Saying Good-bye is Hard

Weeping Cherry
April 19, 2015

I think sometimes I get too attached to things, like trees.

Weeping Cherry
May 19, 2019

This weekend we said good-bye to our weeping cherry tree that during the 19 springtimes we have lived in our house has provided some of the most stunning displays of flowers to announce the end of winter and arrival of warmer weather. 

The tree did not survive the winter. As I cut it down on Sunday I understood why, the heart was rotting and infested with carpenter ants. It made me sad. The tree has been the centerpiece of our lawn for all of these years. It was "really most sincerely dead." It had to come down, and now all that remains is a stump that I will be removing during mid-June.  

Thankfully, I have some great pictures to remember the tree and we will be replacing it, although not in the same place in the yard.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday musing - May 20, 2019

1. For those of us trying to hide from the passage of time, it isn't working. Today is the third Monday of May and we are rapidly closing out the fifth month of the year. 

2. The weekend weather was fabulous. Chris and I worked hard around the house and then, in a moment of great inspiration, cooled off in the pool yesterday. It was our first foray into the pool for the year and the water was great. 

Pool Timer
May 18, 2019

3. The number of small jobs which need accomplishing seems to increase dramatically every day. This weekend I replaced the timer for the pool pump, I rebuilt the pump, I fixed a ground fault in an outlet, and I cut down a tree. 

4. Memorial Day weekend is cruising towards us! It is the first holiday since February!

5. Gas prices are finally falling a bit after rising! I bet they will jack the prices up for next weekend.

6. What are your summer plans? Vacation? Work? It seems that summer is finally upon us! My favorite month of the year is not far off. Bring on July!

7. The Orioles managed to lose 10-0 to the Indians yesterday. Nuff said!

8. It is graduation season. Congrats to all those who have completed their studies this season be it high school or college!

9. Today in History. On this day in 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis are given a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth of one of the world’s most famous garments: blue jeans.

Headlines

Deutsche Bank Staff Saw Suspicious Activity in Trump and Kushner Accounts - The New York Times

Why Working Till Whenever Is a Risky Retirement Strategy - The New York Times

As Trump escalates China trade dispute, economic ties lose stabilizing force in matters of national security - The Washington Post

Most Americans say ‘Arabic numerals’ should not be taught in school, finds survey - Independent

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government. It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope.

  -- Inaugural Address, January 20, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bone Crushing Defeat

Yesterday was Saturday, and Saturday means baseball. It was a beautiful day for baseball with clear skies, no rain, no wind. Temperatures were in the 80's. 

The GORC U12 Haslup Wildcats played the other GORC U12 team in the Anne Arundel County League.

In short, we the game resulted in a loss 13-8 and the record fell to 4-4-1. It was a depressing loss because our boys are a really good team, but yesterday their lack of energy made simple plays seem difficult. Of course, it is hard to catch up when the team spots the other team fours runs and doesn't begin scoring until the third inning. 

There were highlights! Brian, the catcher, went 3-3 with a double and a triple and 3 RBIs. Cole, a utility player, was 1-1 with two walks and a homer!

Pitching Box Score
May 18, 2019  GORC U12 Haslup Wildcats vs GORC U12 Dispenza

The pitchers did better as a group, getting the walks down to 8 and striking out 9. They also played their position well recording outs at first and at the plate.

It was a difficult loss to take, but it will be growing experience filled with teaching moments.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Breaking the Streak

My Green Lawn
Elkridge, MD
May 16, 2017

While the lawn appreciates the rain and it has become lush and green, I am not a fan of the continual precipitation that the region has been receiving.

It had been fifteen consecutive Fridays in a row with measurable precipitation in the Baltimore region dating back to January 25th--until yesterday dawned. And the streak is broken by sunshine and warm temperatures! Things are actually going to begin drying out, finally. 

The Pool
Elkridge, MD
May 16, 2019

And then there is the pool! The pool has finally achieved clear status and is prepared to host swimmers--well, when I get the temperature above 55 degrees!

I am feeling there onset of summer-like weather! And it is awesome!

Sitting outside with friends last evening I was even attacked by flying insects--and bitten. But, it means that the weather is finally turning warm and dry and that outdoors activities can begin! Cue the sun, the blue skies, and the fun!

It is time to party--OK, well not too much because I have a lot of outdoors projects to accomplish now that the rain has stopped.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Watching and Waiting

Staring out the Bedroom Window
Finnegan
May 16, 2019

Last evening I arrived home before Chris and conducted my usual activities. I let the dogs out and gave them treats before heading to the bedroom to change. As I was changing from work clothes into leisure clothes, I turned and noticed Finnegan perched upon a pillow looking intently out the window.

I wondered what had captured his interest. 

I looked out the window and saw nothing of great interest and then I realized what had captured his attention. Chris was away from the house and her faithful dog was staring out the window in anticipation of her imminent return. 

She did not disappoint him as she arrived a few short minutes later. It was then that Finnegan began whining and barking began as he prepared to greet her.

A dedicated dog and a faithful friend!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bright Orb in the Sky

The bright orb in the sky returned yesterday. Finally. It was a day with no rain, or little rain and I was able to enjoy a brilliant blue sky as I walked into work. IT was cold, 43 degrees, as I went to work, but the bright sun made up for the unseasonably cold weather.

The bright day raised my spirits and ended with a glorious sunset which I could not photograph because I was driving--but it was beautifully stunning. 

Not everyone is happy with the sunshine. 

Really?

Some people like the dark gloom, but I prefer sunlight. I was able to complete mowing the lawn which Chris had started. The tractor and mower deck worked like a champ. The new blades made the lawn look fantastic. 

I look forward to more good weather today. It is supposed to be full of more sunshine! And warmer temperatures. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Victory Slips Away

Martin at First Base Against the Seahawks
May 14, 2019

Baseball is a tough sport. It is also a team sport and while it may appear that one player made the difference, in truth, that one player was able to make the difference because the other members of the team did their job to allow that one player to be in the right place at the right time. 

Wildcats vs Seahawks
May 14, 2019

Last night, victory slipped from the grasp of the GORC U12 Haslup Wildcats against the South River Seahawks.  The disappointing finish was a team effort caused by little things during the entire game. 

 The game was not a loss, and thankfully a great play at the plate preserved a tie as the game was slipping away as quickly as the daylight was fading during the home half of the 6th inning.

Victory was lost because of the missed offensive opportunities. These included base runners who were slow to take advantage of defensive misplays and missed signs. But offensively the team had nine hits including one double. There was massive shot off the bat that was miraculously caught deep in right field or else additional runs would have scored. Defensively, with the exception of surrendering 12 walks, the team was solid and there were some great plays including two double plays. The team only surrendered one hit to the other team.

The computer generated game recap can be found on Game Changer. 

Baseball is a tough game and our guys are learning that they are baseball players and not playing baseball. We will work on the small things that could have helped to preserve the victory tonight in practice!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rainy Dog Day Afternoon

Mother's Day was a rainy washout. 

We sat around the afternoon wishing that the rain would stop--it never did. 


There were four adults and four dogs, along with two cats in hiding, looking for activity. We did play a game, but that only lasted so long. 

As it turned out, Rex, Patrick's dog, provided some much needed comic relief as Chris, Tina, and Patrick played monkey in the middle. 

Rex was a good sport about it. I think he enjoyed the attention. He seems to have boundless energy. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 13, 2019

1. It is Monday again, the second Monday of May and it has been raining nearly non-stop in the Baltimore region for the past 36 hours!

2. Our Mother's Day celebration spanned two days, culminating yesterday on the actual day. Chris was able to visit with all of our children and two of three grandchildren.

Finnegan Eating Corn-on-the-Cob
May 12, 2019

3. Dreaming of being in Florida has become a family pastime.  Much of there family is planning getaways to the condo and I will be posting an availability calendar to assist them with finding available dates. 

4. Amazon promised a delivery yesterday and it did not arrive. I am wondering why?

5. My pool is open and the water looks inviting, it is just a bit cold as the temperature this morning is about 47 degrees! It is May--it is not supposed to be this cold in the morning. And raining.

Flamingo at the Baltimore Zoo
Taken by Chris
April 15, 2019

6. Finnegan has developed a taste for corn-on-the-cob. He really got into eating it yesterday.

7. I remain fascinated by Flamingos. Chris finally shared some of the images she captured at the Baltimore Zoo during 
April.

8. I have noticed that as traffic on the highway gets slower, the driving gets worse.

9. Today in History. On May 13, 1846, the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly votes in favor of President James K. Polk’s request to declare war on Mexico in a dispute over Texas. Under the threat of war, the United States had refrained from annexing Texas after the latter won independence from Mexico in 1836. But in 1844, President John Tyler restarted negotiations with the Republic of Texas, culminating with a Treaty of Annexation. The treaty was defeated by a wide margin in the Senate because it would upset the slave state/free state balance between North and South and risked war with Mexico, which had broken off relations with the United States. But shortly before leaving office and with the support of President-elect Polk, Tyler managed to get the joint resolution passed on March 1, 1845.Texas was admitted to the union on December 29. While Mexico didn’t follow through with its threat to declare war, relations between the two nations remained tense over border disputes, and in July 1845, President Polk ordered troops into disputed lands that lay between the Neuces and Rio Grande rivers. In November, Polk sent the diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to seek boundary adjustments in return for the U.S. government’s settlement of the claims of U.S. citizens againstMexico and also to make an offer to purchase California and New Mexico. After the mission failed, the U.S. army under Gen. Zachary Taylor advanced to the mouth of the Rio Grande, the river that the state of Texas claimed as its southern boundary.

What's in the News

Trump’s go-it-alone approach on trade, immigration poses economic risks - The Washington Post

Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, Justices With Much in Common, Take Different Paths - The New York Times

They Were Promised Coding Jobs in Appalachia. Now They Say It Was a Fraud. - The New York Times

Saudi Arabia says oil tankers hit off UAE coast, Iran calls for probe - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will. 
  -- Ronald Reagan


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Morther's Day - 2019

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom

Although the day dawned gray and rainy, it is still Mother's Day and time to pause and recognize the sacrifices that our Mothers have made to make us healthy and well-adjusted adults. In my case it definitely was not a part-time job, but a full-time endeavor.

Mom with Nicole, Patrick and Jeremy

This year I want to highlight my Mother and all that she is and means to her family and to me. She is a stalwart prayer warrior and a compassionate supporter of her children and her grandchildren. She is always available to listen and give reasoned and wise advice to help us face the problems of the day.

Here is to my Mom! 

Enjoy your day because you are special and deserve it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD