Space is not Just for Dreamers

John Glenn and Friendship 7

The passing of John Glenn at age 95 yesterday caused me to pause. The New York Times calls him an American Hero of the Space Age. He was the last surviving member of the Mercury 7--the first seven astronauts selected by NASA.

I remember growing up and following each successive barrier that was broken and each new achievement that was made during the Cold War Space Race. The pride of the country rode on the backs of a few brave men, yes they were all men then. 

Mercury 7 Astronauts

I learned new words like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. I also learned about Redstones, and Saturns; the boosters that these brave barrier breakers rode into the heavens. 

My mind was on the space and space travel as I considered the possibilities. In my young mind, I believed that we would have missions to Mars during the 1990's. For a while I wanted to be an astronaut and ride the fire into the heavens.

The country chose to go another direction in space; developing the highly successful Space Shuttle program to haul payloads into low earth orbits. The dream of Mars remains. Sadly, the United States does not currently have the capability to launch people into space. There are no man-rated boosters or vehicles in the inventory and the cruel twist of fate is that we are dependent upon to Russians to carry Americans into orbit to the International Space Station. Many of our space launch vehicles rely upon Russian produced engines--the U.S. has lost the technological lead.

The space program provided something back then that our country lacks. We were dreamers and we set our sights on the stars. There were new horizons to conquer and the successes and the failures came almost every day. Life has become so routine since then. We still making stunning advances in space, but it has become the expectation.

Godspeed John Glenn!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Roads' End

I have had the pleasure of standing at the end (or was it the beginning) of two famous highways.

The beginning and end of US 1 in Key West is one. 

The other was Route 66, which ends on the Santa Monica Pier in California after traversing the western portion of the country.

US 1 is a road that I deal with daily. I drive on part of it every day. There is almost no way to leave my house and not traverse a portion of this famous North-South route which runs from Maine to the very southern tip of Florida. 

Route 66 is a bit more elusive for me as it runs East-West from Chicago to Santa Monica. But the road makes the famous connection across the middle portion of the country.

I have enjoyed being at the end/beginning of these famous highways an thinking amount how much of our country is connected because of them. Interstate highways may be faster, but in terms of connecting cities and towns and people, these two roads are some of the workhorses of our society.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Projecting Power

Air Force One
Reagan Library

I was there, recently, at the Reagan Library and I saw it first hand. I saw and touched, and entered the aircraft that served as Air Force One during the Reagan administration.

It is beautiful. 

When it carries the President of the United States, it is the most important aircraft in the world!

I read with fascination yesterday how the President-elect was making an issue about the purchase of two new aircraft to serve as Air Force One. 

It is important to note that the current aircraft are almost 30 years old. There are a lot of improvements to technology which have occurred since these aircraft first flew.

When Air Force One touches down in a foreign country, it is a statement. The President of the United States has arrived and no other county's leader arrives in such a manner. It recently infuriated the Chinese and caused an incident. 

But Air Force one is more than transportation, It is an extension of the Office of the President. It is a working area that allows the conduct of the Executive branch to continue during long and otherwise non-productive flights. 

Air Force One is as much a projection of national power as sending an aircraft carrier into some country's backyard or flying B-52's along a disputed border area. It makes a statement: The U.S. is here. 

My Take: The President of the United States should not be transported in a 30 year old aircraft. Project power and prestige with a new symbol of national power. The President-elect needs to focus on big issues.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When is a General Not?

General Mattis
Being Considered for Secretary of Defense

The construction of President-elect Trump's cabinet continues to draw the attention of the news media and his expected selection for Secretary of Defense is the current hot news item of the day.

I am happy the issue is not a Constitutional one, but a legal requirement imposed when the Department of Defense was created. Established during 1947 the Department did not take on its current name of Department of Defense (DoD) until 1949. An interesting twist of history.

The laws that established the DoD mandated that persons being appointed to the top jobs in the Department must be separated for at least 7 years. It was originally 10 years, but later amended. And even with the newly created DoD, an exception to the law was given for General George Marshall in 1950. 

My point here is that the "law" has been changed in the past and the situation must be evaluated based upon it merits. Sadly, the blind application of law seems more important that looking at the merits. 

I believe it is time for someone to lead the DoD who has experienced the weapons, tools and tactics being provided by the to the troops and he may be able to separate the good from the unnecessary. I believe that the DoD is bloated and inefficient, but much of that is due to Congressional mandates. If the DoD is going to become efficient, then Congress needs to back and allow DoD to get about the task of defending the nation. 

Maybe General Mattis will restore some swagger to the DoD.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 5, 2016

1. It is less than three weeks to Christmas.

2. The year 2016 is crashing to a close. I am amazed how quickly.

3. It is hard to make vacation plans if you don't know where you want to go.

4. There are a lot of Christmas specials on TV right now. I am glad they only show them once per year. 

5. It is exciting to watch the President-elect put together his team. It is being done very differently than on the past. That may be good.

6. How weird is the NFL this season. Seven of the teams that were in the playoffs last year may not make the playoffs this year. 

7. Thankfully, the weather has not been too miserable so far this season. We have had a bit of rain, but no snow, yet.

8. As the President-elect creates his new cabinet, I think it is important to remember the words of Ronald Reagan: “Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

9. Wine is a great addition to a holiday party.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Jingle Bells

It is the season for Christmas movies on TV and stories. Last evening I watched my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life produced in 1946 starring Jimmy Stewart. 

Seasonal songs are playing on the radio, we have our favorite station that plays Christmas songs 24/7.

I believe that December is the month where we combat the increasing darkness with seasonal songs. 

The sound of the song Jingle Bells reminds me of the joys of being a child listening for the sounds of Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.

I am amazed at how the old songs are still the ones that I hear most. I hear Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song ten to twenty times per day. And Andy Williams is singing continuously somewhere in the background.

It all works together to make the season.

I enjoy the humor as well. The season is moving along so quickly. There are three weeks until Christmas! I can scarcely believe it is passing so quickly.

I may even begin counting the days until I plan to open my pool.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Midnight Madness in Old Ellicott City

Ellicott City
Midnight Madness
Looking up the Hill
December 2, 2016

It has been an annual event, the Midnight Madness in Old Ellicott City. This year, however, it was definitely different.  Old Ellicott City was almost destroyed by a ravaging flood during late July and many of the shops were not able to open. Those that did, bravely carried on the tradition. 

Ellicott City
December 2, 2016

I was pleased with the turn out of people trying to make normal again that which is still under repair. The shops near the top of the street, Ellicott City is built on a hill, were generally because they suffered less damage while those near the foot of the hill were partially open.

Signs of repair were everywhere, but as well, people were reveling in the cool temperatures and trying to infuse the Christmas season into their hearts. There were long line in some of the stores and I have to admit, many of the stores provided light refreshments including wine or champaign which was a very nice touch.

Ellicott City
December 2, 2016

School choirs were singing on the street and people were shopping. It was a resurgence for the city and the business district with many of the stores rushing to open for the event. That so many stores and restaurants were open was a miracle. 

But Ellicott City remains damaged and, sadly, I know that some of the shops and restaurants will never reopen. 

The flood was a disaster, but the spirit to rebuild is strong. I hope that Midnight Madness provided the stimulus to encourage the rebuilding to continue and eventually restore Old (or Historic) Ellicott City to it former radiance.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Recount

A vote recount is underway in Wisconsin, and a partial recount is underway in Pennsylvania according to a New York Times article titled, ‘We’re Going to Get This Done’: Wisconsin Vote Recount Is Underway.

Why?

It seems a huge waste of money.

I guess it is important to know that the electronic voting machines were not tampered with, but with Michigan falling into the Trump vote column the other day, the lead seems insurmountable.

Losing is hard to accept for some people especially given the breakdown of the popular vote, I get that. But we have to have faith in the integrity of the voting system.

Yes, I am one of the first to say things like, "Vote early, vote often!" But I don't mean it. I say it just to encourage people to get out and exercise their right, or is it a privilege, no it is a responsibility to vote.

As the world has changed from paper ballots to computers, we do need to ensure that the computer tallies cannot and are not tampered with.

Recount? Not to change the outcome, but rather to confirm it and provide confidence in our automated vote counting process.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

America the Great

One of the campaign slogans during the recent national election was "Make America Great Again."

I always took exception to that phrase because I could not determine when America stopped being great.

In my mind, America remains the greatest country on the planet. And why do I believe this? 

It is not because of our military, there are large militaries, but none better equipped than ours. It is not because of our leadership, because we all have seen through the facade of Washington. It is not because of our economy, even though we are one of the strongest and most resilient economies on the planet.

Why is America great?

It is because of our people. 

Ronald Reagan got it right when he said:

"The greatness of America doesn't begin in Washington; it begins with each of you -- in the mighty spirit of free people under God, in the bedrock values you live by each day in your families, neighborhoods, and workplaces."

Address to the Nation on the Eve of the Presidential Election, November 5, 1984

America is and always has been great!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dog Days

Makayla Ready to Travel

I know that it is not the summertime when I look forward to the Dog Days, but even as the winter approaches and the total amount of sunlight drops towards its solstice low of 9 hours and 24 minutes, some days are devoted to dogs.

Today, for instance, Makayla has a check-up and dental appointment. She gets her teeth cleaned once per year.  It is funny that I, too, have an appointment this afternoon for a dental cleaning. 

So this morning I will drop her off at the vet and pick her up this afternoon. She hates being dropped off. She exhibits real signs of separation anxiety.

But I know she will be fine and that when the afternoon arrives and I can pick her up, she will be very ready to see me.

And her breath will smell good, too.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Where to Spend it All

My email inbox has become crammed with ads and offers. I cannot believe the rate at which new opportunities to make purchases are thrust at me. 

I can scarcely keep up with the influx and I am beginning to miss some of the more important items that I usually read.


I am drowning in junk mail seeking to have me purchase all sorts of needless item during this season.

And the sales: 30% off! How can I possibly resist? 

If I bought every exciting offer, I would soon be out of money.

How did so many retailers get my email address? 

In retrospect, I don't know which is a worse blight, the political ads of the now completed election season, or the seasonal advertisements clogging my inbox?

I am becoming very adept at using my delete key!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 28, 2016

1. Today is the last Monday in November 2016. Next week on Monday we will be five days into December with the end of 2016 knocking at the door.

2. I wonder where Cuba will find itself in the post-Fidel Castro era?

3. According to a new study, my dog is a lot smarter than I give her credit for. And I just wish she would remember to stick around when I am working around the house.

Leaves Blown into My Yard

4. There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect. -- Ronald Reagan, 1985.

5. The wind storms of the past week filled my yard up with leaves. They are gone now, but it was the third time that I had removed the leaves from the yard.

6. And writing of leaves, I think they look a lot better on the trees than in my yard.

7. My washing machine is not working, again. Patrick and I determined the cause and the machine is about to receive its last repair before it will be replaced.

8. Is it possible to survive Cyber-Monday? I made it through small Business Saturday and Black Friday. 

9. I wonder what new electronics I desire?

10. Chris and I are already beginning to plan our summer vacation. We just don't know to where.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Decorations Abounding

2016 Edition of the Doan Christmas Tree

The turkeys are safely stored until next November. It was a sad repacking them as I really enjoy looking at them. They make me smile.

Christmas is arriving in the form of decorations. 

Riordin Helping Decorate

Chris and I spent yesterday, except for two emergency trips to Lowe's, decorating. And, sadly, we still are not finished. 

We made some mulled wine from a kit that we had purchased a couple of years ago and enjoyed decorating our way through the day. It definitely helped as we overcome the obstacles to completing our task.

Fortunately, we decided to erect only one tree this year. Why, fortunately? Well, it turns out that half of the lights on the pre-lit tree are burned out. I'm not sure it is repairable. So we went to the tree which requires string lights only to discover that we had reallocated the white lights formerly used on that tree for another decorating project. It is always something. So we bought new lights and found that one set was defective and that we needed five strands, not the four we had purchased. Back to Lowe's. 

Louis and Rirodin Under the Tree

Along the way we had some additional help from Riordin. He loved checking our the decorations and the boxes. We always have to ensure that he is not trapped in one of them before we put them away.

As soon as everything was cleaned up, both cats decided to claim the space under the tree. It really isn't complete yet because my Polar Express train isn't set up. We were just too tired from almost 10 hours of decorating to deal with some of the smaller details. 

So the house is nearly ready for the next holiday. This is the third monthly transformation, the first is Halloween at the beginning of October, the second is Thanksgiving and the season of the turkey at the beginning of November, and the third is Christmas which is the first weekend after Thanksgiving!

Of course, remember, I began the Christmas decorations on Veteran's Day and then did the Snow Village last weekend. 

Well, we are ready for the sprint to the New Year!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Axis & Allies 2016

Axis & Allies Being Played

The family tradition was revived again yesterday. While the women of the family braved the crowds of the Black Friday shopping melee, the guys gathered around a dining room table and replayed World War II using one of the versions of the game Axis & Allies. 

There are a different versions of the game and we own and have played most of them. Black Friday is our once per year "guy day" spent trying to recreate history. 

This year we had a new player which was exciting because it reminded all of us how complex the game was the first time we played. Although we played for 8 hours, the game was called a draw because evening activities were about to begin. I fully believe that the Allies would be the eventual winners.

It is a Black Friday tradition! It brings the guys in the family together while the women face the crowds and the stores. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Black Friday

Today has a colorful name: "Black Friday." It has a long tradition as well. And it is not a sinister as it sounds on the surface.

I remember when I was in high school working in a clothing store in Ithaca, NY, that Black Friday was an exciting time as the shoppers seemingly appeared from no where to spend gobs of money preparing for the Christmas holiday. And the sprint to December 25th began in earnest.

But now, there are other days added in for excitement. There is Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. The Sunday after Thanksgiving seems to have escaped a naming convention. 


One of the local cities in my area has Midnight Madness scheduled for the first Friday in December! Another named shopping excursion. Even though they suffered a terrible flood earlier in the year, Midnight Madness is scheduled in Ellicott City for December 2nd.

With all of these days coming it is hard to conceive that we could possibly retain our money and our fortunes.

But the lines between the days are becoming blurred.

I have been receiving Black Friday ads and specials for almost two weeks now. And Cyber-Monday has been running for almost the same amount of time. Ugh!

Well, it is officially the holidays! The year is ending, the days are getting shorter and we need something to do after day--why not shop?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thanksgiving Messages for 2016

Happy Thanksgiving. 

I cannot believe the holiday has arrived so quickly. It seems like I was enjoying the summer just yesterday. But, alas, not.

The weather in Maryland is still bearable. It was 24 degrees yesterday morning, but the region has escaped the snow that places like Central New York and the Mid-West have been besieged with.

As my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving, I felt a desire to see what our leaders, past, future, and present said about the holiday. 

President Ronald Reagan

During 1986, President Ronald Reagan made the following remarks about Thanksgiving:

Perhaps no custom reveals our character as a Nation so clearly as our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Rooted deeply in our Judeo-Christian heritage, the practice of offering thanksgiving underscores our unshakeable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation and our firm reliance upon Him from Whom all blessings flow. Both as individuals and as a people, we join with the Psalmist in song and praise: “Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.”

One of the most inspiring portrayals of American history is that of George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. That moving image personifies and testifies to our Founders’ dependence upon Divine Providence during the darkest hours of our Revolutionary struggle. It was then-when our mettle as a Nation was tested most severely—that the Sovereign and Judge of nations heard our plea and came to our assistance in the form of aid from France. Thereupon General Washington immediately called for a special day of thanksgiving among his troops.

Read more: http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/ronald-reagan-thanksgiving-1986-proclamation-that-declared-god-as-the-foundation-of-our-nation/#ixzz4QtEMaqQ5

President-elect Donald Trump

Just yesterday, President-elect Trump made the following statement about Thanksgiving:

“We are very blessed to call this nation our home,” said Trump. “And that is what America is: it is our home. It’s where we raise our families, care for our loved ones, look out for our neighbors, and live out our dreams.”

He continued: “It is my prayer, that on this Thanksgiving, we begin to heal our divisions and move forward as one country, strengthened by a shared purpose and very, very common resolve.”

“In declaring this national holiday, President Lincoln called upon Americans to speak with ‘one voice and one heart,'” Trump said. “That’s just what we have to do.”

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2016/11/dueling-thanksgiving-messages-from-obama-trump/#sve7iuCbQpDcKGgs.99

President Obama shared the following thoughts about Thanksgiving:

President Barak Obama

“Each year on Thanksgiving, the selflessness and decency of the American people surface in food banks and shelters across our country, in time spent caring for the sick and the stranger, and in efforts to empathize with those with whom we disagree and to recognize that every individual is worthy of compassion and care. As we gather in the company of our friends, families, and communities — just as the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag did centuries ago — let us strive to lift up others, promote tolerance and inclusiveness, and give thanks for the joy and love that surround all of us.”

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2016/11/dueling-thanksgiving-messages-from-obama-trump/#sve7iuCbQpDcKGgs.99

At the urgings of three Presidents, I believe we should give thanks and remember our heritage and history as a nation. 

