Watch What You Write

I went to dinner last evening. It was a nice beer garden type restaurant and I enjoyed a couple of nice beers while I was there. It was the sign I passed on my way inside that caught my eye, however. 

I guess someone should have thought about what to write to get the message out in a more grammatically correct fashion. 

Sunset Springfield, OH
May 24, 2018

I know that all too often in this blog that I forget to proof what I am writing and I write some really interesting sentences. I also fight the autocorrect feature that all-to-often picks the wrong word for what I am writing. But, that written, if I was posting an important sign in my establishment I hope I would ensure the message was clearly and correctly written.

In addition ot the fun dinner, I was treated to a beautiful sunset out my hotel window which provided an exclamation point to a full and busy day. The clear sky was beautiful and the sinking sun, even behind the Bob Evans from my hotel room, was an enjoyable sight.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH

Out the Hotel Window - Springfield, OH

Springfield, Ohio
May 24, 2018

Another day, another city it seems on this trip. 

It is very different being in a hotel on an interstate than it is being in a plush downtown location. The view out my window is a rugged criss section of middle-America. Even the Bob Evans! The early morning, just before sunrise shot captures the essence of the area. 

Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport
Delta Boarding Area
May 23, 2018

My traveling partners and I ate at a local Bar-be-que place near the hotel last evening. The ribs fell off the bones and it was certainly authentic.

It was much nicer than that chaos associated with boarding the aircraft in Atlanta. I fly Southwest frequently. I can assure you that the line-up in groups concept that Delta uses is vastly inferior to Southwest's. It was total chaos in a very busy airport with stanchions that did not allow enough room for everyone to line up. They really need to take a look at the way they execute the boarding process.

It was a crazy, long day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH

Stairs

I went for a walk last evening. The idea was to walk to dinner and then back, but due to the drenching rains that started during the walk to dinner, I only walked to and not from the eating establishment.

I walked along a canal/creek for most of the way. At the end of the park was a climb up some stairs to get to the city level. I had intended to take a picture of the canal and part from the higher street level, however, the trees were full with leaves and blocked the good vantage points. Since it was raining, I was not too motivated to find a clear shot of the park below, hoping that I would find one during the return trip.

Since there was no return trip through the park I lost my opportunity and am left with only a memory and this image of the stairs at the end of the park.

I need to remember to be more aggressive in taking the images that I see in my mind when they are happening on the first occasion. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Out the Hotel Window - Huntsville, AL, May 2018

Out the Hotel Window
Huntsville, AL
May 21, 2018

It is good to be back in Huntsville to celebrate the Springtime and graduation season. Yesterday as I was arriving, there was a major graduation event occurring at the Convention Center. There were students and adoring families everywhere and it was an exciting sight to see. 

The view out my window is very exciting. There is a lot happening. I enjoyed watching the parking garage in the distance fill and then empty  yesterday during and after the commencement.

It was good to get to blue skies with white puffy clouds!

The trip was uneventful and I look forward it a good week of work away from home-base. As an important note, since this is a work trip, I did NOT bring Radio Flyer with me, so there will be no drone images to share. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Monday Musings - May 21, 2019

Looking at Mom and Dad's House from Above
May 19, 2018

1. Hopefully, the rains of the past week are giving way to some nicer weather. It has been a bit oppressive.

2. Driving back form Upstate NY yesterday I was amazed at the speeds some of the drivers were reaching. I am sure a couple of people passed me doing sat least 90-100 mph.

Bird's Eye View
May 19, 2018

3. Chris and I did stop in Pennsylvania to visit Fero Vineyards and Winery in Lewisburg yesterday during out drive back. It was a much needed respite during the trip.

4. It was amazing how the weather got better the further south we drove yesterday. Maybe nicer times are really ahead and the rains have subsided for a while.

5. Isn't it amazing how sometimes victims are victimized twice, the second time by the very people or businesses that are "trying" to help them?

Flea market in Ithaca, NY
May 20, 2018

6. I had this phrase pop into my head yesterday as I was looking at the rain clouds: the pregnant clouds were ripe with rain destined for the earth.

7. I enjoy looking at the earth from above while I am flying Radio Flyer, my drone. I guess I am just a frustrated pilot and the ability to look down on the scene below is exhilarating. I am becoming especially excited about imaging the "Bird's Eye" view. 

8. Chris and I stopped at a flea market on our way out of Ithaca yesterday. It had been quite a while since we had been to one. I believe we will be going to more.



Headlines

Trump Grappling With Risks of Proceeding With North Korea Meeting - The New York Times

Santa Fe High’s Baseball Team Takes the Field, Shadowed by Tragedy - The New York Times

China seems to be winning Trump’s trade war - The Washington Post


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"Today millions of Americans are asking themselves that same question about the dedicated men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Like me, they're asking that question with gratitude, with respect and affection in their hearts. Today, I want all those wearing American uniforms around the globe to know: America is grateful to you -- and proud of you, too."

—Statement on Armed Forces Day,

May 16, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cayuga Lake Wineries

Sheldrake Point Winery
May 18, 2018

During our short weekend visit to upstate New York, I of course had to visit a couple of my favorite wineries. Our house white wines are from Americana Winery and Sheldrake Point Winery. So I visited both yesterday in the rainy weather that followed me from Maryland.

Chris and I of course have our favorite wines from both, however I was disappointed to find that both were out of the wines that I was seeking.

At Americana our favorite table white is Apparition. It has been immensely popular and I was able to purchase the last four bottles. They are bottling more next week I was told. Yay. I added eight bottles of Riesling to round out the case.

The news was not so good at Sheldrake Point. Our favorite white table wine from there has been Luckystone White. I was informed that this wine is no longer produced and there were no more bottles to purchase. I tasted the Pinot Gris and decided that it was a very nice substitute. And so, I was able to obtain a case to refill the wine cellar.

The image is of Sheldrake Point. I was able to fly Radio Flyer during a break in the oppressive weather. I obtained some nice shots of the lake and the vineyards as well.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

More Rain

Rainy Morning
May 19, 2018

Chris and I drove to upstate New York yesterday to spend the weekend with family. After breaking free of the gloom that has descended upon Baltimore we found sunny skies. It was awesome.

Overnight, however, the rain followed and the gloom and rain of the past week has now enveloped central New York. Ugh.

I had wanted to fly Radio Flyer, but it is raining.

The springtime is in full bloom here. It is like backing up three weeks in time. The trees are green, but the leaves are definitely new.

I need more sunshine and less precipitation.

Turn on summer.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

I Feel as if I have Moved

The rains of the past few days has been pervasive. The gray skies with their constant rain are sucking the energy out of the area and turning traffic into a nightmare. 

From the Seattle Weather blog

I feel as if I have moved to Seattle, where rain is expected daily.

Traffic gets completely slowed with multiple jams during rainy times. It really causes a mess on already too full highways. Too many cars traveling too slowly. It increases a usually 20 minutes trip home from work to 40 or 45 minutes of frustrating driving.

The Forecast for Today and Tomorrow for Elkridge, MD
Can you spell rain?

Aside from the nightmare on the highway, there are the canceled activities. This week the GORC Dodgers have seen both of their games canceled and it is likely that tomorrow's game will similarly be canceled due to poor field conditions, continuing precipitation, and thunderstorms.

In good news, the pool is clearing nicely and is ready to accept activity. All we need now are sun and warmer temperatures to arrive and let the good times begin to roll!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rain and Loss

I attended the afternoon Orioles game yesterday.

In the rain with a group from work. It was a fun afternoon, except for the fact that the Orioles managed only four hits all day. 

School Busses in the Parking Lot
May 16, 2018

The rain was almost constant, but did not dampen our spirits too much. The Orioles held a 1-0 lead until the 6th inning. After giving up 3 runs to the Phillies during that inning, the game was pretty much over since the bats were mostly silent all day. The final score was 4-1 Phillies.

There were too many strikeouts. The Orioles struck out 13 times. That means they failed to put the ball in play on 48 percent of their 27 outs. During one exciting stretch the Orioles managed to load the bases with one out. They scored zero runs for that effort!

Watching such a game during rainy conditions definitely was a spirit buster.

But it was an afternoon out of the office at the ballpark. I was amazed how many people showed up to the afternoon game. The official attendance was 29,706. I was amazed how many school groups attended the game. The number of busses in the parking lot was amazing.

I guess the Orioles need to schedule more afternoon games to bolster attendance. Of course, winning would help with that as well.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rainy Again

The thunderstorms from Monday evening were strong enough to cause the GORC Dodgers game to be canceled last evening due to field condition. And it is likely to be a repeat tonight as the storms last evening were every bit as fierce as the ones Monday.


While the rain is causing the plants to grow, it is playing havoc with sports schedules.

I am seeing the afternoon game today, however. It is a 12:05 start! Something very different for the Orioles. It is one of their very few day games during the season, other than Sunday games.

The Orioles are doing much better of late. They are 5-2 on their current, now eight game, home-stand due to last evening's rainout.  That brings them to 5-8 for the month.

I hope the turn around continues. 

I hope the weather is nice this afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD