Sunday, December 15, 2019

Fox in the Yard


The House as Winter Arrives from Radio Flyer
Elkridge, MD
December 15, 2019
I finally got Radio Flyer up into the skies yesterday. I had not flown my trusty drone since recording the aftermath of the August storms.  But yesterday seemed to be a nice day for a few quick flights and I was able, after troubleshooting some software issues, to get airborne--although I kept the altitude below the tree tops. The image of the house is from my first flight.

Fox in the Yard
Elkridge, MD
December 14, 2019
On my second flight, I decided to check out the yard, my highest altitude for that flight was 10 feet and I zipped Radio Flyer around the yard. I was surprised when I scared a fox that was lurking in the grasses around the pool. It was a big fox with a beautiful coat. It stopped and watched the drone hover while I took pictures. 

I had noticed fewer rabbits in the area lately--the fox is the likely reason. Chris and I are going to be more careful about letting Finnegan outside. We will have to clear the area before allowing him to run free. With the arrival of the fox, the yard is getting a bit dangerous. We have a big hawk and now a fox. All we need now to really increase the danger level is a bear or cougar!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Weekends Before Christmas


It is amazing how busy the weekends before Christmas can be. This weekend is the next to last one. 

Chris and I have been incredibly busy--last weekend we sojourned to Upstate New York--and so everything we would have done then, must be done this weekend along with everything we were to do this weekend--and it just all rolls together. This past week we were out doing something fun every night. 

Maybe that is why they call it the Holiday Season? Because if it wasn't the holidays we would all collapse exhausted. 

Happy Holidays!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, December 13, 2019

'Tis the Season


Jax and French Horn After the Show
Arundel Middle School
Odenton, MD
December 12, 2019
It is Holiday concert time at the schools. That time of year when the bands and the choruses show off their musical talents by performing in front of adoring parents, grandparents, and assorted other relatives. 

Last evening I attended the Holiday Band Concert at Arundel Middle School. Jax plays the French Horn in the Sixth Grade Band. The concert was in the same gym where I spend many Sunday afternoons watching Jax and Ethan play basketball and so it was familiar surroundings for some holiday cheer. 

The kids were excited and all played their best, I am sure. The music was mostly recognizable as the budding musicians plied their newly practiced talents in front of the adoring relatives. 

the concert was short, which was good because the volume of people in the gym was beginning to overwhelm the air conditioning and the humidity and temperature were rising to an uncomfortable level as we departed the venue. 

Good job Jax--you are one talented kid--French hornist, baseball pitcher/infielder, and math whiz!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, December 12, 2019

How to Drive in Snow


This was sent by a friend to brighten my day. 

Palm Tree with Moon in Front of my House
Tequesta, FL
November 16, 2019

I think it contains sage winter driving advice. Of course, this is only valid for the Northern Hemisphere, but that is where I live so it works fine. 

The best way to safely drive in snow is to get away from the region! The problem with driving in snow is not me, it is everyone else on the road. 

So when the snow falls, consider following the enclosed advice--it will be worth it, AND as an added benefit you will gain some much needed Vitamin D while working on your tan.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

First Snow



Light Snow on the Toyota
Elkridge, MD
December 11, 2019
Dusting of Snow on the Lawn
Elkridge, MD
December 11, 2019
It happened overnight. 

The first snow of the season arrived. Fortunately it was a minor snow event which only places a light coating of snow on the colder, exposed surfaces. But, the snow does signal that Winter is here, although the official arrival is not until Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 11:19 PM EST. Interesting, that mean that Winter actually begins on December 22nd in Europe and the rest of the world. 

While we experienced our first snow in Elkridge overnight, I already had a snow experience while I was visiting family in Central New York over the weekend. There was significantly more snow there than just a dusting!

Not surprisingly, there are 8 school systems that have implemented delayed opening for the morning, although I am guessing the snow is worse in the northern areas.  

But, regardless--Winter is here!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

A Different Anniversary


It has been one year since I rang the bell three times signifying the end of my prostate cancer treatments. 

I documented the end of my cancer treatment in my blog titled I Rang the Bell. Over the past year I have thought less and less about cancer every day. I wear a blue bracelet to remind me of what is behind me and to force me to look ahead to the future. 

I remember the celebration we held to mark the bell ringing. Many of my family and friends were there and I felt their love and support. I continue to feel their love and support.

At the conclusion of this first year post-treatment, all of the signs are positive. In some ways, my quality of life now is better than it was before the treatment! And for that I am very happy.

And now, year two begins!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, December 9, 2019

Monday Musings - December 9, 2019




1. It is the 49th Monday of 2019 and the year is coming to a rapid close. Christmas is just over two weeks away and the New Year just a week behind that.

2. Traveling by car for a weekend trip to Upstate NY saw me spend 15 hours driving during a 50 hour period! Wow!

3. Family NFL Report;

    Ravens defeat Bills 24-17
    Steelers defeat Cardinals 23-17
    Cowboys lose to Bears 24-31
    Redskins lose to Packers 15-20

Deer in the Field
Near Hunt, NY
December, 7, 2019
4. I was amazed at the number of deer that could gather in one place. I saw 15 deer together. It was a sight to see all of them together in the field. I also noticed how dark their coloring had become, helping them to blend into the forest better. 

5. I have had my mandatory initial exposure to snow for this winter. I hope that is all of the snow I have to experience.

6. I suppose that rain is more desirable than snow!

7. It was interesting viewing the exterior Christmas decorations while driving through Central and Western New York. I felt that few homes were decorated for the holidays than in the past.

8. Today in History. On December 9, 1992, 1,800 United States Marines arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia, to spearhead a multinational force aimed at restoring order in the conflict-ridden country.
Following centuries of colonial rule by countries including Portugal, Britain and Italy, Mogadishu became the capital of an independent Somalia in 1960. Less than 10 years later, a military group led by Major General Muhammad Siad Barre seized power and declared Somalia a socialist state. A drought in the mid-1970s combined with an unsuccessful rebellion by ethnic Somalis in a neighboring province of Ethiopia to deprive many of food and shelter. By 1981, close to 2 million of the country’s inhabitants were homeless. Though a peace accord was signed with Ethiopia in 1988, fighting increased between rival clans within Somalia, and in January 1991 Barre was forced to flee the capital. Over the next 23 months, Somalia’s civil war killed some 50,000 people; another 300,000 died of starvation as United Nations peacekeeping forces struggled in vain to restore order and provide relief amid the chaos of war.


Headlines

With the White House absent, the impeachment process has devolved into a partisan brawl. - The New York Times

North Korea Turns Up Pressure on the United States for Concessions - The New York Times

Protesters Killed and Cleric’s House Bombed in Deepening Iraqi Chaos - The New York Times

Hong Kong sees biggest protests since democrats' election boost - Reuters

Thousands form human chain in Brussels in climate change demo - Reuters


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Right now we need both realism and idealism. Millions of our neighbors are without work. It is up to us to see they aren't without hope. This is a task for all of us. And may I say, Americans have rallied to this cause, proving once again that we are the most generous people on Earth.

Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union, January 25, 1983 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
    

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Day’s Ending

Sunset Over the Snow
Hunt, NY
December 7, 2019
Well I bookended yesterday with a sunrise image and now a sunset image. Taken somewhere near Hunt, NY, on our way back to Ithaca after spending the afternoon with Mom and Dad, Chris and I were treated to this spectacular scene at the beginning of the two-hour drive.

As you all know, I do not fully appreciate snow and cold. The temperature when I took this image, according to the car thermometer, was about 20 degrees. During the drive the temperature dipped as low as 14. Fortunately, there is not much traffic in the wilds of Upstate New York. In fact, during the drive I would expect that the high beam headlights were on for all but about 10 minutes of the trip. And we needed them, it was dark and often eerie along the highways lined by leafless trees ready for the winter.

It was a great visit with Mom and Dad. My sister treated us to a spectacular dinner and warm conversation ensued all day. I resolved that I need to visit regularly and so I was particularly mindful of the route as we drove back to Ithaca.

Driving through the Finger Lakes region is an experience. The lakes and hills provide ever-changing vistas to enjoy while driving. It is a lot different than driving through flat areas, like Texas, where the scenery never changes during hours of driving.

It is important to see the beauty in every place. I do love sunrises the most and am sitting watching the world come alive as I write this, being treated to a spectacular sunrise.

Enjoy the day. I am facing a five and a half hour drive back to Baltimore, but will enjoy the scenery along the way. And I will celebrate crossing the snow-line somewhere around Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Sunrise Over a Snowy Scene

Looking Out Over the Sunrise
Ithaca, NY
December, 7, 2019
It is cold. Too cold this morning at 28 degrees in Ithaca as I looked out over the snowy landscape into the predawn sky.

The trip from Baltimore yesterday was uneventful and the roads clear. We ran into snow for the last hour, but fortunately the temperatures were above freezing and there was no accumulation on the road. I was reminded how surreal is can be to drive at night with snow being highlighted in the headlights in a mesmerizing manner with white spears slicing through the air towards me.

The headlights of the oncoming cars on the two-lane roads was blinding, especially aggravated because dirt accumulated on the windshield at an alarming rate from the splash as vehicles passed in the oncoming lane. I wondered if I would run out of cleaner fluid trying to keep the windshield clean. But I didn't. Thankfully.

Today, Chris and I will take to the highways again as we head to the Rochester area to visit my parents. It will likely be a picturesque trip past the snowy fields and forests along some of the Finger Lakes.

Well, it is December in Upstate New York. I guess this is what is to be expected.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Friday, December 6, 2019

What You Missed This Week - December 6, 2019


It has been another turbulent week for the United States as we continue to be completely inwardly focused upon the impeachment proceedings and the dysfunction within our government. The world, however, has continued to turn and there are a lot of things happening around the world that require our attention and understanding. Sadly, however, the news media remains focused upon the sensational internal strife while missing the real news around the world. 




Uber says it received over 3,000 reports of sexual assault in U.S. in 2018

Transport chaos as strike against Macron reforms enters day two

Hong Kong police chief calls for peace ahead of weekend protest march

Russia, Turkey working on new S-400 missile contract: Interfax

WHO decries 'collective failure' as measles kills 140,000

North Korea to launch medical tourism, targeting visitors from China

Fears grow about Sydney after Australia fires merge into giant blaze

Tennessee executes man convicted of 1991 murder of ex-girlfriend






Moscow ‘cyberthief’ wanted for stealing millions from Britons

Putin eyes up old Soviet neighbour in new power grab

US and North Korea exchange insults

Woman set alight on way to court by gang she accused of raping her






 NASA credits Indian engineer for finding first crash piece of Chandrayaan 2’s Vikram lander

 China most likely to become sole global superpower by mid-21st Century: Romney

Google accused by U.S. labour group of illegally firing workers to stifle unionism

629 Pakistanis sold as brides in ChinaThe Hindu


Have a good weekend and keep searching for the news--it is out there!




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