Into the Wild Blue - Again

And so . . . , that is a strange way to begin a blog.  But it is the way that I feel right now as I am sitting on an American Airlines flight headed to Phoenix. The jet is soaring at 34,000 feet, winging me over the U.S. and all of the window shades are drawn.  I feel as if I am in a cigar and I cannot tell that I am flying. There are no outside clues to our movement or progress except for an occasional bump from some unsettled air. 

I brought my old iPad along to watch movies on the flight only to learn that the movie app used by American is not compatible with my ancient iPad Series 2 which told me that there were no software updates for it. I only use the iPad anymore when I fly preferring instead to use my laptop for most things. Perhaps I need to reexamine this approach to managing my electronics stable. 

At least I was able to work on my morning blog entry to document my journey. 

Phoenix is just a stop-over on my way to Hawaii. Sitting on this flight now for over three hours I am reminded of why I love the Caribbean--I get all the benefits of Hawaii for a 3 hour flying day instead of the scheduled 12 hours of flight time I will log today. And the water is warmer in the Caribbean. When was the last time you heard someone complain about going to Hawaii?

-- Bob Doan, airborne somewhere over the Central U.S. 

After the Wedding

Bowling at the After Party@ Pinstripes
Bethesda, MD
September 6/7, 2019

The wedding Chris and I attended over the weekend was well planned and had a full evening of activity incorporated into the festivities. 

Canopy Hotel
Bethesda, MD
September 8, 2019

There was the wedding ceremony followed by dinner and dancing. But, after the reception came the after party--bowling. I have not had the opportunity to bowl in a very long time. It showed in my score. It is frustrating not to be able to do something that was once easy and enjoyable. But it was an enjoyable after party and I did have some residual pain the next day. 

The hotel had an interesting feature that I discovered during breakfast--a wine cart! What an interesting item for a dining room. It was the one feature of the hotel that I appreciated, but did not get to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 9, 2019

1. It is the second Monday of September and the weather has been idyllic this past weekend.

GORC Wildcats - Haslup
South River, MD
September 8, 2019

2. The GORC Wildcats - Haslup Fall Ball Edition played their first game yesterday. It was a well played game, but the Wildcats came out on the losing end 5-2. 

3. The first weekend of the NFL saw the family teams split wins and losses:
     Ravens defeat Dolphins 59-10
     Cowboys defeat Giants 35-17
     Steelers lose to Patriots 33-3
     Redskins lose to Eagles 32-27

4. Traffic lights have it in for me. I have determined that there must be a device secretly implanted in my vehicles that advises the traffic lights to turn red when I am approaching. When Chris drives, she gets green lights. When I drive--I see red. 

5. There seems to be a lot of garbage along the roads. Are people using the roadsides for trash dumps?

6. This Day in History. The King of Rock and Roll teams up with TV’s reigning variety program, as Elvis Presley appears on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for the first time.

After earning big ratings for “The Steve Allen Show,” the Dorsey Brothers “Stage Show” and “The Milton Berle Show,” Sullivan finally reneged on his Presley ban, signing the controversial singing star to an unprecedented $50,000 contract for three appearances.

Headlines

Corpses Strewn, People Missing a Week After Dorian Hit the Bahamas - The New York Times

How Trump’s Plan to Secretly Meet With the Taliban Came Together, and Fell Apart - The New York Times

Hong Kong school children form human chain after weekend of protests - Reuters

Hyundai Glovis car carrier listing off coast of U.S. state of Georgia - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

There was a reason for my seeking people who didnt want government careers. Dr. Parkinson summed it all up in his book on bureaucracy. He said, Government hires a rat-catcher and the first thing you know, hes become a rodent control officer. In those entire eight years, most of us never lost that feeling that we were there representing the people against what Cicero once called the arrogance of officialdom. We had a kind of watchword we used on each other. When we begin thinking of government as we instead of they, weve been here too long. Well, I believe that attitude would be beneficial in Washington.

To Restore America, Ronald Reagan's Campaign Address, March 31, 1976

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It Is Closed

The Water Being Lowered in Advance of Winter
Elkridge, MD
September 7, 2019

Despite the incredibly busy day devoted to the wedding and  a baseball practice, Chris and I managed to get the pool mostly closed. I say mostly because there are a few small items remaining, like talking to motor off the pump and storing it for the winter and getting antifreeze into some of the lines. 

The Pool is Closed and Covered!
Elkridge, MD
September 7, 2019

The pool, which was adorned for a rehearsal night dinner just two nights ago is now covered and ready for a long winter slumber.  The water was crystal clear, the sanitizer balance was perfect--it was sad to close the pool yesterday, but given the upcoming plans we needed to get it done. 

Reflecting on the now ended 2019 pool season, it was one of the best seasons I can remember. I felt as if the weather was perfect for enjoying pool activities and we enjoyed a lot of time in the pool. There is something very special about napping on a floatie in the pool enjoying the gentle seating and drifting. But that is now just another great memory. 

And now onto another busy day in a series of busy days. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Bethesda, Maryland

Out the Hotel Window
Bethesda, MD
September 6, 2019

Out the Hotel Window in the Morning
Bethesda, MD
September 7, 2019

Last evening Chris and I stayed in a hotel in Bethesda, MD. The view out the hotel window was very interesting and dynamic. We were on the 10th floor! What a view. 

In the center of the frame is a beach--well that is at least what it calls itself. And the crane was very prominent as well. It dominated the view and highlighted and the parking garage under construction. 

I took another picture this morning of the view in the dawn light. The crystal blue sky was fabulous and foretold a spectacular day. 

I enjoyed the complex view of the city from the vantage point high above the street. The day turned into a busy and satisfying day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Rehearsal Dinner

Ready for Dinner as Darkness Falls
Elkridge, MD
September 5, 2019

Chris and the View from the Other Side
Rehearsal Dinner
Elkridge, MD
September 5, 2019

We hosted a Rehearsal Dinner last evening for a Corey and Julianne. They are a great couple and it was fun to make the pool area and the whole house look like a nice dinner venue. Yes, those are Tiki Torches above the fence line.

It took quite a bit of work, especially by Chris and some of our friends, but the place was rocking when the guests arrived and the only thing missing were waiters bringing drinks around on trays. 

The weather was perfect as the 90 degree heat broke earlier in the day and we were left with very comfortable temperatures. Even the mosquitoes took the night off and allowed our guests to enjoy the fun. OK, I may have fogged the grasses before everyone arrived to assist in keeping them down. 

Congratulations to a great couple!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Another Thursday Orioles Update

The 2019 MLB season is thankfully drawing to a close for the hapless Orioles. They have had moments of excitement, but mostly have performed dismally. 

The Orioles still are the 29th best team in baseball with a record of 46-93 .331. They are on track to lose 108 games at this point. I had predicted they would lose 105 at the beginning of the season. 

For the month of August the Orioles were 9-19 including both a 6 and a 7 game losing streak. It was dismal. The only bright  spot was a three game winning streak. The fortunes of baseball have not changed with the new month as the team has started 1-3, while showing some incredible ineptitude on the base paths. 

The Orioles are doing some very creative marketing to get people into the stadium. I saw one ad which offered $30 for access to all of September's games! Wow. 

Well, I still don't want to go. This is not the Orioles team that I wanted to see. It is the nadir of the franchise. 

Well, and I love this classic baseball phrase, there is always next season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Hurricane Roars

We have learned a lot about hurricanes.

They are incredibly destructive--I was appalled at the widespread destruction in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian finally departed. Dorian is not taking aim at another part of the the U. S. Atlantic Coast, and for the moment people in South Florida are beginning to feel relief even while many others are just beginning to feel the wrath of the storm. 


But wait! Even though the hurricane season has been relatively quiet thus far, there are new disturbances in the forecast. That's right, Fernand is in the Gulf of Mexico and Gabriella is forming off Africa. There are more storms in the forecast as this season hopefully can come quickly to an end. While neither of these two new storms are forecast to threaten the U.S., it just shows how quickly a quiet season can become active. 

My prayers are with the people of the Bahamas and for those along the U.S. coast how are still facing Dorian's rain, winds, and storm surge. I do not have a report from my Florida condo yet, however, at last report there was only about 2 inches of rain and some high wind gusts. I'm believing things should be mostly OK. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Last Monday

Last Monday of the Pool Season
Elkridge, MD
September 2, 2019

I took a sad image on my cell phone yesterday. 

It was of my pool. The last Monday of the open season. By this time next week the pool will bee buttoned up for the winter and the next 8 months!

Eight months!

I only used the pool for four months this year. 

But it was a great four months. This summer was the best summer in a long time for the pool and I was able to use and enjoy it frequently. 

Why am I closing it early? Well, because I am going to be doing some traveling and won't be around to haul the leaves out of the pool daily and I can tell you that nothing messes up pool chemistry faster than a bunch of leaves laying on the bottom. 

Thanks for the great 2019 memories and until next season. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 2, 2019

Howard County Crews Fixing Water Break
Elkridge, MD
September 1, 2019

1. Happy Labor Day! By definition it is the first Monday in September. Enjoy the holiday if you do not have to work. I do not have to work!

2. August us behind us and now we are already two days into September. Time is flying past, undaunted.

3. We enjoyed having the family over for a Labor Day feast yesterday. It was complicated by the lack of water as a valve broke and it took a few hours for the county to repair it. It was repaired, coincidentally, just as we needed water to boil the corn-on-the-cob.

White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Elkridge, MD
September 1, 2019

4. While cleaning up around the pool we discovered the most interesting caterpillar that I have seen in a long time. It looked like an alien from another planet. It turns out to be a White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar. It was fun to watch for a while. I looked it up to see if it was an invasive species that needed to be eradicated. We let this caterpillar go on its way.

Jupiter Inlet Webcam
6:59 AM September 2, 2019

5. I am watching Hurricane Dorian very closely and there are hurricane warnings posted for my community in Florida. Hopefully the storm will be gentle as it cruises by off-shore.  

6. The news seems to get worse and worse every day. 

7. Today in History. On September 2, 1969, America’s first automatic teller machine (ATM) makes its public debut, dispensing cash to customers at Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, New York. ATMs went on to revolutionize the banking industry, eliminating the need to visit a bank to conduct basic financial transactions. By the 1980s, these money machines had become widely popular and handled many of the functions previously performed by human tellers, such as check deposits and money transfers between accounts. Today, ATMs are as indispensable to most people as cell phones and e-mail.



Headlines

Along Hurricane Dorian’s Tortured Path, Millions Are United in Fear - The New York Times

Hong Kong Students Begin School Year With Gas Masks, Class Boycotts and Protests - The New York Times

Italy’s Politics Go to the Beach - The New York Times

China, U.S. kick off new round of tariffs in trade war - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week


It's fitting that on Labor Day, we meet beside the harbors, the waters I should say of New York harbor, with the eyes of Miss Liberty on our gathering and in the words of the poet whose lines are inscribed at her feet, "On the air bridged harbor that twin cities frame."

Through this "Golden Door," under the gaze of that "Mother of Exiles," has come millions of men and women, who first set foot on American soil right there, on Ellis Island, so close to the Statue of Liberty.Address at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New JerseySeptember 1980


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Grandson Day

Ethan at the Maryland State Fair
Timonium, Maryland
August 31, 2019

To note the passing of the month of August, the transition into September, and the last weekend before the start of another school year Chris and I hosted our grandsons for the day and an overnight.

Chris with the Boys Ready for the Farris Wheel
Chris, Ethan, Jax, Lucas
Timonium, Maryland
August 31, 2019

It began about noon with a surprise trip to the Maryland State Fair. I have to admit, I have not been to the state fair in a number of years. Sadly, it has not changed much except that the prices seem to have tripled. Rides are $5-6 each. Games are $2-5 and everyone seems to be trying to part a fool from his/her money. 

The boys enjoyed a number of rides and we made the obligatory walk through the livestock barns to get back in touch with farming. The boys all commented that they did not realize that cows were so big! I just had to smile at that. It was refreshing to see the kids with their prize livestock. Many of them were nervous in preparation for going into the judging ring. What a different life they lead from that of my grandsons'. 

Jax Headed into the Pool
Elkridge, MD
August 31, 2019

The day at the fair culminated with all of us becoming Scat Masters in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources exhibit. Who knew I'd be able to distinguish different kinds of wildlife poop correctly? I did have trouble with the coyote poop, having never seen it in the wild. From there it was back home to enjoy the pool for some refreshing activity. The pool was cool, clean and ready for action. 

Jax and Ethan at the Fire Pit
Elkridge, MD
August 31, 2019

It was an enjoyable early evening which saw pizza and wings get devoured in near record time. 

And then it was time for S'mores around the fire pit. 

The S'mores were enjoyed as the fire raged and then it was time for the scary stories. We told tales of the hereafter and unknown for a while and everyone contributed. The fire grew dim, the mosquitoes arrived, and soon it was time for bed. Exhausted, the boys quickly went to sleep, hopefully dreaming of the great ending to the month of August and the preparations for the start of the school year ahead. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dorian Preparations

Great friends and neighbors have come to our rescue in Florida. 

Hurricane Shutters in the Condo
Tequesta, Florida
August 30, 2019

And now, Hurricane Dorian changed course, possibly missing Florida completely. Something for which I am very happy. 

But, remember, it is a hurricane and they can change course on a whim--so the danger to Central and South Florida is not over!

That written, our friends Fran, Mary, and our neighbor Jeff got together at our condo yesterday and turned it into a fortress--the shutters are up and we are ready for the hurricane. At one point yesterday the forecast was for 20 inches of rain and 120 mph winds. 

Fran Installing the Shutters
Tequesta, Florida
August 30, 2019

We are truly blessed to have great friends and neighbors to rely upon in our absence. 

Even as the storm is turning, we are happy to be hurricane ready. Chris had to hold me back from flying or driving to Florida to help out. I also wanted to be there to help our neighbors, many of whom are older and unable to install the shutters on their own. We will be changing out our shutters for ones easier to close in the event of future hurricanes. 

But still, a big thank you our friends and neighbor!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Too Much Help

Finnegan in the Dishwasher
Elkridge, MD
August 29, 2019

Finnegan sometimes can be too much help. 

Last evening, for example, Finnegan decided that he wanted to do a pre-wash on the dinner plates as they were placed into the dishwasher. Personally, I think it is a bad habit that needs to be changed, but Chris thinks it is cute--well he seems to enjoy helping with the dishes. 

Makayla, on the other hand, does not try to get personally involved in dinner clean-up. She keep a good distance to avoid getting trampled. 

Finnegan does not seem to worry about getting caught underfoot--even though he is smaller  He enjoys the post meal activity, but he might get too involved into his work. I just wish that he would stay out of the dishwasher.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian is heading for Florida. Until earlier this year my feelings would have been, "gee, that is really too bad." My, how times have changed! Suddenly, I am concerned about my condo and ensuring it is prepared for the storm. Chris and I are watching the weather developments intently. We have been in contact with friends in the area and are preparing to have the storm shutters installed on our condo.

The problem with Hurricane Dorian is that it keeps changing and moving. The projections are still very long-range--all we know at this point is that it is going to hit the central Florida coast somewhere and sometime. The time has shifted from Sunday to Monday--which gives us more time to prepare, and worry!

And we watch and wait.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine-ing

Valley Road Vineyards
Afton, VA
August 24, 2019

Wineries and vineyards provide opportunities to experience different wines and to meet new people. 

I also find they provide time to be creative with my camera and take an image that captures to essence of the winery. 

I saw this image in my head at Valley Road Vineyards in Virginia. While I did not fully appreciate their wines, this image crept into my head and I was able to capture it. 

That is some of the fun of wineries--capturing images while enjoying wine. And of course, being out on a get away weekend with friends is something else enjoyable about wineries.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine Art

Wine Art
Chestnut Oak Vineyard
Barboursville, VA
August 23, 2019

Wine Art 2
Chestnut Oak Vineyard
Barboursville, VA
August 23, 2019

Visiting wineries and vineyards in Virginia this weekend, I took a moment to notice some of the art adorning the tasting rooms. Some of the tasting rooms are very ornately decorated to compliment the spirit and feel of their wines.

The images today were taken at Chestnut Oak Vineyard in Barboursville, Virginia, while we were enjoying a late afternoon tasting on Friday. 

The images here are part of a large mural on one wall of the tasting room. The bright mural was a refreshing sight in the tasting room, even more so because we arrived for the tasting amid a torrential downpour. The combination of the mural and the wines brightened up the afternoon, but then, we were already  in good spirits because we were tasting wines with our friends.  

Sadly, the weekend ended too soon, there are so many more wineries and vineyards that need to be sampled. But, that gives us reasons to meet again and hit the wine trail. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 26, 2019

1. It is the last Monday in August. Next week at this time it will be Labor Day and the first Monday in September. Summer is slipping away.

2. The cooler weather this weekend, while refreshing, was too autumn-like. September is stirring.

Sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains
Earlysville, VA
August 24, 2019

3. Weekend wine tasting trips are an enjoyable way to get away with friends and enjoy the fruit of the vine.

4. Sunrise is the best time of the day to be awake. The sight of the world waking to the sun and promise of the new day is exciting. 

5. Orioles Update. Who can believe the Orioles? Coming off a 7 game losing streak, they have come back and have won 4 of their last 6 games including splitting a series with the Rays 2-2. It is beginning to look as if they will settle for losing about 108 games this season. 

6. Family NFL results. It was a good week as all four teams claimed victory. The start of the NFL season is only two weeks away.
  Ravens defeat Eagles 26-15
  Steelers defeat Titans 18-6
  Redskins defeat Falcons 19-7
  Cowboys humble Texans 34-0

7. The pool season is slipping away. There are only about two weeks remaining before I close the pool for the year. 

8. Word of the week.  Despot: a ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.

9. Today in History. On August 26, 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.



Headlines

Business Groups Warn of Peril as Trump’s Trade War Spirals - The New York Times

Hong Kong Officer Fires Shot, and Police Use Water Cannons at Protest - The New York Times

Oil down nearly 2% as trade war shakes confidence - Reuters

Warplanes dump water on Amazon as Brazil military begins fighting fires - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

But before I close, I want to leave with you a speech by a man not so well remembered in history, but those words, spoken on the eve of our struggle for independence, should uplift and inspire now as surely as they did in 1775. Joseph Warren, a Boston doctor, left us these words before giving his life at Bunker Hill: Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of, on you depend the fortunes of America, you are to decide the important question, on which rests the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.

-- Election Eve Address A Vision for America 11/03/1980

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine Weekend

Blue Valley Vineyards
Deleplane, VA
August 25, 2019

Chris and I along with friends spent the weekend visiting wineries in Virginia, mostly in the Charlottesville area. It was a weekend that had been rescheduled twice, but it wound up being totally worth the effort to get together. 

Valley Road Vineyards
Afton, VA
August 24, 2019

Wine tasting is hard work! Truly. Sipping, tasting, and evaluating wines takes concentration and a clean palate. It is easy to get the wines confused and by the end of the day, all of the wines begin to taste the same if I am not careful to limit the amount of wine that I actually consume. 

We had the opportunity to talk to the owners of two of the wineries we visited. Owners have a passion for grapes and wine. They are the moving force behind their wines and one of the owners was also the winemaker and was engaging and provided some valuable insights on winemaking. I laughed at one piece of advice he offered. He said he often has retired people ask him about starting a winery and he tells them not too. It is a lot of work.

I remember that a wise man once told me that opening a winery is a good way to change a large fortune into a small one.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunset after the Rain

Sunset over the Mountains
Earlysville, VA
August 23, 2019

It rained most of yesterday as Chris and I traveled to Charlottesville with friends. The rain significantly slowed the travel from our home. Despite the rain, however, we had a great time together and visited two new wineries.

As the day came to a close, we were treated to a beautiful sunset over the mountains. It was a great way to end the day. With friends and some very nice wines.

Today promises to be another good day. The weather will be better and there are new wineries to visit.

— Bob Doan, writing from Earlysville, Virginia

Rains again

The Pool before the Storm
Elkridge, MD
August 22, 2019 

The storms arrived again last evening just as we were concluding dinner outside around the pool. 

It seems as if the storms are arriving more regularly during the evenings now. The pool is maintaining itself very well, although I am worried about the weekend. 

We hosted Patrick, Tina, Cory, and Julianne for dinner to discuss the upcoming rehearsal dinner which is planned for the first week of September. It was good to get everyone together.

It was a great evening, even during the storm.  We sat inside with the lights off and just enjoyed the light show outside. And I was happy that the rain replenished the water in the pool which has been evaporating at a great rate this summer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunset through the Screen

Sunset
Elkridge, MD
August 21, 2019

It was another baseball practice evening for the GORC team, but the practice was cut short after an hour by the onset of a ferocious storm. 

With the end of practice I drove 15 miles arriving at home where the rain and storm had not arrived. Due to the relative calm, Chris and I were able to sit outside on the porch and enjoy dinner as the sunset arrived. Sitting on the porch, looking out across the yard at the colors of the sunset reflecting on the clouds created a beautiful scene to end the day. From a torrential downpour complete with lightening and thunder to a beautiful sunset in less than an hour. It is amazing how the weather can be so different within a short drive. 

The evening at home was quiet and beautiful. Chris and I sat on the porch until after dark making plans and dreaming of things yet to come. 

And the storm never arrived.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Storm Damage

Tree Limb on Pool House
Elkridge, MD
August 18, 2019

I wrote briefly about Sunday's storm with the microburst right over the house in Monday Musings. I wanted to do a follow-up. 

The storm was brutal in the neighborhood. A large tree went down crashing through a neighbor's fence on Duckett's Lane. That was the biggest damage, but we are still evaluating the mess associated with our pool house roof and trying to decide how to get rid of the huge limb caught in the trees. 

After the Storm in the Pool
August 18, 2019

The storm gave me the opportunity to get Radio Flyer up in the air to survey the damage. The mess really looked different form the air, but the limb in the trees with branches extending onto the pool house was definitely visible. The mess that the storm left in the pool was likewise obvious. 

Chris and I are still collecting branches and sticks from the yard. They are hard to see in the picture of the limb on the pool house--but they are everywhere. The dead ash trees were dropping limbs everywhere. Jeremy and Lucas were here during the storm and they were a great help restoring the pool to swimmable condition and doing some of the work collecting sticks and broken branches from everywhere. 

The storm was one of the worst that has blown through here. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball is Back!

GORC U12 Cooperstown Team
GORC Field 8
August 19, 2019

Despite the obvious fact that football season is upon us and that the Orioles have tanked after showing signs of life during 
July, baseball has returned!

Last evening was the first practice for the GORC 12U Cooperstown Wildcats! The coaching staff was there, most of the boys were ready to play and the 95 degree temperatures on the field reminded us that this is not Spring baseball--it is Fall Ball! The field was in great shape, especially considering the torrential downpour that happened on Sunday afternoon. It was good to be back out in the dust of the diamond!

The road ahead of the team is long--it does not end until July when the team heads off to the mecca of baseball, Cooperstown, NY,  to play a week long tournament. 

As they say, one practice or game at a time, but off we go.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD