Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Cat Stretches it Legs--Springtime is Coming

Cat with the Top Down
One of the surest signs of Spring is when Cat comes out of the garage and takes a stroll on the highway.

It happened yesterday. I drove Cat to work and was able to drive home with the top down. I wish I could have driven like my hair had been on fire, but the traffic was a bit heavy.

The temperatures were in the mid- to high-sixties and although the day was overcast, it was definitely freeing to drive home with the wind in my hair. 

The day was such a reversal from even last week when the highs were in the 30's and on one morning the low was 4 degrees. 

The image on the right shows my two primary vehicles--my winter and bad weather truck is in the back. It has been carrying the load these last five months. But, hopefully, Cat is ready to purr and take over the daily commute duties.

Now, if only the weather cooperates.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

A Taste of Springtime

How do I know when Springtime has arrived? 

Signs--I see the signs. 

I noticed some of them yesterday. 

For instance, despite the incredible cold weather the tulip poplars are beginning to bud as are many other trees and shrubs. Flowers are beginning to poke their heads above the ground again to start the growing and flowering process.

But one of the sure signs of Springtime is when I willingly head out to the grill to prepare dinner and I don't need to bundle into a heavy coat for protection from the cold. Last evening, that sign arrived. I cooked on the grill and did not have to bundle against the cold. While it was only in the 50's, I can tell that Spring is coming. 

It has been almost six weeks since the Pennsylvania rodent, who shall remain nameless, forecast six more weeks of Winter. It is time for the seasonal change to begin if his forecast is true.

And it has. Today is forecast to reach 68 degrees. Tomorrow is forecast for 70! OK, Thursday's high is set for 32 degrees--but at least the general trend is in the right direction.

And what direction is that? 

In my book, that direction is for beach weather! Break out the swimming suits and sunscreen.

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, March 10, 2014

Monday Musings - March 10, 2014

1. March has arrived and now in its second week, maybe some signs of Spring will be found, soon.

2. During a birthday celebration last week, I overheard a my daughter tell Jackson, as he was leaning in close to blow out the candles on the birthday cake, not to kiss the candle because the relationship would never work out.

3. It is amazing was a few hours at the groomers will do for Makayla--she looks like a completely different dog. Actually, she looks more like a Norwegian Elkhound than a Keeshond.

4. Why does it seem that although I have access to more TV channels, I am finding less to watch? I am beginning to watch baseball games and hockey matches between teams I don't care about just to find something to watch. 

5. I'm looking forward to getting to Sarasota in a few weeks for Spring Training--at least it will be warm there.

6. In an effort to accelerate the arrival of Springtime, we went to the Maryland Home and Garden Show yesterday. It was great to walk among the flowers and displays imagining things that we cannot afford. But, we also found some perfect furnishings as we continue our home makeover.

7. It was really hard to get out of bed on this first Monday after Daylight Savings Time stole and hour from me.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Chasing Leprechauns

Ethan with his Leprechaun Trap
It is the time of year when thoughts turn to St Patrick Day, which is next week, and leprechauns.

My oldest grandson sets a leprechaun trap every year in an attempt to capture one of the elusive creatures and claim his pot of gold. It has become an annual event with Ethan developing a new and more creative trap every year and the leprechaun eluding capture, but leaving behind some treasure for his efforts.

It is a classic case of the chaser and the prey--except, much like the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, the prey outwits the chaser every time. The coyote never could capture the roadrunner, either.

Ethan is employing a new tactic this year. He is has already set-up the trap, rather than waiting St Patrick's Eve, and is moving locations hoping to both lure and capture the leprechaun while he is reconnoitering the area. The bait? Lucky Charms, of course.

Good luck Ethan--I just hope you share some of the pot of gold with me when you finally capture that elusive leprechaun.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Saturday, March 8, 2014

Springing Forward

It is coming, making its annual appearance to deprive nearly everyone in the United States of an hour of sleep. Tonight!

It is the Spring Forward into Daylight Savings time. Tonight, I lose an hour of sleep and it throws me off for about a week. 

But I do look forward to the arrival of Spring in the form of Daylight Savings Time. Only this year, Spring seems to be staying on holiday.

I have a few questions about the time savings: Where does the time go? Can I draw on it later? Does it gain interest? Why do I have to start driving to work in the dark again? Will the green grass return?

I look forward to tomorrow when I will look into the faces of the other church goers on the morning after the shorter night before. We will all have that bleary-eyed, self-satisfied look that says, yup, I remembered and I was able to drag my carcass out of bed an hour earlier to make it to church on time. 

At least this morning the temperature was 28 degrees, 24 degrees warmer than Tuesday morning. That is a positive sign. Maybe Spring will make an appearance soon after I save some daylight.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, March 7, 2014

Great Military Commanders Responses in the Face of Adversity

I love the story of the American commander, General Anthony McAuliffe,  commander of the 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the Germans at Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the bulge during late 1944 who responded to the German ultimatum for surrender with a single word: "Nuts." I have found another similar response which should be remembered, not for its shortness, but its eloquence.

I have been following with great interest the current situation in the Crimea which Russian forces have, without provocation, have decided to occupy. 

The LA Times reported an exchange between the commanding admiral of the Russian fleet and the Ukrainian naval base commander. The story, as reported goes as follows:
A Ukrainian navy sailor looks at the scuttled Russian ship
from the Black Sea shore. 
Photo: AP


Earlier in the week, the commander of the Russian Black Sea fleet, Adm. Alexander Vitko, visited Ukraine’s South Base, according to the deputy base commander, Capt. Viktor Shmiganovsky. 
“He asked me to invite all the officers and suggested that we collectively take up the Russian military allegiance oath and become part of the Black Sea fleet … promising good pay and a bright future,” Shmiganovsky said in an interview. “He insisted we do that to help protect Ukraine from extremist gangs.”
The officer said his boss, the base commander, retorted: “Comrade admiral, we didn't see any extremist gangs here until you came with your men.” He said the admiral left “in a rage.”
I really think this response says it all. Comrade Admiral--is a direct reference to the days of the oppressive Soviet Union. 

In response, the Russians sank a derelict vessel to trap the Ukrainian navy in its port. 

But the response was elegant and complete.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Hump Day Phenomena Affects Birthdays

Wednesday has become Hump Day. Actually it had been hump day for a long time, but the recent advertisements by a camel in an auto insurance commercial have cemented Wednesday as Hump Day and especially if your name happens to be Mike.

Coincidentally, Jackson's actual birthday fell on Hump Day this year. He was rewarded for this chance happening by having a creative birthday cake designed and baked by his mother. 

I found this cake to be very creative in its simplicity and beauty. Direct and to the point. It also tasted great--a four layer chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and fondant. Mmm.

The birthday boy (and his brother) also wore Hump Day T-shirts to commemorate the day.  Sadly, I didn't get a good picture of them in the shirts to remember the day. I need one of these shirts!

It was all in good fun and I do appreciate how the image of the camel has been transformed from a cigarette advertisement into a more family oriented symbol ringing in the middle day of the week.

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Jackson and to everyone who has a birthday on Wednesday this year, may your year always be on the upswing and not the downslide side of the hump.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

De-Extintion Conundrum

NORTH WIND PICTURE ARCHIVES/VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS -
A woodcut from the 1870s shows passenger pigeons
being shot in Louisiana.
I read two compelling articles the other day about recreating Woolly Mammoths and other extinct species. One article was titled De-Extintion: Bringing Extinct Species back to Life and was published by the National Geographic. The other was published by the Washington Post and was titled Scientists look to revive the long extinct passenger pigeon

Can man really play god? Can we make right what went wrong? What about less desirable species, like insects or poisonous snakes?  Even dinosaurs?

These are good questions. 

I have long been fascinated by the plight of the passenger pigeon. Descriptions of the flocks numbering billions of individual birds and darkening the skies overhead are but memories as the last passenger pigeon died in 1914. And now, scientists believe that they can make right what man destroyed. 

Should they?

Is it right to recreate extinct species and place them again on the planet which has changed since they departed? It is a question of Jurassic Park implications. What if their reintroduction becomes a significant problem? What if they must be returned to extinction to for financial or other reasons? 

It is an issue that deserves a lot of thought before investing the millions of dollars to revive a species--even though I would love to see passenger pigeons darken the skies once again or maybe e ben see a woolly mammoth in a zoo somewhere. .

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Who Loves the Snow?

Makayla in the Snow
One of my readers has accused me of writing too much about the snow. I stand convicted! I would prefer to write about warm sandy beaches--but there aren't any near me. The snow is ubiquitous and unending, it seems. Untile the snow had finally and completely departed there can be ". . . no joy in Mudville."

Yesterday I determined that one member of my family actually loves the snow. Makayla!

Although not technically a snow dog, like a huskie, she does have a double coat and she seems to love being out in the snow. The only time she asked to go out and just play and not perform some bodily function is during snow events. 
As the Storm Begins

Fortunately, the storm under performed yesterday. We were expecting up to 9 inches of fresh, while snow and received only about 5.

Yay. Less to shovel.

The bigger problem this morning are the record setting frigid temperatures. The record for the area is 5 degrees and at my house this morning the thermometer reads 5.4 degrees with still an hour to go before dawn.

That is too cold for Makayla. Too cold for me. Although, I am headed out in a few minutes to risk life and limb on the racquetball court. 

Hopefully, this will be my last blog about snow for the season, except to write that it has finally and completely departed and been replaced by green grass and flowers.  Time will tell.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Monday, March 3, 2014

Monday Musings - March 3, 2014

View in the Morning at the Beginning of the Storm
1. To misquote a line from a movie: Snow, why did it have to be snow? We are looking for up to 9 inches followed by bone chilling cold.

2. Soviet Reunion, that is what Patrick called the current situation in the Ukraine. Well said.

Salt Pile
3. The most valuable commodity before a big storm is? SALT! I went to no less than 8 places looking for it yesterday. I found none--they all were sold out! I need to start looking earlier for the next storm.

4. How do you know a big storm is coming to the Baltimore area? They preempt the news for the weather.

5. When I went to bed last night I was hoping that the forecast for ice and snow was a bad dream. It wasn't.

6. I watched two Orioles baseball games over the weekend. Awesome! It was sunny and warm in Florida--and I'm not there, why?

7. I watched a lot of the Oscars program last evening. There are a couple of movies that I need to watch. Overall, I was not surprised by the outcomes.

8. Springtime is coming--I am sure. I just can't see it yet.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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