Monday Musings - July 7, 2014

1. It is over. Independence Weekend is complete and now into the vacation season. Where are you going?

2. Did you ever notice how substantive news disappears during the summer?

3. Hot summer weather is approaching, bring it on!

4. Caution! Vacation ahead. You may not want to return to day-to-day life.

5. What is a Caliphate? From the New York Times on July 2, 2014 comes the following: The jihadist insurgent group ISIS, or as it now prefers to be called, the Islamic State, appears well on the road to achieving its stated goal: the restoration of the caliphate. The concept, which refers to an Islamic state presided over by a leader with both political and religious authority, dates from the various Muslim empires that followed the time of the Prophet Muhammad. From the seventh century onward, the caliph was, literally, his “successor.”

6. Good morning! BTW, the Orioles are in first place in the American Division East with a two game lead! Yes, there is a long way to go, but I like to celebrate the little victories in life, too!

7. Killing teenagers in Palestine and Israel is no way to settle disputes. Both sides are wrong and it needs to stop.

8. Here is a strange twist. Passengers bound for the US from some overseas airports will be required to turn their cell phones on!

9. Has anyone considered establishing a four day weekend?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Holiday Traffic - Jammed Highways

Thursday Traffic in advance of the
Independence Day Weekend

Two downsides of a holiday weekend are first that it ends, and second the traffic.

I had my own traffic experience on Thursday afternoon while making my way home. It was 45 minutes of thrills on the highway traveling at the speed of a rider on horseback.

Frustrating cannot begin to describe my feelings. 

There are good reasons not to travel during the holidays: overcrowded highways and jammed airports are but two.

But, there are great reasons to suffer through along with other travelers, for instance to visit with family and friends, to celebrate together, and to get away.

On the Beach during July 2013

This year is the first in many years that I will not be making a trek to my favorite Florida beaches. Usually, Chris and I depart for Florida around the Independence Day holiday. Some years we are even in Florida to celebrate the holiday. 

While my head understands that a new and different adventure is planned checking out the wineries of the Willamette Valley, my heart longs to be on the beach, in the sun, smelling the warm ocean breeze and taking hour-long snorkeling adventures along the shoreline.

It is July. I find it funny that the crush of holiday traffic makes me think of travel and vacations. 

Drive safely if you are driving today. Enjoy vacation time, if you are away. And dream of where you are going on vacation, if you're not there yet!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Fourth was a Bang!

Ethan and Mike in the Pool

Independence weekend continues even though it is now the 5th of July.

Last night the family witnessed a close and personal fireworks display after a thoroughly enjoyable day. The weather was awesome. Sunny, low humidity, and a great pool day.

The water was warm, the breeze was cool, and the fun was endless.

Everything about the day was focused on getting to the evening, when, after dark, the fireworks display was set to begin in the yard. And a great display was planned. Nice aerial rockets and mortars, roman candles and fountains.  

Poppop with Ethan, Jax, and Lucas with Sparklers

The fun began with sparklers in the yard as dusk was falling along with a seemingly endless supply of bottle rockets left over from last year. The sparklers were the hit of the evening with the kids--and we definitely need more of them for next year. The sparklers and bottle rockets helped extend the fireworks display to over an hour.

We had intended to get some video of the fireworks--but, we all watched and enjoyed them rather than taking video or pictures. 

Cinderblock Remnants

We did have our first major firework malfunction. One of the mortars got stuck in the tube and blew up. We also had the one of the multiple launchers fall over and launch a firework toward the crowd. So the evening was very exciting. The aftermath of the mortar explosion was sobering and reminded me that our safety precautions probably prevented injuries--well except to the cinderblock which was destroyed by the blast. Those are my feet looking at the pieces. OK--it was an impressive blast, and the cinderblock prevented flaming balls from going everywhere.

But the show went on and a resourceful neighbor helped craft another mortar launch tube so we could launch the 10 remaining mortars.

I almost want to go buy more so we can do it again tonight!

Let's just agree it was a bang!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Independence Day Thoughts

Fireworks over the Magic Kingdom during July 2013

Happy Independence Day! 

Here are some random thoughts this morning as I sit here thinking about getting outside and cleaning up after last evenings storms.

1. Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays.  The summer heat and swimming and of course the fireworks make this a real bang. 

Louis Zamperini

2. I was saddened to learn of the passing of Louis Zamperini on Wednesday. He was a true hero and and example of the power of forgiveness. I read the biography written about him by Laura Hillenbrand titled Unbroken, and found his journey to be an example for all of us. My recommendation is for everyone to read the book about his life.

3. Why do we play patriotic music only on the 4th of July? Patriotic music needs to be played on other occasions as well because it helps me remember why this country is still the greatest on the planet.

4. Do the kids attending school today learn the words to patriotic songs like My Country Tis of Thee?

5. The erosion of personal privacy is one of the great issues that needs to be addressed. The recent ruling by the Supreme Court about searched of cellphones requiring a warrant  should not have been necessary. It should have been evident!

Enjoy the holiday.

Be safe!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Holiday Weekend Driving

I do not enjoy driving on holiday weekends. Let me just get that out right up front.

Traffic in my area is awful--meaning lots of traffic and slow progress. Too many drivers on the road and too many impatient people behind the wheel. Bad things happen. 

Add to that the threats from the police departments. Yea, they are threats.

Click it or ticket.

No cell phone use.

Speed Limits Photo Enforced.

Speed limit enforced by aircraft. (I've always loved this one as I can imagine some really cool scenarios) 

Big brother is truly watching us far closer than we truly imagine. Why is it that the true offenders that we all see screaming past us on the highway never seem to be stopped?

Now add to the mixture a potential east coast hurricane and this weekend should really be a pleasant drive.

Oh, did I mention the price gouging at the gas pump. Gas went up 4 cents a gallon last week and I expect them to go up another nickel today.

All of this makes the holiday driving experience one to be forgotten. Sadly. Because except for the mess on the highways, holidays are really fun times--usually.

For this holiday weekend, I am home! A small family get together around the pool dodging the rain from Hurricane Arthur, and some relaxation as the summer vacation season gets into full swing!

Enjoy the weekend! Enjoy the holiday.

Be safe and be smart! Drive defensively. 

Avoid the DC area because the traffic snarl should be in full swing by about 10 AM.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pool, Heat, and Humidity

For those following--the pool project is complete just as the 90 degree days have arrived. Yay.

It was so hot and sticky yesterday that when I finally got to fall into it and enjoy the cool water, it was like going to my perfect place. My happy place.

The pool was completed while we were away last weekend and it is great to have it back and fully functional.

This week the 90 degree days have arrived to take possession of the summer. Winter's grip has finally been broken and we can get on with the summertime fun. 

Bring on the sunscreen and the mosquito repellent. Let the hot, dog days of summer arrive. I am prepared--life on the floatie is where it all begins.

With the Independence Day weekend at hand--having the pool up and running is critical. We are going to have so much fun, providing that the weather does not turn into a tropical storm mess. But no matter--the pool is done.

Let the splashing begin and the fun ensue. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Arrival of July

It has arrived. Perhaps my favorite month of the year. July.

Happy July.

Happy Canada Day. Today, July 1st is Canada Day. And by the end of the week, Happy Independence Day. In two weeks it will be Bastille Day, my second favorite foreign holiday. 


Three major national celebrations in the span of two weeks. What is not to like about July?

I can already hear the fireworks warming up around the country as people begin to celebrate.

Add to that, July is my traditional vacation month. At least for now. I hope that in the future September will become my favorite vacation month--but for now, I usually plan to take "seven weeks of vacation during July." Well that is how some people view it. 

So let's get this month moving. Actually, I wish it would slow down so i have a chance to enjoy it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 30, 2014

1. It is the last day of June--how fast did that arrive. We are half-way through 2014.

2. As I was driving through upstate NY this weekend, I realized that you know you know you are in the middle of nowhere when even the satellite radio goes out.

3. There are two things we try to give our children: roots and wings.

4. A lion does not concern itself with the views of sheep. 

Fly Fishing on a Saturday Morning

5. World Cup fever has gripped the nation. The bog match of the week is when the USA plays Belgium at 4PM EDT tomorrow to see who continues on. 

6. The chant for the USA team is really a fascinating and complex chant. Check it out!

7. Driving through Central NY on Saturday afternoon, i saw a man fly fishing in the river. I snapped a quick picture because that is something you just don't see every day. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Day at the Lake

View from the Cottage

The drive from Schenectady to Ithaca yesterday was uneventful, but at the end of the trip was a fantastic day at a lake house on the shores of Cayuga Lake. 

Fortunately we got started early and were able to enjoy a full day on the lake. 

Chris and her first fish

The day included fishing, relaxing, some more fishing, a lot more relaxing, and even a brief swim in the sub-70 degree waters of Cayuga lake. I mean, how could I come visit the lake and not go swimming just to say I did. I actually wished I had brought my snorkeling gear so that I could have checked out the lake shore a bit better. The area where we were drops off to 130 feet in depth pretty quickly. It would have been fun to check out the drop off. Even better, if I had had my scuba gear--maybe next time, if there is one.

Looking North along the Shoreline

I guess I consider the day a mini-vacation surrounded in some of the beauty of Central New York. Truthfully, I love the summertime in the area, but winters are just too cold and snowy. And long. I am convinced that winter runs from October until May.

I have always been fascinated with the lake and actually have spent some time on and in the lake. I remember fondly going to Camp Barton on Frontenac Point for a week nearly every summer and then working at the camp for two fantastic summers. I have one staff picture showing with me holding my bugle hanging off the welcome sign. I was the bugler and the dining hall steward--what an interesting mix.

Looking south from the west shore of Cayuga Lake

Yesterday at and in the lake brought back a lot of fun memories and it was a relaxing day in preparation for returning to the complexities of everyday life.



-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Street Names

Wandering around Schenectady yesterday, I became aware of street names which are often used but probably not well understood by our history deprived society.

For instance, we dined in an establishment on Jay Street. Walked by an alley named Bradley, and walked along a street named Clinton; while also traversing more well known names such as State Street, Franklin Street, Broadway, and even Liberty Street. 

Why do so many upstate NY cities have a State Street instead of or in addition to a Main Street?

Jay street was very interesting. John Jay was a great revolutionary leader, who, admittedly made a bad decision to retire from Congress rather than sign the Declaration of Independence, but he became governor of New York, worked with Hamilton on the Federalist Papers, and helped establish the government of the State of New York. 

I do not see many Jay Streets in my travels and it was this street which began to get my mind turning about how many people even have a small understanding of the people whose names are remembered on our streets. 

DeWitt Clinton

Some are easy--Franklin for instance. Although there is confusion by at least one candidate for Congress about his contributions to the United States.

Others can be confusing. Clinton would be an example. No, this street was not named for President William Jefferson Clinton, but rather another famous Clinton named DeWitt Clinton. He was instrumental in the development of the New York and the nation. He was a US Senator, a governor of NY, and was instrumental in the development of the Erie Canal.

Bradley Alley was interesting. Surely, it must have been named for the great General of the Army, Omar Bradley--but it seemed a bit out of place given the other names surrounding the area. I like the Omar Bradley thought though.

What is my take away? We need to look at the street names we cross every day and, unless living in Columbia, Maryland, where they don't make any sense anyway, try to remember the history and the people associated with the names on the signs. We need to remember more than just the Kennedy's and Martin Luther King Jr. names, but people like Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Maryland, and the industrialist of early Maryland, Richard Snowden. 

I will remember Richard now every day when I drive Snowden River Parkway. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Schenectady, NY