Racing through the Week

If I had thought that the pace of life was going to slow down with the arrival of Spring, I was mistaken.

It seems as if things have roared off the launch pad at near supersonic speed this week.

After an great Sunday which saw a relatively leisurely trip to Annapolis to watch Ethan's basketball game, things have really moved out.

Monday after work was baseball practice, followed by Tuesday's racquetball league. Wednesday brought another baseball practice and Thursday was a great evening at home joined by friends. Friday will be a huge birthday celebration, Saturday more baseball practice, and on Sunday I have an early morning tee time staring at a temperature expected to be about 40 degrees. After a break on Monday for Orioles Opening Day, the week will pretty much repeat!

Sometime during the weekend, I need to get my tractor started and possibly even do the inaugural mowing of the year!

Spring break is coming and I will be taking some time off to spend with Chris during the ramp up to Easter and so I know there will soon be a break in the action.

Pool opening day is drawing close as well!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

This is Making America Great, Again?

Smoggy Afternoon in Beijing

Consider this: China may be pushing the united States to keep its promises to ensure a cleaner environment.

Sound fanciful? 

I have read about the suffocating air pollution in Beijing and the general disregard for the environment through out industrialized China. But in the united states we are different and more environment friendly.

Wrong, it appears. 

This morning's New York Times in an article titled, China Poised to Take Lead on Climate After Trump's Move to Undo Policies suggests that the roles of the world's two biggest producers of greenhouse gasses may soon switch. 

The New York Times article closes with the following:

“There are clear differences between the Chinese approach and the Trump administration on climate change,” Ms. Hilton said. “While Trump’s administration seems to believe that action on climate change is a waste of money and threatens jobs in the U.S., China sees investment in climate-related action as essential to secure a safe and prosperous future for Chinese citizens, as well as a strategic opportunity to develop and supply the technologies of the future.” 

Note: Isabel Hilton, founder of Chinadialogue, a prominent website that reports on environmental issues and policy.

In my mind, making America Great Again means taking the lead on planet-wide issues that will affect the health and prosperity of future generations, not increasing the country's use of 19th Century energy sources that, I have heard, caused the streetlights of come on at midday in some coal burning cities like Pittsburgh. 

Climate change and especially global warming is not a theory--it is a fact. If the U.S. turns back the clock on environmental controls the green movement will soon change colors and fade to brown.

Making America great means leading the charge to protect the planet and make the world a better place, not mortgaging the prosperity and health of future generations for profits today. 

I guess that is what businessmen do, right? Work the system to turn a profit today and worry about tomorrow some other time. After all, they are only in the game for the short haul.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Turning to Embrace the Spring

The weather has moderated and my thoughts are turning to Spring.

Jax Finishing a Pitch

Youth baseball is well underway--we are having three practices per week in preparation for the coming season. I am very excited about the GORC U10 Intramural Dodgers! The boys are practicing hard and I love that they always seem to have smiles on their faces. It makes me smile, too!

Jackson is learning to pitch and I believe that he has some promise!

Forecast from March 29, 2017

The forecast is relatively moderate as well. The temperatures are climbing slowly into the realm of the possible. Most days the temperature will be in the 60's, although hitting the 70's or 80's again seems beyond the forecast. 

My thoughts are turning to baseball, Orioles Opening Day is Monday, and golf, I have a 7AM tee time on Sunday! The pace of life is increasing: I am out doing something 4 of 5 week nights.  

When i walk outside, I appreciate that the breeze that graces my face is no longer biting into my skin, but feels warmer and more inviting. 

It is Springtime and soon I will begin preparations to open my pool for the coming Summer season!

The best time of the year is close at hand!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flowers from the Storm

Sad Flowers Pummeled by the Storm
March 14, 2017

Happy Flowers in the Springtime Sun
March 9, 2017

I had the opportunity to watch the clump of Tete-a-Tete daffodils outside my front door respond to the recent, and hopefully final, storm of the season. 

For some reason, I was so impressed by their resilience that I just had to document their recovery. During early March there hardy harbingers of Spring had blossomed and were providing a much needed splash of color for the front garden. 

Within a week, however, the severe nor'easter which swept up the Atlantic coast had pummeled them into submission under as layer of snow and ice. They looked very sad and it seemed that Springtime had been cruelly ripped away from us. 

Resurrected Tete-a-Tete's
March 26, 2017

At the time I snapped the image, I was convinced that these small flowers were going to be another lost joy of Springtime. "But wait . . ."

As they say in the Television sales industry, ". . . there's more!"

Less than two weeks after the icy blast the small clump of flowers, like a Phoenix, have risen to regain their full Springtime splendor, which is kind of tough since they are so small. 

But there they are, standing tall and proclaiming the power of Springtime!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 27, 2017

1. It is the last Monday of March 2017. It seems like the month began only yesterday.

2. Fortunately, Saturday was a fantastic day, weather wise. Yesterday was a bit of a bust.

3. Who rests in former President James K. Polk's tomb? It may not be the former President for much lingerie according to a story in the morning's New York Times. 

4. March Madness has been weaned to the Final Four. Is your bracket still alive with North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon and Gonzaga. My bracket is kind of busted! Although, I still have two of the four.

5. One week from today is Orioles Opening Day! Current forecast if for partly cloudy skies and 61 degrees. That would make it both warmer and drier than some of the Opening Days that I have attended.

6. The problem with our Congress is that they are more interested in not passing legislation than they are in ensuring the proper functioning of the government. What happened to bipartisanship? Will the country have a budget this year? 

Headlines

7. It’s time for both parties to get serious on fixing health care - New York Post

8. Scotland Yard: There is Possibility We Will Never Understand Why Masood Did This - Asharq Al-Awsat

9. Report: South Korean prosecutors push to arrest ex-leader - The China Post

Quote of the Day

"It's time to put politics aside and do what the Congress knows has to be done sooner or later anyway: give the American people a budget process that controls spending, a budget process we can be proud of."

Ronald Reagan
Radio Address to the Nation on Budget Reform, March 21, 1987

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Idyllic Saturday

First Tee
Compass Pointe North Course
March 25, 2017

Yesterday, the weather did not disappoint. 

According to some reports, the high temperature made it all the way to 80 degrees. I was on Compass Pointe Golf Courses during the heat of the day and while I cannot confirm the high, I can attest that it was a nice day and everyone I know seemed to be outside enjoying the weather. I even got a touch sunburned!

Trevar Waiting for the Tee Box to Open Up

The ranger monitoring the action at Compass Pointe Golf Courses indicated that for the first time in seven years all 150 golf carts were out on the courses. Apparently, every golfer in the region saw the forecast and had the same idea--get out and play.

Trevar and I did enjoy 18 holes of the slowest golf ever played. It took almost 5 hours to complete the round. But, given the great weather, what else would I rather be doing? I just find it hard to stay focused while waiting around to make the next shot. By comparison, we played 18 holes in 2 hours and 55 minutes on Friday.

Over the past three days, I have played 45 holes of golf! And coached a baseball practice. And I even went to work!  

It has been busy.

Sadly, today the weather is going to be colder and I have things to do that I have been ignoring. Back to reality, I guess.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Celebrating Spring's First Great Weather Weekend

Baseball Practice in 40 Degree Weather
March 22, 2017

The weather is going to be fantastic this today! And that is when compared to the cold weather of the recent weekends of March.

There have been times that I wished for February's return because there were so many 70-degree days during that month and thus far in March there have been none.

It was so cold during Wednesday's baseball practice that my fingers turned numb. Even Thursday while playing my first golf round of the year, it became so cold by the end of the 9-hole round that it was unpleasant. 

The big events of the past week were not sports related. During this week I noticed that the peepers had returned and the birds are now singing loudly in the mornings as I leave for work. 

I plan to celebrate the first 70-plus degree day of the month by coaching baseball practice in the morning and enjoying an 18-hole round of golf in the afternoon! 

I may need a down day tomorrow!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Golf Outing

Carroll Park Hole 4
March 23, 2017

I made it to a local golf course yesterday for my first outing of the year!

Trevar Working on His Swing

Fortunately, Carroll Park is close and Trevar and I made the last open tee time for the day. The course was in good winter shape. Having the grass still struggling to grow made it easier to find the balls, unlike later in the season. Being the last ones out, the ranger was pulling the pins as we made our way across the last holes. 

It was cold. The temperature was in the middle 40's as we began, but the sun was warm. By the time we finished it was just cold!

We would have finished sooner than almost two hours, but the group in front of us was playing very slowly. But then, that is why people go to Carroll Park, to learn the game. It was just cold, so that magnified the amount of time we stood around waiting for them to play.

Day one of the year on a golf course. It was great to finally drive for the fairway rather than the range, I actually missed all of them but only by a few yards. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Traveler Beware

The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution is supposed to protect Americans from unreasonable search and seizure. It is under attack again!

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Apparently, the Fourth Amendment does not apply at the borders of the United States--or so Customs and Border Patrol officials would have us believe. 

As reported on NBC News, American citizens are having their personal cellphones searched against their will. 

This is an important situation. The willful dilution of the 4th Amendment is an unacceptable risk for all Americans. 

It is not an issue of, "why do I care if I don't have anything to hide?" It is an issue of we each have the right to privacy in the absence of probable cause. The  government has proven on multiple occasions that it cannot adequately protect the most sensitive secrets of the nation, what makes us think that they will protect an individuals personal information to include banking information and credit cards information any better?

Although case law from 150 years ago is cited to support the searches, somehow I do not believe that the wealth of data stored on cell phone were considered during that ruling.

The New York Times this morning has an article about safeguarding your data when crossing the border that makes for very interesting reading. 

This is an important issue. While the law may give them the right to go through the devices, it may not allow them to actually access the data. This will be playing out in the courts soon. It is one thing to examine and quite another to electronically copy all of the information contained on the device. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Excitement of the WBC Finals

Adam Jones Driving in the Winning Run
From the NY Times

The U.S. World Baseball Classic Team is in new territory. The country that invented the game of basebal ahs never been in the finals--until now. 

Last night the U.S. defeated Japan 2-1 to reach the finals against Puerto Rico. The game will be played tomorrow night.

It is exciting, especially because the MLB teams are still in Spring Training and the Orioles center fielder, Adam Jones, has been a major contributor to the success of the American team in the tournament. Last night he drove in the winning run in the 8th inning. In other games he has also had critical hits and home runs to keep the American team alive. 

Having the U.S. team reach the finals is almost like having a World Series in March! And there have been Orioles on most of the better teams.

U.S.A.

Baseball!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD