History Revised - The Civil War

By the time the news media and the revisionist historians get done, the Civil War will not have happened and the reasons for it which resulted in the death of 620,000 soldiers will be long forgotten.

Some of the things that I have heard during the past few days border on craziness. People are creating reasons and situations with little basis in history or fact.

How is it possible, for instance, to compare Robert E. Lee to George Washington? But yet, it was done.

What was the cause of the Civil War? Surely everyone knows, but yet apparently very few people really know. If it were only one thing, I'm sure public knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the Civil War would be better known.

While the issue of slavery was a cause of the Civil War, it was not THE cause. An interesting article discusses five other causes of the Civil War to amplify that it is a far more complex issue than just slavery.

Another thing that is lost in the current spate of revisionist history is context. We do not take the time to understand the history and context of the period of time. I wonder how many people knew that Abraham Lincoln was elected President and he was not on the ballot in deep southern states. Lincoln won the election with less than 40 percent of the popular vote.

All of that written, I still do not know how I feel about the reactionary removal of Confederate related statues from public areas. The well-intended people behind the decisions are trying defuse a situation which has spun hopelessly out of control by removing history. The Civil War happened and we remain are a country of diverse opinions. Taking down statues will not heal the divisions nor will it solve the current crisis. I worry that the past will be forgotten and that we will be doomed to repeat it.

Statues help us recall history. Destroying statues does not change anything dealing with the social issues behind the current unrest. But removing statues removes some of the impetus to be inquisitive and learn about why thestatue was emplaned in the first place. 

The country needs to embrace diversity and remember its history--no matter how difficult or even unpopular. It is by understanding our past in context, that we can move forward into the future. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birdland Frustration

Wild Card Standings
From mlb.com

The Orioles were so close to gaining an advantage in the playoff hunt as they headed out on their most recent 10 game West Coast road trip.

They return to Baltimore at the bottom of the heap. They faced off against two of the teams ahead of them during the trip and went 2-4 against the Angels and the Mariners. They managed a 2-2 split against the Athletics. At least they get a day off.

The season is growing short and the Orioles have slipped to 3 games out of the Wildcard. Thoughts of winning the division have vanished as they have fallen to 3 games below .500 and are now 10.5 games out of the division lead. 

Yesterday, the Orioles dropped another one-run game in a heart-crushing fashion. Chris Davis was at the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. With the game on the line and the count 0-2, what did Davis do? He was a spectator as the Mariners' reliever threw a third strike past him to end the game and possibly the Orioles hopes for the season. The bat never came off his shoulder. 

I hate to say it, but maybe someone should have pitch-hit for him because he doesn't seem to be seeing the ball right now. There were great plays made on the field to get the Orioles back into the game with a chance to tie or go ahead and not even swing a bat at the game-ending third strike is appalling.

Beginning Friday, the Orioles will see the three teams they just played again in 9 of the next 12 games on home turf. There is a quick trip to Boston thrown in, so it is only a 6-game homestead against the Angels and Athletics, a 3-game trip to Boston, and then back for a 10-game against the Mariners, Blue Jays, and the team from up North whose name shall remain unwritten. 

The post-season, if there remains any hope, will be decided during the next few weeks as the Orioles face off against three of the teams ahead of them for a Wild Card spot. 

My optimism is not gone, but is fading fast. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Uninvited Mantis

It is hard to believe that August is half over.

Praying Mantis
Catch and Release
August 14, 2017

Yesterday was the mid-point of the month. From here on the days grow perceptibly shorter, with the darkness coming earlier every night.

Monday evening, Chris and I were having dinner on the screened porch because of the myriad bugs that were out that evening. And the rain. On the table was a small, no more than two-inch long praying mantis. It was cute to look at, right up until it started crossing the table to enjoy my dinner.

It was a disturbing moment. I was confronted with a small bug that I could easily crush, but a capable predator that eats other bugs. Even though it did not seem that way at the moment, the praying mantis was a colleague in the war on bugs. The mantis was clearly an aggressor on the prowl for prey. My concern was that I, or some portion of my dinner, was the prey.

I decided to conduct a catch and release operation. Going to the kitchen I got a glass and a piece of paper. Capturing the mantis in the glass was easy and I released the bug onto the nearest crepe myrtle, where hopefully it could find some dinner. 

The bug looked at me when I snapped its picture as it adjusted to being on the leaves of the crepe myrtle. 

I sensed that it felt betrayed, but for the life of me I couldn't imagine why! I certainly wasn't going to invite it to share my dinner.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Troy Whittemore Golf Classic 2017

Troy on the Course
Undated photo

The Beautiful Day and the Course
Trumansburg Golf Club
August 12, 2017

It is amazing how quickly the years seem to pass. The now Fourth Annual Troy Whittemore Golf Classic was played on Saturday at the Trumansburg Golf Club in Trumansburg, New York. The tournament raises money to support the scholarship fund established in Troy's memory. 

Despite the weather forecast which called for potential thunderstorms as the day went on, the weather was almost idyllic! The temperature was fabulous and the storms never materialized. 

About 18 teams participated this year. While that is not good for the scholarship fund, it made the pace of play very enjoyable. 

Carts at the Ready

The sponsors and the course did a great job of readying everything. And the hard working volunteers made the day a huge success. As always, the staff at the Trumansburg Golf Club were fantastic in getting everything ready and the course was in great shape. 

Mike Haslup
Closest to the Line Winner
August 12, 2017

The skill games played along the way were a lot of fun. The winner of the closest to the line drive competition was in my foursome and the ball nearly landed on the line. We were all pretty amazed at how close the ball came to being on the line. We knew the shot was good, we just didn't know how good until we got to the spot. It did set us up for a GIR and a nice birdie on the hole!

Hole Sponsors

I learned something about Troy from his friends that I didn't know. Troy hated mulligans! I found that amusing and so like Troy. I can see him espousing that if you make a bad shot, play the ball where it lies or take the penalty. There are no "do overs!"

Golf tournaments provide for friendly competition. The foursome I was with did very well this year, for us, by finishing 6 under par for a 66. The tournament winners, however, were an astounding 17 under par for a 55. The second place team was at 59 and there were two teams tied with 60. In the end, the team I was on tied for 6th place. I forgot to take a picture of the final leaderboard!

I can't believe that the day has come and gone already. I am already planning for next year's Classic. Thanks to everyone who organized, volunteered, and worked to make this year's event a success.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 14, 2017

Dunkin Donuts Boston Cream Donut in a Bag

1. Yesterday was National Left-Handers Day! We lefties are still the only ones in our right minds.

Buffalo, PA
August 13, 2017

2. Hard work brings rewards of a job well done.

3. My optimism about the Orioles post-season chances is beginning to wane as they stumble through yet another road trip. They are now 3-4 on the current trip must win at least two games in Seattle coming up.

4. Driving back from New York yesterday we stopped along the way to enjoy the scenery, and some wine.

5. Did you ever wonder what a Dunkin Donuts Boston Cream donut looks like in a bag? Lonely!

Trumansburg Golf Course
August 12, 2017

6. The Troy Whittemore Classic golf tournament on Saturday was blessed with great temperatures and no rain! We had a lot of fun.

7. Since they are only playing pre-season games, can we really say that football season is here? Yet?

8. I wonder what our cats do when they are alone in the house for a weekend? At least they seem happy to see us.

Headlines

White House Acts to Stem Fallout From Trump’s First Charlottesville Remarks - The New York Times

Charlottesville victim: ‘She was there standing up for what was right’ - The Washington Post

Former spy chief: Denuclearized North Korea not in the cards - CNN

Ronald Reagan Quote of the Week

"We're strong because we still believe in a bedrock principle: We are a government of, by, and for the people, not the other way around. And we're strong because we know that true greatness begins with the deepest treasures of the human spirit, with faith and courage, with loyalty and love, with a quiet, unselfish devotion to our families, our neighbors, and our nation."

Remarks at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, August 19, 1984

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Staining Stairs

Freshly Scraped and Being Stained Stairs

Some projects require a significant amount of preparation before they can be executed.

I discovered this on Friday as I was scraping my parents deck in preparation for an updated coat of stain. It had been years since the deck had been stained, and they had been waiting for good weather for at least a year. The decking planks had been stained a week or so ago and now it was time for the tails and stairs.

I spent a good afternoon with my Dad scraping and staining. He was relieved after a few hours by Chris and we nearly completed the project before it was time for dinner and the evening festivities. There remains only one section of remaining. Hopefully we can knock it out the next time we sojourn to Ithaca.

Hard work is good work.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY

The Picnic

Luna Moth

Chris and I and the boys went to my office picnic yesterday. We had a lot of fun and it was great to see many of the office family who have retired and moved onto life after work. I'm just a bit envious. But I know that soon enough I will be there, my problem is that I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.

The boys, Ethan, Jax, and Lucas seemed to have a great time playing in the river. I had hoped to play some catch with Jax, but the water got in the way.

As soon as we arrived at the picnic site, we were greeted by a big Luna moth sunning itself on a tree.

Don't worry, the moth was not the highlight of the picnic. Chatting with everyone and catching up on the twists and turns of life since we last saw each other was the picnic's highlight.

It w great to see everyone. I want to give my thanks to all of those who planned and executed the picnic. It was another great event. Too bad we have to wait until next year to do it again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Numbered Milestones

On the Water
Yellowfin Steak and Fish House
Edgewater, MD
August 9, 2017

Numbered events, like birthdays and anniversaries, provide a means to track progress as we journey the pathway of life. 

Yesterday, Chris and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. It is one of those significant numbered events in life, but in doing so we were able to take the evening and enjoy a relaxing meal on the waterfront and reflect on the years we have been together.

Chris Checking out the Menu

Taking time out to remember where we have been and what we have done helps us focus on where we are going. It may seem a bit mundane, but sometimes I find that by looking backwards I can see the path I'm traveling and decide whether a change is needed or whether it is better to "stay the course."

So we took some time out last evening to celebrate ourselves. We enjoyed a great dinner at Yellowfin Steak and Fish House in Edgewater, Maryland. We enjoy Yellowfin because of its broad views of the water and especially last evening as the sun was setting during our dinner. 

From Yellowfin Steak and Fish House
Edgewater, MD
August 9, 2017

But the evening was not over when dinner was finished. We did something really crazy. Upon arriving back home we dialed up the year we were married on our Amazon Echo and listened to the songs that were popular. I was amazed at how we still remembered most of the words to those oldies, even though we hadn't heard many of them in a very long time. 

Wedding Day

All too soon, the clock indicated that our night of memories and remembrances was over and by heading off to bed we would have to return to the daily patterns that we have established. Neither of us wanted to let it go, for the moment was magical. I can still see Chris in her mother's magnificent wedding gown entering the church and being escorted by her Dad down the aisle to meet me. White lace and promises! We were again two young, too young, kids together in a church to say "I do" and then off together, arm in arm, down the aisle to face the realities of life. 

But, here we are! Two kids with a few decades of experience still taking on the world and trying to carve out our place in the craziness that is life. 

And so with a smile and a kiss the fairytale continues! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday Blues

Chris on Hole 7
Willow Springs Golf Course
August 8, 2017

I struggle with Tuesdays. It is the lost day of the week. 

Sandwiched between Monday, the start of the workweek, and Wednesday which is "hump day" Tuesday seems to have no particular identity of its own. 

There are some unking Tuesday sayings out there. For instance:

Dear Tuesday, nobody likes you either. You're just Monday's ugly cousin.

I try to do special things on Tuesday to give the day some character. Most often, the things I do are sports related. I like to go to Orioles games on Tuesdays, but my racquetball league plays on Tuesday nights during the autumn and winter. During the spring and summer I try to get out for a quick round of golf, as Chris and I did last evening. 

Heron Keeping Watch

It made for a great ending to the day. I was amazed, however, that we had to travel as far as we did to find a golf course to play. The close ones all were booked. It seems that every other golfer had the same idea about playing yesterday. 

It was a beautiful day. Low humidity and bright sunshine. 

We saw a lot of animals yesterday as well. There were many woodchucks and this one heron sitting overlooking a pond. The heron did not seem to mind our presence and even posed for my picture. 

It was a fitting end to the "in between" day. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Back at 500

Drum roll please!

American League Wild Card Standings
August 7, 2017
From MLB.com

With their 6-2 late night win against the Angels last night, the Orioles have returned to .500 for the season. Their record stands at 56-56, with 50 games remaining in the season and the Orioles continue to claw their way back into the post-season playoff picture.

The Orioles have not been at .500 since June 29th and had sunk to 6 games below as recently as July 28th. 

For now it is a sprint to the finish line of the season. The Orioles are 1.5 games out of the second wild card and there is now only one team between them and team currently in possession of that magical playoff spot.

I am not going to write about last night's game because I did not get to watch it as it started after I was already in bed. The west coast games are difficult to watch since they begin after 10 PM and I get up about 5 AM to start my day.

Manny Machado

I do want to congratulate Manny Machado for his grand slam homer which secured the victory. It was his 21st homer of the season and he now has 65 RBIs. He is second on the team for RBIs to Jonathan Schoop who has 82.

There is hope for meaningful October baseball in Birdland!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD