Truck Shopping

Dodge Ram
Possibility

The truck shopping has begun in earnest. Fortunately, it is not yet critical because my summertime car, the Jaguar convertible, is happily taking over the load. 

There are so many options out there. Big trucks and smaller trucks. Do I want a Dodge, Ford, Toyota, or Chevy?

Ugh, decisions, decisions. The only think that I am sure of is that I don't want a white truck! I don't know why, but white is not my favorite color. 

Although I have wanted a new truck for a while, I was generally happy with my truck. It is hard to think of getting a different truck, but repairing my truck seems to be out of the question. Although, left to my own devices I probably would.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Deck Work Continues

Working from the Lower Deck

Some projects are not meant to be finished in one or even two weekends. 

Such is the situation with Patrick and Tina's deck. The project is probably more complete than not, but there remains a long way to go.

Close-up of the upper deck

The lower deck has the boards installed, but the upper deck remains. We spent the better part of last evening working out the first couple rows so the the complete will get closer.

It isa process and I am looking forward to the end of the projects party.

I have to remember that projects like this are a marathon and not a sprint.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When Sleep is Elusive

It doesn't happen too often, but occasionally I wake up in the middle of the night with a lot of issues on my mind and I can't get back to sleep.

It is happening right now. It is 2:50 AM, the house is dark and quiet--too quiet for me to go back to sleep. I turned on the fan about 30 minutes ago to generate some white noise and drown out the voices in my head going over the jam packed day ahead.

I need to be at the top of my game today--there are a lot of things that need to be done. For instance, meetings to attend and decisions to influence. I love what I do on a day-to-day basis, but sometimes big and impressively important actions get my mind running down multiple rabbit holes simultaneously. And I can't sleep.

I want the day to begin so that I can tackle what lies ahead. But I need sleep to be on my game.

So I am up. My mind is calming as I write and compartmentalize the plans and actions for the upcoming day. 

Sleep will return soon and with it my anxiety at not sleeping will dissolve.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 5, 2017

Putting on the Decking
June 4, 2017

1. June arrived during the past week and the temperatures are finally beginning to become more summer like.

Tina with a Friend on the Nearing Completion Decking

2. Rebuilding a deck on someone's house has become the modern version of a barn raising. Friends, family, and neighbors show up to help encouraged by copious amounts of food and drink. 

3. Patrick and Tina are rebuilding their deck and I enjoyed helping them this weekend.

Riordin with a Tennis Ball

4. Give a cat a ball and watch the fun begin. Chris and I watched Riordin play with a tennis ball for a very long time. At one point he thought he was a soccer player.

5. The pool is becoming more inviting as the temperatures climb to the 80's. 

6. Is it just me, or are drivers in the highways becoming more aggressive and less considerate?

7. My truck developed a major problem yesterday. It is just shy of 180,000 miles and it may be time to say good-bye and replace it.

Headlines

After London Attack, Prime Minister Says, ‘Enough Is Enough’ - New York Times

On Mosul’s Front Line: A Grueling Battle on Civilian Streets - New York Times

Four Arab nations sever diplomatic ties with Qatar, exposing rift in region - The Washington Post

Quote for the Week

"Sometimes when I'm faced with an unbeliever, an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve and, when we finished eating that magnificent dinner, to ask him if he believes there's a cook." Ronald Reagan Remarks to Soviet Dissidents at Spaso House in Moscow, May 30, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Girl

Makayla
June 3, 2017

Chris snapped a few images of my girl, Makayla, yesterday that are some of the best ones ever taken of her.

Makayla

She was in the yard relaxing while Chris and I were working. The sun really caught the highlights and these are just great shots of a great dog. 

Kaye, as I call her, is very faithful and loves to be around. She is driven by food and treats but is the greatest watchdog on the planet. She keeps track of everything happening in and around our yard.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday at the Ball Game

The View from Third Base

Friday's are good nights for baseball. I actually had tickets to see the Orioles, who defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2, but I traded them in to attend and coach the GORC U10 Intramural Dodgers. 

Coach Mike with the Boys After the Game

I actually love coaching the boys as they learn to love the game of baseball. Last evening was a great game. As the shadows lengthened, they staged a great comeback by trying and then winning the game 12-7 after going down 5-2 early. 

A combination of timely hitting, great fielding and, of course, awesome pitching secured the hard fought victory. Jackson contributed to the victory with a solid hit that scored a couple of runs and good fielding at third base. 

The team needed the win to set the tone for the upcoming week in which they have four more games to close out the season. There are so many games because of rainouts earlier during the season. 

Another game today! Let's hope for another win.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sports Thursday

Yesterday was a great personal sports day.

I started the morning at 5:30 am on the racquetball court and finished the day, just before sunset, on the golf course.

In between I went to work and had my teeth cleaned at my semi-annual dental appointment. 

The day was a beautiful day. The sky was blue, mostly, and the sun shone. We hadn't seen a day like that in a long while.

It is amazing how much better I feel when the sun is shining brightly.

It was a great Thursday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Raindrop Daggers

Raindrop Daggers Falling from the Sky
May 31, 2017

It was a sudden thunderstorm last evening that cooled the evening air and deposited rain across the land. It lasted about 45 minutes but as the sun came out, the raindrops created some interesting opportunities. 

Raindrop Daggers

As the rain fell in the sunlight, I attempted to image them. In the end they came out looking like daggers falling onto the land. 

It was interesting. 

The rain falling in the sunlight against the green background. It isn't something I see every day.

I enjoyed watching the storm and i am glad that they were not real daggers falling from the clouds.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hard Good-bye

Ben Roethlisberger Doan

Ben Roethlisberger Doan, faithful friend to my son Jeremy and our entire family passed yesterday after a difficult illness.

He was a true member of the family for the past ten or so years. Even though he was a hard core Steelers fan, I loved Ben. He was part of my "pair o Kees" as I called the two keeshonden in my life when they were together. 

Ben was a great dog! He was well trained, gentle, smart, and a companion. Chris and I had the opportunity to watch him on many occasions and we always enjoyed his company. He was my "Ben-man." I especially enjoyed the way he would bark in the right place when Jeremy sang the "Here We Go Steelers" song. 

The family is mourning the loss, but rejoicing in the memories of a great, one-of-a-kind dog that left a positive impression on everyone who met him!

Sleep well faithful friend.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings for Tuesday - May 30, 2017

Chewie in the Pool
First Swimmer of the Year

1. The holiday weekend is over and it is on to summer. 

2. The pool was open for the holiday and we actually had our first swimmer--Chewie. 

3. It was a good golf weekend. I played two rounds and enjoyed myself.

4. Yesterday was a good sports day. Both of my bird teams, the Orioles and the Penguins, won. The Orioles snapped a six game losing streak and the Penguins won the fist game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Predators.

5. The celebration, the party, the fun. It was a cool start to the summer.

6. How long does it take to buy four pairs of new footwear? I did it in less than 30 minutes!

7. Is it possible to be too busy on a holiday weekend?

8. I need a new truck. There are way too many options out there.

Headlines

Manuel Noriega, Panamanian strongman toppled in U.S. invasion, dies at 83 - The Washington Post

Syria’s bloodiest battle is yet to come — and 1 million civilians are at risk - The Washington Post

Immigrants Keep an Iowa Meatpacking Town Alive and Growing - The New York Times

Quote for the Week

"It is a great gift God has given each of us -- making us Americans. Who knows why some are so blessed. It's a mystery we cannot fathom but can only adore and be thankful for." Ronald Reagan  Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce, May 2, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD