Robins and Peepers and More, Oh My!

Robin in a Tree

During our walk last evening I took notice of the multitude of Robins which have returned and are looking everywhere for food.

I hadn't noticed them in great numbers before--but they are back and looking for critters in the thawing lawns.

And then, while on the walk, I heard the peepers for the first time this year. The arrival of their evening chorus is a sure sign of Spring's arrival although the official arrival is not until Friday.

The beginning of Spring is based upon the equinox, but the amount of sunlight available on the day is probably greater than 12 hours? It is really cool. The arrival of Spring is based upon the center of the sun crossing the equator--however, the amount of available sunlight (sunrise to sunset) is based upon the top of the sun either rising above or setting below the horizon. Hence, the first day of Spring for Elkridge is about 12 hours and 8 minutes from sunrise to sunset--Oh My! Who knew the sun was that big?

But the arrival of Spring is heralded by the peepers and the Robins. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a good picture of a Robin when the background is brown and gray? They blend.

Spring starts at 6:45 PM EDT on Friday, March 20th. 

Don't miss it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

I Took a Detour

Lifetime Racquetball Court

It seemed innocent enough. I played racquetball yesterday morning, but got done a early. I was excited about getting to work a few minutes early--about 15. 

I had talked to Chris, went over the plan for the day and had just hung up the phone as I approached the exit for my place of employment.

That is where it went bad.

There are three exits from the highway near where I work. I was a distracted as I was reviewing the day ahead of me and I turned early to exit the highway onto another four lane highway. Panic! There was no going back--suddenly, instead of exiting into the parking for my job, I was headed down a road to a destination I had not intended to visit.

No problem--I thought, the next exit is not too far, I'll turn around there and still be early to work. 

Then the car started telling me of a problem with the cruise control and lights. Ugh. I got distracted again and missed the exit! Darn. The next exit is a lot further--but I have no choice.

Traffic was beginning to build and I needed to keep my attention on the road, but the warning message on the console in my car was not only annoying, it was flashing as if it were important! Ugh, I was trapped. 

Time passed, traffic increased and finally the exit loomed. I made the exit and successfully reversed my direction and was not headed towards rather than away from work.

During the remainder of the journey I needed to stay extremely alert because traffic stopped completely on a number of occasions for no apparent reason. It can be somewhat scary to be in the middle of executing a lane change and suddenly everyone is stopped!

I finally, and uneventfully arrived at work. On time!

My detour had used up all of the extra time by driving around aimlessly on the highways. 

Moral of the story? Stay alert when driving. Bad things can happen!

As an aside, I looked up the earning message, and I need to replace the brake switch--but the lights actually do work!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Baseball Tuesday Update

Tuesday's are my days to write about the Orioles. 

Yesterday was a good day for the team. It has been a quiet Spring Training for the team, except that yesterday they belted 21 hits, 5 homers and won a blow out game 16-4 which finally saw the hitting, defense, and pitching all come together in one solid game!

Yes. Baseball season is coming and I am ready to see the team in person beginning this weekend in Sarasota.

So, do professionals enjoy games like this? Rock Kobatko reported about the Manager of the Orioles, Buck Showalter: "Did Showalter enjoy watching the offensive fireworks? You figure it out.
"You bet your sweet (butt)," he said. "Anybody who says, 'Oh, it's just spring training,' you like to see them have one of those days. They've been working hard. Get a return for it. You bet.""

The Orioles are now 4-11 in Spring Training. But the Spring Training record means nothing after April 5th. The Orioles are the defending American League East Champions!

Let's Go O's!!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 16, 2015

Et tu, Brute?

1. Yesterday was the Ides of March, I have attached the funniest image I saw during the day. An historical parody.

2. March Madness is officially underway. Go Maryland!

3. Fun times together with the family should not be missed. Especially when there are celebrations involved!

4. The weather is warmer--why is it that I want it even warmer?

5. Spring Training continues and the Orioles are still waiting to gel and have a disappointing 3-11 record. I hope they turn it around during the next couple of weeks. 

6. Spring begins on Friday! The Winter is nearly over!

7. The scary part about yesterday being the Ides of March is that there are now only 30 days left to get the taxes done for all of the procrastinators out there.

8. Is this really another 5-day week with no holidays in sight?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

NCAA - Tournament Time and Sanctions

The NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament has arrived. The conference championships are finishing with teams across the country vying for a spot in what is known as March Madness.

People are beginning complete their brackets to predict the road to the Final Four and the eventual NCAA Men's National Basketball Champion.

It is all very exciting.

What is at stake? According to one report I read, over $800 million. The tournament has become much larger than amateur athletics. 

Yesterday, the Maryland Men's Basketball Team lost its semifinal game and will not be playing for the Big 10 Conference Championship today; however, they are expected to be a 3 seed in the tournament. They posted an exceptional year and I wish them the best of luck as they start down the path that leads to an eventual champion of the nation.

One team that is not participating in the post-regular season conference and NCAA tournaments is Syracuse. The school is enduring a self-imposed post-season ban because of violations of NCAA and school standards. The NCAA, as I have written about two other times this past week, has levied a number of sanctions on the school which seem to be to be very harsh. I read an Op-Ed piece by Joe Nocera in the New York Times yesterday that expresses my feelings about the situation titled, Syracuse, Boeheim and the N.C.A.A. 

I have to agree with Joe--reading about the NCAA report in the news and then actually reading the report I was left wondering about the true intent of the NCAA in the situation. The sanctions levied on Syracuse are very severe--returning over $100 million in revenue sharing monies, vacating over 100 wins, and other equally as harsh penalties. And the difficult part is the Syracuse recognized the problems and corrected them before the investigation. 

Is it about the student athletes? Especially the ones currently in the program? No.  I did not see any mention that the program had self-corrected from 2012 onward. Is that not what the true desired end state is? Programs discover problems, correct them and move on? I guess not.

It all comes down to money. 

The tournament is about money and, sadly, college sports are about money. Everyone gets a piece except the student athletes.

The report and the capricious sanctions against Syracuse tarnish the image of the NCAA as a governing body and confirms that it is not about the students--but about making money!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Snow Swan Song

Ice on the Pool Cover

It is nearly gone. 

Finally! 

The temperatures have been above freezing for most of the week and only a few piles of snow remain in and around my yard. 

March 6, 2015
Snowy Dawn

Even the ice in the pool is mostly gone and I can begin to think about living outdoors and the impending warmth of summer with life around the pool!

Sure, opening the pool is still over a month away--but it seems a lot closer this week than it did last week. 

I am just happy about the change in the view of my yard from frozen and snow covered to greening and ready for Spring--and yes, that is the golf target ready to receive golf balls.

March 14, 2015
Rainy Dawn

What a difference a week makes. I never would have thought it possible that almost all of the snow would be gone and the green would already be returning!

This is a much different scene from my friends and family living in the frozen northlands--but the good news is, the thaw is coming to you as well!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

March Madness has Arrived!

In my writing about Springtime, I forgot to mention March Madness as a sure sign of warmer temperatures. 

While usually reserved for the NCAA tournament to crown the basketball champion of the year, March Madness encompasses the entire month as the regular season ends and the conference championships begin. 

Tonight, for instance, the Maryland Terrapins begin their conference championship quest. Seeded number 2 in the Big 10 Conference, they have a fair chance to win the championship. Regardless, they should be no lower than a three seed in the big dance--which will be announced Sunday with play commencing almost immediately for the play-in games and the main tournament beginning on Thursday. 

I am not a fan of the NCAA. The rules that support raising billions of dollars in revenue for the schools, the NCAA, television, and gambling ensure that the student-athletes receive almost nothing for their efforts. After reading the recent report on Syracuse University infractions, I am even more convinced that the NCAA governing body needs to be dissolved. It is applying 1930's logic to the 21st Century situations and requirements. In some respects, the rules harm the ability of student athletes to live and successfully complete college. 

But the madness is beginning and the excitement of the greatest basketball tournament in Earth! 

Break out the TV channel guide because it's gonna be another wild ride.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Life Under the Snow

Daffodils

I was pleased to find that my hypothesis was correct about daffodils and hyacinths poking up under the snow.

Yesterday I received confirmation. Clumps of daffodils and hyacinths making an appearance in the muddy but snow free areas of the lawn.

Hyacinths

Snow in the Yard

The warmer temperatures have accelerated the arrival of Springtime as the snow pack recedes and the lawn appears. 

Thankfully, it seems we have survived the winter which saw numerous low temperature records fall. Too many low temperature records fell. I am not really interested in receiving my BG&E electric bill for the period. It could be a record as well--in a bad way!

Snow remains in the yard mostly in the areas where it was piled to clear the driveway and walks, and of course the pool remains frozen. 

But the season of darkness and cold is clearly ending. I expect at least one more assault of cold weather--but the warmth is arriving.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Whether the Weather

I checked the thermometer this morning as I was making my coffee. 

The temperature was 41 degrees. Amazing what a few days can do. Last week at this time we were struggling with single-digit morning temperatures and the threat of snow which materialized in a big way. 

Today the temperature is supposed to hit 65 and the rain has stopped. 

I think Spring is arriving! 

Just Sunday, Makayla was rolling in the snow--she loves the snow, and today it is mostly gone and what remains is more ice than snow!

The snow is melting and I am going to check the gardens this afternoon for signs of buds peeking through the ground.

It is amazing how a little sunshine and a springtime rain can change the mood of the entire region.

I'm in a good mood, too!

Countdown:
Days until Spring Begins: 9
Days until Orioles Opening Day: 26
Days until Orioles Home Opener: 30
Days until the Pool is Opened: 42 (est.)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Training Update

The Orioles are conducting Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida, and I hope to be there in a about two weeks to see the team first hand! 

Their record is currently a disappointing 2-6. The O's have been losing a lot--but most of the games have been close and it seems that the hitting hasn't showed up yet. They have scored 1 run during the past two games and have lost 2-1, and 1-0. The pitching is coming around, now the hitters need to do their part.

Spring training records are not that important. More important is to check out the talent and ensure the team breaks camp with the 25 best players so that they are competitive. 

I am convinced that Buck is working hard to ensure the best team possible takes the field on opening day.

Opening Day is 27 days away. Spring is just 10 days away. It is so close that it is beginning to be real.

The snow is melting and hopes are rising. Play ball!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD