Monday Musings - August 7, 2017

1. August is passing. One week is gone already.

2. Weekends are pleasantly busy times. There always seems to be so much to do.

1st Tee Box
Maryland National
August 6, 2017

3. Being on a golf course at 7AM on a Sunday morning can't be beat. Sunday it was Maryland National in Middleton, MD.

4. I enjoyed working with Tina yesterday doing the back brakes on her Jeep. Jeeps have enough room to actually get around and work on. 

5. I find it interesting that we need to excavate more coal.

Chewie in a Towel

6. I cannot do a project without bleeding. I was able to cut myself yesterday doing brakes. I guess it isn't a project unless some blood is spilled!

7. What do you do with a wet dog? He loves the pool. Wrap him in a towel of course.

Headlines

U.S. Troops Train in Eastern Europe to Echoes of the Cold War - The New York Times
Let Forest Fires Burn? What the Black-Backed Woodpecker Knows - The New York Times

Kayleigh McEnany appears in pro-Trump 'news' video after leaving CNN - CNN

Quote for the Week

"I believe that we've come too far, struggled too hard, and accomplished too much to turn back now. Once again the world knows that America will stand up for freedom, democracy, and peace with human dignity. And once again America is prepared for peace."

Ronald Reagan

Remarks at the National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Chicago, Illinois, August 24, 1984

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Day Exploring

Yesterday was devoted to wine and cider and friends.

The weather was classic August--clear skies, sun, but not blistering hot. Chris and I took to the road for a day trip to Charlottesville to look at a wine fridge that was advertised on Craigslist.

But the day turned into so much more. 

Bold Rock

We also planned lunch with friends, Mark and Peggy, visited Bold Rock Cidery for the first time and dropped by Keswick Vineyards to pick-up our wine club wines and visit with the winemaker. 

The motivating purpose for the trip was to consider purchasing a wine fridge in response to a Craigslist ad. The price was very enticing as was the size of the fridge. Due to potential structural problems, even after the seller offered to discount the fridge by more than 50 percent, we declined to purchase the item and continue looking. 

As the day progressed, I was amazed to learn that the Charlottesville region has been dry, rain wise, compared to Baltimore. The wine makers actually indicated that they could use some rain. Just a bit because the vines were beginning to shut down from the dryness.

Lunch was enjoyed at Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar in Charlottesville. It was very enjoyable to sit outside, enjoy lunch and catch up on life with Peggy and Mark. 

Bold Rock was the find of the day. Recommended by Patrick, it was no small jaunt from Charlottesville, but definitely worth the drive. The area was beautiful and along the way we discovered more wineries that we will be exploring in the future. I did not realize that hard cider could come in so many different varieties. I also did not realize that apples were as genetically diverse as they are. Apparently even more diverse than people.

Ending the day we stopped by Keswick Vineyards and renewed acquaintances there while sampling the current offering on the wine list. 

Once finished at Keswick, it was travel the almost three hours back to Elkridge after enjoying a great day out and about. 

The day passed so quickly. I wish we could have made it last a few hours longer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

DC on a Friday Afternoon

Confusing Array of Signs

It seemed a simple task. Drive from home to Reagan National Airport, retrieve three people, and drive home.

At the proper time of the day it is a longish drive, but not too disturbing. But starting the trip at 3:40 PM when Waze indicated a 1 hour 5 minute drive turned into a marathon-like event.

DC Traffic

It was, after all, Friday afternoon and even though I was going against traffic, there still was a lot of traffic. The flight I was meeting was scheduled to land at about 4:50PM and so I built in a few minutes slop and allowed for time to retrieve bags. 

The trip took closer to 1 hour and 25 minutes as the traffic continued to build during my travel. 

But I arrived, even using the confusing National Airport parking shuttle service, at the terminal as the weary travelers retrieved their bags. 

And then the return trip through 5 PM Friday rush traffic. It was a planned 1 hour an 40 minute trip, according to Waze, through the middle of DC traffic. Thankfully, as we finally broke out of DC the traffic the time began to reduce as the evening traffic jams cleared. 

Note to self--in the future use BWI, it is closer!

But it all worked out.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Controlling the News

I ran across an article about government controlled internet use in China.

Internet Cafe in Shanghai
From New York Times

While we who live in the U.S. worry that we are confronted with a dizzying array of news and fake news, in China the government is working to control what people are able to access on the internet and ensure that only one source of news about the outside world is available.

The New York Times article titled, China’s Internet Censors Play a Tougher Game of Cat and Mouse, describes the ability of the government to control what the populace is able to access.

SHANGHAI — The shutdown was unusual, and came without warning.

Chinese censors tested on Thursday a new way of shutting down websites and cutting off the country’s internet users from the rest of the world. The censorship drill targeted tools that many in China use to thwart the country’s vast online censorship system, though internet companies said it also hit some sites at random.

Americans, need to treasure our unfettered internet access. We also need to understand that evaluating the source and authenticity of the news and information we are receiving is one of the requirements that comes with our freedom. 

Let's realize that the freedoms we enjoy are precious and not shared by people living in other countries and that they come with responsibilities.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Talking About the Orioles

From MLB.com

I attended another Orioles game last evening and was pleasantly surprised about the sense of urgency the team displayed in dispatching the Kansas City Royals in a 6-0 shutout.

With 55 games remaining in the regular season, the Orioles have come alive. They swept the Royals by winning the game last evening. The Royals had come into Camden Yards as one of the hottest teams in baseball. They are one of the three teams that the Orioles must catch and pass to earn a ticket to the post-season. The Orioles are now just 2.5 games out of a wild card spot!

The Orioles did their jobs! I watched a game with great pitching, good fielding, and most importantly I saw the Orioles score 6 runs and they hit only one homer! The Orioles are learning to move around the bases with clutch hitting and not relying on the long ball to get the job done. 

Did I mention awesome pitching? The Orioles latest acquisition, Jeremy Hellickson, pitched seven shut-out innings and turned the game over to the resurgent bullpen to secure the win!

Since the debacle that was June and July, the Orioles starting pitchers have arrived and begun controlling games, the bullpen has stabilized with the return of Zach Britton and Darren O'Day, and the hitters are not slugging for the fences but are getting timely hits. The result? They are on a 5 game winning streak and have won 7 of their past 10 games. They are 11-5 in their past 16 games! Just saying. 

Winning the division is still a possibility!

Bring on October!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Making the news

The White House

I just have to comment on the wild White House weekend.

It is hard to remember that the current administration has been in office only six months and a few long days.

The only constant seems to be a virtual merry-go-round of faces moving through key administration positions.

During the past week or so, it has been a truly revolving door of people in key positions. 

And then there are the tweets from the President. Daily insights into what matters most to the President. 

From yesterday, the President tweeted:

Only the Fake News Media and Trump enemies want me to stop using Social Media (110 million people). Only way for me to get the truth out!

And on Monday after the changes in The White House:

A great day at the White House!

I have no idea where everything is heading but I am sure of one thing: 

Making the news is controlling the news!

The President is certainly controlling the news!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Time Rockets By

Happy August 1st, it is hard to believe how quickly July passed. 

Carlin Park
Jupiter, Florida
July 10, 2017

I have been on my own for a couple of days now as Chris is out in the west visiting her brother and preparing for a wedding.One thing that has really struck me is how quickly time is lost. There is so much to do, but it seems that there is not nearly enough time to get it all done.

Each project requires time to set-up and clean-up. And then there is the obligatory trip to the home store for supplies. 

The lawn still needs to be mowed and I think it is finally dry enough after the rains. It is definitely tonight's project.

And the pool always needs care.

Did I mention vacuuming? Doing laundry? Cleaning up the piles of towels that do not seem to have home form around the pool? I am mired in the mundane.

Most people know that July is my favorite month of the year because I generally travel and do unique activities that do not happen during other months of the year. As I was reflecting upon the hectic pace of this most recent July, I remembered sitting on a couple of beaches where the  conflicting priorities of life melted away and I was just able to be in that moment.  

And now, July is twelve long months away.

I wonder what joys August will bring?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 31, 2017

Patuxent Greens Hole 1
Laurel, MD
July 30, 2017

1. It is the last day of July, the year is now seven months complete and I can feel August in the air. 

2. The past two mornings have seen temperatures in the 50's to start the day. It seems that the summertime heat has been turned off.

3. I played golf yesterday. The course was wet from all of the rains. I could tell the course had too much standing water in places because there were ducks swimming in the fairway.

4. Changing plans are because of life. 

Screen Shot of George C. Scott as
Patton

5. I heard an interesting thought last week in a meeting. It may be a leadership concept. "Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone gets to vote."

6. I found this small bug on the tail light of my truck. I was intrigued by the green and red contrast.

7. Chris has been away visiting in Colorado. I watched Patton a couple of times while doing house projects. 

Headlines

Russia flaunts military might across the world with Navy Day celebrations - CNN

Putin, Responding to Sanctions, Orders U.S. to Cut Diplomatic Staff by 755 - The New York Times

Hot Spot for Tech Outsourcing: The United States - The New York Times

Quote for the Week

"The price of freedom may be high, but never so costly as the loss of freedom."

Ronald Reagan

Remarks at a Rally Supporting the Proposed Constitutional Amendment for a Balanced Federal Budget, July 19, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rainy Saturday Report

Getting the Cut In's Done

Despite the rain, it was a productive day around the house.

Chris and I have been procrastinating painting the wine room. One wall of the room was painted a few years ago, but the remainder had not been refreshed since we moved into the house some 17 years ago.

The Completed Wall
The Lighting Makes it Look Mottled

We are slowly changing the color palate and updating the walls. We have had the paint for many months, but just not had the opportunity to take a day and actually paint. Until yesterday. 

I was able to paint the room and get it put back together.

Job done.

I also watched Patton for the second time this weekend. I think I will make it a Patton marathon this weekend.

Along the way, the door handle to the garage door broke and I replaced it. Ugh. It is amazing the number of things that continue to need replacing and updating. 

I wonder what today will bring? The morning temperature is 57 degrees! Hopefully the rains will stop and I will be able to get the lawns mowed.

After I play a round of golf, of course. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rainy July Saturday

Rains Falling in the Backyard
July 28, 2017

The rains from yesterday and overnight have created a soggy mess outside which caused a rescheduling of my early morning Tee time, created lawns so wet that they can't be mowed, and have generally postponed most outside activity. 

The rains last evening were heavy and I had to drain a few inches of water from the pool.

I guess I will be stuck doing indoors activity today.

Of course, I could spend the day watching my favorite movie, Patton. 

But, there is a room to be painted. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD