Limping Home

Amid the backdrop of the circus that has become Washington, D.C., and the current administration the Orioles had limped back home after a disastrous road trip that saw them lose 6 of 7 games. All of the losses were by one-run and the Orioles had a lead in nearly each game. 

The pitching could not hold a lead although the batters in many cases gave them multi-run leads.

Orioles Catcher
Wellington Castillo

Last evening was more of the same. The Orioles took an early lead which was squandered and then came back to tie the game 3-3 before winning with a walk-off two-run homer in the 10th inning after a rain delay. Wellington Castillo hit that two-run homer, which was his second two-tun shot of the game, just before midnight. 

At least the Orioles are back in their winning ways where they have the best home record in baseball. And amazingly, they remain only a half game out of first place in the American League East Division with a 24-16 record. 

Good things can still happen because it is a long season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer of the Cicada

Cicada Nymph Skin

While we were digging the Mother's Day fire pit, we saw some larvae or nymphs that I misidentified as grubs. I did this because I knew that a cicada emergence was not expected. 

I was wrong and I was right.

I was right because a cicada emergence was not expected. It is four years too early. The next big emergence is not expected until 2021. I was wrong because they were, in fact, cicada nymphs. 

They're back, four years early!

A Baltimore Sun article, As cicadas emerge four years early, scientists wonder if climate change is providing a nudge, answered my question. 

Let the sound of summertime begin. The cicadas are loud--louder than a jet. 

I actually saw a hatched cicada the other day and failed to take a picture of it. But now that I know they are coming as soon as the soil temperature gets a bit warmer, I will be prepared for the emergence.

It sounds like a bad movie title, "The Emergence."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Worst President

I thought I'd change things up a bit this morning.

With the call in Congress yesterday for impeachment, I did some research into the bottom 10 Presidents in the history of the United States. 

There are a couple of sources and they do not agree.

I found it interesting that Andrew Jackson is on one list in the bottom 10 and made others in the top 10. 

James Buchanan
Generally recognized as the worst President for failure handle the problems
that led to the Civil War

There is great disparity in the lists. Those prepared by historians and scholars generally have James Buchanan listed as the worst president. The lists prepared by popular vote tend to focus on recent presidents and frequently overlook some of the more historic presidents. 

The CBS list already has our current president listed as the worst. I think that is a bit premature. It is interesting that Trump is already supplanting Buchanan who is almost unanimously recognized as the worst president in the history of the country. 

There remains time for the current president to cement his location in the list--apparently, he can only go up from here. The circus that is The White House needs to settle down for him to relinquish his current ranking as the worst!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Open!

Summer is free to begin!

With the Cover Partially Off

Dark and Foreboding Pool

The pool is open and clearing nicely with the help of copious quantities of chlorine. It actually looks pretty good from a standing start.

I was amazed at how much silt was at the bottom from the winter of rain, wind, and some snow.

Hopefully, with temperatures in the 90's during the next couple of days we will be swimming in the pool by the weekend. 

Cover Drying in the Drive

Toad in the Hose Box

It was an all day job, but the weather was perfect. It was almost relaxing to be working outside in the warm weather with the pool. The whole process went very well and there we no major issues.

I did find a new "friend" hiding in the hose box. A fairly large toad stayed in the cool damp shade all day. I admit, I was a bit startled when I noticed that it was camped out in with the hose. It stayed in place all day despite my frequent visits. 

Almost Ready for Action
The Morning After

This morning the pool looks almost good enough to jump into and swim! It is amazing what an overnight can do. 

Bring on summer!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Pool Opening Day

It has arrived!

Finally!

The Pool
Morning May 16, 2017

Pool opening day is here and I have taken the day off to get the summer season into full swing. This is the latest that I have ever opened the pool. But, the weather has been problematic this year.

It is 50 degrees outside and I know that by the end of the day I will be hot and sweaty--but it will feel so good.

I remember that I used to open the pool on the first weekend of April. Then the date began to migrate towards the end of April. This year I planned for the first weekend in May--but two weekends of cold weather have brought me to mid-May with the hopes of seeing the clear water and beginning the pool season.

I have already reconnected the plumbing and installed the pump, so some of the basic work is done. It is a matter of removing the cover and vacuuming the dirt from the winter and adjusting the chemicals. If only it were as easy as I make it sound.

Let the summertime begin! Temperatures are supposed to get into the 90's later this week. Finally. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 15, 2017

1. It is the Ides of May! At least it isn't a tax due date like the Ides of April.

2. Finally, we had some idyllic weather for celebrating an observance outside!

3. Chris has another fire pit! This one is a bit more permanent and burns wood. There will be more projects associated with it, of tis I am sure.

Chewbacca at Night

4. Dogs look creepy when imaged at night with a flash camera!

5. I am amazed that some drivers can get from point A to point B. Their basic driving skills seem lacking. Don't stop on the on-ramp and wait for a hole in traffic!

6. There is something invigorating about a blue sky and a bright sunny sunrise!

Headlines

North Korea’s Kim celebrates test of ‘perfect weapon system’ - The Washington Post

Ransomware’s Aftershocks Feared as U.S. Warns of Complexity - The New York Times

What’s Next for Comey? Probably Not ‘a Normal Job’ - The New York Times

The Age of the MP3 Is Officially Over - Time Magazine

Quote for the Week

"A passage in Proverbs describes the ideal woman, saying: 'Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.'" Ronald Reagan Radio Address to the Nation on the Observance of Mother's Day, May 7, 1983

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Chris and Mom

Today, I want to pay a special tribute to two of the very special mother's in my life, my Mom and my Wife--two women who have teamed up to make me who I am today. They deftly handed-off responsibility for me a few decades ago and have teamed up ever since to encourage me to do the things I would rather not do, like go to the doctor, to help maintain my health and enthusiasm for life.

Nicole with Ethan and Jax
Niagara Falls 2016

And another mother in my life is my daughter, Nicole, who is a dynamic mom in her own right with two busy boys to keep her moving all the time. 

These are three generations of mom's in my life who all deserve celebration on this special day. Thanks for all that you do!

To all the mom's everywhere--take some time to celebrate this special day, just for you, whether it be breakfast in bed or some simpler acknowledgement, you are truly special.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flowers of Spring

Irises Along the Street

The appear in many places during the Springtime. Flowers!

Sometimes they can be stunning, such as this group of irises I discovered while walking along the street after the strings concert at Waugh Chapel Elementary School.

I was impressed by the irises and I remembered that we used to have some, but they never prospered like these clearly have done.

I see the flowers of Springtime everywhere, I just need to look for them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Golf Fun for the Open

I read an interesting article about a golfer that claimed he was a professional and then played a U.S. Open qualifying round and shot a 127. This was definitely not a Tin Cup experience.

I could do that.

Easily.

I love golf, but I know that any idea I have of ever playing in the U.S. Open is a pipe dream.

I don't think I would ever try to enter a prestigious event like a U.S. Open qualifier--but, I am impressed that Clifton McDonald played all 18 holes and carded a 127!

I've been there when I started playing golf and I know how hard it is to make good shots on some days!

Some days are great, but most are mediocre. But, like I say, a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cue the End of the School Year Events

Jax in the Back

Last evening was one of the first of the lasts. Waugh Chapel Elementary School held their performing arts concerts and Jackson, known better as a lights out third baseman for the GORC Intramural U10 Pirates, performed as a member of the orchestra on his, if you can believe it, violin!

I was late to the concert, due to traffic and poor planning on my part, but I did enjoy seeing him perform. Tonight we will be on the baseball field and there will be no talk of violins or concerts, but last evening, Jax was front and center, OK--he was in the back row, of the third grade strings section.

Jax with Violin

And so it begins, the series of lasts associated with the impending end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation. I have many fond memories of summertime and roaming the hills around our house in Central New York. And I remember all of the "lasts" associated with the end of the school year. The last game, concert, or test. I guess my favorite last was the last day of school! That is truly the best last of all.

The end of the school year is a time for celebration, and the "lasts" just help to make the most of each opportunity.

Good job last evening Jax!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD