game
June 11, 2017

4. A long, rain filled GORC Intramural U10 baseball season ended yesterday with a playoff loss for the Dodgers. Jax and the team were devastated  not at the loss but at the way it ended with the umpire making two bad call for two outs in the bottom of the last inning which deprived the team of the comeback they were serving up. 

5. One of the kids on my baseball team asked me if my puka shell necklace was candy. 

6. The deck staining job continues to grow. Now, because the colors don't match, we have to do all the rails balusters. 

7. The pool is fantastic, especially on a hot summer-like day. Why does winter even need to arrive and spoil my outdoor days.

Sidney Crosby Lifts the Stanley Cup
June 11, 2017

8. The cicadas have disappeared. I wonder where they went but there was no excessive noise yesterday. 

9. The Penguins win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year!

Headlines

Opioid Dealers Embrace the Dark Web to Send Deadly Drugs by Mail - The New York Times

Democrats in Split-Screen: The Base Wants It All. The Party Wants to Win. - The New York Times

How the British right went so very wrong - The Washington Post

Quote for the Week

"You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man."

Ronald Reagan

Remarks at a Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day , June 6, 1984

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

More Fun with Decks

Deck Work

It seems that this is the summer of decks. Last weekend I was helping Patrick and Tina and this weekend my deck needed some maintenance and updated stain. 

Chris Clearing the Plants off the Deck

First up was to replace one of the boards. While it should have been easy, one of the screw heads was stripped and I had to pry the board up. I cut a new board to fit and we were ready to deck wash and then after it dried refresh the stain to protect the decking. 

We had last stained the deck about four years ago and it is remarkable how much wear was evident. It was a perfect day for the activity. The humidity was low and so drying time was reduced. 

After the First Coast of Stain

In the end it came out very nicely. It looks good and now we just have to refresh the railings so everything matches. The brighter redwood color is nice as well. Looks like it is going to be a long summer of staining the deck.

It was nice to be able to fall into the pool at the end of the hot workday! Yes, someone finally swam in my pool which has been open for over a month!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weekend Weather and Activity

Jeremy Teeing-Off at the Tournament Yesterday

As I have been writing, it has been a long time since we have had great weekend weather. 

This weekend is it!

The weather looks fantastic, or mostly so, and the outdoor projects are abounding. 

I am excited about the prospects of high 90 degree days in the coming days. That will finally make it worthwhile to bring the pool up to swimming temperature. 

Today, however, looks to be a day to refresh the stain on the deck, mow the lawn, and change the brakes on the car. Tomorrow will be a hot day for a a baseball playoff game, but baseball is supposed to be a summertime sport.

I have also been truck shopping and am totally disillusioned. It is hard to find the truck of my dreams. I know what I want and it does not seem to be out there right now. At least I have time to look. 

Weekends are the busiest.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer Despite the Temperatures

Hydrangea Blooming
June 8, 2017

Technically, it is still the Spring season until June 21st. That is when the calendar officially heralds the beginning of the best season of the year. But, we all know, at least in the United States and in the Northern Hemisphere, that the unofficial beginning of Summer was a couple weeks ago with the Memorial Day holiday.

That written, the summertime flowers are beginning to bloom and despite the cool weather with 50 degree mornings and high 70 degree afternoons, the season is progressing. Yesterday the morning low was 48 degrees and the afternoon high was 73 degrees. Definitely Spring-like conditions and not conducive to swimming in my pool. Today should be a bit more Summer-like with the high reaching about 83 degrees. This morning, however, the temperature was only 58 degrees as I was working around the pool.

Today should be a needed change of pace because I am playing in a golf tournament. 

I guess my weekend is beginning a day early. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Truck Shopping

Dodge Ram
Possibility

The truck shopping has begun in earnest. Fortunately, it is not yet critical because my summertime car, the Jaguar convertible, is happily taking over the load. 

There are so many options out there. Big trucks and smaller trucks. Do I want a Dodge, Ford, Toyota, or Chevy?

Ugh, decisions, decisions. The only think that I am sure of is that I don't want a white truck! I don't know why, but white is not my favorite color. 

Although I have wanted a new truck for a while, I was generally happy with my truck. It is hard to think of getting a different truck, but repairing my truck seems to be out of the question. Although, left to my own devices I probably would.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Deck Work Continues

Working from the Lower Deck

Some projects are not meant to be finished in one or even two weekends. 

Such is the situation with Patrick and Tina's deck. The project is probably more complete than not, but there remains a long way to go.

Close-up of the upper deck

The lower deck has the boards installed, but the upper deck remains. We spent the better part of last evening working out the first couple rows so the the complete will get closer.

It isa process and I am looking forward to the end of the projects party.

I have to remember that projects like this are a marathon and not a sprint.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When Sleep is Elusive

It doesn't happen too often, but occasionally I wake up in the middle of the night with a lot of issues on my mind and I can't get back to sleep.

It is happening right now. It is 2:50 AM, the house is dark and quiet--too quiet for me to go back to sleep. I turned on the fan about 30 minutes ago to generate some white noise and drown out the voices in my head going over the jam packed day ahead.

I need to be at the top of my game today--there are a lot of things that need to be done. For instance, meetings to attend and decisions to influence. I love what I do on a day-to-day basis, but sometimes big and impressively important actions get my mind running down multiple rabbit holes simultaneously. And I can't sleep.

I want the day to begin so that I can tackle what lies ahead. But I need sleep to be on my game.

So I am up. My mind is calming as I write and compartmentalize the plans and actions for the upcoming day. 

Sleep will return soon and with it my anxiety at not sleeping will dissolve.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 5, 2017

Putting on the Decking
June 4, 2017

1. June arrived during the past week and the temperatures are finally beginning to become more summer like.

Tina with a Friend on the Nearing Completion Decking

2. Rebuilding a deck on someone's house has become the modern version of a barn raising. Friends, family, and neighbors show up to help encouraged by copious amounts of food and drink. 

3. Patrick and Tina are rebuilding their deck and I enjoyed helping them this weekend.

Riordin with a Tennis Ball

4. Give a cat a ball and watch the fun begin. Chris and I watched Riordin play with a tennis ball for a very long time. At one point he thought he was a soccer player.

5. The pool is becoming more inviting as the temperatures climb to the 80's. 

6. Is it just me, or are drivers in the highways becoming more aggressive and less considerate?

7. My truck developed a major problem yesterday. It is just shy of 180,000 miles and it may be time to say good-bye and replace it.

Headlines

After London Attack, Prime Minister Says, ‘Enough Is Enough’ - New York Times

On Mosul’s Front Line: A Grueling Battle on Civilian Streets - New York Times

Four Arab nations sever diplomatic ties with Qatar, exposing rift in region - The Washington Post

Quote for the Week

"Sometimes when I'm faced with an unbeliever, an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve and, when we finished eating that magnificent dinner, to ask him if he believes there's a cook." Ronald Reagan Remarks to Soviet Dissidents at Spaso House in Moscow, May 30, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Girl

Makayla
June 3, 2017

Chris snapped a few images of my girl, Makayla, yesterday that are some of the best ones ever taken of her.

Makayla

She was in the yard relaxing while Chris and I were working. The sun really caught the highlights and these are just great shots of a great dog. 

Kaye, as I call her, is very faithful and loves to be around. She is driven by food and treats but is the greatest watchdog on the planet. She keeps track of everything happening in and around our yard.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday at the Ball Game

The View from Third Base

Friday's are good nights for baseball. I actually had tickets to see the Orioles, who defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2, but I traded them in to attend and coach the GORC U10 Intramural Dodgers. 

Coach Mike with the Boys After the Game

I actually love coaching the boys as they learn to love the game of baseball. Last evening was a great game. As the shadows lengthened, they staged a great comeback by trying and then winning the game 12-7 after going down 5-2 early. 

A combination of timely hitting, great fielding and, of course, awesome pitching secured the hard fought victory. Jackson contributed to the victory with a solid hit that scored a couple of runs and good fielding at third base. 

The team needed the win to set the tone for the upcoming week in which they have four more games to close out the season. There are so many games because of rainouts earlier during the season. 

Another game today! Let's hope for another win.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sports Thursday

Yesterday was a great personal sports day.

I started the morning at 5:30 am on the racquetball court and finished the day, just before sunset, on the golf course.

In between I went to work and had my teeth cleaned at my semi-annual dental appointment. 

The day was a beautiful day. The sky was blue, mostly, and the sun shone. We hadn't seen a day like that in a long while.

It is amazing how much better I feel when the sun is shining brightly.

It was a great Thursday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Raindrop Daggers

Raindrop Daggers Falling from the Sky
May 31, 2017

It was a sudden thunderstorm last evening that cooled the evening air and deposited rain across the land. It lasted about 45 minutes but as the sun came out, the raindrops created some interesting opportunities. 

Raindrop Daggers

As the rain fell in the sunlight, I attempted to image them. In the end they came out looking like daggers falling onto the land. 

It was interesting. 

The rain falling in the sunlight against the green background. It isn't something I see every day.

I enjoyed watching the storm and i am glad that they were not real daggers falling from the clouds.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hard Good-bye

Ben Roethlisberger Doan

Ben Roethlisberger Doan, faithful friend to my son Jeremy and our entire family passed yesterday after a difficult illness.

He was a true member of the family for the past ten or so years. Even though he was a hard core Steelers fan, I loved Ben. He was part of my "pair o Kees" as I called the two keeshonden in my life when they were together. 

Ben was a great dog! He was well trained, gentle, smart, and a companion. Chris and I had the opportunity to watch him on many occasions and we always enjoyed his company. He was my "Ben-man." I especially enjoyed the way he would bark in the right place when Jeremy sang the "Here We Go Steelers" song. 

The family is mourning the loss, but rejoicing in the memories of a great, one-of-a-kind dog that left a positive impression on everyone who met him!

Sleep well faithful friend.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings for Tuesday - May 30, 2017

Chewie in the Pool
First Swimmer of the Year

1. The holiday weekend is over and it is on to summer. 

2. The pool was open for the holiday and we actually had our first swimmer--Chewie. 

3. It was a good golf weekend. I played two rounds and enjoyed myself.

4. Yesterday was a good sports day. Both of my bird teams, the Orioles and the Penguins, won. The Orioles snapped a six game losing streak and the Penguins won the fist game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Predators.

5. The celebration, the party, the fun. It was a cool start to the summer.

6. How long does it take to buy four pairs of new footwear? I did it in less than 30 minutes!

7. Is it possible to be too busy on a holiday weekend?

8. I need a new truck. There are way too many options out there.

Headlines

Manuel Noriega, Panamanian strongman toppled in U.S. invasion, dies at 83 - The Washington Post

Syria’s bloodiest battle is yet to come — and 1 million civilians are at risk - The Washington Post

Immigrants Keep an Iowa Meatpacking Town Alive and Growing - The New York Times

Quote for the Week

"It is a great gift God has given each of us -- making us Americans. Who knows why some are so blessed. It's a mystery we cannot fathom but can only adore and be thankful for." Ronald Reagan  Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce, May 2, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Are We All in? Or All out?

Great Barrier Reef

Climate change is a fact. Look at the deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef and the increasingly devastating storms for proof.

A collection of letters to the editor in the New York Times this morning titled, The Risks of U.S. Inaction on Climate Change, lays out some of the concerns that common people have about the situation. 

The United States is a global leader but our inconsistent approach to climate change threatens the continued existence of the planet. OK, maybe I overstated the case a bit, but our consistent inconsistency is disturbing. 

One letter writer wrote: The United States, as the second largest polluter in the world, after China, must reassert its leadership. 

The U.S. must be all in to save our climate. The idea that we can decide that climate change is a non-issue and withdraw from international agreements is wrong.

The U.S. must be all in and taking the lead to protect the planet. We need to get over the short-term gain thinking that is popular right now.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Weekend

The weekend arrived suddenly. It almost caught me by surprise.

Rose in the Garden

The weekend actually began about noon on Friday and by 12:45 PM I was playing golf. It was fun to be on the course on a Friday afternoon. It almost felt like I was playing hooky from school, except, not!

Saturday began early and ended late. I was on the golf course again before 8AM and the day continued rolling from there. It was awesome. The afternoon was devoted to getting some tasks accomplished around the house. The evening was spent with family. 

Now, I am sitting on my computer watching the dawn  break. The green has fully returned, the pool is open and stable, and the Memorial Day Weekend is not the washout that the weathermen predicted. 

Enjoy the day. I plan to enjoy the entire weekend, what remains of it. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD