Another Thursday Orioles Update

The 2019 MLB season is thankfully drawing to a close for the hapless Orioles. They have had moments of excitement, but mostly have performed dismally. 

The Orioles still are the 29th best team in baseball with a record of 46-93 .331. They are on track to lose 108 games at this point. I had predicted they would lose 105 at the beginning of the season. 

For the month of August the Orioles were 9-19 including both a 6 and a 7 game losing streak. It was dismal. The only bright  spot was a three game winning streak. The fortunes of baseball have not changed with the new month as the team has started 1-3, while showing some incredible ineptitude on the base paths. 

The Orioles are doing some very creative marketing to get people into the stadium. I saw one ad which offered $30 for access to all of September's games! Wow. 

Well, I still don't want to go. This is not the Orioles team that I wanted to see. It is the nadir of the franchise. 

Well, and I love this classic baseball phrase, there is always next season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Hurricane Roars

We have learned a lot about hurricanes.

They are incredibly destructive--I was appalled at the widespread destruction in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian finally departed. Dorian is not taking aim at another part of the the U. S. Atlantic Coast, and for the moment people in South Florida are beginning to feel relief even while many others are just beginning to feel the wrath of the storm. 


But wait! Even though the hurricane season has been relatively quiet thus far, there are new disturbances in the forecast. That's right, Fernand is in the Gulf of Mexico and Gabriella is forming off Africa. There are more storms in the forecast as this season hopefully can come quickly to an end. While neither of these two new storms are forecast to threaten the U.S., it just shows how quickly a quiet season can become active. 

My prayers are with the people of the Bahamas and for those along the U.S. coast how are still facing Dorian's rain, winds, and storm surge. I do not have a report from my Florida condo yet, however, at last report there was only about 2 inches of rain and some high wind gusts. I'm believing things should be mostly OK. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Last Monday

Last Monday of the Pool Season
Elkridge, MD
September 2, 2019

I took a sad image on my cell phone yesterday. 

It was of my pool. The last Monday of the open season. By this time next week the pool will bee buttoned up for the winter and the next 8 months!

Eight months!

I only used the pool for four months this year. 

But it was a great four months. This summer was the best summer in a long time for the pool and I was able to use and enjoy it frequently. 

Why am I closing it early? Well, because I am going to be doing some traveling and won't be around to haul the leaves out of the pool daily and I can tell you that nothing messes up pool chemistry faster than a bunch of leaves laying on the bottom. 

Thanks for the great 2019 memories and until next season. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 2, 2019

Howard County Crews Fixing Water Break
Elkridge, MD
September 1, 2019

1. Happy Labor Day! By definition it is the first Monday in September. Enjoy the holiday if you do not have to work. I do not have to work!

2. August us behind us and now we are already two days into September. Time is flying past, undaunted.

3. We enjoyed having the family over for a Labor Day feast yesterday. It was complicated by the lack of water as a valve broke and it took a few hours for the county to repair it. It was repaired, coincidentally, just as we needed water to boil the corn-on-the-cob.

White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Elkridge, MD
September 1, 2019

4. While cleaning up around the pool we discovered the most interesting caterpillar that I have seen in a long time. It looked like an alien from another planet. It turns out to be a White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar. It was fun to watch for a while. I looked it up to see if it was an invasive species that needed to be eradicated. We let this caterpillar go on its way.

Jupiter Inlet Webcam
6:59 AM September 2, 2019

5. I am watching Hurricane Dorian very closely and there are hurricane warnings posted for my community in Florida. Hopefully the storm will be gentle as it cruises by off-shore.  

6. The news seems to get worse and worse every day. 

7. Today in History. On September 2, 1969, America’s first automatic teller machine (ATM) makes its public debut, dispensing cash to customers at Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, New York. ATMs went on to revolutionize the banking industry, eliminating the need to visit a bank to conduct basic financial transactions. By the 1980s, these money machines had become widely popular and handled many of the functions previously performed by human tellers, such as check deposits and money transfers between accounts. Today, ATMs are as indispensable to most people as cell phones and e-mail.



Headlines

Along Hurricane Dorian’s Tortured Path, Millions Are United in Fear - The New York Times

Hong Kong Students Begin School Year With Gas Masks, Class Boycotts and Protests - The New York Times

Italy’s Politics Go to the Beach - The New York Times

China, U.S. kick off new round of tariffs in trade war - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week


It's fitting that on Labor Day, we meet beside the harbors, the waters I should say of New York harbor, with the eyes of Miss Liberty on our gathering and in the words of the poet whose lines are inscribed at her feet, "On the air bridged harbor that twin cities frame."

Through this "Golden Door," under the gaze of that "Mother of Exiles," has come millions of men and women, who first set foot on American soil right there, on Ellis Island, so close to the Statue of Liberty.Address at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New JerseySeptember 1980


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Grandson Day

Ethan at the Maryland State Fair
Timonium, Maryland
August 31, 2019

To note the passing of the month of August, the transition into September, and the last weekend before the start of another school year Chris and I hosted our grandsons for the day and an overnight.

Chris with the Boys Ready for the Farris Wheel
Chris, Ethan, Jax, Lucas
Timonium, Maryland
August 31, 2019

It began about noon with a surprise trip to the Maryland State Fair. I have to admit, I have not been to the state fair in a number of years. Sadly, it has not changed much except that the prices seem to have tripled. Rides are $5-6 each. Games are $2-5 and everyone seems to be trying to part a fool from his/her money. 

The boys enjoyed a number of rides and we made the obligatory walk through the livestock barns to get back in touch with farming. The boys all commented that they did not realize that cows were so big! I just had to smile at that. It was refreshing to see the kids with their prize livestock. Many of them were nervous in preparation for going into the judging ring. What a different life they lead from that of my grandsons'. 

Jax Headed into the Pool
Elkridge, MD
August 31, 2019

The day at the fair culminated with all of us becoming Scat Masters in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources exhibit. Who knew I'd be able to distinguish different kinds of wildlife poop correctly? I did have trouble with the coyote poop, having never seen it in the wild. From there it was back home to enjoy the pool for some refreshing activity. The pool was cool, clean and ready for action. 

Jax and Ethan at the Fire Pit
Elkridge, MD
August 31, 2019

It was an enjoyable early evening which saw pizza and wings get devoured in near record time. 

And then it was time for S'mores around the fire pit. 

The S'mores were enjoyed as the fire raged and then it was time for the scary stories. We told tales of the hereafter and unknown for a while and everyone contributed. The fire grew dim, the mosquitoes arrived, and soon it was time for bed. Exhausted, the boys quickly went to sleep, hopefully dreaming of the great ending to the month of August and the preparations for the start of the school year ahead. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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