Moments to Remember

I was at a local watering hole last evening with my nine best friends and I had an "aha" moment.

We were around a table celebrating the retirement of one of the group-and it hit me, it doesn't get any better than this.

The day had been a particularly rough day at both work and in the circumstances of life outside of work with bad news seeming to be the best that I could hope for. And it was sitting around that table, discussing life, retirement, travel, plans for the future, and Orioles baseball that it really hit me--these are moments to savor and remember.

A group of friends gathered for a time to escape the troubles of life and revel in just being together.

We were talking about the hurricane and the relatively minor damage, thankfully, we received especially compared to the people living in New Jersey and NYC who have been reduced to living like they were in the Middle Ages. Our thoughts and prayers went out to them.

We cheered when we realized that the NYC Marathon was canceled--because it was a recognition of the terrible conditions in the area and would keep thousands from sojourning there to make the situation even worse. But we also recognized that thousands of people had been diligently training for this event and they would not be happy that the goal of their training would be unrealized.

Sitting at the table we were able to discuss both sides of politically charged issues without the emotion that so often enters into such discussions.

Did we solve the problems of the world? No. No one seems to be able to do that.

But for a time, we escaped the problems in our own worlds and made them seem a bit more managable.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Craziness and Phones

It happened with a few rings of the telephone.

A quiet evening, relaxing with a glass of wine became a mad fury of planning and preparation for the crisis which has just come through the phone lines and landed into our laps.

Off to NYC--to the hospital for another round of emergency care in the continuing battle against the foe that seemingly will not be beaten.

As rapidly as the ringer on the phone called us to action, we responded completely changing the plans and surging into action to support those on the frontline of the battle.

With every twist and turn--the foe is there goading us, probing for a weakness. Hoping that we have become weak and are willing to stop fighting and succumb to its control.

But no--the heroes in this battle are fueled by strong wills and supported by incredible love and prayer warriors.

There will be no surrender--only victory! Join the fight!

Victory will be sweet!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

November Arrives

And so, after the fanfare associated with Halloween, November has arrived to grace us with its 30 days of fun and preparation as the first of the final two months of 2012.

Makayla at Halloween

Halloween is the effective end of the active part of the year and the hibernation season, the season of darkness begins with the arrival of November and the end of daylight savings time. Unless of course I were living in the southern hemisphere or the tropics.

But alas, I am residing in neither geographic region.

I am stuck in the north--and too far north at that. Although I am only about 39 and a quarter degrees north longitude--sometimes it feels more like 60 degrees. I'm not even half way between the equator and the pole! But still at least 15 degrees to far north. I always joke that I will know I am far enough south when I see palm trees growing in the wild.

But back to Halloween, Makayla was a trooper last evening as she trick or treated with the kids in her costume.  I think that she actually likes her costume--realizing that it is something special and makes her look like the lady she is. I was happy that she just accepted it and did not try to get it off. I also like the compliments from the people we meet about her festive attire.

But it is, as they say, all history now. And it is on to November and all that it has in store.

Can you spell Turkey?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Changing Season

With the passing of the hurricane, the weather took a turn for the colder with temperatures last evening. As the thermometer cruised down past 40, we decided to enjoy our first fire of the season.

Riordin Enjoying the Fire

Seems that we were not the only ones to enjoy that first fire in the fireplace.

Riordin was also seeking heat as the temperatures got cooler. We try to balance the BGE electric bill against comfort and warmth--it seem the cat likes the warmth part a bit more.

It is amazing how even the idea of a roaring fire makes a room warmer.

And it really was warmer.

After being in the house for the better part of the past two days, enjoying a glass of wine in front of a warm fire as nighttime fell too early was just the ticket. And I did find a great wine to enjoy too--a 2010 Keswick Cabernet Franc which was sultry and sensuous.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Frankenstorm: Before and After

Well, we escaped the worst of the storm.

Before Hurricane Sandy

I am watching the TV this morning as the news broadcasters explore the destruction from Hurricane Sandy up and down the coast. I grieve for the people of New Jersey and elsewhere who have lost so much during the storm.

My assessment is that aside from the usual branches and leaves, we are unscathed.  Well, I do have the leaky roof but that is something I can begin to handle once the rain stops.

None of our trees came down--thankfully. I still have plenty lying around to turn  into firewood.

It is, as of this hour, still raining. Not hard but constant.

After Hurricane Sandy

It is a good day to stay home and hunker down.

I took before and after images which I am sharing. At least the wind moved the leaves into easy to remove piles-except that they are drenched!

I note that the leaves are now mostly off the trees--that will make my decision not to rake the leaves before the storm seem a bit more insightful. I kinda figured the trees would be stripped of most of the remaining leaves after the winds and rain.

So now the clean-up begins.

And tomorrow it is back to work.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Frankenstorm Passes

We are still here and have apparently survived Hurricane Sandy.

So far we have retained our electricity and although it is still early and hard to tell, the damage to our immediate area seems minimal.

We survived a roof leak which saw me racing to Home Depot to get roof repair goop during the height of the storm and then up onto the roof in a driving rain, assisted by the collected family to try to stem the water which was running down along a wall.  I was mostly successful--a more permanent repair will be attempted when it gets drier.

Thank you for all of your concerns and prayers..

More updates will follow after dawn breaks.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost power and have sustained damage.

Now the recovery begins!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 29, 2012

1. Hurricane Sandy, aka Franken-storm, is upon us and canceling activities throughout the region. The devastation this storm can cause is only beginning to be realized.

2. I was happy that the Ravens had the weekend off from football. I needed the break while the World Series being won. Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants who swept the Tigers who swept the Yankees who stumbled by the O's.

3. I was amazed at how the area schools and offices respected the weather and decided to close and allow people to remain home to tend to their families.  Way to go U.S. OPM!

4. Today is the anniversary of the 1929 stock market crash. Have we done any better since then?

5. With the NHL season on ice--what am I going to do for my mid-week sports fix now that the World Series is over?

6. Did you hear the joke about the election next week? Neither did I.

7. If you are planning to travel during the next two days--change your plans.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Ask the Right Question

I drove through a neighborhood yesterday and spied a sign in front of a church. This one was brighter than most--aided by modern electronics and animation to ensure that I saw their message.

Think about it--one visible sign posted along a roadside to state in a fleeting moment the most important thing about the church/congregation.

And what was this most important question:

"Where will you spend eternity?"

Really? That is the best that they can do for an area full of people who aren't even sure how they are going to get through this afternoon or tomorrow? To a people with problems and pain that is the best that the church can do?

I hope not.

In order to get people to worry about eternity they need to help them through this afternoon. That sign seemed so bible thumping to me. So out of touch with the condition of the country and what is happening right around the corner.

Even worse--many people driving by the sign have no concept of eternity--they need to be taught.

But before that, someone needs to ask:

How was your day?
Do you need to talk?
Do you need a friend?

Before asking people about spending eternity somewhere like it is a vacation spot, we need to find out what we need to do to help them even consider the possibility that eternity exists.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Franken-storm Cometh

The east coast is abuzz with talk of and preparations for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy. It has become all consuming--even here at home where took a few hours of leave yesterday to begin storm preparations.

Storm Proofed Back Deck Area

We have many plants and chairs and cushions along with assorted patio related items that needed to be secured. The task was to get everything out of the open areas and secured. Including off the porch.

The pool house has become a temporary greenhouse (although dark) to hide the plants that normally adorn the exterior of the house.

I enjoyed all of the leaves that had fallen and I hope that having the leaves mostly off the trees will reduce the numbers of fallen trees and branches which create havoc when they crash through power lines, roads, and houses.

The Pool House Becomes a Green House

The news media is everywhere ensuring that people are aware of the impending storm. That is a good thing.

Schools are preparing for contingencies.

People are panicking. Others are making preparations for the impending mayhem.

Makayla Keeping a Watchful Eye on Storm Preparations

Makayla, however, is just taking it all in. She parked herself on the pool cover and just kept a watchful eye on my comings and goings as I worked to move stuff around.

Sometimes, I wish I were a dog.

Then I could lay on the pool cover among the leaves and just relax while the world around me is working feverishly to prepare for a huge storm.

Well--although the storm is named Sandy--it is really a Franken-storm because is stands to destroy Halloween.

But, more on that another day.

I think I'm going to join Makayla on the pool cover.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Foreign Policy Question

Is having a coherent foreign policy important?  Seems to me that it must not be that important after watching the debacle of a debate the other night.

One candidate for president obviously doesn't believe in a coherent foreign policy because he has not implemented one and his challenger wanted to talk about domestic issues instead.

Why is foreign policy so important?  It is because the world is so small.

An inconsistent foreign policy means that our friends and foes alike cannot trust us.

Who really knows what are are doing. Even we don't it seems.

When presidential candidates are discussing foreign policy and someone is getting a tutorial about bayonets and horses and aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines--we have a problem. America has a problem.

Foreign policy is important and sometimes I feel like it is the second fiddle to everything else, like domestic policy and one up man-ship.

Maybe I care more than many people.

Maybe we need to really examine what the U.S. is about and make a reasoned decision.

All I know is that neither candidate made definitive foreign policy statements, but they sniped at each other like high schoolers without eliciting a meaningful, coherent policy.

Is there another candidate in the race?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD