Playoff Push

From MLB.com

Like runners in a marathon finding a little bit more gas when the finish line is in sight, the MLB teams fighting for a playoff spot are playing just a bit better as August ends and the final full month of the 162 game season is about to begin. 

The Orioles have run off seven straight wins to get back into the wild card race, and with the team from up north whose name shall remain unwritten losing three straight, other wild card spots are within reach!

The wins have not been things of beauty, like last night blowing a 2-0 lead to go down 6-2 and then blowing a 7-6 lead to have to win 8-7; but a win is a win! This time of year, every win seems more important. 

The Orioles have 29 games remaining. The end of the campaign is definitely in sight. 

Let's Go O's. Now is the time to secure a post-season playoff spot!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Devolving into Autumn

It is happening all to quickly. August has lost its grip on summer and is rapidly slipping into autumn. 

As evidence, I present the weather almanac from yesterday. 

The high temperature did not make it even to 70 degrees! The low was also in the 60's! It rained--all day! This morning the temperature in 59 degrees.

I heard people indicate that the weather seemed more like autumn than late summer! 

I am mourning the loss of summer and all of the things that I didn't get done. 

At least today will be warmer with an expected high of 76 degrees.

The trees surrounding my yard are, however, giving up their leaves in fairly rapid succession. It is making pool maintenance tough. The water temperature has fallen to an uncomfortable temperature as well.

I should probably give into the situation and begin planning to close the pool the weekend after Labor Day!

Summer certainly is devolving into autumn!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Power Outage

There was no blog this morning. 

Morning Power Outage Candles
August 29, 2017

Chris and I were without power in the house due to, reportedly, a dump truck driving down US 1 with its back up and tearing down the power lines.

It was weird.

Chris and I have survived hurricanes without losing power, yet a renegade truck changed our morning routine.

I got up at 5 AM, as usual, and made my coffee, yet by 5:20 AM the power was off, again! Yes, again. It had been off from about 2 AM until 3 AM and I had a scared 35 lb fluffy totally freaked out dog sitting on me as I tried to sleep. That is not a TV in the picture, it is a mirror!

Enjoying Her coffee
Light Provided by iPhone

Chris sent me out to Dunkin Donuts to get coffee when she got up. I felt sorry for her and gladly went to get her morning cuppa Joe.. 

Sleep escaped me. She is a mouth breather and panted all night without the fan.

I was able to shower and shave and get off to work. The water in the water heater was hot and provided a nice candle-lit shower. That was funny. 

But it all worked out.

We were much more fortunate than the people of Houston, however, because the power was restored by 9:30 AM and we are not experiencing flooding.

Chris and I are thankful that our power was restored and we urge everyone to donate money, goods, or time to help the people of Texas besieged by Hurricane Harvey.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 28, 2017

Site of one Former Horseshoe Pit

1. August is winding down. Today is the last Monday of the month. Labor Day is a week away.

2. The destruction and chaos caused by hurricane Harvey is unfathomable. My thoughts and prayers are with the people who live in the affected area.

3. The Orioles have managed to claw their way back to .500 and are 2.0 games out of the second wild card position. There are just 32 games remaining in the regular season.

Heron at Eisenhower
August 27, 2017

4. Removing unused, but well constructed, horseshoe pits proved to be a much harder job than expected. Chris and I learned that the brute force method was not the best approach.

5. I love golf courses because of the wildlife that is usually seen. Yesterday a heron posed for me.

6. Busy weekends with great weather do not happen often. This one was awesome.

7. And so it is Monday again!

8. The coming weekend is a holiday weekend! At least it is something to look forward to with the start of September.

Headlines

Full extent of Harvey’s aftermath starts to come into chilling focus - The Washington Post

India withdraws troops from disputed Himalayan region, defusing tension with China - The Washington Post

Fatigue and Training Gaps Spell Disaster at Sea, Sailors Warn - The New York Times

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"You know, some people say it's America's natural resources that make our country so great, but the greatest resource of all is our working men and women -- their skill, hard work, guts, and determination."

Radio Address to the Nation on Economic Growth , August 30, 1986

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tree Trimming Weekend

Piles of Brush in the Side Yard

Mowing the yard has been a weekly affair this summer with the copious amounts of rain we have received. Our yard is lined with juniper trees which need trimming every couple years to remove the dead branches and allow for better access with the tractor while mowing.

Saturday, using my newly acquired chain saw, was tree trimming day. And the trees were trimmed. It opened up the yard and will make mowing more enjoyable by not having to duck as much under the junipers. 

Relaxing Around the Fire Pit

We created huge piles of brush which will be heading off to the dump this week in the truck. I would have preferred to rent a chipper to reduce the brush, but at over $200 for a day, it seems a bit expensive. Although, I do so enjoy running the chipper.

After the work of the day which included removing one of the unused horseshoe pits, then came relaxation around the fire pit. 

A fantastic day. Beautiful, although a bit cool, weather and hard work.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Evening Reconvenes

Last evening we recognized the unofficial end of summer as our wine group reconvened to share stories of summertime travels and experiences.

The evening was cool as we enjoyed each other's company under the clear sky as the sun set. A great dinner and some fantastic wines created the perfect setting for reconnecting with friends.

The summer has not been kind to some of our band and others of us are already beginning to plan for next summer. It is almost like our own personal football season as August comes to an end and September arrives next week.

It was great to be back together with friends. I look forward to enjoying the passing seasons during the next weeks.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Friday Arrives

It is not even a three-day holiday weekend and I am excited about the arrival of Friday.

Ethan and Jax on Ocean City Beach
Last Weekend

It seems the weeks get harder and longer and the hoped for respite of the weekend gets shorter. 

While I am not planning a beach weekend,  I will be using my new chain saw to clear some trees and brush and begin to build a wood pile for the fire pit.

I am surprised how cool the August nights have become already as the humidity drops along with the temperatures.

I feel the summer slipping away as August fades into September.

I am reminded that I need to enjoy each day for itself and not perseverate on the days past. Each day is full of its own promise.

I need to mow the lawn!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Shuttering the Government

The ultimate sign of political weakness is contained in the threat to shut down the government. 

In a New York Times article, Trump Widens Rift With Congress as Critical Showdowns Loom, the President  ". . . threatened a government shutdown over his long-promised border wall and attacked key lawmakers whose votes he needs heading into a crucial legislative period." Trump reportedly said: "Build that wall. Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it. But believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall." As reported by Wake up to Politics. 

It is easy to say that I'm going to "take my ball and go home." But, it shows an immaturity of thought and action that imposes penalties upon all Americans by shuttering the government in order to attempt to force through an unpopular and singly focused opinion. 

To make such a statement, with the new budget year just over a month away, is frightening especially since the President is blessed with a Republican controlled Congress that he can't get along with.

The one positive thing that the President may be accomplishing is reviving bipartisan cooperation--against him!

Why do some politicians believe that being in elected position gives them the right to impose their narrow beliefs upon others rather than developing and inclusive atmosphere where everyone is better off living under the rights and privileges that the Constitution provides?

My Take: Shutting down the government because it can be done is not living up to the inauguration day oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunrise over the Ocean

Dawn, August 20, 2017
Ocean City, MD

I am a dawn kind of guy, people who know me know that to be true.

Sunday morning, I got up early to play golf and being at the beach I was treated to a predawn show over the ocean. The sun, still below the horizon, began to light up the eastern sky.

I love the ocean and I love the colors of the dawn. 

It is a great way to start the day, especially when August is heating up before it ends in a short nine days.

I sat for a few minutes and enjoyed the show as the day began to arrive. And then it was off to the golf course. I do enjoy teeing off as the sun peaks through the trees at a low angle and the dew is heavy on the grass.

I appreciate the summer and the heat and the dampness and the mornings when it is warm when I walk outside.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Eclipse

I am already making plans for the 2024 Total Eclipse!

The eclipse was fun! I was awed at how nearly everyone was excited even the total eclipse--even in areas where the eclipse was only partial--like Baltimore and Washington. 

It was the astronomic event of the year. Some called it the event of the century, but I think that was overstating the situation a bit.

August 21, 2017 Total Eclipse Path
over South Carolina

I reflected back on a couple of total eclipses that I experienced--I don't really recall the 1979 eclipse, but I do remember the 1972 eclipse. My family was driving towards Prince Edward Island as it happened. I recall briefly seeing the sun and moon coupled together through the clouds. If only we had left one or two days sooner we could have enjoyed totality in Canada. 

I discovered that NASA has an eclipse page! It is called Total Eclipse 2017. The next total eclipse to cross the united States occurs on April 8, 2024! Of course there are a few total eclipses between then and now, but they cross other, more distant parts of the world. Time and Date has a chart of the upcoming eclipses. 

I did wander outside and borrow some eclipse glasses to view the sun and moon together. It was inspiring, to say the least. Viewing the event on TV actually made me want to travel to totality during the next U.S. eclipse, which will include such close cities as Buffalo and Syracuse. There is a map of the path with animation at Time and Date.  

It was clear from the continuous news reporting yesterday that the eclipse was renewing our interest in space and forces that we cannot control. It was fun to watch the reactions of the crowds across America as totality happened. 

I'm planning on being there, next time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD