In Search of March

The temperature this morning is 10 degrees and there is about three inches of snow on the ground! Next month has got to be better. February has become a snowy, cold month that deserves to be forgotten as soon as warmer temperatures can be found.

Wherever they are! The grip of cold is pretty tight!

As the deep freeze continues, I almost hate going outside. I've dodged frostbite--narrowly, and kept my fingers warm enough to shovel snow and put air into the tires of my truck.

I looked at the extended forecast and there are only two days between now and the end of the month where the temperature is expected to exceed 32 degrees! We are in a deep freeze of epic proportions!

The ornamental grasses around the pool are cut and ready for warm sunshine to signal rebirth and begin growing. I long to remove the cover from my pool and see the water again. And don't even talk to me about leaves on the trees--the naked gray trunks swaying in the gale force winds are not a vision I care to remember. 

Blue skies, 80's, leaves, grass, and the feel of a lawn tractor underneath me--these are the things I long for. 

On the good side--Orioles pitchers and catchers report today. I wish I were in Sarasota where the expected 52 degree high today seems cold unless compared with our expected high temperature of 18 degrees. That is an important 34 degrees of difference. I long to live in a place where 52 degrees is called: cold!

I have never wanted a month to end as much as this one--but February 2015 has earned it all across the nation!

Did someone say that baseball season is getting under way? I think I will focus on that and stay warm.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dog in the Snow

Makayla in the Snow

I am not a fan of snow and there was three inches of the white stuff waiting for me when I woke up yesterday. Someday, I want to live someplace where I only have to read about snow and not experience it first hand.

I had already coordinated with the neighbor to start up the snowblower about 8:30 AM and as a result, clearing the driveway was a fairly short event aided by the fact that the snow was very fluffy. It almost took longer to clear the frozen newspaper from the blades of the snowblower than it did to clear the entire driveway. I really wish people would pick-up their newspapers.

Makayla loves the snow. She especially likes the freshly fallen snow and she likes to roll around and run through the snow. She is very cute about everything associated with snow. I'm so cold that I don't even remember to take pictures of her antics. But, I snapped a few yesterday as I was clearing the snow from the driveway and sidewalk.

She has been weird the past couple of days with the cold. She runs outside and seems amazed at the weather. She accomplishes her task and quickly returns to come inside. Then, in a few short minutes, she wants to go outside again hoping the weather will be different. Sadly, it isn't. I should have made a movie of her with my GoPro, but I haven't.

Keeshonden (yup, that is the plural form of the name) seem to really like the snow and cold. It invigorates them--but at the same time I think they get cold, too. They are house dogs, after all.

Makayla is really a kid in disguise the only big difference is that I do not have bundle he up on coats, mittens, hats, and boots to have her sojourn outside for only a few brief minutes.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Holy War Expands

The Christian Crusades

Like most civilized people around the world, I was appalled at the ruthless murder of 21 Christians by the adherents of the Islamic State (a/k/a IS, ISIS, ISIL) in Libya. The murderers attempt to legitimize the act by calling it an execution, but what crime was committed? They were innocents and this was persecution! What I noticed in these medieval acts, however, was the direct attack upon Christianity and the globalization of the jihad.

In one Fox News article, an analyst calls it a "a major, tectonic shift."

Another interpretation of the beheadings reported that after beheading Coptic Christians, Islamists say they will ‘conquer Rome’ next. Is it any coincidence that the seat of Catholicism, Vatican City, is located in Rome? I think not.

I have been reading a number of articles about the threat posed by the IS, but one trend I see is that the group is being successful in areas that are susceptible to chaos because of a weak political structure. The Egyptians were taken in Libya which has been in the middle of a civil war for the better part of a year--but the western powers are steering clear of that area providing a ripe region for the infiltration of IS adherents. The US evacuated its Embassy and personnel on July 26, 2014. 

For historical perspective, I read an article published in the New York Times titled, The First Victims of the First Crusade, which provides some background on crimes visited upon the Jews by the Christians during the First Crusade almost 1000 years ago. 

Note to self: Turning our back on the problem and running away is not going to make the situation disappear or resolve itself.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - February 16, 2015

1. Happy Presidents Day! It is a good time to celebrate the Presidency and the greatness of the United States. Of course George Washington did it first and best!

2. Grover Cleveland is supposedly the most honest President ever according to an Opinion piece in the Boston Globe. 

3. How cold is it? Pretty cold! Officially a new record was set in the area today.

4. I thought it was too cold to snow but the news media is threatening that we will receive 4-8 inches of snow beginning tonight and into tomorrow! Anyone have a snow blower?

5. If the situation in the Middle East and North Africa with the Islamic State (a/k/a ISIS, ISIL) wasn't personal before now, the heinous execution of 21 Egyptian Christians should change that view.

6. 163-158 the final score of the NBA All Star game highlights everything wrong with professional basketball. I attended a Jackson's game yesterday. The final score was something close to 12-8 and it was a lot more exciting than seeing a bunch of guys just running up and down the court and scoring.

7. Pitchers and catchers report to Orioles Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida, in three days.

8. It seems that I am not the only northerner trying to get further south. A record setting six cruise ships with about 30,000 passengers were docked in Port Canaveral this weekend. I wonder if any of them were from Baltimore?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

How Cold is it, Really?

I watched the temperature drop this morning from 7 degrees at 2AM, yes I was up, to just over 5 degrees when I woke up and then even further down to just 4.5 degrees in just 45 minutes.

Yes, we keep the house cool in the 63 degree range during the night.

So in a shout out to my family living in the frozen wastelands of the Northeast, my smug attitude of missing the biggest and coldest storms is finally catching up with me.  We are getting cold. 

It is really cold.

February 15, 2015
7 degrees cold

The wind chills are below ZERO! As I write this it is being reported at -13 degrees.

I may not even shovel the snow it is so cold. The forecasters are  saying that it will be below freezing all week!

I do note, it is warmer in Key West, Florida.  I even checked airfares to Florida this morning to see if I could escape--I could, but I won't.

Well, maybe. The high will be at least 70 there!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

5 year olds on a soccer ball--It's true

Lucas (#20) with the Soccer Ball

I attended a youth soccer game in which Lucas, my youngest grandson, was playing yesterday.

I had a great time being reminded that the phrase "5 year olds on a soccer ball" is still as true as it ever was. 

The game occurred in an elementary school gym with no seating and so the parents were arrayed along the playing field and had the task of moving the soccer ball back onto the field of play and into the crushing mass of 5-7 year old humanity when the ball went out of bounds. 

Play was stopped only for goals, injuries, and when the ball landed on the back of the goal. 

It was great fun. Lucas is just five years old and hence was the youngest player on the floor, squeaking in just under the age wire. It shows in his play. He is wearing #20 and I took a few videos, much to the chagrin of his Dad, on my iPhone for posterity!

This was my second youth sporting event of the day, as I had earlier watched Ethan play basketball, and later today will be attending Jackson's game. 

Youth sports is a lot more entertaining that some professional sports.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Optimistic is . . .

Tractors in the Evening Light at Lowe's
February 13, 2015

Walking into Lowe's last evening to get some supplies to assist in fighting the impending arctic conditions, I saw something that Chris called, "optimistic." 

It was a line of brand, spanking new riding tractors ready for the upcoming Spring sales. There was not a snow blower in sight, despite the threatening prediction of snow in the forecast.

The line-up of tractors was almost as optimistic as I am when looking at the seven-day forecast and seeing 3-5 inches of snow. I am pretty sure it isn't going to happen this year. So far, there have been four forecasts for our area of heavy snow which has resulted in almost no precipitation. 

Another optimistic view was when I looked at the current weather on my phone yesterday while I was headed out for a medical appointment and saw that the temperature was 23 degrees. I started counting the days until Spring starts and determined that it was a short 35 days until March 20th. And the sun was shining!

Optimistic is knowing that Orioles pitchers and catchers report in five short days and that despite the calendar, Spring will begin in Sarasota, Florida!

Optimistic is looking at the calendar and seeing that daylight savings time begins again on March 8th.

Optimistic is knowing that the weather will be warm somewhere, despite the temperature at my house.

Optimistic is watching golf on the Golf Channel and realizing that warmer weather is not far off despite what is happening outside my window.

Optimistic is looking at a Valentines Day bouquet and feeling warm despite the freezing temperatures.

Happy Valentines Day--be an optimist!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Legislators Out of Touch

Woman in Yoga Pants

I read an article about a legislator in Montana who is apparently abusing his elected authority by submitting a new law to outlaw yoga pants and speedos in public.

As reported by Fox News, The proposal would expand indecent exposure law to include any nipple exposure, including men’s, and any garment that “gives the appearance or simulates” a person’s buttocks, genitals, pelvic area or female nipple.

The Republican from Missoula said tight-fitting beige clothing could be considered indecent exposure under his proposal.

“Yoga pants should be illegal in public anyway,” Moore said after the hearing.

Moore said he wouldn’t have a problem with people being arrested for wearing provocative clothing but that he’d trust law enforcement officials to use their discretion. He couldn’t be sure whether police would act on that provision or if Montana residents would challenge it.

Interestingly enough, the law outlaws shirtless men in public. How would this affect public pools and swimming teams? I wonder what the definition of public would be under the law?

This is clearly a case of misguided morality and using a publicly elected position to push a personal agenda. The ramifications of this kind of law would be far reaching well beyond their intended impact. Why do I believe he is misusing his elected authority? Because he is forcing a narrow personal belief upon the electorate. 

Why can't legislators review laws and get rid of old ones that make no sense anymore rather than writing new ones that needlessly restrict personal freedoms?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Dog who Loves Cat Treats

Cat Treat Toy

Makayla, my Keeshond, is a funny dog and everyone who knows her understands that this is true. I know why she is so different, she learned to be a dog from an old Yorkie and I can see many of Zachary's traits in how she reacts to many things.

Makayla is not a huge fan of dog toys. She doesn't fetch and she only rarely plays. But, she is mine and she is a great, intelligent dog. 

Well, until I saw her yesterday morning working over the cat toy that dispenses cat treats. She was totally into the treats--and she had already consumed breakfast and her morning cookies for doing her business outside.

Yesterday, however, it was all about the cat treats. Riordin was unceremoniously pushed aside and Makayla took control. I made a short movie of her antics.

The dog who loves cat treats. Something to enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pharmacies Problems and Prescriptions

It only took three trips and one phone call back to the doctor's office to get the three medicines that had been prescribed.

Fortunately, I live only two miles from the neighborhood Rite Aid--but the level of insanity associated with the process was incredible.

Leaving the doctor's office after the procedure, three prescriptions were provided. One had to be taken in paper form and the other two were phoned/faxed into the pharmacy. Upon arriving at the pharmacy--the two that had been sent ahead had not arrived. Ugh!

Elkridge, MD, Rite Aid

It happens all of the time, I know that. I should just get paper prescriptions from the doctors for all of the medications.

That the prescriptions failed to arrive at the pharmacy meant that I had to call to the doctor's office--now closed, and then via the after hours number have the the prescribing physician contacted to get them retransmitted.

This stuff is not rocket science! Why can't simple prescriptions transit cyber space and arrive promptly at the pharmacy for processing? Sadly, this is not an isolated instance, because it has been this way for years at this pharmacy. 

I am stuck with using this pharmacy as my insurance only uses Rite Aid to fill prescriptions in my area. Fortunately it is close--but, three trips for prescriptions? How inefficient is that? 

The must be a better way.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Verizon's Dark Side

This following represents my personal opinion based upon fact.

Four years ago I allowed Verizon to convert my copper-based telephone line to a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) line. 

In looking back on the conversion, Verizon misrepresented to me what they were doing. I went from having a fully reliable, storm-proof system to a VOIP system that requires a battery back-up to function when the power goes out. The battery is not permanent and needs to be replaced periodically.

The battery lasted less than four years. 


Guess who has to pay for the new battery?

Yup--me!

Is it particularly expensive? No--but here's the rub, with my copper everything to keep the system running was provided. Now, with modern technology, I have to buy a battery and support an additional industry. 

The Verizon installers did not disclose that I was responsible or replacing the short-lived battery, I thought it was part of the system and would be maintained by Verizon as had my previous system.

UPDATE:

It has been suggested that taking the battery out and cycling the power on the unit may revive the battery. Give it a try!

Can I get my good old reliable copper-wire line back?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - February 9, 2015

1. Wine weekends are a lot of fun--especially in Charlottesville, VA where the wine flows freely.

2. I figured out the name for my first wine--Smug Bastard, that is how the winemaker at Keswick referred to me during the blending this past weekend.

3. Sitting in a noisy restaurant where it was hard to hear resulted in some funny situations the other evening. When the waitress asked if we needed bread, I  responded, "and white, too." It was a red, white and bread moment.

Sunrise on the Blue Ridge Mountains
February 7, 2015

4. Later that same evening we were talking about tapas, but some at the table felt that they have been left out by never going to a topless bar.  Funny evenings.

5. Sunrise on the Blue Ridge Mountains can be fabulous! With the mountains facing the rising sun that reflect red in the dawn light.

6. I wish grocery stores in Maryland could sell wine. It is really weird that they can't. 

7. Gas prices bounced up about 20 cents per gallon this weekend. I guess the ultra low, sub $2 per gallon prices are gone.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Let the Blending Begin

Spending a day at a winery is one of the things that I truly enjoy. Spending a day with some raw materials and creating a nice wine just adds to the joy of being at the winery.

That was yesterday. We gathered with friends to try our amateur hands at wine blending. We were provided four 2014 vintage Virginia wines and given the charge to create our best wine. This is the annual Keswick Vineyards Consensus Blending.

The wines were Touriga, Chambourcin, Syrah, and Norton. Each had some very nice qualities but was not a complete drinkable or salable wine. By the end of the day we blended a great wine that had everything the wine drinkers look for in a wine. We have need down this path before. Last year we did not place well in the blending with out entry. This year we were much happier. In fact, I like our wine.

The results? We finished as the runner-up less just over a half point behind the winners of the day. I even rated their wine ahead of ours.

A great day and great fun. We will do even better next year.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Earlysville, VA

Virginia Weekend

It is consensus blending weekend and I am making my annual trek to Keswick Vineyards for the fun and education of hands on wine blending.

Last year's team is reassembled and ready for the competition. Ok. It really isn't a competition it is just fun. And we will have fun because wine blending is just plain fun.

It all begins in a few short hours. I learn more and more about wine and blending every time I participate and this is perhaps my sixth trip to Keswick for the blending.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Earlysville, VA

Travel Horror Story

It's Gonna Be a Good Travel Day
When the Jet Arrives on Time

Traveling can be as much fun as it can be frustrating. When the jet arrives at the gate on time--it is generally a good travel day, but sometimes we may not be at the gate to take our jet.  The real challenge in traveling is successfully clearing airport security and the TSA checks which are done to ensure our safety as we board and travel to our destination. The TSA agents wield a lot of power and I respect them and the job they do to keep me safe. But as with every profession, there are some bad apples out there who can make a good day go bad very quickly.

The story, as told by Ronnie Polaneczky a Daily News Columnist in his article titled, Innocent frequent flier detained after run-in with TSA, is about what happened to frequent flier Roger Vanderklok, a Philadelphia architect and marathoner, who was detained, arrested, and arraigned on false charges after requesting a form to file a complaint regarding his treatment during a prolonged investigation of his carryon baggage during January 2013 in Philadelphia.

I have known for a very long time that TSA agents have a minimal sense of humor, but I always wish them a nice day when I travel for  a couple of reasons. First, I appreciate what they do and frankly, I'm not sure I could do that jobs every single day. Second, I truly hope they have a good day because if they are having a good day, then most likely I will also have a good day of flying. 

Vanderklok was in a difficult situation.

On this day, he was headed to Miami. In his carry-on bag was a packet of PowerBars and a heart-monitoring watch. When the bag went through the X-ray scanner, the items looked suspicious to a TSA agent whom Kieser supervises.

For the next 30 minutes, screeners checked the bag several times. Vanderklok told them that a tube-shaped case in the bag contained his watch. Then he was asked if his bag contained "organic matter." Vanderklok said no, as he thought "organic matter" meant fruits or vegetables.

PowerBars, which contain milk, grain and sugar, are considered "organic matter" and can resemble a common explosive. Terrorists often use a small electronic device, like a watch, to detonate the explosive. Hence the agent's concern.

Sometimes, when I travel simple things do not make sense. I think it is because I am out of my normal routine and struggling to retain a sense of normalcy. I remember being in Chicago returning from an overseas trip having been awake for the better part of 20 hours and the security agent asked me to "step up." There were no stairs and I was operating in a total literal mode at that point and just could not understand what he meant by asking me to "step up." Fortunately, he probably saw I was exhausted and through his patient repeating of the command I finally understood he meant to "move forward."

Vanderklok had a similar problem when the agents asked him about organic matter and he didn't realize the complete definition of organic matter includes, believe it or not, power bars. 

It was at this point that the situation got serious with Vanderklok missing his plane, being arrested, detained, and charged with a crime. There is also the part where one of the TSA agents is allegedly less than truthful in the situation when his story is compared against the videotape of the incident. It might be easy to suggest the story has a happy ending--but in reality the lost time and money spent on attorney's fees can never really be recovered.

My take away from the story is that when traveling, always be nice to the TSA agents and if I want to file a complaint--I will do it afterwards via an online resource.

So far I have been fortunate and all of my TSA interactions have been professional and positive. I hope to keep it that way.

Happy Flying!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Teasing with my Affections

Miami at Dawn from the Disney Wonder
January 28, 2015

The thermometer at my house recorded 51 degrees yesterday. Call it a mid-winter respite as today the temperatures return to too cold to do anything meaningful outside. I remembered that Wednesday morning last week I woke up on a cruise ship tied-up in Miami, Florida.

Normally, a 50 plus degree day during the winter season would have me scheming to get to a golf course to whack at the little white ball, or to a driving range to do the same thing and try to improve my inconsistent golf swing, or at a minimum swinging at balls on my home driving range. I truly need all of the work that I can get.

But alas, I was unable to do any of those things do to a too busy work schedule that saw me working late and recognizing that I am still recovering from a nasty cold that I picked up somewhere and just won't let go. I haven't even played racquetball this week because I just do not want to sap my strength.

At least I was smart enough to drive my remaining Jaguar, named affectionately Cat, to help keep the battery charged. Yes, I did for a passing moment think about putting the top down to drive home from work but the temperature was already falling and I just didn't need to get a chill.

Today the temperatures return to mid-winter reality. Fortunately, there is no snow to speak of either on the ground or in the forecast. Maybe, unlike last year and in defiance of the rodent's, Punxsutawney Phil,  prediction, spring will grace us with an early arrival.

I can dream, right?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Forces of Darkness and Anarchy

The news of the day yesterday was appalling and a clear confirmation that the Islamic State's (ISIL, ISIS) inhumanity and barbarism is beyond anything seen on the planet in decades. Anyone who has a different interpretation has clearly not been reading the news or understanding the magnitude of the murders and slaughter of innocents occurring in the region.

The Washington Post article titled, Islamic State’s killing of pilot, depicted in video, spurs calls for revenge in Jordan covers the story.  A captured Jordanian pilot was forces to walk a gauntlet of heavily armed militarists to the place where he was to be executed in a cage by being burned to death. And then we discover that the execution occurred a month ago and that the Islamic State attempted negotiations for his release after his death.

Almost no day goes by when some new atrocity is not reported coming from that region of the world. The toll mounts even in light of the military response by the United States and other allied nations committed to eradicating the threat to peace loving people everywhere.

The impact of these barbaric acts is on the region is becoming clearer. In Jordan, the populace was beginning to wonder why the country was supporting the United States's coalition--after all it wasn't their conflict. The attitude in Jordan has changed the country retaliated overnight by executing two terrorists as reported this morning in the NY Times. 

I am concerned that the news media is not fully reporting the travesties occurring in the Levant. The sensational events get coverage--but if one diligently digs through the news there is so much more occurring and we need to be informed. We need to understand that hundreds of people are dying, being imprisoned, and tortured at the hands of ISIL and most of these people are peace loving Muslims. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In Defense of Imagination

Having just completed a cruise aboard a ship run by a company devoted to bringing imagination to life with two grandsons, I wonder about school systems which apparently are committed to destroying imagination.

The question comes from reading an article about a fourth grader in Texas who was suspended for bringing his Tolkien Lord of the Rings ring into school and suggesting that he could make a classmate disappear. This was considered a threat by the school and the boy, Aiden Steward, was suspended. It was his third suspension of the year.


Aidan's dad made the following observation to the principal of the school: “I assure you my son lacks the magical powers necessary to threaten his friend’s existence,” the boy's father later wrote in an email. "If he did, I'm sure he'd bring him right back."

Admittedly, there is something larger at work in this case since found Aiden has been suspended three times for apparently minor transgressions as reported in the referenced article. But, I have to giggle just a bit since the name of the school, Kermit Elementary, located Kermit, Texas, which is near the New Mexico border, evokes images of an imaginary green frog by the same name. 

The stifling of imagination may be one of the greatest threats to our future existence. Without imagination we would quickly become society of automatons. I like what Albert Einstein said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - February 2, 2015

1. What happened to January already. It's gone!

2. Driving around the neighborhood the other night I noticed that some people are having a difficult time letting go of Christmas. It is time to let it go and take the decorations down. 

3. Is the Super Bowl really super? Or just average.

4. My assessment of the Super Bowl--Seattle snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

5. Orioles pitchers and catchers report in 19 days. Opening day is just 63 days away!

6. With the arrival of February, I am beginning to think about March and getting the mower ready. I should be mowing in 60 days with any good fortune at all.

7. In case you are confused about who is and who is expected to or not to run for President, I have provided a link to the NY Times candidate tracker. Enjoy.

8. Happy Groundhog Day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Super Thoughts for Super Sunday

The Super Bowl has gotten too big--it isn't about the game anymore.

The NFL has some serious issues that they are ignoring which significantly detract from the game.

Roger Goodell at News Conference

I would like protest against the Super Bowl and not watch it, but I have watched every Super Bowl since number 3 and, I know Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, would not get a report in the morning that I had passed on watching the game.

There is something wrong with a sporting event where people are more excited about the TV commercials than the game itself.


There is too much TV in the NFL. 

Deflate-gate, the accusations that New England used under inflated balls, should have been resolved before the game. It remains clear that the penalty for violating the NFL rules is a trip to the Super Bowl. 

The NFL has created a ticket nightmare for this event which is affecting many normal people who had hoped to get tickets for the game. Just another tactic where the NFL doesn't understand that the success of the league is because of throngs of people who don't qualify for special privileges.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Towel Animals

Hanging Monkey

One of the fun things Chris and I looked forward every day as we returned to our stateroom during our recent cruise aboard the Disney Wonder was the towel animals left behind after it had been cleaned up during the day. 

Apparently, towel animals have become a signature room adornment of cruising. In reading on line, apparently Carnival adds them to the rooms in addition to Disney.

Towel Dog

Towel Dinosaur

These little pieces of fun are enjoyable and complex. 

During the recent cruise, three unique animals adorned our stateroom. 

I admit, the last one took us a bit of creative thought to identify--it is a dinosaur.

I thought the hanging monkey was the most creative. We left it hanging there throughout the entire trip and it brought a smile to my face every time I opened the stateroom door.

It is fun to remember the good times of the recent journey--that way it never really has to end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

January blues Looking for Springtime

Miami at Dawn

The weather is cold. There is snow. January is coming, thankfully, to a close. 

Even though February can be colder and snowier--it is another month closer to March and Springtime.

I am still trying to get over the realization that two days ago I woke up in Miami and this morning I am suffering in the cold of Maryland with a huge snowstorm on the horizon for the weekend--Sunday, to be precise with a forecast of 5-8 inches! Ugh! What a way to spend Super Bowl Sunday, although during 2010 we were digging out from the Snowpocalypse--hopefully it won't be that bad. 

As an aside, I could still feel the ship all day yesterday and had a slight feeling of rocking when I was sitting still. It was disconcerting--hopefully my inner ear will have readjusted and I'll have a better day today.

On the brighter side, the available sunlight has increased to over 10 hours and is increasing by over 2 minutes per day!

One way to beat the mid-winter doldrums is to buy some flowers and add a splash of color to the house. It really helps to brighten the mood and remind me that there is life after winter and it is not too far off.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

From the Tropics to the Frozen North

The View from Our Cabin on The Disney Wonder
Grand Cayman, January 25, 2015

During the past few days I have experienced extremes in temperatures. On Sunday, I was basking in the Tropics at Grand Cayman and enjoying the sun and storms and even last evening I was enjoying shirt sleeve weather in the Atlantic between the Bahamas and Miami. Last evening I was freezing in 23 degree temperatures back in the Baltimore area. This morning, the temperature is 15 degrees and it is clear there will be no golf outings in the ten day forecast.

Jax in Seven Mile Beach
Grand Cayman

But O sit here with the memories of a great vacation are behind me and today I return to the realities of life.

Good vacations help to remind me that there is much more to life than just going to work.

I had never cruised before.

I will be better prepared for my next nautical adventure. Cruising on a large ship is a lot different than spending a week on a catamaran sailing off the coast of St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

One thing both had in common was lack of connectivity to the internet. I'm not convinced that is a good thing.

Disney Wonder
January 25, 2015
Grand Cayman

But now I am back! I have to face the bitter cold where temperatures a just plain, cold!

At least the snow passed over us. 

The week away was a respite form the darkness and the cold. It has reminded me that springtime is less than about 60 days away! Followed by my trip to Sarasota for Spring Training!

And warmth. I think I will chase the sun.

-- Bob Doan, back at home in Elkridge, MD

Last Night at Sea

Freighter crossing the sunset
January 27, 2015

The last night at sea is always a bit sad. A great journey is coming to an end. Tomorrow it is back to real life and the magic is over.

That is how it goes I guess. Back to snow and cold and to anticipate the coming of Spring and the rebirth of the land.

I love the sunsets at sea. The clean horizon makes them go on forever. Like my memories.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Miami

What to Do on a Day at Sea

Being the Ship at Breakfast
January 26, 2015

Yesterday was a fantastic day at sea. The sun was hot, the breeze stiff, and the sea changed from blue to gray and back to blue as the day wore on.

Wine, Whiskey and Chocolate tasting

Most of the day was spent on the deck in the sun thinking that this is how a cruise should be. It was a lazy day and yet, fun. I saw many ships passing in the distance wondering of their destinations and cargos.
One highlight of the day was the chocolate pairing with wine, port, and whiskey. Who knew that chocolate can pair well with whiskey? And we are not talking the inexpensive whiskey. This pairing was a true high point. I am not a whiskey fan and I liked the whiskey. I didn’t think the chocolate improved its taste at all. The chocolate did pair well with a 10 year old tawny port, a pink champagne—yes, it was real champagne; and a great California Bordeaux-style wine. The wine was a Lasseter 2010 Amoureaux. The champagne was a Taittinger. Interestingly, there was also a piece of parmesan cheese to enjoy with the offerings as well.

Chris and Nicole on Deck in the Sun

We also enjoyed a special dinner in the evening where the wine steward of the ship matched some great wines for us with our dinners. It was in a word--fabulous. 

When I checked the news, I found that the northeast was suffering through a ferocious blizzard--I feel bad for the people living there, but I am very happy to be enjoying light and cool breezes and warm sun of the Caribbean and Atlantic regions. There is a reason a cruise in January sounded so good.

Today promises to be fun as we explore Disney’s Bahamas Island—Castaway Cay. Who knows what trouble I will get into before the end of the day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from the Atlantic Ocean off Castaway Cay

Sunrise over Cuba

Mountains of Cuba at Sunrise
January 26, 2015

The cruise is plying the waters to the west of Cuba and this morning, the sunrise is fabulous over the mountains.

It is a beautiful start to another day at sea. Today is a sea day as we travel to Castaway Cay. Yesterday's stop in Grand Cayman was disappointing in that our snorkeling adventure was canceled due to high surf, and then our rescheduled adventure was similarly canceled. We did make our way to the famous, or infamous Seven Mile Beach for some fun in the surf until a ferocious storm appeared and we were smart enough to get back onto the ship just before it hit with its full fury.

The good news was that we also didn't do much shopping--read none. That is also bad news because Georgetown looks like a really interesting place to explore and we only scratched the surface.

I am writing this as the sun rises over the mountains of Cuba. I am fascinated with Cuba. Given the warming of international relations, I hope someday to be able to travel to Cuba. I have read the stories of how it was "the" place to be during the 1950's. I also guess a little of the I Love Lucy, Ricky Ricardo Cuban humor is still engrained in me, too.

The cruise has been fun. Chris and I keep reminding ourselves that it is about the journey and not the destination. Cruises are certainly all about the journey. I think everyone was looking forward to today's sea day because the cruise line makes it very special.

Jax enjoying the cruise

What have I learned so far? Food--cruises are all about food, shows and activities. There is a lot of food. I had intended to have two small pieces of pizza for lunch yesterday and wound up in a buffet overeating. Ugh!

I love the sea! Watching the waves never gets tiring. Looking our into the ocean appeals to my sense of adventure and I continue to be fascinated by the vastness of the Earth and God's creation. Sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming for the boys, but we work through it.

I am taking a break from Monday Musings since I am on the cruise and am I enjoying sitting on the veranda, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, seeing the mountains of Cuba in the distance, and not shoveling snow.

-- Bob Doan, writing from somewhere in the Caribbean Sea