Enjoy your day as you celebrate with family and friends if you are so fortunate. Wherever you are, at home or abroad, take some time to reflect and give thanks for the blessings that you have.

May you find peace and joy as you remember the blessings of your life and the joy that friends and family provide. God bless the USA!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Waiting for Results--Still

Amazingly, on the eve of Thanksgiving, all of the votes in our recent national election have not been tallied and finalized. Michigan, it seems, cannot get the job done and the 16 Electoral College votes there are still, as of this morning, undecided. 

From 270 to Win

The latest news is that the Secretary of State (Michigan) plans to release the voting tallies at the end of the month and most pollsters will call the state at that time. 

In this world of super fast computers, I find it amazing that the results can take so long to tally. Even in Third World countries the votes are tallied faster. 

Not that it will change the outcome, but I am amazed that it takes 22 days to get the votes counted so that a decision can be made. I'm glad that the outcome of the election is not hanging on those 16 votes. It could have been.

At least we can enjoy Thanksgiving tomorrow knowing who the 45th President will be and continue to watch the sideshow that have become the selection of the cabinet and key positions.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday Thoughts

Tuesday

Tuesday has arrived again. 

It is the day of the week that I struggle with the most. 

Trapped in between Monday and Wednesday, Tuesday almost seems not to have an identity of its own. When there is a Monday holiday, I often refer to Tuesday as the real Monday of the week.

Truthfully, Tuesday is not Monday and that is a blessing all of its own. 

Of course, getting through today means we are at Wednesday and this week that is the Eve of Thanksgiving. So, I guess, in some weird transformation, Tuesday is the Wednesday of this week!

Maybe Tuesday isn't so bad after all.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 21, 2016

1. Thanksgiving is Thursday! Yay for Turkey!

2. An incredible weather change occurred over the weekend going from a high Saturday of 73 degrees to about 45 degrees on Sunday. Brrr.

Snow Village 2016

3. It was Snow Village weekend. The 2016 edition is up and lighted  and ready to usher in the holidays. 

4. It is amazing that we begin putting up decorations well in advance of the coming season.

5. "America is strong, stronger than the critics think. But then, for more than 200 years, when you've added things up that's the answer you've come up with. There is a power in America that has always seemed to surprise the critics and to carry our nation through, even when we in Washington stumbled. It's a power that comes not from government, but from towns and farms, from neighborhoods, schools, and churches all over America. It's the might and wisdom of a free people in a free land." --Ronald Reagan
Remarks to Local Business Leaders at a White House Briefing on Deficit Reduction, November 30, 1987

Riordin in a Bag of Snow Village Snow

6. On this date in 1620, the Pilgrims reached America. If you think about it, what a dismal time to try and start off with almost nothing in a new land. 

7. Cats are interesting creatures. Riordin likes to get into things and we have to be careful to ensure he gets out.

8. Can you believe that Black Friday sales have already begun?

9. There is nothing new about fake news--disinformation has always been around.

10. Take it slow and keep your wits about you as the week progresses.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

November Golf

I managed to get out to a golf course yesterday.

Compass Pointe
November 19, 2016

It was a beautiful morning and the temperature was in the big 60's by the time we finished our round. 

I do not expect to be able to play a round of golf wearing only a short sleeve shirt during November--but by the ninth hole yesterday, that is exactly what happened. Although I started the round with a jacket, it was off and I was enjoying  the bright sunshine at the turn. 

Compass Pointe
November 19, 2016

We played at Compass Pointe, where we have played before, but yesterday we were on the South and West courses which we had not played. It was a spectacular autumn day with a crystal clear sky and golden sunlight.  The golden and rust autumn leaves remain on many of the trees and provided stunning sights as we progressed along the course. The course is challenging and fun. The greens were very hard--the pins were in very difficult positions. 

It was just good to be outside on such a beautiful day.  And playing golf was even better.

Too soon, the cold and wintery weather will be here and I will be looking forward to Spring golf trips and pool opening day. But, for now I was able to extend the Autumn by one more day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Around the Fire

It was an amazing evening.

Happy Hour with George and Sue
November 18, 2016

Happy hour around the fire table, outside during late November. It really doesn't get much better. 

The temperature topped out at 67 degrees yesterday, which is warm, and we were able to enjoy friends and a couple great wines together outside before coming inside for dinner.

That doesn't happen often during November, especially late November when parts of the country are being covered by a blizzard. 

It was very nice not to be wearing a coat and still be warm enough to enjoy the experience.

Did I mention that we also enjoyed some great wines from one of our favorite vineyards in Virginia? That would be Keswick? We enjoyed the 2009 Consensus and the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve. 

Great wines, great friends and a great time. What could be better?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Season of the Turkey

Guarding the Fireplace

It is the Season of the Turkey, the short about four week span between Halloween and Black Friday.

I have been neglecting my turkeys this year. They are on display, but with the election and the weekend trip to California, I just haven to been in the turkey mood.

And now Thanksgiving is less than a week away.  The Season of the Turkey will be over and the headlong rush to Christmas will begin.

My favorite turkey guards the fireplace to ensure that the guy in red does not make an early visit. This turkey was actually one of the first in my collection and I still remember the day at the flea market in Center Township, PA, when I found and came home with this turkey. It has been very durable and spends eleven months every year in the attic waiting for the Season of the Turkey when it becomes the centerpiece of the display.

Door Topper

The door topper is a turkey project that I made, with the help of Chris. It was one of the first projects that I did on my Shopsmith. 

I enjoy putting the turkey door topper over the entrance to the house over the protestations of my family because it sets the tone for the season. 

As I approach the last weekend of the Season of the Turkey, the impending season will begin to push into the living space. This weekend is Snow Village weekend, when the village is unpacked and comes to life yet again. 

But, the turkeys will be watching from their safe vantage points as the transition to another season begins and their time in the spotlight begins to wane.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Mountain-man Look

I am noticing it everywhere.

Mountain Man

The youth of America, at least some of them, seem to think the mountain-man look is appealing.

It seems that everywhere I venture, I see the thuggish, hairy, bearded look lurking.

Lots of youth are adopting the look. It is unkept. 

I do not see the allure.


It must be a testosterone thing. Growing all of that hair and beard. But, they don't keep it neat. 

Many sports stars seem to be adopting the look as well--but that doesn't make it the correct thing to do. And of course there is the impact of Duck Dynasty. 

I suppose if these youth were living in rural areas and chopping wood daily for heat, the look would be appropriate, but as this area is definitely urban and civilized, they should adopt a more dignified look. 

For me, it just doesn't work

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Self-absorbed Living

I have the pleasure of driving in dense traffic on most days. OK, it really isn't a pleasure, it is a chore. And it certainly isn't fun.

I have noticed a trend over the past few years that does not bode well for the future--drivers have forgotten how to use turn signals.

The failure to signal planned activity on the roads while traveling at 60 mph or faster is not just an oversight, it represents a self-absorbed living and places others on the highway at risk. It represents a loss of civility. I find myself more and more trying to anticipate what other drivers are planning based upon small changes in their lane positioning. 

There are other examples of self-absorbed driving. The individuals who drive on the shoulders to get ahead of traffic jams and those who aggressively weave across multiple lanes of traffic driving like they were filming a great movie chase scene. These are additional examples where self-absorbed driving puts others arg risk, needlessly.

Aggressive and self-absorbed driving may be symptomatic of where our society is headed. Lack of consideration for others is not only apparent on the highways. It shows up in other places as well. Simple areas, like holding doors open for the person following through an entrance or exit. Seeing that the person behind in line has only one item and allowing them to go in front.

We are losing sense of community and are becoming a society of individuals without ties to the people around us who are also trying to make it through the day. 

We are all in life together, let's try to approach it as a team sport and work together.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Election Reflections

Michigan still has not been officially decided in the electoral college vote whether for Trump or Clinton. New Hampshire was finally decided for Clinton.

It almost seems anti-climatic at this point.

It is hard to believe that the election happened a week ago, it had become an all consuming event in the 18 months leading up to November 8th.

Projected Election Results from Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections

I am encouraged to see that the President-elect is moderating his stand on some of his campaign statements. It gives me a little confidence that reality will soon set in as the process of transitioning power between the administrations continues. 

There is a huge difference between being a candidate and the President-elect and I believe that reality is beginning to set in for the winning side.

The news media is painting an inaccurate picture of the election results. Clinton did not, and has not, win the popular vote, she had the most votes but not a majority. It is incredible, but I could not find the actual results on line for all the candidates, but I found a projected results chart. There were at least four candidates and none of them had more than 50 percent of the vote. 

Because no one had more than 50 percent of the vote, no one won the popular vote. I believe that it is a fine but important point and the general news media is skewing public opinion about the results.

I still am amazed that the election was a week ago and we still can't get over it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 14, 2016

1. November is fast slipping away. The month is half over tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Cactus

2.  Our Thanksgiving cactus thinks the month is farther along acting as if the holiday has already arrived.

3. It is refreshing to be in the post-election environment. The news media is actually having to report real news. 

4. Sunset tonight in Baltimore occurs at 4:52 PM. Wait, that is not tonight, it is this afternoon!

5. I went outside and looked at the super Moon last evening. I couldn't see the cape (super heroes have capes, right?) and it didn't seem so super. But, it was bright.

Point Mugu State Park, California
November 7, 2016

6. During our drive from Lompoc to Los Angeles last week, we made a quick stop at Point Mugu State Park and snapped some spectacular images. 

7. "There is no more striking symbol of democracy than the picture of a citizen casting a ballot, electing a leader,  choosing his or her own destiny." Ronald Reagan 1982.

8. What a wild day in the NFL. The Saints saw the potential game-winning extra point after touchdown turn into two points for the Broncos. And how about them Cowboys winning one of the most thrilling finishes that I have seen in a long time?

9. The world's saddest polar bear is being rehoused in China according to the New York Times. 

10. On this date in 1969 the Apollo 12 mission to the moon lifted off and the United States went to the moon for the second time during the year. If only we still had the capability to put humans on the moon today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Killing Freeze

Frost on my Lighter Amid the Christmas Lights

This morning the temperature was 28 degrees as I rolled out of bed and there was no doubt--the first killing freeze of the season had happened last night.

Heavy frost was everywhere as the sun rose. I suppose this will bring our lengthy and colorful autumn to an end and the trees will rapidly lose their remaining leaves becoming bare trunks and branches prepared to stand against winter's coming onslaught.

Frost on my Windshield

The frost painted rooflines of the houses were a testament to the frigid temperatures. I was glad that I did not have to head off to work this morning because the frost on my windshield was so thick.

I suppose the frosty scene was fitting as I had put the Christmas lights into their place on Friday while the temperature during the day was still in the 60's.

While not complete, the exterior of the house is ready for the on-rushing Christmas season and the colder temperatures that come with it. The interior, however, is still devoted to the season of the turkey! It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than two short weeks away and then the sprint to the end of the year takes off.

As I watch the frost begin to melt in the strengthening sun of the day, I see the leaves that I need to move from the yard and a host of other pre-winter projects that need to be completed.

It is going be another beautiful autumn day filled with sunshine and temperatures in the 60's. 

I am going to enjoy the day while I can.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Beaches

Chris on Pismo Beach, California
November 6, 2016

Chris and I love beaches. Ocean beaches are preferred, but we can find peace and serenity on almost any beach.

This past summer we did not have many opportunities to relax on beaches. We did make the quick trip to the Bahamas during late-March and early-April which included all-to-brief beach time in both Florida and the Bahamas, but until last week that was pretty much the extent of our time in the sand.

Chris at Gavitoa State Park Beach, CA
November 5, 2016

Last week during our get away to California, we made it a point to be on a beach for part of every day except for our travel day back to Maryland. We enjoy the sound of the waves and I believe we are both more centered when we look out at the vastness of the ocean. 

We take a lot of images at the beach, mostly of the waves and the water. Only rarely do we catch each other in an image and I was able to get a couple good shots of Chris during our trip. The Gavitoa State Park Beach was interesting because of the train trestle. A passenger train traversed the trestle while we were there, but I was too slow with my camera. 

Seagull at Pismo Beach Pier, CA

I wasn't too slow, however, to capture a seagull as it prepared to fly away while we visited the Pismo Beach Pier.

Capturing wildlife on the beach is always fun. 

The Pismo Beach Pier was especially enjoyable as we spied, in addition to the seagulls, whale spouts in the distance and otters feeding just off the pier. I had never seen ocean otters before and I initially thought they were harbor seals. Silly me, harbor seals don't lay on their backs in the water and eat! Duh!

I know that I probably should be writing about the recent election or discussing the impending Thanksgiving holiday (which is less than two weeks away) but, beaches are far more interesting at this point.

There is plenty of time to write about politics and holidays. I spend far too little time looking out at the ocean and contemplating the vastness of the universe.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD