Dorian Preparations

Great friends and neighbors have come to our rescue in Florida. 

Hurricane Shutters in the Condo
Tequesta, Florida
August 30, 2019

And now, Hurricane Dorian changed course, possibly missing Florida completely. Something for which I am very happy. 

But, remember, it is a hurricane and they can change course on a whim--so the danger to Central and South Florida is not over!

That written, our friends Fran, Mary, and our neighbor Jeff got together at our condo yesterday and turned it into a fortress--the shutters are up and we are ready for the hurricane. At one point yesterday the forecast was for 20 inches of rain and 120 mph winds. 

Fran Installing the Shutters
Tequesta, Florida
August 30, 2019

We are truly blessed to have great friends and neighbors to rely upon in our absence. 

Even as the storm is turning, we are happy to be hurricane ready. Chris had to hold me back from flying or driving to Florida to help out. I also wanted to be there to help our neighbors, many of whom are older and unable to install the shutters on their own. We will be changing out our shutters for ones easier to close in the event of future hurricanes. 

But still, a big thank you our friends and neighbor!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Too Much Help

Finnegan in the Dishwasher
Elkridge, MD
August 29, 2019

Finnegan sometimes can be too much help. 

Last evening, for example, Finnegan decided that he wanted to do a pre-wash on the dinner plates as they were placed into the dishwasher. Personally, I think it is a bad habit that needs to be changed, but Chris thinks it is cute--well he seems to enjoy helping with the dishes. 

Makayla, on the other hand, does not try to get personally involved in dinner clean-up. She keep a good distance to avoid getting trampled. 

Finnegan does not seem to worry about getting caught underfoot--even though he is smaller  He enjoys the post meal activity, but he might get too involved into his work. I just wish that he would stay out of the dishwasher.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian is heading for Florida. Until earlier this year my feelings would have been, "gee, that is really too bad." My, how times have changed! Suddenly, I am concerned about my condo and ensuring it is prepared for the storm. Chris and I are watching the weather developments intently. We have been in contact with friends in the area and are preparing to have the storm shutters installed on our condo.

The problem with Hurricane Dorian is that it keeps changing and moving. The projections are still very long-range--all we know at this point is that it is going to hit the central Florida coast somewhere and sometime. The time has shifted from Sunday to Monday--which gives us more time to prepare, and worry!

And we watch and wait.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine-ing

Valley Road Vineyards
Afton, VA
August 24, 2019

Wineries and vineyards provide opportunities to experience different wines and to meet new people. 

I also find they provide time to be creative with my camera and take an image that captures to essence of the winery. 

I saw this image in my head at Valley Road Vineyards in Virginia. While I did not fully appreciate their wines, this image crept into my head and I was able to capture it. 

That is some of the fun of wineries--capturing images while enjoying wine. And of course, being out on a get away weekend with friends is something else enjoyable about wineries.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine Art

Wine Art
Chestnut Oak Vineyard
Barboursville, VA
August 23, 2019

Wine Art 2
Chestnut Oak Vineyard
Barboursville, VA
August 23, 2019

Visiting wineries and vineyards in Virginia this weekend, I took a moment to notice some of the art adorning the tasting rooms. Some of the tasting rooms are very ornately decorated to compliment the spirit and feel of their wines.

The images today were taken at Chestnut Oak Vineyard in Barboursville, Virginia, while we were enjoying a late afternoon tasting on Friday. 

The images here are part of a large mural on one wall of the tasting room. The bright mural was a refreshing sight in the tasting room, even more so because we arrived for the tasting amid a torrential downpour. The combination of the mural and the wines brightened up the afternoon, but then, we were already  in good spirits because we were tasting wines with our friends.  

Sadly, the weekend ended too soon, there are so many more wineries and vineyards that need to be sampled. But, that gives us reasons to meet again and hit the wine trail. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 26, 2019

1. It is the last Monday in August. Next week at this time it will be Labor Day and the first Monday in September. Summer is slipping away.

2. The cooler weather this weekend, while refreshing, was too autumn-like. September is stirring.

Sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains
Earlysville, VA
August 24, 2019

3. Weekend wine tasting trips are an enjoyable way to get away with friends and enjoy the fruit of the vine.

4. Sunrise is the best time of the day to be awake. The sight of the world waking to the sun and promise of the new day is exciting. 

5. Orioles Update. Who can believe the Orioles? Coming off a 7 game losing streak, they have come back and have won 4 of their last 6 games including splitting a series with the Rays 2-2. It is beginning to look as if they will settle for losing about 108 games this season. 

6. Family NFL results. It was a good week as all four teams claimed victory. The start of the NFL season is only two weeks away.
  Ravens defeat Eagles 26-15
  Steelers defeat Titans 18-6
  Redskins defeat Falcons 19-7
  Cowboys humble Texans 34-0

7. The pool season is slipping away. There are only about two weeks remaining before I close the pool for the year. 

8. Word of the week.  Despot: a ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.

9. Today in History. On August 26, 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.



Headlines

Business Groups Warn of Peril as Trump’s Trade War Spirals - The New York Times

Hong Kong Officer Fires Shot, and Police Use Water Cannons at Protest - The New York Times

Oil down nearly 2% as trade war shakes confidence - Reuters

Warplanes dump water on Amazon as Brazil military begins fighting fires - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

But before I close, I want to leave with you a speech by a man not so well remembered in history, but those words, spoken on the eve of our struggle for independence, should uplift and inspire now as surely as they did in 1775. Joseph Warren, a Boston doctor, left us these words before giving his life at Bunker Hill: Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of, on you depend the fortunes of America, you are to decide the important question, on which rests the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.

-- Election Eve Address A Vision for America 11/03/1980

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wine Weekend

Blue Valley Vineyards
Deleplane, VA
August 25, 2019

Chris and I along with friends spent the weekend visiting wineries in Virginia, mostly in the Charlottesville area. It was a weekend that had been rescheduled twice, but it wound up being totally worth the effort to get together. 

Valley Road Vineyards
Afton, VA
August 24, 2019

Wine tasting is hard work! Truly. Sipping, tasting, and evaluating wines takes concentration and a clean palate. It is easy to get the wines confused and by the end of the day, all of the wines begin to taste the same if I am not careful to limit the amount of wine that I actually consume. 

We had the opportunity to talk to the owners of two of the wineries we visited. Owners have a passion for grapes and wine. They are the moving force behind their wines and one of the owners was also the winemaker and was engaging and provided some valuable insights on winemaking. I laughed at one piece of advice he offered. He said he often has retired people ask him about starting a winery and he tells them not too. It is a lot of work.

I remember that a wise man once told me that opening a winery is a good way to change a large fortune into a small one.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunset after the Rain

Sunset over the Mountains
Earlysville, VA
August 23, 2019

It rained most of yesterday as Chris and I traveled to Charlottesville with friends. The rain significantly slowed the travel from our home. Despite the rain, however, we had a great time together and visited two new wineries.

As the day came to a close, we were treated to a beautiful sunset over the mountains. It was a great way to end the day. With friends and some very nice wines.

Today promises to be another good day. The weather will be better and there are new wineries to visit.

— Bob Doan, writing from Earlysville, Virginia

Rains again

The Pool before the Storm
Elkridge, MD
August 22, 2019 

The storms arrived again last evening just as we were concluding dinner outside around the pool. 

It seems as if the storms are arriving more regularly during the evenings now. The pool is maintaining itself very well, although I am worried about the weekend. 

We hosted Patrick, Tina, Cory, and Julianne for dinner to discuss the upcoming rehearsal dinner which is planned for the first week of September. It was good to get everyone together.

It was a great evening, even during the storm.  We sat inside with the lights off and just enjoyed the light show outside. And I was happy that the rain replenished the water in the pool which has been evaporating at a great rate this summer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunset through the Screen

Sunset
Elkridge, MD
August 21, 2019

It was another baseball practice evening for the GORC team, but the practice was cut short after an hour by the onset of a ferocious storm. 

With the end of practice I drove 15 miles arriving at home where the rain and storm had not arrived. Due to the relative calm, Chris and I were able to sit outside on the porch and enjoy dinner as the sunset arrived. Sitting on the porch, looking out across the yard at the colors of the sunset reflecting on the clouds created a beautiful scene to end the day. From a torrential downpour complete with lightening and thunder to a beautiful sunset in less than an hour. It is amazing how the weather can be so different within a short drive. 

The evening at home was quiet and beautiful. Chris and I sat on the porch until after dark making plans and dreaming of things yet to come. 

And the storm never arrived.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD