Lounge Lizard Revival

Well, I overdid the sun on Friday--actually I missed a covering a large portion of my back with sun screen, so I needed an out of the sun day yesterday.

Instead of heading off to the beach, we did some shopping and a movie--we saw Men in Black 3. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and tolerated the shopping. I even found some shirts and shorts while shopping. My exciting purchase of the day was a harmonica--no, I do not know how to play the harmonica. Chris will have to suffer with it, but I have wanted a harmonica for a while. I don't really know why.



Some of what I saw, while shopping, made me retch at the thought of wearing it and sent me on a time machine back to the 70's and the leisure suit era. A period of men's clothing I had hoped to forget. I was so shocked by one combination that I took a picture of it for posterity.

I also realized the age demographic that the stores are displaying clothes for is a lot older than I am. Trust me, it looks better in the image than it did in real life.


-- Bob Doan, Jupiter, FL

Sand, Sea, and Sun

The beach was fantastic and the marine life was there for us to enjoy. It was a fabulous day and although Maryland was baking with over 100 degree temperatures, we were enjoying the sand and sun in about 90 degree weather and a cooling ocean breeze.



The beach was uncrowded--not at all like Ocean City. And while there were waves, the ocean provided good visibility for my snorkeling adventures. I still need to color correct the images--but a green turtle and a nurse shark provided the snorkeling image highlights of the day.



The green turtle was sleeping when we happened upon it--and sadly we spooked it a bit although we tried not to bother it. It swam away and we followed for a short while, but it swam fairly quickly. It did circle back around later in the day when we were on the shore.



One of the highlights of the day was finding a nurse shark under a rocky outcropping. The shark was just laying around chilling. Maybe it was on vacation like I was. I did catch it moving--which was nice.

Later in the day I happened upon three lemon sharks, but sadly my camera lens had fogged over because I let it lay in the sun, so I couldn't get a picture of them. They were definitely exciting to see and to demonstrate my common sense, I did leave that area to them a decided to snorkel in another part of the ocean. After all, the ocean is certainly big enough for all of us!

A great day in the water though with the hopes of many more.


-- Bob Doan, Jupiter, FL

Florida 2012 - Arrival

Yesterday we crossed the Florida state line before 2 PM enroute to a record breaking total trip time of 14 hours and 45 minutes. We normally dawdle on the highway for an additional hour. I think we stopped fewer times on this trip than during a 6 hour trip to upstate NY. Traffic was light and the weather was awesome.

Nevertheless, this morning I am awake in Florida and preparing for my first, hopefully of many, sojourn to the beach. The smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore appeals to me in so many ways and on so many levels.

It is good to get away. I'm not sure I could survive a stay-cation. Although
I do enjoy hanging out around the pool.

But driving into Jupiter yesterday afternoon felt a lot like coming home. It has been two years since we last stayed here and enjoyed the area.

Now it is time to get to work--vacationing. I want to come home exhausted form strenuous vacationing!

-- Bob Doan, Jupiter, FL

South of the Border

At 9:13 am we cruised past South of the Border. Just over one-third the journey past. A ribbon of highway remains stretched out in front of us.

South of the Border

As the day dawns

As dawn broke this morning I was speeding through Richmond headed south at the beginning of another journey. 

I still love driving at dawn as the day begins. It is exciting to be there as the first rays of light illuminate the landscape. The open road ahead and miles already behind at the start of a too  long trip. 

Why didn't I fly?

Oh yeah. Rental cars were out of sight expensive. 

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy 4th, 2012

Although John Adams thought the celebration should have been on July 2nd, happy Independence Day.


Our nation remains the best place to live in the world--despite its warts. We can at least talk about them without fear of retribution.

I hope that wherever you are that you can pause for a moment and celebrate this country and our collective achievements.

Pause also and give thanks to our military men and women who are on the front lines and the their families who support them.

God bless America!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sleep Wars

Funny things sometimes happen while attempting to get a good night's sleep in a bed occupied by two people who prefer somewhat different sleeping environments.

Lately, we have been experiencing challenges which have resulted in experiments related to using different bed spreads and duvets to find the right combination of room temperature and covers.

The other night resulted in a classic battle between hot and cold.

At one point, Chris decided that she was cold and summarily made off with all of the covers that I had been using. Result: I was awake trying to figure out where everything was. Moments later she was too hot and all of the covers came sailing back my way.

The funniest thing happened at one point when the pillow I was wrapped around suddenly was removed and replaced with her body--now that is not a bad thing in and of itself--but it is only temporary until my body heat warms the area and she becomes too hot again and moves off leaving me without both her and my pillow.

Last night was better--we opted for heavier covers and a fan. I don't like the fan but we arrange it so that it does not blow on me.

Still--the sleep challenges can result in a less than restful night.

And I am often the innocent bystander in the war on sleep.



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 2, 2012

1. The number of people still without electricity throughout the region is astounding in the wake of the Friday night storms. We were very lucky to have lost electricity for only a short while.

2. I noted that branches torn from living trees are very heavy when compared to the branches from dead trees or dead branches which often fall during storms.



3. I forgot to include an image of the pool on the morning after the storm--so here it is. Overall, not too bad--only a couple hours work to get fully back into shape.

4. I am happy to report that the news is good from Colorado Springs--the fire spared the house of my brother-in-law. But I mourn with those who lost everything.

5. Vacation in looming. An escape from the routine for a few days. It will be shorter this year than most--but no less enjoyable.

6. I am excited about the upcoming holiday--family, food, and fireworks--what could be better?

7. Now why does this not make sense? I just read that 2,800 elementary students will need to be redistricted for the 2013 school year to accommodate the new 600 seat school opening in my neighborhood where the 10 acre forest once stood. Maybe they built the school in the wrong place?

8. Four weeks ago today I had my elbow surgery. It is mostly healed--but the doctor still wants me to refrain from heavy use--like racquetball for about two more weeks. There are areas still tender to the touch so I know this is probably a good thing.

9. Since she has been in the news lately, it was on July 2, 1937, that Amelia Earhart disappeared in the Central Pacific.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

July Already?

What really happened to June? It is gone and we are standing on the first day of July and into the deep part of the summer.

I was lucky enough to say good-bye to June by spending a few hours in the freshly cleaned of debris pool yesterday accompanied by my three grandsons.

We were hosting an overnight which grew into a much larger affair due to the lack of electricity that brought two more people and their dogs into the house for the night.

We at least had power and air conditioning and were happy to share the comfort.

What an interesting way to start the deep summer in the wake of storms which still have over 300,000 in Maryland without power and suffering in 100 degree temperatures.

Summer, pool and hot!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD