Fire in the Mountains

OK--this isn't my usual Monday musings--but I saw something again tonight that I just had to write about.

Fire in the mountains!

Yup--the sunset behind the Rockies illuminated the evening sky and made it appear as if the mountains were on fire. It was a sight to behold--and one that although I've seen before--I never grow tired of seeing.

Probably accentuated by the fact that I live in Maryland where there are no mountains of Rocky Mountain proportions.

The sky was a cyan and as the last rays faded--the mountains were silhouetted in splendor with orange and red colors behind them.

Camera?

It seems I always forget to bring one since I'm not on a tourist trip--but a business trip.

But I can see them in my mind--from my hotel room window looking across the plains to the foothills just north of Denver.

Is this what they call a Rocky Mountain high?

Chicago Morning

I just looked out the window of my Boeing 757 as we broke out of the clouds somewhere over Lake Michigan. And there she was. A jewel on the shore illuminated by the morning light. Chicago.

The lake was calm and blue. The skyscrapers were gathered together on the shore, like so many people headed down to the water's edge they seemed from 38,000 feet.

It was pretty. They looked small like a Lego city. Yet I know they tower to a thousand feet or more above the ground.

I almost never sit in window seats, but today the plane is full and I didn't have a choice. I guess I miss a lot of sights when I travel on the aisle of life.

I can see the cloud bank off in the west waiting to obscure the ground from my view again. But for a brief minute I could see how a city gathers together on the shore of a magnificent lake.

And the clouds have returned with their light "chop" as the pilots call it when it feels like the jet is hitting potholes in the road. It is like riding a bus--or not.

I love looking at America and being reminded that the world is so much bigger than my backyard.



Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry

And the Holiday Engines are Revving

shopping

decorating

eating

drinking

driving

racquetball

Snow village set-up

Do you know what all of these have in common?

These are all activities I participated in today.

The day began with a racquetball match--at 8AM, which I actually played early from my league since I will be in Denver this week.

Then I hurried home to say good-bye to my parents who departed for upstate NY--after enjoying Thanksgiving here with us.

And then, it was Snow Village set-up time, which was postponed form last week because we didn't know where we wanted to set it up. And we still didn't as the day began. So we have two villages in operation for the Christmas season.

And then there was pizza from last night for lunch AND Thanksgiving day 3 for dinner.

Not to be forgotten--we did have to go shopping for more Christmas related stuff for the house today. But--even though it was right in the middle of setting up the Snow Village--it worked out.

In a few minutes we will be heading out to spend an evening with our friends and enjoy some wine and dessert---yay! Mostly about the wine.

Ah, the holiday season is upon us--Ho Ho Ho and all that stuff.

But--keep our wits about us and we'll probably survive.

The Day After--The Feast before

Why do they call it Black Friday?

The sun came up, right?

The tryptophan induced slumber ended with a fully rested person ready to confront the crowds, right?

Ah, yes--it is a retailing term when the retailers make money and push their books into the "black" for the year. Really?

No matter, it really isn't black though--it is a pleasant color--pick one, like orange, because:

This holiday we have survived a car accident--no injuries, my future daughter-in-law slid into the car in front of her on the rain drenched streets of Columbia.

I survived being shot with by a space ray gun in the possession of my 20 month old grandson, Jax, the miracle baby, and

Playing whack-a-mole with Ethan.

I Watched most of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade only to miss Santa's arrival.

There was more food to choose from to eat than the grand buffet.

I enjoyed watching Star Trek with my Dad!

I suffered through watching the hapless Detroit Lions lose to the Packers and the crazy Dallas Cowboys figure out how to score points again. And then I found out I forgot to play Miles Austin in Fantasy Football believing for some reason earlier in the week that Chad Ochocinco is going to do better? Ugh! At least Aaron Rogers and Donald Driver of the Packers gave me 52 points.

I felt good about having people enjoy the wines I selected for dinner! I highly recommend Willamette Valley, Oregon, Pinot Noir wines for complex meals--like Thanksgiving. We enjoyed the Cardwell Hill this year along with a Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc and a Chardonnay.

And so I am sitting here--looking out the window at the clearing skies preparing to take life and limb into my own hands and sally forth to Home Depot for ceiling paint and sale priced Christmas Trees.

The coffee pot has already been emptied once--and I need to make more because Dad hasn't stirred from his slumber yet! Which is fine, because I can always drink more coffee.

At least my turkey statue is still in place next to the fireplace and we are not "all Christmas all the time," yet.

Football, Turkey and Mince Pie

Well it is here.

The day dreams are made of and waistlines are wasted.

The annual tribute to gluttony and the NFL and mince pies.

A day of Thanks to our Creator for His blessings.

And to families, and to giving thanks for all we have.

And for the blessings of life.

And for those who have gone before us to preserve our freedoms.

And for pausing to remember.

A question our family asks each other on Thanksgiving is "What do you have to be thankful for this year?" It is an important question to ask because it helps us appreciate what we have instead of focusing on what we want.

I know too many people who are unhappy because they do not have something they want and yet should be happy with all that they have. We are a blessed to overwhelming people. There are places in the world where people cannot even imagine all that we have--electronics, food, clean water, a home of our own, a lawn to mow, two cars (or three), education, and freedoms unimagined.

I know I am thankful for my wife, my family (with the broadest interpretation you can use as to who qualifies). Our family is an inclusive family--if you're here, you are family. And to my friends, because God has blessed us with some really awesome friends, who really aren't friends, but are family.

I am thankful for my job--it keeps me busy and happy and gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

And I'm thankful for racquetball which makes me get out and move even when I'd rather be a slug on the sofa.

And I'm thankful for my dog--if someone had asked me last year if I wanted a puppy I would have said no--emphatically! That would have been a mistake. So I'm thankful no one listened.

And I am thankful that I can help people less fortunate than me. That i can make a difference in this world by starting right here in our community.

And I am thankful that I am happy. I am content in where I am--I would rather be diving, but that is a pipe dream.

And I am thankful

I am happy I am not a turkey!

I am happy that I can see a future. that I can plan. That I have a realistic chance to see my planning come to fruition.

And finally--I am thankful for all the things I don't even realize I'm thankful for--like my 4th and 5th grade teacher teaching me to stand in front of a bunch of people and speak without fear.

And so, I've droned on and on, but I'm reminded of the Thanksgiving Hymn

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing. . .

Leader of the Pack

I read an interesting Op-Ed piece in the New York Times yesterday about how people are taking the advice from the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, and using it to improve their home life with their children. I extracted a portion below for your enjoyment:

Becoming the Alpha Dog in Your Own Home

“When we started watching his shows, we had intended to apply his advice toward our dogs,” said Amy Twomey, a blogger on parenthood for The Dallas Morning News who is raising three children under 10 with her husband, Matt. “But we realized a lot of ideas can be used on our kids.”

Indeed, Mr. Millan’s advice has replaced a shelf full of books on how to tame an unruly child. “It’s all the same simple concept: how to be the pack leader in your own house,” she said.

Certainly, an army, or at least a few divisions, of credentialed experts on human parenthood long ago stumbled on Mr. Millan’s philosophical holy trinity — exercise, discipline and affection equals happiness. And Mr. Millan does not hold himself up as a new Dr. Spock; he has never opined on how one should raise a creature with two legs in his show on the National Geographic Channel, or in his four books.

So, kids and dogs are similar?

Until a year ago, when I received Makayla as Christmas gift and have had the pleasure of growing up with a puppy again, I would have disagreed. But--now I believe they are indeed similar. Not that kids are dogs, but that I (as dad, grandad, or dog owner) need to be ready to take charge and be the leader.

I believe that children, like dogs, are looking for someone to be in charge and to look out for their best interest. Unlike children, dogs are equipped to fill this role by nature; but children need adults to watch over them until they are--well probably into their 20's or so.

So reread the piece above and note the discussion of Millan's trinity: exercise, discipline, and affection.

Dogs require it--to be happy and allow their owners to be happy.

Children require these three things, too--and from talking to Chris about many of the children in her school--kids today are not getting enough of any of the three.

Note something here--all three require the active participation of the parent (or dog owner). These times become relationship builders. Be they exercise, or discipline (think of it as boundary setting and enforcing), and affection. Parents can't just show up occasionally--toss some gifts at the kids and think they are showing affection.

There is a time cost to having a dog.
There is a larger time cost (read: investment) in raising children.

I know that Chris and I are extremely conscious of being out in the evening and not spending time with Makayla after she has been in her kennel all day--we experience the consequences of lack of affection, exercise, and discipline. A poor night sleep because we have a restless dog.

And parents--who consistently fail to provide these three things for their children wonder why they have problems with their kids

Maybe Cesar has something here. Kids are definitely not dogs, but from the adult/parent standpoint; the personal interaction that is required to have a good dog is even more required to have great kids.

AND, by the way--Chris and I are blessed to have three great kids, 2 and 3/4 grandkids, and three great spouses (or almost spouses) for our three great kids. Blame it all on Chris, she actually spent the TIME to do the exercise, discipline, and affection.

All without a dog trainer to tell her what to do.

What Time is it?

I heard an interesting sermon in church on Sunday--it was about the most asked question in American society today: "What Time is it?"

It seems that we are all asking this one question more than any other question. We all want to know what time it is. And it got me thinking.

I do wonder about the time a lot. Whether it is because I need to attend a meeting at work, or go somewhere, or am wondering how much longer until I can go home.

But it seems I am always wondering about the time because there is something I need to do that needs to be synchronized with someone else. And we are all precise!
- Do NOT be late to a meeting!
- Do NOT miss an appointment at the doctor's office or they will charge you.
- Don't forget to have dinner ready!

I remember when I was a kid--I measured time differently. How many months, then days, then hours until Christmas! Or how many months, then days, and then hours until summer vacation. There were bells in the school to tell me when to change classes--so I didn't need to worry about the time, just the next bell.

My understanding of time was larger and the accuracy was less precise.

The pace of life was different--I didn't need to ask so many times per day what time it was, because all I needed to know was that it was daylight or dark and that pretty well defined the level of accuracy I needed.

I long for those days.

Kind of like vacation--I get up when I wake up, not when the alarm goes off (unless of course I need to meet the dive boat at 6:30am).

When I'm on vacation, I leave to do something--when I'm ready and not because I have to be at work on time.

On vacation, the structure of my life changes--for the better. I get more rest. I am happier.

And you know what--when I ask "what time it is" it is because I don't want what I'm doing to end, rather than needing to get prepared to race to another appointment.

And so, I've thought about the question a bit, and do you know "What time it is?"

Time for change!

Monday Musings - November 23, 2009

1. The weather in this part of the country is becoming downright awful. Rain, gloom and talk of snow. It is hard to get everything ready for the winter. On the other hand, it is one of the most mild November's I can remember. We have had only one freeze. I'm confused as to which is worse, mild and wet or cold and bright.

2. Football weekend for the family was a loser--with three of the four teams coming up short in the final score--the only team that won didn't play well enough to win. Adding the scores together--all three teams lost by a combined six points. With the winner winning by one measly point. That, as they say it is why they play the game.

3. One riding lawn mower and two grandsons equals priceless memories.

4. Being up on the roof putting up Christmas decorations is not for everyone. The scary part is helping those down the ladder who came up so easily. Some people go up a lot better than they go down.

5. Why do we name things--like the talking GPS in the car and the Thanksgiving turkey?

6. A couple friends at work have elected to retire this year--one this week. Wow--that is one of those transitions I have always thought was coming sometime in the future but never really considered in the present. I guess, it is creeping up on me, too. I'll think about planning for it next year! I still have time.

7. Hey--the most wonderful holiday of the year is upon us--Thanksgiving. And we have so much to be thankful for--like for everything. Stop and take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life.

8. New windows--check. New lights--check. New paint--check. OK, the projects for 2009 are getting completed, time to start planning the projects for 2010.

9. Have you heard anyone call next year "oh-ten?" Technically, its not wrong 'cause next year is 2010. But we know what they meant, right?

10. If you are traveling this week or next (as I am)--may your travel be pleasant and safe. And may you arrive at your destination and return to your home without incident.

New Moon - Twilight Movie Review

Opening day--there I was standing in line to see this movie because I'm married to a Twilight series lover.

I looked around the theater as we sat down--as a male, I was in a definite minority. There was a definite lack of testosterone in the theater. I was in a den of women (some are calling the older ones cougars) to see a movie about vampires. I wondered if I was safe.

Let's talk about the movie.

It is a love story of epic proportions. And a love triangle. There are some action scenes, but it is mostly dialogue. There are personal interactions. This movie has almost no character development--that was all assumed form the first movie or the books. So, if you do not know the back story--you must read the books or see the first movie to enjoy this stiry. There are many references which assume full understanding of what has happened before.

So--first timers (probably guys) are going to hate this movie because they do not understand it.

Series followers are going to love it because it is generally faithful to the books.


New Moon is the second installment in the Twilight series and I found the movie plodding, punctuated by moments of action. It is a depressing story where no one seems to be happy and there is little joy. The action is short and always goes back to more depressing dialogue. As you might expect from a movie about vampires--it is a dark movie. The skies are always overcast, or it is raining. The dialogue is cumbersome and ofter gets in the way of the story.

Recommendation: Unless you are a Twilight series addict, you will probably not like the movie. The only reason to see the movie is to understand what all the fuss is about. No sex, no foul language, but there are some violent scenes.

Saturday before the Holidays

OK--shoppers start your engines.

Get started--it is the last Saturday before the frenzy of the holiday season grabs us and drags us along until well into January.

From here on--the pace of life is doubled until that frantic week of Christmas and New Years is upon us.

Parties, shopping, eating, and did I say parties? Drinking wine? Oh, yes.

What do I like most about the holidays? Watching Santa arrive in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Despite all of the Christmas Season preparations which are already out in the stores, for me--Santa's arrival in the parade marks that one spot where I begin the month-long transition into the Holiday Spirit(s).

What is the point where it all begins for you? Let me know by commenting.

At least during the season it is easy to decide what to do with any available spare time! Shop, party, eat or decorate! (SPED)

Hmmmm--!

I think the acronym says it all--SPED and that is what we do through the Holidays because I know that in January we will look back and remark how the Holiday season just SPED by. Of course we will be driving at that point to the club to lose a few of those pounds that crawled on our bodies during the season of over-eating!

Hey--take a few minutes and draw a deep breath--someone said it's the most wonderful time of the year. AND, it is!