Reflections on a Glass of Wine

At the end of the day, especially after an extremely trying and busy day, I am amazed a how a glass of wine can cause the weight of the day to melt away.

Sipping and appreciating a glass of wine is an art form  and settles the mind. Reviewing the clarity, the color, the "nose," the flavors and the finish cause the mind to refocus on the glass and not the troubles of the day.

Unlike beer, which I often drink very quickly and be left wondering what it was I just consumed, good wine causes me to pause and appreciate something other than the troubles of the day.

Last evening, after working for another few hours on the flooring project, the wine of choice was Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon. An easy drinking and enjoyable wine which helps the troubles of the day melt away as I consider the  characteristics of the complex liquid in my glass. It was, of course, made better by the way the Orioles were beating the unnamed team from the north on the field at Camden Yards.

I highly recommend a glass to end the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Springtime Fragrances on the Wind--An Allergist success Story

A few weeks ago I was suffering through one of the most ferocious allergy attacks that I have ever had. I was a mess for more than two weeks and the prospect of being outdoors was not something I looked forward to for long periods of time.

That, thankfully, has changed.

I am over the springtime attack and am enjoying the fragrances on the breeze.

Black locust is one that is fully in bloom right now and also one of my favorites. I smelled the sweet fragrance before I even realize that the trees around my house were fully in bloom. I love those trees because they remind me of my childhood where our house was surrounded by these tall trees. And then there is honeysuckle which I also noticed yesterday along with the smell of fresh mowed grass which portends the arrival of summertime.

The world is alive with smells--many of them sweet and appealing, but some, not so.

And I am enjoying them this year, again.

-- Bob Doan, Ellridge, MD

As Memorial Day Approaches, Reflection

Standing on Jupiter Beach Dreaming

I am amazed that the year has passed so swiftly and that Memorial Day is this weekend. Summertime is almost here.

I have noticed that the sky is brighter when I drive to the club for my early morning racquetball thrashing, almost bright enough on clear days to remind me that the solstice is only about a month away and then things will begin winding down for the last half of the year.

Visions of the beach are creeping into my daily thoughts--both for the coming weekend and for my summer get away. The smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves, the feel of the salt water on my skin for the first time since last summer.

It begins this weekend.

Of course the wood floors still need to be finished. The lawn is too long. Then there is the pool and maintenance and maybe even swimming in it sometime soon.

I wonder what my big summertime project will be? Oh yeah, staining the deck that we reconstructed last year.

I'm doing a lot of wood related projects it seems. But I am blessed with the tools to do these projects.

Patrick remarked, last evening as he was helping with the floors, that working with his hands was one of the most satisfying things that he did. I have to agree.  There is a satisfaction that comes form building, whether a sand castle on the beach with grandsons or a deck, or tables, or even new floors. The process of problem solving, creating, and building is very satisfying and provides respite from the cerebral pursuits of my daily life.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 20, 2013

1. I didn't travel anywhere this weekend--I was inside working on floors which are not done.

2. Hard work is contagious. Or maybe it is just sick.

3. Why do I work harder at home than at work?

4. The Orioles are definitely in a low place right now.  They have lost five in a row.

5. It is hard to type with a sore finger! I just took a huge sliver out of the end on one of my typing fingers.

6. Ever notice that when the humidity is up, it seems hotted on cooler days?

7. My pool has been open three weeks now and except for my toes--no one has chanced the frigid waters.

8. Next weekend is Memorial Day. Wow, where is the year going?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

New Wood Floors--Almost

The MBR is Finished

It is amazing how seemingly small things can take a real long time to get right.

For instance, on the floor project, Fran and I spent about 4 hours ensuring the top stair would integrate into the flooring in the best possible manner.

And then it seemed that we worked around the edges of the room for seemingly hours. We started in earnest on Saturday at 9AM, but did not lay the first piece of flooring until 2PM because we were trying to ensure that the line being used to connect the study, hall, and master bedroom was straight and true. Who knew that it could take hours to get that seemingly small thing it right.

That written--I learned a lot and there is still a lot left to do--closets, my study, and the rest of the hallway. Life on the second floor of our house looks like a refugee camp. I worked a thirteen hour day today slinging wood and cutting boards.

The Office Still Needs to be Completed

It still is not done!  But what is done it beautiful.

Thanks Francis for teaching me and for giving up your weekend to work like a dog putting in the floors. Hopefully, I can pull it together and finish it off--this week.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It begins

I have been out all over town already this morning collecting the last remaining pieces for the flooring project. This is going to be a long and tiring day, I can tell.

The carpet is gone, and the hardest part so far was lugging 24 long and heavy boxes of flooring upstairs and positioning them for action.

But all is ready--and as they say, so it begins.

Hammers, nailers, and saws at the ready.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Weekend Project

The project for the weekend is laying hardwood floors for two bedrooms and the hall.

It is going to be a long weekend, but the deconstruction is nearly done--the existing carpet and pad have been removed form the floors and the nails, stables, tacky strips and other assorted debris has been collected. The room are mostly bare--and we are living like we just moved in with boxes and furniture repositioned throughout the upstairs.

The truck is loaded and ready to head off to the recycling center to get rid of the old carpet and pad.

We realized that the carpet is 12 years old and the pad was about 20 something years old. It was time for a change. And the time is now.  Of course deconstruction is a lot faster and easier than laying the new wood floors is going to be.

It is going to be a busy weekend!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Afternoon Baseball

I love baseball--almost everyone who knows me knows that fact about me. And, I love afternoon baseball. I remember growing up in a time before lighted stadiums were prevalent almost every baseball game was played in the afternoon. I remember that even World Series games were afternoon affairs. I remember coming home and turning on the television to watch the games.

I believe the 1962 world series between the Yankees and the Giants (then in San Francisco) was the first televised series that I remember. I watched it on our black and white TV with the fuzzy signal because we did not have cable TV.

Baseball was meant to play in the sunlight of a hot afternoon, at a stadium filled with screaming fans and then be able to head home for the afternoon and evening!  The sun does funny things in a baseball game. I took leave yesterday afternoon to attend an Orioles game and I saw an error caused by the ball getting lost in the sun.The Orioles gave up a run when the second baseman lost the ball in the sun and missed the catch.

The park was alive yesterday. The parking? Well, that was another matter. Parking was awful. But the city was alive and the fans enthusiastic even though the home team lost, miserably.

And what did I do for my evening fun? I served as an assistant coach for Jax's T-ball team game. A baseball doubleheader, as they say.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Budget Insanity Strikes Home

The tale of woe has finally come to rest upon the Department of Defense. Sadly, the Secretary of Defense announced yesterday mandatory furloughs for most all employees of 11 days, one day per week for eleven weeks beginning in July.

Great, I won't even be able to get a summer job!

It is a travesty that because our elected officials cannot agree on governing and budgeting for the common defense that the workers upon whom the defense of the nation rest must sacrifice again.

It is almost unconstitutional! Congress has a few specific things that they are supposed to do and they have abrogated them.

Again? Yup. It has been three years since any pay raises to maintain living standards while taxes, health care, and living continue to dramatically increase. For marginal gain, people must again suffer with no recourse except to write Congress upon who their protestations will fall upon deaf ears.

I will write, however. I urge everyone to write Congress and let them know that they have earned a failing grade in governing the country.

And they are going to ask to get reelected next year.

Do we really want more of the same? Can we afford more of the same? We need to be careful what we ask for, but I'm pretty sure what we have isn't working.

At least I'll have more time for gardening on my own nickel.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Time to Return to our Roots

I received a call from the one of the political organizations last evening asking me to renew my membership to help overturn Obama-care.

I can't believe it. We have developed into a country of obstructionists. I told the caller that when the Republicans start trying to work with the Democrats to govern this country in a bipartisan manner for the good of the country and not for the gain or loss of a political party, I would consider donating.

It is sad we have come to this. We are more focused on individual hot issues rather than one central big issue--Is it good for America and does it make us stronger and smarter?

Right now, the answer to that question is definitely, NO!

We have to do better or I fear we will dissolve further into a country of special interests where the central government will continue to be inept and unable to do their elected jobs. What needs to happen?

First--fix the budget and start running the country.

Second--provide for the common defense (sound familiar constitutionalists?)

Third--help the poor and homeless improve their living conditions without oppressive taxes on those who are successful.

Fourth--modify laws which turn common law abiding citizens into criminals among them certain new gun laws, drinking age laws, and many other well meaning but poorly implemented special interest sponsored laws.

Fifth--stop trying to find new way to tax people and start trying to find new ways to ensure domestic tranquility.

I am weary of getting calls from political action groups pushing single issues while missing the big issue.

It is time for a change--I believe in the Constitution and bipartisanship which focuses on what is best for America!  Is there anyone else out there who feels the same?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD