My Retirement Calling

Louis, our ragdoll cat, did something very uncharacteristic last evening. He crawled up onto my chest, while I was dozing during a TV show, and made himself at home. 

Louis Enjoying Me Time

Chris was laughing and as I woke she asks for my camera to capture the moment. Louis is not a lap cat and only rarely consents to being touched. This was a major step forward in his development as a cat! I think he is a bit slow and now, after seven or so years, he is only beginning to enjoy close human contact. 

Well, he only stayed for a few moments after I started stroking his soft fur. 

Perhaps my retirement calling should be as a cat whisperer!

I think not, they make me sneeze. 

I need something that is more suitable to my temperament--like being a wine taster! Now that would be a great job! Even a laborer at a vineyard might be educational, learning about the business side of wine making without the stress of having to turn a profit!

I guess I need to keep thinking about it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What time is it?

I'm still adjusting to the time change from 10 days ago.

Dawn Breaking over BWI as I Left for Florida
March 10, 2016

I cannot get used to eating dinner while it is still light. We have been eating dinner in the dark for so many months that it is hard to change to eating in daylight. 

Last evening, after hitting a few golf balls into the net in my yard, I came inside while it was still light at 7:02 PM and it dawned upon me that this was our normal dinner time and I wasn't even hungry yet. So much for Jeopardy!

I am enjoying the additional light in the evening, however, driving to work in the dark again is a bit demoralizing. But, I do get to see the dawn gathering on the horizon and I enjoy seeing the day begin. 

Getting up in the morning is still tough, although Makayla seems to have adjusted to the time change and is acting like a very adequate back-up alarm clock. 

But, time marches on and another day is at hand. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Why is there Garbage Everywhere?

Winter has been tough on this region. I can tell because everywhere I look there is garbage along the highways and streets. Even in the wooded area next to our house where the street runoff drains, the garbage has accumulated.

I have wondered where all the garbage comes from.

I have wanted to take a picture of the garbage everywhere, but I am usually driving and the image will require some composition.

Yesterday, however, on my way home from work I discovered one source of the garbage.

Unbelievably, the trash truck in front of me was spewing garbage everywhere as the wind whipped across the top vehicle. Massive pieces of plastic were released into the environment.

I did not get a picture of the garbage rising from it, but I took a quick shot of the truck. I find it incredible that trash trucks are allowed on the highways without being required to cover their loads. 

While the Maryland legislature is arguing about partisan control of the government, perhaps they should do something worthwhile and require trash and recycling trucks to cover their loads. It will cost less money for highway cleanup.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 21, 2016

1. Maybe it really is springtime? Despite an ominous forecast, this weekend's storms did not bring sub-freezing temperatures or snow (other than a few flakes mixed with rain).

2. While is Sarasota last weekend, I saw the ultimate vanity plate on a car. An image of the car itself! States with only rear license plates can be a lot of fun.

3. March Madness, as the NSAA Men's Basketball Tournament is called, is truly underway. My bracket is totally busted, but my alma mater (Syracuse) and my hometown favorite (Maryland) are still in the dance having made the Sweet 16. 

4. Chris and I watched the movie Room over the weekend. We recommend it. Brie Larson won the Best Actress Oscar and she turns in a great performance.


5. I noticed that the trees are beginning to green. Yesterday I saw definitely hints of green on the formerly bare branches. 

6. Maryland's first tournament game was a classic tale of the turtle and the hare. It pit the Maryland Terrapins against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The turtle won again!

7. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and a well timed TV broadcast Orioles Spring Training Game provided some much needed relief from the political primary season over the weekend.

8. The President is in Cuba! I think that it is fantastic that we are finally recognizing that Cuba is not an enemy but that they can be a partner.

9. On this day in 1871, Stanley began his search through Africa for Dr. Livingstone which ended about 8 months later with the Stanley uttering the now immortal words "Dr Livingstone, I presume?"

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Spring!

Chris on the Tractor
March 19, 2016

Although it may not feel like it this morning, Spring arrived overnight. The season of darkness is officially behind and warm sunny days lie ahead. 

Chris Clearing the Yard

Yesterday, before the rain and snow began falling as Winter made its last attempt to control the weather, Chris and I began the process of clearing the yard of the winter debris. Although below freezing temperatures had been forecast overnight, they did not materialize. The storm is proving to be much milder than originally projected.

That included getting the tractor out of the shed and running--which was surprisingly easy. There is something reassuring about hearing the tractor burst to life when the key is turned. Well, it did grind for a while--but then came alive.

The yard has already taken on a bright green color and the buds on the trees are everywhere. By this time next week, Easter, everything should be in full bud and bloom. We needed to get some of the leaves and smaller twigs off the lawn.

This is a great time of year as everything springs back to life. 

Spring has Sprung!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Week of Celebrations

Running Sunday to Sunday, this was a week chock full of celebrations, events, and remembrances.

Check these out:

Sunday, March 13 - Daylight Saving Time arrived. We got our outdoors evenings back! Although I had to drive to work in morning darkness again for a while. It sure was hard to get up in the morning for a couple of days.

Monday, March 14 - Pi Day. The day each year we pay our respects to the constant of the circle! And eat pie! Mine was Key Lime. What was yours?

Tuesday, March 15 - Ides of March. A quick remembrance to Julius Caesar who was assassinated on this day. Also, incidentally it is one month to Tax Day!

Thursday, March 17 - St Patrick's Day. Nuff said. It was all very green. 


Saturday/Sunday March 19/20 - First Day of Spring. Spring officially arrives at 12:30 AM EDT on Sunday morning, which is still Saturday night for the rest of the country. 

It was and still is a very busy week of observances and celebrations!

Party on!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's Not the Major Leagues

It is hard to believe, but Spring Training, so to speak, has arrived for the youth baseball leagues. 

Last evening I went my first GORC Pirates practice, it was already the second practice for the team. I missed the first practice, not a good example for a coach, but I was on the road.

Portion of the Ten Day Forecast

Baseball season is truly underway and it felt good to be out on the diamond with the boys doing drills to improve their baseball skills. Although practice is late, at 6:30 PM, I am not complaining because I miss the worst of the rush-hour traffic while getting to the ball fields. It is also easy to tell when practice is over because we can't see the balls anymore.

Our team is a year older this year and I can already see how they have retained and added to the skills they developed during last season's campaign. 

Springtime has arrived--if only we weren't supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow on Sunday, everything would be spectacular.

At least the sound of baseballs smacking into gloves has returned.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flowers Arrive Despite the Weather

Crocus in my Garden

Springtime has arrived in Maryland. 

The trees are budding and flowers are blooming throughout the region. And even in my own yard. I make that point because my house is situated in a low area that is a bit colder and also receives less sun than some other areas. Forsythia are blooming along the highways, but mime are barely budded.

Daffodils in the Garden

It is good to see the weather turn warmer.

Although, there is a significant snow maker on the horizon for Sunday! Ugh. Presently it is calling for 3-5 inches of snow. Hopefully it moves off shore between now and its arrival in the region. 

I am distressed at how the temperatures nosedive through the rest of this week and below freezing conditions return. I have already moved a few of the plants we have been wintering outside to get reacquainted with the sun and they will need to be brought back inside.

Oh well--Happy St Patrick's Day anyway.

Spring officially begins on Sunday morning at 30 minutes past midnight in the Easter Daylight Timezone--during the snowstorm! It will be Winter's last hurrah!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections of a Golf Weekend

This past weekend I was blessed to be able to play 72 holes of golf on four different Florida golf courses. Three were in Bradenton and one was in Fort Myers. 

Me Beginning my Tee Shot

In the two days since returning home, I have not even unpacked my golf clubs because I have been so busy. 

During our time together away, some pretty funny things were said and some fun situations arose.

Some of the best quotes from the trip include:

"You broke the tee box." 

"Gravity is like Santa, it only works if you believe."

Jeremy Deciding on a Club

"I know the ball had to come down somewhere, because if it didn't we have bigger problems."

"That was a great shot, right up until it wasn't."

"Where's the green? It's not even in the same time zone."

"The van that Budget gave us is like the Tartan Prancer."

Of course the Tartan Prancer is the fictitious vehicle from the most recent Vacation movie. Our Ford van was big, bulky, but surprisingly agile. The problem was that while big, the interior space was not easily reconfigurable and we had trouble getting four people, four golf bags, and associated suitcases stowed.

About the golf courses. 

Eagle Ridge Golf Club, Fort Myers. Well maintained and a tough course. Lot's of water, but generally wide fairways and well maintained greens. Bring extra balls. Club house is nice and the staff helpful. Great location near the stadium and the airport. I highly recommend playing this course mid-Sunday morning as we had the the place to ourselves, it seemed. This is one of the few courses where I was advised to drive the cart on the fairway! Awesome, I can do that!

Waterlefe Golf and River Club, Bradenton, Florida. Well maintained and the greens were great. A beautiful course with nice views and tough but fair holes. Pace of play was good. Some of the fairways were narrow which made for interesting golf. 

12th Green at The Preserve at Tara

Preserve Golf Club at Tara, Bradenton, Florida. I was disappointed in the assistance with getting started. After paying the greens fees, we were left on our own to find the first tee. Never saw a marshall and there was a very slow group in front who finally let us play though on the 12th hole. Admittedly, we did have an afternoon tee time. The greens were in adequate condition, but needed work. 

Rosedale Golf & Country Club, Lakewood Ranch, Florida. This was the first club we played on the trip and it was probably the best maintained. The marshall was everywhere and kept the pace of the game moving--which was great. We felt a bit pushed, but were always right behind the group in front of us. Excellent greens and good tee boxes. Most of the fairways are tight with houses close by. A great course, but probably not the best choose as the first course after not playing for the winter.

And there it is. A quick recap of the courses and our golf experience.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, Florida

I am actually astonished about how little I have been traveling recently. I have become pretty much of a home-body; not traveling far from with the exception of trips to Ithaca. 

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, FL

Last week when I arrived in Sarasota to golf and attend a few Orioles Spring Training games, I was excited that I could again get an image of life outside the hotel window. 

As it turns out, I waited until my second morning to snap the image, but it turned out to be a great day. The Orioles won their first game of the Spring Training campaign. 

I was disappointed in the window of the hotel room  however. It was dirty and I was afraid that the image would not be as vibrant a the scene that I was viewing. I do enjoy the sunrise and the opportunities that begin with each new day. 

Not seen in the image, as it was captured, is the large play tree right outside the window that I enjoyed looking at. Palm trees are a good symbol for me that I am far enough south. 

The clouds in the sky turned into a blessing as the day wore on and I spent time on a golf course. The clouds kept the temperatures moderate and the breeze made the game enjoyable. 

It was, as it turned out, a great day. And it all began by looking at the world outside the hotel window.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD