Creative Spaces

Seasonal Entryway

Our home has a lot of space for conversation and contemplation. One of the trickiest things do is to create spaces where people can relax and enjoy themselves.

While I was in Denver, Chris took it upon herself to recreate the entryway with a seasonal brush stroke. I was greeted by the entryway as I returned home late Friday night. I enjoyed the sight and yesterday she added two pumpkins, not pictured because I took this image on Friday night. I was happy that she included my recently trimmed angel wing begonia as part of the festive sight.

But not content to stop there, we continued the theme yesterday by creating an outdoor space to relax and enjoy the earlier evenings. Combining our beach themed tiki torches with the propane fire table on the lawn created a new space. And it worked out really well. Total cost? Zero because we repurposed things already around the house, even the wooden stumps were laying in the woods waiting for something creative to happen to them.

It turned out really well, and added to my birthday celebration.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Song and Tears and Birthdays

Happy birthday to me!

It has been a great day and I have connected with most of my family. I am not a big birthday celebration fan--I prefer the more understated approach to birthdays.

That written, on Facebook, at least 21 people wished me congratulations on completing another decade. I feel old.

Last evening, as I was flying home from Denver, I did something that made pause. I was listening to the songs on my iPad and for some reason I played Handel's Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah.

During the song, I remembered many friends and events from the past where I had been privileged to sing this song of joy and victory.

But there was some sadness in my heart as I remembered some of my friends who have changed their residence from this world to the next. My church choir director Hiawatha Watkins came into my mind because I remember handing out the music to the entire congregation for many enthusiastic Easter sing alongs.  I am convinced that he loved this pice of music for not only its power, but how it affected everyone who sang it and listened to it. I also reflected on the first time I learned and sang the Hallelujah Chorus over 40 years ago in my high school choir.  I remember that I was amazed as the assembly rose to honor the piece.

As I remembered these poignant scenes, tears rolled down my face and I was glad that the cabin on the airplane was dark.

I am amazed at how the years have changed me. I'm not sure anymore that I am who I thought I would be. But I am who I am and I am continuously growing. I learn more each day and I strive to remember my friends and teachers and family who have taught me and coached me and mentored me into who I am.

Thanks to all of you. Living and passed. I shed a tear or two while writing this as your memories flooded back and I remembered our times together and look forward to time eternally together.

And all because, by chance, for no reason at all I played that anthem. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Homeless in Denver

Traveling for business gets old progressively day by day. 

I am glad that I only do occasional road trips now. I have enjoyed Denver and the incredibly good weather, but I have seen the needier side of the city as well. 

Homeless in Denver

I have walked around most of the downtown 16th Street Mall area at various times of the day, and I have to admit that I must be a bit sheltered in my views. The homeless or the transient people are everywhere. And the people represent all age groupings, from the 20-somethings who appear to be on a "walk about" to the definitely homeless with dogs and sometimes children.

Most do not beg--but there are those who do, looking to subsist on handouts and generosity. I admit, I was a bit offended by one the other day who advertised himself as a jobless veteran but was standing outside a bagel place hitting people up as they were coming out with breakfast in their hands.

I didn't snap any pictures of those sleeping because I felt like I was intruding in their bedroom, but I found one online that exactly caught what I have seen.

There is a Mission here that tends to the homeless and I am sure that they are far too busy during bad weather. The weather this past week has been very good and perhaps that is why there are so many people about.

I am aware that some of the discussion about the apparent increase in the numbers of homeless people centers around the liberalized Colorado marijuana laws. But, regardless, they are still people. 

People in need are still people.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Coors Field, Denver, CO
September 23, 2015

I love baseball. That is a fact. I like to take the opportunity to visit other ballparks when I can. 

Last evening I did just that. I walked to Coors Field to see the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Colorado Rockies. Admittedly, the Rockies are my favorite National League team and so it was not too much of a stretch to go to the game. Even though the rockies have already been eliminated from post-season play, spending an evening at the ballpark was a great plan, and frankly, what else do I have to do?

View Along the 16th Street Walking Mall
Denver, CO

In another sense, it was my personal way of getting through the first day of autumn, by attending a summer activity. And is was a beautiful evening. The temperatures were mild, the humidity low--too low for this East Coast guy, and the crowd was light.

Scoreboard at Coors Field
September 23, 2015

I enjoyed a nice walk along the 16th Street Mall getting to the game and also returning home. I won't comment on the numbers of homeless or transient people I saw sleeping along the streets, just to say I was amazed at how many there were.


As I mentioned, the game was lightly attended, but the fans were enthusiastic. The Bucs (as the Pirates are known) got some early runs and were up 5-0 going into the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Rockies made a comeback and the score settled in at 7-6 for the visitors at the end of the 5th where it stayed until the fireworks erupted during the wild 9th inning which saw the Bucs clinch a playoff spot by scoring an additional 6 runs to which the hometown Rockies could manage to answer with only 1 in the bottom of the frame. 

Mostly Empty Stands
Coors Field, Denver, CO
September 23, 2015

It was a good evening of exciting baseball which ended late--later considering the 30 minute walk back to the hotel--but, hey, it was baseball. 

And in honor of Yogi Berra, remember: "It ain't over till it's over."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

"Happy Birthday" is Free

Only in America could the most played song in history be kept from the people and not considered public domain, until yesterday.

1922 Book Containing "Happy Birthday"

The song "Happy Birthday" had a birthday of its own yesterday as it was freed from the company which has claimed it owned the copyright and returned to the people. In a Washington Post article, 
‘Happy birthday’ to all of us: Judge gives world a gift, says song belongs to everyone, the details of the court decision are documented. 

It turns out that Warner Music may have to return millions of dollars in royalties that it has collected since it purchased what it thought was the copyright in 1988.

When looking at the image of the song in the 1922 songbook, I noted that Happy Birthday is but a verse in a song titled, "Good Morning and Birthday Song." It wasn't even a stand alone song.

Did you ever wonder why Happy Birthday was not sung at the local restaurant when someone has a birthday? It was likely because of the copyright that they came up with the less than satisfactory birthday song that they sing. I mean, who really wants to hear Happy Happy Birthday and not the classic tune?

And now that the song is squarely in the public domain where it belongs, the facade of imposters will begin falling away.

Next time I celebrate a birthday, or two, I will sing the song of the people with even a bit more gusto knowing that it is finally freed from corporate copyright and is now in the corporate domain.

Happy Birthday to all of us!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Out the Hotel Window Returns: Denver, September 2015

Denver Afternoon
September 20, 2015

I realized that it has been a while since I was in a hotel and therefore, have not added to my series about looking out the hotel window.

I did enjoy a nice cruise this past summer, but, even thought the scene outside the cabin window does change continuously and I loved being on the balcony watching the ocean, it is not a hotel.

Sunrise in Denver
September 21, 2015

I am once again in Denver, Colorado. Yes, I come here a lot. This time, however, I am in a downtown hotel with a very different view out the window. 

I have already been treated to three stunningly different views: afternoon, dawn, and sunset.  And they are all outside my window. 

I find it amazing how the scene changes as the sun moves across the land. Unfortunately, the windows in this hotel are dirty and so the view is not crystal clear. But still is awesome.

Sunset over Denver
September 21, 2015

The clouds in the sky make all of the difference reflecting the light of the sun which has set.

Today is the last day of summer, as an aside.

I hope to fully enjoy the day as the autumnal equinox is tomorrow. 

Autumn will arrive as I sleep.

I will look out my hotel window tomorrow morning and the scene will be different, as will the season.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Monday Musings - September 21, 2015

1. The last weekend of summer 2015 is behind us and ahead lies the beginning of the dark times. Sunrise is later and sunset is earlier every day. 

2. The loss in the 9th inning of yesterday's game probably effectively ended the Orioles season. They are 5.5 games out of the wild card with 13 games to play and four teams in front of them.

3. We are increasingly becoming an insanely intolerant society and even when innocent, people are treated like criminals. Read,  Virginia school suspends an 11-year-old for one year over a leaf that wasn’t marijuana.

4. I think the Pope's arrival in the US is garnering front page news coverage because we are all tired of the embarrassment that is the political process underway right now.

5. Writing of the presidential olympics--I'm still waiting for the one true candidate to emerge.

6. The potential of a government shutdown is looming large again. An interesting article in the Washington Post describes, Five things standing in the way of keeping the government open. 

7. The other morning, I was headed to work and noticed the stars above me in the dark sky. And there was Orion--reminding me that he is in control of the constellations for the next six or so months. I can't wait for him to leave again.

8. Ok, yes, the blog is late this morning, and probably all week because I'm in a different timezone.

9. Did I mention that summer is over? The pool is closed and the leaves are already falling form the trees? Morning temperatures are dipping into the 50's with 40's not too far behind? And my truck is broken!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Good news--Bad News: Gas and Trucks

Royal Farms on Telegraph Road
Odenton, MD

I was in awe yesterday as we drove past a local Royal Farms gas station and I saw that the price of regular gas had fallen to $2.099, which is really $2.10, per gallon. 

Queue the party!

I remember when gas hit $4.00 per gallon that we never dreamed of seeing prices this low again and yet, this is now the second time that prices have fallen back to reasonable levels. I expect to see gas below $2/gallon soon!

But, s is the way with life lately, with every snippet of good news comes some bad news. 

My truck broke severely yesterday. Ugh! The upper drivers side ball joint separated from the control arm and so the truck is both not drivable and also not moveable! Thankfully, it happened as I was backing into the driveway after I had completed a run to the local landfill. I was able to get the truck out of the way and I soon determined that the repair was beyond the few short hours I had available. Additionally, I was going to need to get parts shipped in.

The seriousness of the situation became clear as I was jacking the truck up, but the wheel remained firmly on the ground. No, I didn't take a picture of it.

It is not pretty, although, it seems very repairable. It is going to need a tow to the local repair shop, which I will be calling in the morning. 

All the money I was going to save on gas prices not goes into repairs!

And that, is the good and bad news for this Sunday morning.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer's Last Weekend

It kind of snuck up on me, this, the last weekend of summer.

View of the Covered Pool with the
Vestiges of Summer

I have been so busy enjoying the pleasant evening temperatures and humidity that I had forgotten that summer officially ends with the vernal equinox on Wednesday morning. Summer slips out quietly while we are sleeping--an almost fitting end for a memorable summer, leaving during the night not wanting to linger or get caught up in a long good-bye. 

Summer's demise comes with the completion of numerous projects, not the least of which was closing the pool. Except for a few peripheral tasks, the pool was successfully closed Thursday evening. 

But even tough it is covered, the scene around the pool reveals the lingering effects of the summer--the blooming geranium, the still green ornamental grasses, and the golf target standing tall in the yard. These will soon be gone and with the gathering autumn, my near weekly golf outings will become less frequent. The desire to get home after a day of work and get to the course will eventually evaporate as sunset continues to creep forward and then daylight savings time ends.

What a Picnic Table Looks Like After
it is Decomposed

As summer slips into autumn, there will be trips to the landfill to remove the broken and no longer functioning furniture and equipment that have collected during the busy and often frenetic summer. The first trip is today to remove, among many other items, the abandoned picnic table which has been sitting just off the yard for more years than I can count. It was heavy and needed some work to allow it to fit into the truck. 

Even as autumn arrives, I will still be dealing with the remnants of summer. Raking leaves and dreaming of golfing or being on a beach somewhere. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Republican Debate

I watched some of the debate the other evening.

Eleven presidential hopefuls standing in front of America trying to sell us on why any of them should be President.

My take? I'm not sure that any of them have what it takes to lead the nation. 

The thing that bothered me the most is their intolerance. they all want to make the country over in their own image and do not seem tolerant of diversity or people who think differently. 

I heard at least two of the governments extol the virtues of what they had accomplished in their states and indicate that it should be easy to implement their view nationwide. 

What if, the rest of the nation doesn't want their view?

Individual states need the right to determine their courses. Each of the candidates, I believe, fail to understand the concept of States Rights and all apparently want to expand the oppressive power of the Federal Government.

Who won the debate? No one.

So, I am still waiting for the right person to step forward.

Soon?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD