We Are Different, because of Forgiveness

I grimly watched the bond hearing for the man who murdered nine people in Charleston, South Carolina. 

I, like many Americans, am in shock that someone could enter into a church, pray with people for over an hour and then kill nine members of the congregation in cold blood. 

But at the bond hearing yesterday, which was televised, I heard something that reminded me why Christ-following Americans, are different from much of the world. Despite losing loved ones in a violent and tragic way, many of the relatives who addressed the murderer forgave him and asked God to be merciful with him. One quote from the session as reported in the Washington Post article titled, From victims’ families, forgiveness for accused Charleston gunman Dylann Roof is below:

At Roof’s bond hearing, Nadine Collier, the daughter of 70-year-old shooting victim Ethel Lance, was among those who addressed him. “I forgive you,” Collier said, her voice breaking. “You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul.”

I was also amazed at the opening words of the judge who urged people to remember that there were victims and hunting people on both sides of this crime, those who lost loved ones as well as the family of the murderer.

We are different because we retain the concepts of mercy and forgiveness. 

I was appalled at the reaction of the Fox Newscaster Gretchen Carlson who seemingly could not comprehend the compassion that the relatives of the victims showed towards the killer. It almost seemed that she wanted them to utter forth the wrath of God upon his soul--but they did not. Even in the middle of their most personal pain and grief they forgave him.

And that is what makes us different from much of the rest of the world.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

School Year Endings

Today is the last day of school for Howard County, Maryland. While I no longer have any children actually attending school in Howard county, my life is closely affected by the schedule because Chris works for the school system.

And so, it is with much relief and some trepidation that I announce that it is time for Summer Vacation! Eight weeks, a very short time, to plan and execute vacations and dreams that will last for another whole year.

I remember when I was in school and I looked forward to summer vacation. Actually, I looked forward to not going to school. Some summers the time off just dragged on endlessly, but I always found ways to fill the time and generally did not complete the list of chores that I was left with on a daily basis.

Summer Vacation 2013

It was a time different from today. There were no video games or computers and the TV consisted of four channels--ABC, NBC, and two CBS offerings. Staying inside the house on a sunny day was not an option. Exploring the rural countryside in which I lived was the plan of the day. Every day.  

The freedom of summers eventually went away during High School. I either worked at a camp or worked at a job. But even so, it was time off from studying and the grind of read, lecture, study, and test. 

To all of the teachers--enjoy the summer and may all of your dreams come true. Some of you are completing distinguished careers in education and will not be returning to the classroom during August, enjoy your newfound freedom! You have earned it.

To the students--this is the best time of your life. Make something of your summer. Don't lose it by believing that there will be time tomorrow.  Tomorrow is there for you to experience something different yet again.

Although I do not celebrate summer vacation anymore, I enjoy the memories and vicariously experience the joy of eight weeks of freedom through those around me.

Happy Summer Vacation. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

New Technology Creates Long Lunch Lines

The cafeteria at work experienced a technology upgrade two weeks ago. 

They received new computers, or cash registers I'm not sure which, that have created nothing but problems.

It is clear that the people manning the checkout positions did not receive any training before hand. The new systems, while shiny and new are slow and there have been long lines to checkout ever since they got the new computers.

I have noticed some other things about the newly deployed systems. They require the cashiers to move through multiple menus to document and record purchases. The old systems had everything on the same screen. From this standpoint, the ergonomics of the new machines seem bad. They are, in a word, cumbersome. I am afraid there will always be lines because more inputs are required to complete a transaction.

Sometimes the new shiny technology isn't better than the older proven systems.

I don't like standing in long lines for lunch because my hot food turn cold.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tiki Torch Statue

Lighted Tiki Torch Statue

Until last evening, I never thought of Tiki torches as art objects.
But now, I have my own Tiki torch monument. It appeared, magically yesterday afternoon. Chris had a great ideas and executed it as a tropical surprise.

And it comes in different forms--there is the normal appearance and the lighted view.

Maybe it is my own personal statue. I think it actually looks like lighted umbrellas in a stand. 

But it is a nice sight around the pool and it goes well with the beach decor. 

It was an interesting coincidence as last evening was also the first time that I noticed the fireflies were making their presence known. It was nice to see them back making the trees sparkle in the waning light. 

I hope the fireflies stay away from the Tiki torches.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Weekend Projects

In the middle of the project

New light fixtures to replace old and dated fixtures with new LED style lights topped the weekend list of home improvement projects.

The weekend was characterized by a relaxed, yet productive approach to routine maintenance projects. There is always so much to do around the house. 

Between the yard and updating the 24 year old infrastructure to keep it current, there is more than enough to keep me busy. 

New LED energy efficient light

I am truly amazed. I would love to laze in the pool all day, but the house would quickly become a maintenance nightmare.

It is better to keep up with it. 

I couldn't afford to get behind it. In thinking about it, home maintenance really fuels the economy. I just replaced the heat pump  and two years ago there was a new roof. 

I guess it all keeps the economy moving.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 15, 2015

1. This is the week of the Summer Solstice. Next Sunday is Father's Day and the Summer solstice (for the Northern Hemisphere). Bring on Summer!!

Deer Walking Across the Golf Course

2. Golf can be a frustrating game, but it always seems that I run across wildlife--or they run across me. This deer walked across in front of me just after I had teed off.

Ethan at his Induction

3. Congratulations to Ethan for being inducted into the Elementary School National Honor Society! Good job!

4. The Orioles failed to complete the sweep of the team which shall remain nameless from the north--but they have won 5 of their past 6 and are playing much better. 

Around the Pool

5. What to do on a hot, steamy Sunday afternoon? The pool of course!

6. It is amazing how many projects need to be done around a house. The problem is that I have to be home to do them--and I was this weekend.

7. The Magna Carta turns 800 today! It was signed on June 15th, 1215. Read about it in the New York Times.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Yard is Alive

Praying Mantis in the Grass

It was the motion that attracted me.

I saw something moving through the grass and I had to look closer. At first I though it might just be the wind moving the blades, but on closer inspection it became clear that the movement I was seeing was not the wind.

It was a small, maybe an inch a half long praying mantis. 

It was incredibly difficult to get a good image of the bug. It was small and green, and there was a lot of green in my camera's field of view. Trying to snap an image where the praying mantis could be seen too time--and I was afraid that the bug would move along. As it turned out, the praying mantis seemed to enjoy the attention and posed for me on the blade of grass for quite a wile while I clumsily took its picture.

While researching the mantis clan, I discovered that they make good pets! Really! Well, not in my house. We have a definite "death to insects" policy. Spiders, which are not insects,  are generally relocated and not exterminated.

I wonder if praying mantises [Thanks, Dick] eat stink bugs?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Lights on the Water

Lights on the Pool

Art, such as it is, can be found in many unique places.

Last evening I was sitting by the pool, contemplating whether I wanted to slip into the water for a late night swim, and I noticed the reflections of the lights on the water.

Our pool is surrounded by rope lights that illuminate the area. I had never considered the patterns that the lights make on the dark water.

Lights on the Pool 2

It was a continually changing pattern of reflected lights on the surface of the water as I slowly moved my feet to create gentle waves.

It was soothing.

It is almost summer!

What could be better? A lazy evening and gentle ripples in the pool.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Win is a Sweep

The Orioles put together their best three-game series of the season and completed a sweep of the Boston Red Sox last evening.

I had the pleasure of attending the game and was treated to a team that, at least for a few days, put it together with complete team wins. The pitching was solid, the batting was clutch, and the defense was spectacular. It was the kind of series which makes baseball fun and sweeping a perennial American League East rival makes it all the better. 

The View from my Seat
June 11, 2015
Orioles Park at Camden Yards

The game had  almost everything to please the baseball fan. There were home runs and there was an inning in which the Orioles scored a run without getting  hit.  For a team that over relies on the home run for scoring, that was an important development. 

The crowd was alternatively into the game, but the Red Sox did not go away easily. They continued to chip away at the Orioles leads, but in the end succumbed and the game ended--but not after a challenge which brought a fourth batter to the plate during the top of the ninth inning.

I hope that this series marks a turnaround for the team. They have been playing mediocre baseball and I hope that is a thing of the past as the team begins to play up to its potential.

The weakness at right field remains a big concern. The need for a solid defensive right fielder is apparent when late in the game the speedy Norman Reimold , who started the game in left field was shifted to right field and the light hitting David Lough was inserted into left field to shore up the defense. Reimold made his presence known almost immediately by shagging a well hit ball that just an inning earlier would have probably been a double!

Orioles baseball. The right moves at the right time and a one in the win column!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Speedy June and Temperatures Rising

Although it got off to a cold start, the temperatures are heating up and the month of June is transforming itself into "that" month. 

What is "that" month?

It is the month where activities shift from inside to outside. Where pool time becomes the norm and sitting inside watching TV is a distant memory associated with the frigid days past.

Rhododendron in Bloom

It is the month where when confronted with fifteen spare minutes, I grab a golf club and head outside to my net to try and learn how to swing more efficiently and make better ball contact. It is a process, but I feel like I am beginning to have small breakthroughs--I just wish I could get to a real range to help quantify these small changes and see if they are real. 

Today is June 11th! The month is flying by too fast! (I actually wrote June 10th and then realized that I had already completed that day!)

Poppies in Danby

Even the June flowers are passing. I enjoyed a second springtime while I was in New York last weekend, being treated to a rhododendron is full bloom and the poppies in my parent's yard. They reminded me of my own flowers whose time has come and gone.

I know there are major events looming in the future--like the end of school, end-of-the-year parties, and vacations; but the ever increasing pace suggests that these event will be over before I want them to arrive.

I am beginning to appreciate the planning that goes into making a trip successful, but I am really looking forward to the day when a vacation is not limited to two weeks during the summer--but maybe it could be four months during the winter!

I dream of renting a villa in Italy or Argentina and living there on a semi-permanent vacation.

I am enjoying life a day at a time--but, even then it is passing so quickly that just as I begin to enjoy a day, it is over and time to do it all again.

Stop to smell the flowers because they'll be gone tomorrow when you find the time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD