Monday Musings - March 14, 2016

1. My short baseball and golf vacation has ended. When can I do it again? I can't believe I played 72 holes of golf and saw three Spring Training games in four days while also flying into and out of Florida!

Orioles spring Training Parking Lot Sign

2. Today's high in Baltimore will be 17 degrees lower than this morning's low in Sarasota.

Getting a Toddler through an Airport

3. March Madness is underway. Don't forget to pick your bracket for the biggest tournament in basketball.

4. Saw this sign in an Orioles Spring Training parking lot. I'm not sure exactly how these two go together. I've never tried playing golf from a motorcycle, I wonder how that works?

5. Coming back through BWI last evening as I was getting a dose of weather reality from the cool temperatures and cold rain, I saw this creative way of getting a toddler through an airport.

6. Don't change your drink order mid-thought. I wanted to order a large diet cola but changed my mind while talking and it came out: "Can I have a large diet . . . water?" I have created the next fad: Diet Water!

DirecTV Blimp over Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Fort Myers, Florida
March 13, 2016

Pileated Woodpecker

7. While on the golf course yesterday, I thought it just a bit creepy that a blimp kept stalking me through the trees. I wonder if I was secretly being televised.

8. I found more critters on the golf course yesterday, but this time is was a rarer sight as a pileated woodpecker posed for me. It was very busy getting breakfast.

9. Matt Wieters' elbow seems to just sore and need more strengthening. That is good! He left Saturday's game after the first inning.

10. Have you noticed that Donald Trump blames someone else for his problems? Now he is blaming Sanders supporters for problems at his rallies. Really? How does that make sense?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In the Win Column Again

Ed Smith Stadium
March 12, 2016

The Orioles made it into the win column for the first time this Spring Training yesterday.

Ny Spring Training trip mission is accomplished!

Hopefully the Orioles new found winning ways will continue today with another win in Fort Myers against the Twins!

I did briefly meet General Manager, Dan Duquette, yesterday. Seriously, it was a brief hello and hand shake at the stadium and we mentioned hoping for a good season from the team and I felt that they had the players and staff to every successful.

Getting Ready for the Game

That is one of the great things about going to Spring Training, you never know who you are going to meet while prowling the stadium. 

To recap the game, the Orioles starting pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, allowed a run early in the top of the first inning and over the course of the game the Orioles scored eight unanswered runs to make the final score 8-1. It was exciting to be there for the first win of the campaign.

The concern of the day was when catcher Matt Wieters left the game after the first inning with elbow soreness and given his recent surgery there is come cause for concern. The tests should be back today on the elbow. I noted that on the one throw to second to stop a steal that his throw was unusually high. 

The pitchers who relieved Ubaldo did their jobs and included some of the ones I expect to see back at Camden Yards once the season begins and included Zach Britton and Darren O'Day who each pitched one scoreless inning. 

It was a great baseball day with a nice breeze and temperatures in the mid-80's. 

Do I have to come home?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Critters on the Course

Golfing in Florida is different than golfing in Maryland, by a long shot.

Jeremy and Mike in the Tee Box

Yesterday, my traveling companions and I, played 36 holes of golf on two different courses. During that span, we spied a couple dangerous critters but also enjoyed the antics of many more harmless ones. 

A Small Gator Guarding a Water Feature
on a Golf Course

There are two rules that I adhere to when golfing in Florida. The first is never reach in to the water to retrieve a ball no matter how placid the water seems. Every water feature comes complete with its own alligator. The gators are always watching. OK, I did get one out of the water yesterday, but I made sure there were no large reptiles within a good distance.

Watching the Birds on the Course

Second--since snakes do inhabit the underbrush, don't go poking around with your hand. Use a club.

But those rules written, there are al to of fun critters to enjoy while golfing. The sand cranes man a sound like a dinosaur and can be a bit unnerving, but they seem relatively harmless.

The most important rule, however, is to have fun and play good golf!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Orioles Training

BWI Preparing for a Pre-Dawn Departure

I arrived in Sarasota well in enough time for lunch and a ball game yesterday. Thankfully, the flight from Baltimore to Tampa was on time, even early.

I thought the view in the morning light was especially interesting with the sunrise behind the jet that carried me south. It is amazing what 2 hours and a few minutes can do to change the temperature and the scenery.

View from the Standing Room Only Seats
Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL
March 10, 2016

Those of us traveling together arrived in Florida with the idea that we could bring some magic into the 0-9-1 start and even more importantly break the string of 9 consecutive losses. And we did, partly. The Orioles did not lose, but they tied the team whose  name shall remain unspoken from up north. That was a good thing. The stadium was sold out for the game and that always makes it exciting when a large crowd is on hand to view a contest.

Manny Machado and Adam Jones Warming Up

We had the opportunity to see many of players and even saw one of the Orioles new acquisitions get his first ever hit off U.S. major league pitching! That was exciting.

Even though it ended in a tie, the game was exciting. The weather was fantastic--a strong breeze kept the temperatures feeling cool.

Observation. The Orioles bats are still coming around. They had a lot of hits but could not string them together to secure enough runs to win the game.

It was a great day to be in Sarasota, Florida.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Buds on the Trees

Well, I thought Tuesday was great with temperatures in the 70's, but yesterday was even better. The temperatures crested 80 degrees and I wore shorts for the first time this season.

It was awesome to be outside and enjoy both the warmth and the sunlight.

While I was tracking down an errant golf ball, I discovered buds on the trees behind the house.

They were a little blurry--but they were definitely emerging from the winter slumber to restore green to the scenery.

Today marks the beginning of my southern sojourn for baseball and golf.  Be advised, I expect to be writing about mostly those topics for the next couple of days. I may be lucky enough to see the Orioles get their first Spring Training win. The are still mired at a dismal 0-9-1. I am excited about seeing Chris Tillman, our pitching ace get the start today.

Even with less than successful baseball, Spring is here. We moved some of the plants outside to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. I want the weather to continue.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Springtime Arrived

The temperature climbed to 77 degrees yesterday. It was the region's first foray into the 70's since Christmas! We had a beautiful Christmas day, but since then it has been nothing short of miserable.

Cat in the Gym Parking Lot

I was happy to enjoy the temperatures outside, despite having a racquetball match in the evening. So no, I didn't get out to swing my clubs in preparation for my upcoming trip. I could have some ugly golf outings. 

One of the things I did treat myself to was driving in Cat with the top down! I love to take that initial image of Cat once the weather warms enough for a drive. Actually, we had the top down in late February for an afternoon, but that was pushing it a but. I feel like it is really Spring now!

Spring Peeper

It was awesome to feel the warm breeze in my hair as I sped down the parkway. 

Last evening on my way home from the gym, I even heard the peepers beginning their springtime songs. 

Springtime has arrives--and not a bit too early for my way of thinking. Looking at the weather forecasts, the region is not expected to be below 40 at least the next 10 days! I need to get some of the wintering plants outside to get used to the sun again!

I can almost hear the mower revving up in the shed.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Another Day--Another Loss

The Orioles are perfect in Spring Training games. they haven't won yet and the prospects are not good for the inaugural win to happen anytime soon. 

Yesterday, with the most of the expected regular season starting lineup in the game, they were shut out 3-0 by the Twins. The O's are 0-7 (not counting one tie on the first game of the Spring Training session).

It is dismal and probably will not do a lot to sell opening day tickets when they go on sale next week.


I know it is Spring Training and I know the games are more to see who can play and who can't, but I'd like to see something other than another loss posted on the scoreboard. I am going to see the team in person on Thursday against the team that shall remain nameless form up north; I'd dearly like to beat that team--just because! Turns out, I think the game will be broadcast on MASN back to the Baltimore area! Hopefully I can get on camera!!

On the other hand, the temperature was 77 degrees at Ed Smith Stadium for the game yesterday. It was only in the low-60's here. And I know the palm trees were dancing in the 18 mph breeze!

So does it really matter if the team loses, but I am baking in the bright sun with an adult drink in my hand watching the palm trees dance?

Yes, it really does matter.

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 7, 2016

1. March has arrived. Warmer temperatures in the 70's are in the forecast! Springtime may actually be here.

2. No good deed goes unpunished.

Jackson Turns 8

3. It is amazing how paint can be rejuvenating and therapeutic.

4. Happy Birthday Jackson. You're 8!

5. I did not attend any basketball games this weekend. I did, however, attend two birthday parties.

Ronald and Nancy Regan

6. Did anyone else notice that the Orioles are winless thus far during the Spring Training campaign?

7. With the death of Nancy Reagan yesterday, an era as ended. Ronald and Nancy Reagan were a class act as President and First Lady and they brought a resurgence to America that we are searching for again.

8. Peyton Manning is expected to announce his retirement from the NFL today. He had a great career and won two Super Bowls. 

9. Does anyone else think that watching an episode of Caribbean Life on HGTV during March makes them feel warmer?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Crazy Busy Day

No good deed goes unpunished.

I have heard that phrase repeatedly during my adult work life. It seems that it also applies to home life as well.

Newly Painted Family Room

Yesterday was a Saturday with nothing specific planned. That meant painting the family room! We had purchased two gallons of our new favorite color a few weeks ago, but had not yet had time to change the wall color. 

Yesterday was the day! And the painting went well. So well that we were also planning of refreshing the trim as well--right up until water began pouring out from under the kitchen sink after the brushes were washed.

Newly Installed Faucet

What seemed like a simple leak quickly turned into a trip to Lowe's and a $10 repair to the sprayer hose became a $350 new faucet assembly! I have to admit the existing faucet did have a drip, too and needed some work. I did have a lot of fun working under the sink installing the new faucet. To begin with, it took over an hour to get the old faucet deconstructed. 

But the new one is installed and fully functional. A new sink may be coming soon, but fortunately, Lowe's did not have the desired replacement in stock! 

By the end of the day a simple job devoted to painting the family room quickly became a new faucet! What a day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Last Snow of the Season

Yesterday I woke up to the world repainted by the brush strokes of snow highlighting the trees and bushes. 

I am not a fan of snow, but nearly everyone I talked to during the day stopped for a moment to appreciate the beauty of the snow on the branches of the trees. Even I, a person who finds few redeeming qualities in snow, thought the scenes played out before me were especially pretty. I enjoyed the constantly changing landscape during my drive to work.

I think it was the clear, wet roads and sidewalks framed by the trees covered with the white snow that made the scene so stark and enjoyable. I took the images in the predawn light, but the day became more beautiful as the sun rose.

I am glad that I was able to enjoy the beauty, which lasted for only a few hours. 

And now it is gone!

I was a fitting end to winter! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD