Waiting for the Sunrise

Sunlight in the Tree Tops
July 14, 2018

I took some time this morning to wait and watch the day break over the land. It was dawn of my second favorite foreign holiday--Bastille Day!

I was quiet and I was trying to sleep on the couch because I just could not stay in bed any longer--but, I was still tired and sleepy.

Evening Beginning to Fall
Annapolis, MD
July 13, 2018

I enjoy the early morning summertime sunrises. We have had a string of great weather days that almost make up for the foul weather experienced earlier this year.

The sky was clear as light began to creep over the trees in my backyard. 

And then, suddenly, it was daylight and the sound of departing aircraft from BWI filled the air as the day began in earnest.

So I made a cup of coffee and thought about last evening as, from the streets of Annapolis with friends, I watched the day pass. 

Annapolis Harbor
July 13, 2018

It was a quite a week and, frankly, I was happy that it was over. It was appropriate that the workweek ended with a Friday the 13th! It was almost as if the week had been scripted like that from the beginning of the year.

But this morning's dawn holds the promise of a new day and a weekend full of activity with family and friends.

Saturday has dawned and it is time to get moving and greet the day head-on.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

At Least

I learned a new combination of words yesterday that have a complicated and far more difficult connotation than I realized.

"At least . . . "

The words have two definitions, one is clearly mathematical and the other is for use in a life setting:

if nothing else (used to add a positive comment about a generally negative situation).

"the options aren't complete, but at least they're a start"

At lease can be used by well-meaning people who just do not understand a situation to try to make people feel better. But it falls well short. 

Examples:

My cat ran away.
At least you have two dogs.

My car is broken.
At least you can have it fixed.

My roof is leaking.
At least you have a house.

I have (insert some disease or sickness)
At least it is treatable.

I saw a short video by Dr Brene Brown in a leadership class yesterday about the difference between empathy and sympathy and the use of the words "at least" really resonated with me. If you have a few minutes, watch the whole video, but if you are in a hurry, fast forward to 1:55.

I realized that using the words "at least" minimize the problem and the feelings of the person with the problem. They do not help and they may harm. 

The image I added to the blog highlights the problem. When I fail, I don't want to be reminded that I tried, and failed. I want someone to understand where I am. Maybe just a hug and a reassurance that I am not alone. 

I read another blog on the sympathy and empathy. I found it short and interesting.


What’s The Difference Between Empathy And Sympathy, And Why Has Sympathy Got Such A Bad Name?


I am going to try not to use the words "at least" except when referring to mathematical situations in the future. I realize that "at least" does not convey my true intent when someone brings a problem or concern to my attention.

At least it is Friday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summertime

Summer Lillies in the Garden

It is truly summertime!

The weather has been fantastic with clear skies and warm but not oppressive temperatures and humidity lately. I am sure that the hot weather will soon return, but for now I revel in the cool, 70 degree, mornings and warmer afternoons.

Patrick's Puppy Rex (or is it Pudge?)
 Taking and Afternoon Nap

I have been enjoying driving Cat, my Jaguar, now that it has returned from being repaired. I may actually have to work some to get 5,000 miles on it this year. At least it is giving my truck a respite from the daily traffic grind, or the rhythm of the cars.

The summer flowers are abounding in the gardens and even dogs find a reason to nap in the afternoon on the back deck while the world continues around them.

I am also enjoying the abundance of fireflies that are sparkling in the trees during the early evening hours.

It is the best time of the year! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Flying and Family

The Cul de Sac at the End of Rainbow
July 10, 2018

I took Radio Flyer out for a quick afternoon flight yesterday. It was nothing special, but I am continuing to work on my map navigation skills. I flew my drone away from me over the trees and up the street and brought it back using the map for navigation and also putting it into the sport mode where it flies very fast. 

Chris and Finnegan on the Driveway

As I was ending my flight, I spied Chris and Finnegan returning from a walk. My battery was getting too low to actually fly close to them, but I did snap a quick image for posterity as I was landing. 

It is not a spectacular image. I had actually flown along the street earlier in an attempt to find them on the walk, but apparently the trees obscured them.

Later that same evening, Chris and I joined with Jeremy, Julie, Patrick, and Tina at Jeremy's house for an impromptu gathering. There were also some dogs involved as well. It was fun to meet together on a Tuesday evening and share the news of the day. What else are we going to do on a beautiful summer evening? 

I was honored by the love shown by my entire family, even those who were not available for the impromptu gathering. 

And now it is Wednesday. Another day full of challenges and opportunities!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rhythm of the Cars

I-95 at MD-175 Looking South
July 9, 2018 about 5:25 PM

Last evening, while driving home it occurred to me that I am a victim of the rhythm of the cars. I was driving on a bridge over Interstate 95 and I saw traffic totally jammed in both directions. At the time, I was crawling along in the ram to enter the I-95 traffic, but was at a complete stop.

I snapped a quick image from the overpass to remind myself of the insane nature of the 5PM traffic on one of the busiest stretches of highway in the nation. 

And I am subjected to the traffic every day.

Even though I do not always travel on I-95, the traffic spills over onto other highways. I take the Parkway (MD-295) most days and I listen to the traffic report to determine the confusion into which I will be subjecting myself as I sojourn from home to work or work to home.

I am no longer surprised to see traffic at a total stop at the end of the on-ramp.

It is the rhythm of the traffic.

I do notice that traffic is not snarled when I head out at 5:30 AM to play golf on a Sunday morning. It is a very pleasant drive on an early Sunday morning without the traffic clogging the highways. 

I am truly part of the rhythm of the highway.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 9, 2018

1. The first week of July has already passed, and then some. The weeks are flying by.

Construction Site at Tanyard Cove
Radio Flyer Bird's Eye View
July 6, 2018

2. Some home improvement/maintenance projects can consume a lot of time. I replaced two basement windows this past weekend that took up most of my free time. I did, however, get a new tool that I needed for part of the job.

My Push Golf Cart in Action

3. Construction sites can be fun places to fly above with Radio Flyer. This one is at Tanyard Cove and it shows town houses in very early stages of construction. 

4. Chris and I were able to get out golfing on Friday. It was our first time out together since we visited Florida during April. I was able to use my push cart for the first time since I bought it last year. It was much nicer than the ones provided by the golf courses.

Chris on the Course
July 6, 2018

5. Cruise trip excursion planning is underway for our August family cruise through the Caribbean. I am looking forward to a shark dive!

A Side View of the Construction Site at Tanyard Cove
From Radio Flyer
July 6, 2018

6. I was fortunate to be able to play a round of golf on two recent occasions. Friday I played with Chris at Willow Springs and yesterday I played at Eisenhower. It was very cool, in the 50's when I teed off.

7. I realized that Chris and I usually vacation during early July, but this year we will be heading out later. It has been interesting to be around during early-July.

8. Why does it seem that two house projects appear for every one completed?

9. As the World Cup draws to a conclusion, I have to confess that I am cheering for Belgium to win it all. I have very fond memories of traveling around Belgium when I was stationed in Germany and Brussels is my favorite European city!


HEADLINES


Thai Cave Rescue Live Updates: More Boys Are on Their Way Out - The New York Times

Roe isn’t just about women’s rights. It’s about everyone’s personal liberty. - The Washington Post

1 dead after helicopter crashes into Virginia home - CNN


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"Not all of us are called upon in our daily professions to face danger and hardship. But each of us has the same responsibility as the hero to live our lives with honor and dedication, to give a hundred percent to the tasks before us, and to know that every day our efforts are building the edifice of freedom and powering the engines of human progress." Remarks to Students and Faculty at Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, February 7, 1986

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Luke Swims

I don't write much about Lucas. He is the youngest of the grandsons and he is a truly great kid. I actually see a lot of him. He loves being in the pool and has learned to swim pretty well.

Yesterday morning, Chris and I attended one of Lucas's swimming meets. He has gone from learning to swim in our backyard pool to being a member on a local team.

Jeremy reports that he is pretty good. He had won all of his races to date, for his age group, except the one that I filmed yesterday. He came in second in that race but was disqualified for grabbing the lane marker and potentially using it for an advantage. 

He needs to work a bit on his backstroke. He needs to keep it between the lines. But, he does swim very well. 

I am very proud of his accomplishments.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Going out in a Blaze of Glory

Radio Flyer Captures the Beginning of the Sunset
July 6, 2018

As the Sun Sets in Tanyard Cove
Radio Flyer
July 6, 2018

Yesterday was a busy day and it was a great day. It began on a local golf course, with Chris and ended as our friends said good-by after an evening of conversation, food, and of course wine.

I took a lot of images of the day's activities and flew Radio Flyer twice at Tanyard Cove in Glen Burnie around Fran and Mary's new house. 

It was fun flying around an active construction site where houses are in all stages of being built. And I will definitely write about that later.

July 6, 2018 Sunset from Route 100 Near BWI

The highlight of the day, however, was the stunning sunset which I captured from its very beginning until completion. 

July 6 2018 Sunset As the Colors Deepen

It was fortuitous that I was not driving because the most breathtaking views of the sunset were from the the road during the drive home.

The sky was ablaze with color and everyone in the vehicle commented on the beauty of the sunset. It has been stiflingly hot and the sunset carried the promise of more moderate temperatures, like those we are experiencing this morning. 

Sunset from the Road on Route 100 Maryland
July 6, 2018

I admit that I probably took too many images of the sunset. It was just that unique. 

Trees Silhouetted by the Sunset
July 6, 2018 

The beauty caught my eye and I was in a position to just enjoy the artist's work in the sky at the end of the day. And it was a beautiful ending. Most of the day was cloudy and damp with occasional rain showers to ensure the humidity remained at uncomfortably high levels. 

The sunset, however, provided the much needed  exclamation point that ushered the day away with the promise of a new tomorrow. 

Chris and I do not get to enjoy many sunsets like the one last evening. Aside from the infrequent occurrence, our house is located in a low spot surrounded by trees and we do not get to enjoy the expansive vistas that we experienced last evening. 

I am glad that I have the memory and the evidence of a colorful sunset which sent the day out in a blaze of glory.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

5 Day Weekend

A Full Pool from Radio Flyer
July 5, 2018

I am enjoying the middle part of a five-day weekend. With the holiday on Wednesday, it seemed natural to take leave for Thursday and Friday and effectively create a five-day weekend.

Boys Having Fun
July 5, 2018

That of course follows the four-day weekend that I created last week, meaning that I will have worked two days during an eleven day stretch! I call that a great mid-summer holiday. It was needed since our vacation is not until late August.

Yesterday was another hot pool day. 

We had some extra boys around to enjoy the water and it was a wild day. 

I flew Radio Flyer to capture the scene of six boys filling the pool with fun and sounds.

I also put together a short of Ethan taking shots at the basketball hoop in the yard on earlier in the week. I used Radio Flyer to get the video. 

It has been a busy and fun time around the house. 

On tap for the future? Golf! Definitely some golf this morning and again, hopefully, on Sunday. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The End of the Party Week

Champagne from Chris's Retirement Party

Happy July 5th--the day after when we begin to get it all back together after the day and night before. We have enjoyed a two party week. 

The two celebrations, Chris's retirement party and Independence Day, seemed to blend into each other. It was made even more special because Mom and Dad were here visiting.

Boys in the Pool on Independence Day

Sadly, I have to return them home today--but, the visit has been nice with all of the activities.

Yesterday ended with a bang as the neighborhood was filled with the sights and sounds of fireworks. Our neighborhood has some very committed people who truly desire to make the 4th of July memorable. 

John Adams, our second President, wrote about Independence Day:

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more

Patrick's DJI Mavik Drone

And our neighborhood definitely believes in illuminations!

Patrick caught some images on his drone, and hopefully I will be able to share them in the future.

I am hoping the rest of the month is a bit quieter! We do not have anymore parties planned right now. Two in a week are quite enough. It sure has been hot. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD