Thursday, February 28, 2013

Roof Day -- Success

The new roof day was a great success.
Putting the Roofing Shingles into position 

I am not worried about the next hurricane. My new roof will be able to withstand winds of 130 mph.

There was damage--rot. Ugh! Extra costs, but they are repaired now. Although the roof looked good before they started--there was rot. Areas where the rood system had failed. Left unattended, more serious problems and expense would have resulted.

Repairing Storm Damage
What a beautiful day. The sun even shone for most of the operation.

No rain. No crummy weather.

I was worried whether the weather would hold, but it did.

And now it is done.

Yay.

I do not expect to be on the roof during hurricanes or worrying about leaks

Roofs are just one of those things that I shouldn't have to worry about. And now I don't.



The New Roof
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

New Roof Day

It is hard not to be excited about getting a new roof. It is new, after all. It is something that the house has needed for a couple years now--I have been keeping the current roof in service through extra care.

It really became a crisis during Hurricane Sandy, a/k/a/ Frankenstorm, when I was on the roof, accompanied at various times by Chris, Patrick, and Corey working to stem the leaking--successfully, I might add, during the worst part of the storm.

I had the unique experience of driving when the roads were closed to secure roof patch at Home Depot and then climbing up the ladder to try to figure out where the water was coming inside form. Leaks never are where they appear!  It is one of those facts of life. I was, however, successful in stemming the flow.

And now, some four months hence and before the summer begins, the roof is being replaced. It is time to reset and restart the timer on my roof. The 22 year-old builders 20-year roof is at the end of its life. I have known this day was coming for some time as there are many new roofs in the neighborhood. I wish that I could take the rook money and do a nice vacation somewhere--but no, it will be reinvested into a roof.

I do not believe new roofs increase the value of a home--they are one of those foundational requirements--roof? Yes. Does it leak? No. Nuff said!

I'm not planning on being here when it expires the next time. I'm getting a lifetime roof--although I'm not sure whether that is my lifetime or the house. In either case, I should not be bothered by roof issues ever again.

I will say, the process of getting quotes for this job was interesting. The variance between the low and high quotes was incredible. The last of the four company's didn't bother leaving a quote because they were going to be $2,000 above the lowest for lesser quality materials. I appreciated getting about an hour of my life back. Note to self--definitely get multiple quotes for big jobs!

They should be arriving soon. I hope the weather holds. At least I'm taking a day off from work to watch/monitor the progress.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Come into the Sunlight

It happened yesterday morning for the first time this year.

I had to put my sunglasses on while driving to work--the sun was out and bright!

I have been watching the sunrises for a number of weeks now, but finally, yesterday, the skies were clear and the sun was in my eyes. It was wonderful!

Sadly, it is only temporary. Daylight savings time will soon return my morning commute to darkness until May when again I will be bathed in the glow of morning's dawn for a few months as I make my way to work.

Maybe I should go into work later in order to enjoy the sunlit morning commute. But no, then I would get to enjoy less of the afternoon and evening which can be so productive and enjoyable.

I already imagine sitting around the pool enjoying the warm evenings, swatting at the hordes of mosquitoes which desire to use me for their evening meal, enjoying the gathering golden light of the sunset only to dream of another dawn.

And another day.

The sunlight was a big change from the dreary darkness of last week. It makes the entire week seem full of promise and excitement.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, February 25, 2013

Monday Musings - February 25, 2013

1. Oscars! Now we know that Argo is the big winner.

2. It is amazing how warm 50 degrees seems after suffering through so many days in a row with highs in the 30's.

3. The Orioles have won their first two Spring Training games. Hope springs anew for another season!

4. How cool is it that the science community has found a missing continent. I wonder who misplaced it?

5. What is a Unicorn Apocalypse? "I want them to look like real unicorns. The way they look in real life." That, friends, is a television commercial.

6. I know that Springtime is near--the Daytona 500 was run yesterday.

7. I listened to a Spring Training baseball game on the radio!  Sadly, by the seventh inning I didn't recognize many of the players.

8. By this time next week, the U.S. could be in its worst economic and budgetary crisis ever!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Here it Comes!

Chris exclaimed this morning, "Stop, everyone, look outside. The sun is shining!"


And so it was, or more correctly, is. The sky has a bluish hue to it and the bright orb that has taken its leave from us lately has returned.

Amazingly, as I surveyed the yard I found that the daffodils are springing up in anticipation of warmer weather. They are really up and I expect to see some flowers during the course of the next few weeks.

Even the cats are headed outside more. The temperature is above freezing and headed for near 50 today. I was joking that on Wednesday is the temperatures get above 50 degrees I may put the top down and drive Cat around--just because.

With the sun shining, though, I know it is going to be a great day. Even more, because we will be celebrating Jax's fifth birthday.

Here comes the sun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Whether the Weather

I am amazed how much the weather affects me. And, it seems, so are many people around me.

This week was a good example. The weather was gray, and cold, and generally miserable. By the end of the week, so was I. Today is no better. Cold, overcast, and rainy.

As this week wore on, tempers became short, skin became thin, and emotions began to run high. I came home from work last evening with a banging headache and feeling totally drained. I think everyone I know is ready for blue skies, sunshine, and mid-70's (or higher) temperatures.

On the positive side, the Orioles are playing their first Spring Training game today! Summer cannot be far off. I looked at the forecast for Sarasota, Florida (where the Orioles hold Spring Training) and saw sunshine and 80 degree temperatures. I wish I was there. Right now!

But, I am not. I have to take Makayla to get her nails done and accomplish a number of other tasks around the house today. All the while, looking at the cold, gray dampness which has descended upon everything.

I did enjoy Ethan's last basketball game of the season already this morning. At least that means that youth baseball season is about to begin!

The weather is a fact of life. It is just amazing how much it affects the quality of life.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, February 22, 2013

Sequestration and Playing Chicken

Does it matter that the Democrats want to break the back of the Republican Party, or that the Republicans want to embarrass the President?

All Americans will suffer if our leaders cannot agree to govern and stop acting like spoiled children in the sand box. There are no parents to save the day and make the kids play nice.

What happens if the meltdown is allowed to occur next Friday?

- Our country will move from a bad reality TV show into disaster.

- Our currency is devalued raising the costs of imports increasing the pain on consumers.

- The price of gas sky rockets.

- The prestige and honor of our great republic is forever tarnished.

While these battles are not unlike those waged between Jefferson and Adams, at least our founding fathers retained the perspective that the country must survive.

I am not so sure about our current leaders. It seems they are content to play a dangerous game of chicken.

By the way--even if we dodge the sequestration bullet, the country still does not have a budget.

It is a mess--no matter what rock we look under.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, February 21, 2013

I Don't Want to Know How to Spell That Word

It is coming.

The economic gains of the past two years are about to be lost because our dysfunctional government cannot agree on a budgetary way forward.

The word is sequestration. It means the demise of the U.S. economy, defense, and livelihood for all. While to some it may sound like a good way to reduce the debt and the size of government--I will be a disaster because of the senseless cookie cutter approach that it will apply.

If we think our government is bad now--just wait, we haven't seen anything yet. Most people have no idea how much they depend on the Federal Government for the livelihood they enjoy. And I do not mean just federal workers, who are the lowest of pawns in this embarrassing display of ineptitude.

The U.S. is acting like a has-been third world nation.

Both sides are playing brinkmanship politics with results that could cost far more than will ever be saved.

No one is going to win in the end. So to quote a line from a movie: "The only winning move is not to play."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD






Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Knowing Who is Standing with Me is What Matters

I've been in a low spot. It could be the lack of sunshine, the continuing too cold weather, the pace at work, or my crummy racquetball outings--but nonetheless, I've been in a low spot. I played a racquetball match last evening and even though I had a lead late in both games, I knew I'd blow it, and I did. It was a self fulfilling prophecy.

That written, I have come across a powerful song released last year by one of my favorite artists, Chris Tomlin. The song is Whom Shall I Fear? As I have been struggling against the cold darkness of the season and self-doubt, this song had lifted my spirit.


It is a very uplifting song and I highly recommend it. Click on the link to YouTube above to see the words and hear the song.

The refrain lyrics are:

I know who goes before me 
I know who stands behind me 
The God of angel armies 
Is always by my side 
The one who reigns forever 
He is a friend of mine 
The God of angel armies 
Is always by my side

Perspective! That's what matters when I get too focused on the crummy seasonal weather, losing racquetball matches, being wrong more than I am right, or when I begin to doubt myself and my ability.

I saw the sunrise yesterday grace the sky on my way to work. It was fabulous. The promise of the new day stretched out in front of me dragged me into the dawn of an exciting new day full of possibilities. I've got a lot of stuff to do every day and I need to take more enjoyment from the tasks completed than perseverating over the tasks remaining.   


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Perceptions: They Matter

Caution: This entry may be unsuitable until after the first cup of coffee in the morning.

I ran across an interesting pie chart the other day which all to clearly highlights the image problems that Christians have today in America. I found it on Facebook originally and then this liberal site: Democratic Underground. Doing a Google search, I found it on many sites.

I was shocked to see something so simple lay out a serious public perception problem so clearly.

Christians in America today, and this is a broad generalization, are missing the boat on the truly important issues that they are uniquely gifted to undertake. While there is likely little science behind this chart, and I an pretty sure the entire thing was fabricated--Christians need to take note that the report card is not good.

Reading the comments on the referenced site are very interesting and help to demonstrate that although it is important to be politically active and work to change the world, the way we are supposed to change the world is by one heart at a time. I was shocked that no measurable posts were devoted to helping the sick and needy.

I was reminded of Romans 13:1: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God." -- NET Bible

While I too believe that political activism is important, Christians need to be seen as more than just the radical side of the Republican Party--or Tea Party, or whatever. They need an identity separate from politics. It is clear that the current wave of political activism is overshadowing the important good that christians in America are doing every day. Christians are under attack--and many of them are painting big red bullseye targets on their backs to give the opposition more places to aim.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


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