Riding the Polar Express into Christmas

The Polar Express

All aboard the conductor yells and with a clanging bell and a shrill whistle the dreams of Christmas begin and are fulfilled in a young boy's life--so the story goes.

Today is the day after Black Friday and the traditional Christmas decorating day for my family. Trees will be erected and decorated and the Thanksgiving turkey will make its last ride back into storage for another year. 

The Polar Express on the Rails

The Polar Express has become one of the iconic Christmas stories. We have been reading it on Christmas Eve for many years--since 1986 when the story won the Caldecott Medal. We ave loved the story and the magic which it recreates in our hearts every time we read it. Can you still hear the bell?

This year, I finally have my own Polar Express train set to set up under our Christmas tree. I also have these awesome images of a "real" Polar Express riding the rails sent to me by a friend from Colorado. This is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad version of the Polar Express.

It is time to put away the turkey, make some soup with the leftovers, break out the cocoa and the Christmas decorations and get to work. The Polar Express is ready to ride the rails into my living room and my heart. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Surviving Ravens-Steelers: The NFL Needs to Clean up the Fans

M&T Bank Stadium
November 28, 2013

It was cold. Let me start there. I was prepared for the cold and for the most part, except at the very beginning of the evening, I adapted to the sub-freezing temperatures and enjoyed myself.

The game was good--I have to like the outcome because the Ravens held on, literally, by stopping a two point conversion to secure victory on their home turf. 

Me and Jeremy before the Game

I was lucky enough to attend my first Ravens-Steelers NFL football game in person with Jeremy--a rabid, but reserved, Steelers fan. He had been there before and knew how the evening would unfold. I wore my venerable Todd Heap, number 86, Ravens jersey and Jeremy wore his usual Ben Roethlisberger, number 7, Steelers jersey. 

We had an awesome time tailgating before the game and met up with many other great people who were looking forward to the game. 

But, once we entered the stadium,  things changed. I feel compelled to condemn a significant, but small, percentage of fans who feel that they must abuse those wearing gear from the visiting team. It bothered me a lot. The slurs I heard directed at Jeremy and other Steelers fans were uncalled for--whether children were present (which they were) or not. 

I admit that the slurs and the nasty behavior of a few fans put a damper on my enthusiasm for the game. In one sequence of uncalled for nastiness near the end of the game while the outcome was still in the balance, a man in front of us grabbed Jeremy's Terrible Towel, uttered words about his parentage and how by waving his towel he was disrespecting his wife, threatened Jeremy when he returns next year to the Ravens-Steelers game, and threw the towel towards the edge of the stadium where another fan helped it to fall down from the upper level into the stadium below. 

Jeremy displayed an awesome sense of composure and we managed to get out of the situation without being surrounded by police and thousands of other drunken fans. 

I know how I feel when Yankees or Red Sox fans come into Camden Yards--but I never will abuse them nor do I tolerate those who do. They bought a ticket and they have a right to enjoy the game. I just hope the home team wins and they go home losers. Nuff said.

The NFL needs to get control of the unacceptable behavior. In baseball, there are ushers everywhere who help manage the rowdiness. That may be the answer. I did not see an usher anywhere all evening. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Thanksgiving - 2013

Turkey and the Snowman

The Holiday to begin The Season has arrived. Thanksgiving dawned with clear and cold skies. The season of the Turkey comes to a gut gorging conclusion later today with dinner and football and wine. 

Thanksgiving is the holiday that every American can celebrate--there are no overt religious overtones to divide us from the celebration and it truly is--not a memorial or remembrance type of day. Thanksgiving is the holiday to give thanks to God for his blessings and also say thank you to the ones you love for being there during the past year through the good times and the not so good times. 

Thanksgiving is also a time to remember those from whom we are separated--but to give thanks for them and their love and support.

Thanksgiving is also a transition point. The time when the turkey and harvest decorations give way to the winter and Christmas decorations. The snowman is already trying to push the turkey off its briefly held perch in front of the fireplace. 

Give thanks. Have a great day and don't forget to phone home.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Snarled Traffic on the Rain Swept Roads

Last evening's drive after work was an experience I hope not to repeat soon. My usual 15 minute trip extended to almost 45 minutes because the snarled traffic. The Parkway was jammed and then my next road, Route 100,  was not moving presumably because I-95 was also at a stand still and there just wasn't anywhere for the traffic to go. 

The lights of the cars reflecting off the rain drenched road were strangely fascinating. I took the image while stopped on Route 100--waiting for whatever it was I was waiting for and for which I never discovered. 

The cars and lights were blurred in an almost impressionist painting style, except that I was expected to drive home in the storm. The dark sky of the early evening, it was only just about 5 PM, reminded me that this was winter's calling card.

Storms in Maryland bring out the worst in drivers. As I was waiting in the traffic looking at the long line ahead trying to merge, I was amazed that a mail truck, yup USPS, drove on the shoulder to until where the traffic was joining and then muscled into the lane. My guess is that the driver was late getting back to the post office and wasn't getting authorized overtime. The driver certainly was not delivering the mail.

Dangerous decisions fueled by frustration.

Be careful, its a jungle out there.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

'Twas The Week Before Thanksgiving Storm

The wintery weather is arriving and is already canceling holiday plans. People who had failed to include weather options in their travel plans are not going to be sharing Thanksgiving dinner with the people that had originally planned on seeing.

That is sad and serves to remind us that we need to be smarter and allow for rapidly changing plans. This storm did not just appear out of nowhere. It has been forming for the better part of the week. And we have been watching it come together.

And now it is here!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Who is the turkey now?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 25, 2013

1. Why does cold weather make me ant to move further south? It is 20 degrees outside this morning. 

2. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the study of Apologetics until church yesterday.

3. The football season grown more interesting and complex with a large number of teams in the AFC sporting 5-6 records. Thursday's game between the Steelers and the Ravens promises to be interesting and cold. I will be there, freezing and cheering in the stands.

4. Snow is besieging much of the country. Winter is on the cusp of taking control of our weather.

5. On this date in 1949, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" appeared on the music charts. Tomorrow, two days before Thanksgiving, the TV adaptation of the song airs on CBS. Although it is my favorite holiday TV special, it is just a little premature.

6. While standing next to Chris's car pumping gas in the frigid, winter-like weather today I realized that no one ever fills my gas tanks. Later during the still too cold day, I had to fuel my own vehicle.

7. Leaves are ubiquitous. I removed them from the yards on Saturday and for a few hour everything looked very nice. Sunday morning, many of them had returned meaning I need to start all over again. It is a vicious cycle.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thanksgiving Sprint

My Thanksgiving Door Topper

It's the week before Thanksgiving and the stress is already apparent. The impending holiday season is no longer something to deal with in the future--it has arrived.

The first presents of Christmas have already begun arriving at the door thanks to the magic of Amazon and UPS. Snow has begun pelting much of the country with not just trace amounts but significant accumulations, just to add to the ambiance.

The Christmas decorations are beginning to shine on some houses in my neighborhood and on my house they are ready to illuminate Black Friday. 

The November race to Thanksgiving is nearly complete and then begins the shortest possible 3 week and 6 day final sprint to Christmas! This has been that unique year where the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving (4 weeks exactly) is longer than the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas! If the shopping hasn't been started, you are already late. There is a depressing thought.

So, let the partying begin! The elves are massing at the front door in anticipation of the season. 

BUT FIRST, take some time to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday full of family, football, and fun! Then let the panic ensue, it is gonna be a crazy holiday season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Inner Keeshond Appears

Makayla after Spa Day

Spa day was a success. The inner Keeshond has returned and Makayla is ready for Thanksgiving.

She smells better and is walking better on the wood floors. The groomer cuts her nails shooter than I am willing to risk. 

She is not much worse for the wear, I know she does suffer a bit of separation anxiety when she is spending the day at the spa, but they keep her busy.

Keeshond or Norwegian Elkhound?

She is a lot of work! 

My only complaint is that I think they trim her a bit too much and make her look more like a Norwegian Elkhound than the Keeshond that she is. 

But, she looks better and smells better than just a few hours earlier. And the inner Keeshond has returned.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Makayla's Spa Day

Makayla Before her Spa Day

Every few months, Makayla gets a spa day. I'm not sure she appreciates it the same way that many people do, but she gets to spend the entire day getting a make-over. 

Today is the day.

I just returned from dropping her off--she makes it so difficult. She looks at me with her big brown eyes and whines as if to say, "Don't leave me."

Makayla Waiting for Spa Day

Well, as you can see, she really needs a spa day. I've been brushing her, but sometimes I just need professional help with her coat. 

Today is that day.

I expect her to come back home looking awesome. I always love the way her fur bounces as she walks after a spa day. I want to believe she likes the way she looks, too. Almost as if she is saying, "Look at me, I'm beautiful." No anthropomorphism here! (When was the last time you saw that word used?)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine Tasting Evening with Laurie Forster

While it may seem boring to some and it may seem I do a lot of of it, the most important thing that happens when I go out to taste wine is that I meet people. Wine drinkers seem to be a group of people who are willing to celebrate life and enjoy the fruit of the vine.

Last evening Chris and I along with two close friends went to a wine event (not entirely a tasting) at a recreational store in Annapolis and enjoyed not only an evening together but rekindled a relationship with a star of the wine world, Laurie Forster.  We first met Laurie about five years ago at the St Michael's Food and Wine event. I must have made an impression because she remembered me. How do I know? She told me where and when we first met! Wow.

Laurie Forster

During the evening, I had the opportunity to play a how good is your nose game--mine isn't very good because blindfolded I confused a banana with an apple and couldn't identify Old Spice aftershave, and wine a book written by Laurie while enjoying an evening of wine and learning. 

Learning about wine is what makes the whole process fun. It is not all about the drinking, but the learning to slow down and appreciate wine. 

Laurie has a great approach to help people learn about wine without that snobby approach that turns so many novices off.

Wine provides a means to meet people and to share experiences. Laurie has developed a subtle comedy act that helps to to educate while also encouraging the enjoyment of wine--and especially moderately priced, good tasting wines. 

Chris and I enjoy learning about wines from new places and even new wines from known locales. The best part is tasting them to appreciate their strengths and to enjoy their complexity.

Good wines, good friends, and meeting new people. What could be better.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD