Orioles Update for June

I have not written much about the Orioles this season. There, frankly, is not much to write. The team is rebuilding and has settled comfortably at the bottom of the standings for the league. It seems that they can win one game of most series, but fall miserably short of being respectable. 

Sporting a record of 21-45, the Orioles are 20 games out of first in the division and 15 games out of Wild Card contention. The team is tied for last place in MLB with the Kansas City Royals, or put another way, they are tied for 29th place in the standings. 

Last evening, to begin their homestead, they defeated the Toronto Bluejays 4-2. The line score shows the tale of the game.

From MLB.com

It was a win, but even-so  the team is now 9-23 at home! 

Chris Davis has taken sole possession of the formerly called "Mendoza-line" which has always been considered a batting average below .200. The line has been redefined as something below that point as Chris Davis is currently batting .164 and still on the team. He finished the 2018 season with a .168 batting average. Unofficially, the Mendoza-line is "often thought of as the offensive threshold below which a player's presence on a Major League Baseball team cannot be justified, regardless of his defensive abilities. The term is used in other contexts when one is so incompetent in one key skill that other skills cannot compensate for that deficiency." (from Wikipedia) Because he is getting $23M per year, he is still suiting up every night when players with lesser salaries would have been long gone. 

I have attended one game so far this season in person and I do not regularly watch the games on television, opting for some movie that I have already seen on Netflix. Usually, I know how both the game and the movie will end.

There are bright sport on the team. John Means, the pitcher last night, has a 6-4 record and as solid 2.60 ERA; but it took him 103 pitches to get out of the 5th inning to qualify for the win last night. 

Jonathan Villar, the shortstop, is exciting and sporting a solid .262 batting average, but he was caught stealing and suffered a put-out (meaning he was on base two times and both opportunities were lost). He has 12 stolen bases for the season may be on track to exceed the 21 he had during 2018. 

The star or the team is, arguably, Trey Mancini, who has 13 home runs and a solid .298 batting average. 

And so, nearing the mid-way point of the season, the team is on track for a 52-110 season, which is marginally better Thant the 47-115 they sported last year. Before the season started I predicted a 105 loss season and since they have almost completed the season meetings with the Yankees (2-10 with 7 games remaining) and completed play against the Twins (0-6 with no games remaining), my prediction may still be in play. That means they are 19-29 .395 against the rest of the league!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Door Flag

Door Flag
Elkridge, MD
June 9, 2019

Chris and I found a new door flag to hang at the entrance of our house. I took this image of it hanging after dark--it really highlights the flag. 

We like having a flag hanging at the entrance to the house to highlight the season. This one helps connect our two homes--here and Florida. Although we cannot simultaneously be in both places, we can remain connected to each. 

Door flags and garden flags add a personal touch to the premises. Some of the flags are used to display adherence to a certain set of beliefs or political preference. For instance, I am seeing rainbows as door flags. Other flags are patriotic and people display the American Flag, but at our house the location of the flag holder is on the wrong side of the door. Yes, there is a correct and incorrect place to display the American Flag. The flag we fly just tries to evoke the sentiment that I'd rather be at the beach. 

Fly your flag proudly, whatever you are trying say.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 10, 2019

1. It has been a two-week hiatus, but Monday Musings is back! Do I hear cheering?

2. Welcome to the second Monday of June. Summer is upon us.

Where I Was Last Monday
Tequesta, Florida
from Radio Flyer
June 4, 2019

3. I have to confess, because I was in Florida last week I did not even realize that it was Monday and forgot to write Monday Musings.

4. It was sobering to watch the President making remarks from Normandy's beaches on the anniversary of D-Day reminding me that it had been 75 years since oppression was repulsed.

5. The youth baseball season is over but not forgotten. We are having a team party next weekend. 

6. The rains have started again. Chris and I got some great outdoors work accomplished during the good weather. Another 8 bags of mulch were placed in the gardens and the pool was spruced up a bit.

7. I am enjoying that it does not get dark until after 8:30 PM. It makes the days last longer.

8. The official start of summer is less than two weeks away! Summer begins on June 21st at 11:54 AM!

9. Reminder--schools are beginning to release for the summer during the next two weeks! Watch out for distracted children and parents.

Headlines

Hundreds of thousands march in Hong Kong to protest China extradition bill - Reuters

Civil disobedience campaign empties streets of Sudan's capital - Reuters

A Drama of Trump’s Own Making Ends With a Familiar Hero - The New York Times

Texas Is Latest State to Pump the Brakes on Red-Light Cameras - The New York Times

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Winston Churchill said, "The destiny of man is not measured by material computations. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we're spirits -- not animals." And he said, "There's something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty."

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.

We'll preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we'll sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness.

  -- A Time for Choosing, October 27, 1964, Los Angeles, CA

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And so the Season Ends

Pre-game Warm-up GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup)
June 8, 2019

The GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup) ended their playoff run and their season yesterday with a bone crushing loss. It is the kind of loss that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth because the winning team was not necessarily the better team, they just received too many breaks in the first inning.

Line Score GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup)
June 8, 2019

The box score tells the tale of the game. The opposition managed 8 runs on 2 hits with 6 walks. Five of GORC's errors (3 fielding and 2 passed balls on 3rd strikes) occurred during the first inning in which it took the equivalent of 8 outs to get out of the inning. Taking away those errors, which all occurred with two-outs and no runs in, the score should have been 3-2. 

Pre-game Team Meeting
GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup)
June 8 ,2019

Once the defense stiffened, the team managed some great plays, including turning another double play and solid play by the catcher, third basemen and shortstop, but they just were not ready to play at the start of the game. It felt like we had two outs for an hour during the now pivotal first inning. We had some heroic plays as well by players who were injured fielding the ball but still made great plays before succumbing to the pain or the dirt in their eyes. Jax was one of those, on a ball hit back to him while he was the pitcher dirt got into his eyes, but he still made the throw to first for the out. And in another, the centerfielder, Cal, got hit by the ball which took a bad hop but was able to field it and get it to home plate to cut down a runner. 

Despite the heroics and the solid defense, the game ended before the bats could overcome spotting the other team 6 runs during the first inning. 

Although the season is over and the sting of the loss is still fresh and painful, the one thing that I will take away from the season is that the boys are now baseball players and not just playing baseball.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday at Home

Chris, Me, and Finnegan in Front of our Florida Home
Tequesta, Florida
June 4, 2019

I was going to start by writing that I am at home for the first weekend in a while, but then I realized that last Saturday I traveled from one home to the other. It is still weird to try and wrap my mind around that seeming contradiction of traveling away from home to come home. 

I am already looking forward to my return trip to Florida during July to enjoy additional time at our southern residence. 

Chris and Finn Chatting with Neighbors in the Pool
Tequesta, Florida
June 4, 2019

I was able to get Radio Flyer airborne on one occasion during our most recent trip south. It was our last day after all of the work had been done around the house before we decided to pack for our return trip north. The first image from Radio Flyer is of the entrance to our Florida home. The blue car is in the driveway in front of our garage and we are on the walkway to our front door. Did you notice the palm tree in the front of there condo? Yup, I have a palm tree of my own!

Looking to the Atlantic
Tequesta, Florida
June 4, 2019

The neighborhood is a very nice place to relax and everyone seems very nice and friendly. We have met many of the neighbors in our community, especially those with whom we share the building. The pool is across the street, but the entrance is around to the other side from where we live. 

I flew Radio Flyer up to about 200 feet and aimed the camera towards the east to show how close we are to the ocean. The water in the middle of the image is the Intracoastal Waterway and Indian River, the tall buildings are on Jupiter Island and beyond is the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The road in the foreground is US 1. It seems that I enjoy living near US 1 as it drive on it every day in Maryland and now also in Florida. 

The location is perfect and we are able to get to the beach in less than five minutes. We actually clocked it at four minutes one day, of course when the drawbridge is up it takes a few minutes longer.

Dreaming of being home! Wait, I am!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What do You Do When You Want the World to Go Away?

Finnegan Hiding in the Pillows
Tequesta, Florida
June 5, 2019

A funny thing happened Wednesday morning as Chris and I were making final preparations to return to the Baltimore area on an early morning flight. Finnegan, who is generally a good traveler, suspected something was up and tried to hide from the world and the activity happening around him. 

Chris and I were making preparations to leave including ensuring that the beds were fresh and that the garbage and recycling was properly disposed of so that it would not sit and rot in the garage until our return. There was a great deal of activity happening during a short span of time.

It was early and it was still dark outside. We were up at about 4:30 AM making the final preparations to depart and Finnegan was having nothing of it.  He found a quiet and safe place among the pillows on the bed and curled up to get some peace and quiet. It was really funny because both Chris and I wished that we could do the same. But, of course, we could not hide from the world. 

Sadly, we had to pull him from his warm safe place and force him to face the pre-dawn morning as we made our way to the airport. I don't think he actually woke up until we were through security.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Walking Along the Beach

Our Footprints on the Sand
Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
June 4, 2019

The trip to Florida is complete. We arrived safely back to Maryland yesterday and were greeted at the airport by our friends Fran and Mary. Our house was in great shape as we walked through the door and although it was, as it always is, good to be home, it was sad to leave Florida,

We had successfully traveled from home to home in the reverse of our Saturday trip. I found the Uber driver yesterday morning to be a fascinating person to converse with and it made the 25 minute trip to the airport pass quickly. Fortunately traffic was light at 5:30 AM.

I will miss the morning beach walk along the ocean. The water was warm and inviting and while the shells are not as plentiful as other places, there were lots of natural treasures to be found along the beach. I also miss the heavy smell of the damp earth that greeted me in the morning, although it seems to rain as much in Maryland as Florida lately. It is raining right now outside of my window as I write this blog. And silly me, I was thinking the lawn was a bit dry as I mowed yesterday. 

I guess that I have become a true coastal traveler. Racing up and down the East Coast has become a pastime. I have already planned my return Florida engagement and it will be for more than just a few short days. I am amazed at the number of projects that I am completing in my new home. It seems that the number of things to do is endless. But, that is how it is with a home--always something to do to keep things in good repair.

Until I return, I will continue my morning beach walk in my mind until I return. I will pitch my umbrella and beach chair and sit staring at the surf and hear the waves impact the shore. And not to forget the palm trees waving in the breeze! they are there in my memory as well.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saying Goodbye

Jupiter Lighthouse
June 3, 2019

It is time to say goodbye and head from home to home. It is cool having two places to call home, but sad when it is time to leave the Florida home to head back to the complexity of life in Maryland.

It was a short stay, but Chris and I covered all of the bases and most importantly all of the furniture we had ordered arrived on time yesterday and In good condition.

But we have to leave. Monday night was must drink Monday and we went to our favorite watering hole, The Square Grouper right at the confluence of the rivers in Jupiter.

We will be back soon but at least we are always home whether in Maryland or Florida.

— Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Doig Tired

Finnegan Dog Tired
Tequesta, Florida
June 3, 2019

Yesterday was a busy day. I know that I was exhausted by the time the day was done. Finnegan was also apparently tired as he crashed on the sofa and just watched the activity around him. 

I had to capture his expression as he just watched the activity around him. 

I had to smile--we have been dragging him everywhere, but yesterday we decided to give him a day off and he perked up by the time the day was over. I am sure he will not be too excited about traveling tomorrow.

Travel days are exhausting.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Flat Water and Great Days

Home Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach, FL
June 2, 2019

As Monday morning dawns and I hear the distant sound of the train whistle, I realize how lucky that I am to be away from the rush of my day-to-day life and in Florida where Chris told me yesterday, as we were walking the beach, I am living the dream. I cannot fully comprehend how fortunate that i am to have the opportunity that currently have to be able to fly two-and-a-half hours from home to home! 

The weather has been almost idyllic in that the mornings are fantastic and then the obligatory afternoon rains come through making the evenings are nice and steamy. Chris and I have been completing a multitude of projects around our Florida home. We are still decorating and looking for that perfect piece of furniture for one room or another. Yesterday we found the perfect carpet for our patio area and it makes the place "pop!"

Even more exciting than the projects and the relaxation, the ocean has been still and inviting. Yesterday at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge the water was still! Flat even. It was war and inviting and we spent time in the water and strolling the beach looking for shells. We saw no less than three crab, big crabs, playing in the surf and I saw sand fleas launching themselves in the water to find new places to spend some time. It is summertime, almost. 

Yesterday was National Cancer Survivor Day and I am both happy and sad to count myself among that group of people. Happy that I am a survivor, but sad that I joined the group in the first place. It is truly a group that no one actively seeks to join. 

Today, more sun, ocean, projects, and relaxation. It is the beginning of the workweek after all. I am hoping to enjoy more flat water. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Walking the Beach

On the Beach
Jupiter, Florida
June 1, 2019

We arrived home, well at our Florida home, about 11:40 AM yesterday and we were on the beach by 1:30 PM! Less than three hours after arrival, doing some unpacking, and getting some supplies we were on my favorite Jupiter beach. 

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
June 2, 2019

It is off season here. The perfect time to enjoy these south Florida beaches. We went to the beach yesterday and there were all of three other couples on a mile long stretch of clear water and gentle waves. 

We repeated our beach experience this morning with a walk along a stretch of beach occupied mostly by fishermen and exercise conscious people. It was awesome. We have promised each other to walk the beach every morning, weather permitting, to enjoy one of the reasons that we have a house in Florida--the ocean. And the beaches are less than 5 minutes away. I waste more time than that getting ready!

Even Finnegan is enjoying the beach time. He loves sniffing at the seaweed baking in the sun. Who knows what could be hiding in there? 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Traveling Again

Chris and Finn at BWI
June 1, 2019

And we are off. Heading to our Florida home for a couple of days. For me I will have completed a tour of six airports in three days. But arriving in West Palm will be the crowning achievement.

Chris and Finn are with me. Yay. Hopefully in a few short hours I will be on a beach enjoying sun, sand, and relaxation. I did not get home last evening until about 13:30pm due to weather delayed flights. That left the packing for this trip entirely to Chris who did a magnificent job balancing everything.

I think I will get a weekend at home next weekend. Maybe.

Rock and roll. Travel again.

— Bob Doan, BWI airport, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Dayton, OH, May 2019

Out my Hotel Window - Dayton, OH
May 30, 2019

Another day and another hotel. Staying for only one night in a hotel is tough because there is almost no reason to unpack. I am traveling with just my backpack which makes it easy to get around where but does complicate getting needed items which are at the bottom. But, I have become a believer in traveling light and with a backpack. It is a lot easier to lug a backpack around an airport than a suitcase. And my clothes need to be ironed upon arrival regardless of whether I use a suitcase or not.

The view out my hotel window here in Dayton is busy. It is also dark and rainy. Rain has been a constant on this trip. I long for sunny skies. I thought the raindrops on the hotel window when I took the image were a nice tough looking at the rainclouds and the clearing skies, which never materialized, in the distance.

At least I have a view to enjoy.

Today I am hoping/planning on getting home to sleep in my own bed again. But tomorrow, I will be off on another adventure! First things first, however, I must get through today and accomplish the very specific goals laid out for me. Summer is drawing close. Today is the last day of May--how quickly it has slipped away. Tomorrow, June arrives and it is the month during which Summer begins! The best season of the year. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Dayton, Ohio

Barn

Barn in a Field
Ithaca, NY
May 27, 2019

Traveling is tough sometimes, well, all the time. 

Over last weekend I finally got to fly Radio Flyer again and get some images of the area around Ithaca. I still have not been able to fly into some of the gorges to capture the beauty there, but I hope to remedy that soon. 

On one of my early morning Memorial Day flights, I was able to capture this barn which sits alone in a field. I thought the red board contrasted nicely with the tree springtime grasses and trees. 

The flights that Radio Flyer  made on Monday were not long, but they were my first flights in over a month. I am amazed at how the weeks seem to be slipping away. At least it is only being lost a day at a time.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Omaha, NE

Out the Hotel Window - Omaha, NE - May 2019

Out My Hotel Window - Omaha
May 28, 2019

Welcome back to Nebraska and Omaha, home of the College World Series! 

The view out my hotel window is of an open area and filled with visual stimulating activity. It is raining this morning, but was only overcast last evening as I took the image. 

Bread Counter in Upstream Brewing Company
Omaha, NE
May 28, 2019

The city was almost deserted last evening as I went to dinner. It was a short walk to The Old Market area and the Upstream Brewing Company, where I dined. I enjoyed a wholesome dish of Stroganoff, something that I have not had in many years along with a very nice pint of a local IPA. I recommend this a good place for dinner and a relaxing glass of brew.

It was good to be back in a place that seems almost familiar, although the city keeps growing and changing. I ran across a funny thought as I was leaving the restaurant last evening and it was so good that I had to take a picture. It made me smile. I suppose something similar could be written for grapes that become grape juice or raisins instead of wine!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Omaha, NE

When Tuesday is Monday

Sunset Behind the Trees
Ithaca, NY
May 26, 2019

It happens after every three-day weekend: Tuesday is really a Monday in disguise. 

Yes, it seems weird, but even when a holiday falls on Monday, the workweek still begins with a Monday only a day later on Tuesday.vThe first day of the workweek, regardless of when the week begins, is always Monday. It is just how things in the working world seem to progress. Every week begins with a Monday. There are just tasks that need to be completed which happen on the first day of the week after a weekend--hence,  Monday. 

I am fortunate to have been off and away for the better part of four days, but it had not, as you know from reading yesterday's entry,  been a vacation. 

And so, I travel out on this Monday on Tuesday morning to my place of employment. I know that my retired friends are not similarly afflicted by trying to keep track of the day of the week--but, it is where I am at for now and so I will move along through the day. 

At least the sun is climbing into the sky for another day and the probability of rain is somewhat reduced. 

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saying Goodbye

Happy Memorial Day! That seems weird to write. It is a holiday to remember sacrifice and heroism. Shouldn't it be happy as we recall those who have gone before us to secure the freedoms that today we enjoy?

I'm taking a break from Monday Musings this week to focus on the holiday and the feeling of melancholy that I am experiencing.

Yesterday was a tough day for my family. We said good bye to the place on the planet that has been called home by most of us. Mom and Dad drove away with tears in their eyes as the door closed behind them for last time ending a 43 year-long era. It was sad. I, too, had tears in my eyes although I had never lived there. It was the seat of the family. It was the closing of a chapter in the book that we call our lives.

I took this final image of my sister Pennie sitting in the nearly empty garage after everyone else and the moving truck departed. Everything there is destined to be cleared out by tomorrow and the house will be for sale like meat at the market. Mom and Dad are the second owners of the home and soon the third owners will take over stewardship of the property.

I want to thank my cousins for coming to help with the transition. It was good to see them and remember the picnics and barbecues we shared there together.

Time shared and times remembered. I wonder what it will be like when I say goodbye to my house like Mom and Dad just said to their home?

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Back into Spring

Flowering Dogwood
Danby, NY
May 25, 2019

The flowering trees are still in bloom here in Upstate New York. It is like stepping back in time to enjoy Spring. The pink dogwood tree is adorning my parents's backyard and adding color to the area. The trees are green as is the lawn. Set against the blue sky, it is a scene that I have enjoyed many times.

I made time to enjoy it once more yesterday by taking a break between demolition and cleanup. We are hoping to get the house market ready by the end of the weekend. It is the end of an era as mom and dad have lived there for about 43 years. There are tons of members ories from the family events that have happened there. I remember painting the deck and doing repairs around the house during those years.

But, it is a new era and transition is in the air. Memories are more important than things. Well, I have to keep telling myself that as we add more stuff to the dumpster.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Traveling North

Route 15 North of Williamsport
May 24, 2019

Yesterday was a travel day. Chris and I headed north to Ithaca for the holiday weekend. Traffic was heavy most of the way until we finally made it to the northern mountains of Pennsylvania. Then the green covered hills became the centerpiece of the trip and the numbers of cars drastically reduced.

Along the way we saw the remains of two terrible accidents that closed I-83 south in separate places and we exited the roadway before coming upon a closure for the northbound travelers like ourselves. It was not a good day for traveling on I-83 in Pennsylvania.

People get impatient and do crazy things on the highway. We also observed numerous traffic officers with motorists pulled to the side. I am not a fan of traveling during holiday weekends, but sometimes it has to be done.

We arrived alive and are happy to see everyone.

To those of you still planning to travel, be careful. Enjoy the scenery while you are stopped in traffic. It is better than the alternative.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Orioles Baseball and Rain

Entering OPACY
May 23, 2019

I made my first sojourn to OPACY yesterday. What is OPACY? Orioles Park At Camden Yards. 

View form the Seats
OPACY
May 23, 2019

It was my first trip to see the O's in person. I was remarking that normally by this time of the season I have attended at least five or six games. But, not so this season. The Orioles remain on track to post at least my predicted 105 losses and watching them if more exasperating than fun. The math is showing 113 losses are definitely possible. Last year's edition of the team made it to 15th on the Worst Baseball Teams of there Modern Era list with 115 losses. 

Yesterday ended in frustration as the Yankees took a 5-1 lead by the 7th inning and then the Baby Birds (as they are called) managed to tie the game, but ultimately lost 6-5. They lack the Orioles Magic which just a few years ago saw them wim many more now run games than they lost. I attended the game with 30,000 of my new best friends. Sadly, the Orioles continued to disappoint. I ma not sure when, or if, I will again visit OPACY, but I continue to be an Orioles faithful fan.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bias is Crippling Our Society

I read an article the other day which adds more data points to my hypothesis that Americans are becoming more biased, but not more discerning. From an article in the Independent, I provide the following.

A survey by Civic Science, an American market research company, asked 3,624 respondents: “Should schools in America teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum?” The poll did not explain what the term “Arabic numerals” meant.

Fifty-six per cent of people say the numerals should not be part of the curriculum for US pupils, according to research designed to explore the bias and prejudice of poll respondents.

Wow, that is a lot of people--but even more telling is the actual number of people who felt that Arabic numerals should be taught in American schools. The study reported:

Some 2,020 people answered “no”. Twenty-nine per cent of respondents said the numerals should be taught in US schools, and 15 per cent had no opinion. [color and emphasis added]

Only 29 percent of the respondents felt that the numerals should be taught in American schools! Astounding. I believe that 100 percent of American schools teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum! And they teach the numerals from Kindergarten onward!

Seventy-two per cent of Republican-supporting respondents said Arabic numerals should not be on the curriculum, compared with 40 per cent of Democrats. This was despite there being no significant difference in education between the two groups.

“They answer differently even though they had equal knowledge of our numerical nomenclature,” Mr Dick said. “It means that the question is about knowledge or ignorance but [also] something else – prejudice.”

So what are Arabic numerals? 

The digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are referred to as Arabic numerals. The system was first developed by Indian mathematicians before spreading through the Arab world to Europe and becoming popularised around the globe.

The very people advocating against teaching Arabic numerals would not be able to do simple math, manage their bank accounts or even make a telephone call without the numerals. The alternative? Roman numerals?

The Big Bang!

I found the article to be very interesting. There was another interesting question in the survey which also highlighted the bias in our society.

Another poll question was worded: “Should schools in America teach the creation theory of Catholic priest George Lemaitre as part of their science curriculum?”

Seventy-three per cent of Democrats answered “no”, compared to 33 per cent of Republicans – with some respondents on either side presumably assuming Lemaitre’s theory was related to intelligent design.

In fact, the Belgian priest was also a physicist who first discovered the universe was expanding and proposed its origins lay in the explosion of a single particle - an idea that became known as the Big Bang theory.

The title of the article is, Most Americans say ‘Arabic numerals’ should not be taught in school, finds survey It is good reading. 

Finally, the last paragraph of the article simultaneously sad and funny:

Civic Science's research is reminiscent of a 2015 survey that found 30 per cent of Republicans supported bombing "Agrabah", the fictional city where Disney's Aladdin is set.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Back on the Winning Trail

It was a beautiful evening for baseball last night. The GORC 12U Haslup Wildcats had an away game in Crofton which brought the best out in the team as they pulled together to win the time-shortened game in five innings. 

Jax Behind the Plate
Crofton, MD
May 21, 2019

The game began with the Wildcats stranding a runner at third after a lead-off single. With Jax on the mound and due to a few defensive miscues, the Wildcats surrendered three runs during the opening frame. The Wildcats bats finally heated up a bit during the second inning, but during the bottom-half they surrendered and additional 3 runs and were trailing 6-2 at the end of two innings. From that point on, it was all Wildcats as they outscored Crofton 10-4 for the remaining three innings. 

Brian repeated his 3-3 at the plate performance from Saturday's game with a single, double and a triple. He scored three times and had two RBI's. Jax was 2-3 at the plate with 1 RBI while scoring twice. He did circle the bases on a single assisted by three defensive errors. 

From a pitching perspective, it was a team effort. Four pitchers combined for the victory: Jax, Martin, Michael (who made his pitching debut) and Sawyer. While they combined to surrender 12 walks, they also struck out 7 batters and allowed only 2 hits.

The game ended on an extremely weird play. With two outs, the bases loaded and clinging to a tenuous two-run lead, Sawyer was on the mound and fired a 3-2 pitch which the batter thought was going to hit him and went down to the ground, but the ball hit the bat falling into fair territory in front of the batter. The catcher picked up the ball, after some encouragement from the dugout, and tagged the prostate prospective baserunner out to end the game. 

It was a gritty win! But a win!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saying Good-bye is Hard

Weeping Cherry
April 19, 2015

I think sometimes I get too attached to things, like trees.

Weeping Cherry
May 19, 2019

This weekend we said good-bye to our weeping cherry tree that during the 19 springtimes we have lived in our house has provided some of the most stunning displays of flowers to announce the end of winter and arrival of warmer weather. 

The tree did not survive the winter. As I cut it down on Sunday I understood why, the heart was rotting and infested with carpenter ants. It made me sad. The tree has been the centerpiece of our lawn for all of these years. It was "really most sincerely dead." It had to come down, and now all that remains is a stump that I will be removing during mid-June.  

Thankfully, I have some great pictures to remember the tree and we will be replacing it, although not in the same place in the yard.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday musing - May 20, 2019

1. For those of us trying to hide from the passage of time, it isn't working. Today is the third Monday of May and we are rapidly closing out the fifth month of the year. 

2. The weekend weather was fabulous. Chris and I worked hard around the house and then, in a moment of great inspiration, cooled off in the pool yesterday. It was our first foray into the pool for the year and the water was great. 

Pool Timer
May 18, 2019

3. The number of small jobs which need accomplishing seems to increase dramatically every day. This weekend I replaced the timer for the pool pump, I rebuilt the pump, I fixed a ground fault in an outlet, and I cut down a tree. 

4. Memorial Day weekend is cruising towards us! It is the first holiday since February!

5. Gas prices are finally falling a bit after rising! I bet they will jack the prices up for next weekend.

6. What are your summer plans? Vacation? Work? It seems that summer is finally upon us! My favorite month of the year is not far off. Bring on July!

7. The Orioles managed to lose 10-0 to the Indians yesterday. Nuff said!

8. It is graduation season. Congrats to all those who have completed their studies this season be it high school or college!

9. Today in History. On this day in 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis are given a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth of one of the world’s most famous garments: blue jeans.

Headlines

Deutsche Bank Staff Saw Suspicious Activity in Trump and Kushner Accounts - The New York Times

Why Working Till Whenever Is a Risky Retirement Strategy - The New York Times

As Trump escalates China trade dispute, economic ties lose stabilizing force in matters of national security - The Washington Post

Most Americans say ‘Arabic numerals’ should not be taught in school, finds survey - Independent

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope.

  -- Inaugural Address, January 20, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD