Looking through the Forest

Redbud Tree in Bloom
Elkridge, MD
April 9, 2021

 It is a sure sign that Spring has arrived. 

Our redbud tree is blooming and I can no longer see through the forest that borders my house. The leaves have begun to fill the blank spaces on the branches and are blotting out the warehouses across the stream and up the hill. 

The green is returning more and more each day. It is being encouraged by the gentle rains that have been falling combined with the milder temperatures. 

Spring is one of the best seasons in Maryland. There is an abundance of flowering trees and shrubs that become a feast for the eye. And with each new day, the canopy of leaves grows deeper and more complete. 

The weekend has arrived and despite the rains, I will be sure to fully enjoy the opportunities that lie before me. I feel a trip to the local landfill is in my future to remove some of the junk which accumulated over the winter. And then there is watching the Master's!

A great April weekend is at hand.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Return of the Rain

 After a great weather week, the rains have returned this morning. 

The rain is welcome as Chris and I planted annuals around the house yesterday. Knowing that the rains were coming, we did not water them immediately. More importantly, the temperatures will be remaining mild which should encourage some of the grass seed we have spread to germinate and grow. 

10 Day Forecast Elkridge, MD

The 10 Day Elkridge, MD, forecast looks really nice, until it begins to cool late next week. 

I know I continue to enjoy the warmer temperatures and clear skies. Seeing the sun brightens my day. 

And the good weather also means that I cam play racquetball at the outdoors courts. Or, as the case was yesterday, make a less than effective attempt to play racquetball. 

Even with the rain, I am still riding my studio cycle in great places around the world. Recently I have ridden in Norway and Kyoto, Japan. 

There has been so much to do lately, I am happy that I am still riding and enjoying the world from my basement.

Even during the rains, I remain busy. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Look--Up in the Sky!

Five Contrails
Severn, MD
April 7, 2021

 A couple days ago I wrote about the blue, clear sky. Last evening at a baseball game for the Severn Seminoles, I experienced the blue clear sky under the lights as twilight deepened. I looked up and saw a reassuring sight--five contrails headed into the distance. 

Travel is definitely resuming as out society and economy struggles to overcome the pandemic. I was out at game, under the lights, trying to resume life. The major remembrance of the pandemic was that I had to wear facial covering even though I was both outside and practicing good physical distancing. 

I do not remember the last time that I saw five contrails lined up together. I do know that lately, air travel has been increasing. The steady stream of arriving and departing flights to or from BWI has become evident from my house. 

MLB AL East Standing
Through Games of April 7, 2021

And in other cool news. The MLB season is one week old today. Most teams have played six games. AMAZINGLY, guess which team is alone atop the AL East? And the Orioles have still not played a game at OPACY. Opening Day at home is today and sadly, I will not be attending. 

It is Friday Eve and I am looking forward to a good day. I will keep my eye on the sky and watch some baseball as well. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Easter Egg Hunt 2021

 After a year hiatus for the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual family Easter Egg Hunt resumed this year on a sunny and bright Easter afternoon. Most of the adults in the family are fully vaccinated and so we took advantage of the opportunity to get together and celebrate. And celebrate we did as there were 10 people, 7 dogs, and 2 cats involved in the holiday. Amazingly, no one and no animals were lost during the day's festivities.

The Easter Egg Hunt is a big event in our family--everyone participates. To prepare for this year's edition, Chris and I hid 125 Easter eggs around the house. I am happy to report that 124 were discovered. We still do not know where the one remaining egg is hiding.

I was able to fly Radio Flyer, my DJI Spark drone, to document the event. For the first time this year we began the festivities on the pool deck rather than in the front yard. That made it even more interesting as everyone streamed through the starting gate and out into the field of play. 

It was great fun and I have already forgotten which team actually found the most eggs, but everyone was a winner. And the best part was that dinner followed the hunt!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out of the Blue Clear Sky

New Leaves on a Blue Sky
ELkridge, MD
Easter Sunday 2021

 The leaves are coming on the trees. 

That is an exciting development. As I looked into the blue clear sky on Easter Sunday, I was encouraged by the leaves growing on the trees. I began to imagine summer.

The sky was clear, and blue. 

When I have a moment to look into the sky and find it is so stunningly clear I, for some reason, think of an old George Strait song, Out of the Blue Clear Sky. 

I think I like the song because most people say clear blue--but the song reverses the words to be Blue Clear Sky. 

Blue sky days are the best. As I took a moment in preparation for the annual Easter egg Hunt, it was nice to look up and see blue and leaves. I do so enjoy it when the leaves return. And this year, my house is no longer surrounded by day ash trees--they were cut down last year for safety reasons. 

Coming out of my blue clear sky, then, are the leaves which will provide shade this summer. And I welcome them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - April 5, 2021

1. It is the first Monday of April, it is the 14th Monday of 2021. Yay. There are 38 Mondays remaining in 2021.

2. Happy Easter! It was the first post COVID-19 holiday.

3. I do not understand people who are not going to get vaccinated. Do they not realize that hey could be the demise of the entire human race by allowing to virus to mutate in them? Come on. Protect your neighbor. Get vaccinated. Stop planning to be one of the herd.

Lilly on the Pool Cover
ELkridge, MD
April 4, 2021

4. Guess which MLB team is 3-0 to start the season? The Orioles! today they go to New York and take on the Yankees. Hopefully, the success will continue against their biggest rivals.

5. One of the family dogs enjoys walking on the cover to enjoy the pool before it officially opens. She just cannot wait for the start of pool season. 

6. It was good to feel comfortable enough to return to church for Easter service. The church practiced excellent physical distancing. It is a bit hard to sing with a facial covering, however. 

7. On Saturday morning, instead of golfing, I played racquetball at an outdoor court with a fully vaccinated friend! It was good to be back on the court. My shoulder, however, still hurts! It has been a while since I have swung my racquet. BTW, it was 28 degrees when we started playing.

8. Today in History. April 5, 1994. Modern rock icon Kurt Cobain dies by suicide on April 5, 1994. His body was discovered inside his home in Seattle, Washington, three days later by Gary Smith, an electrician, who was installing a security system in the suburban house. Despite indications that Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, killed himself, some skeptics questioned the circumstances of his death and pinned responsibility on his wife, Courtney Love.

Cobain’s downward spiral began taking shape in Italy the previous month. He went into a coma and nearly died after mixing champagne and the drug Rohypnol. The public was led to believe that the coma was induced by an accidental heroin overdose, since Cobain had a well-known problem with the drug.

Myanmar protesters make Easter eggs a symbol of defiance - Reuters

Oil prices slip after OPEC+ agree to ease output cuts - Reuters

Vaccinations Hit Record High While Experts Debate Fourth Wave - The New York Times

Swelling Anti-Asian Violence: Who Is Being Attacked Where - The New York Times

After a year awaring the pandemic, a church comes together for Easter tradition - The Washington Post

Fauci pushes back on GOP criticisms, calling claims ‘bizarre’ - The Washington Post

Labor board finds Amazon illegally fired activist workers: NYT - Reuters

Tropical cyclone kills at least 97 in Indonesia, East Timor - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

America does well to hold a national week of observance to remind citizens that the need for immunization does not stop with childhood. Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to kill grown-ups in our Nation; as many as 70,000 adults die each year because they do not take advantage of vaccines for influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, hepatitis B, tetanus, and other preventable infectious diseases. Even among people at greatest risk for complications -- the elderly and the chronically ill -- fewer than one in five routinely receive annual influenza vaccination and fewer than one in 10 have been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. 

Immunization with safe and effective vaccines can greatly reduce the tragic loss of life and reduce the massive costs associated with health care. The Surgeon General of the United States has repeatedly urged adults to use appropriate preventive health-care practices, including vaccination for diseases preventable through immunization. We can all do our share in making sure we ourselves and members of our families know about and receive immunization, and that our neighbors and communities have the same opportunity.

Proclamation 5891 -- National Adult Immunization Week, 1988, October 27, 1988

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Let the Mowing Begin

After the First Mowing of the Year
Elkridge, MD
April 3, 2021

 The first mowing of the year happened yesterday. In advance of the annual Easter egg Hunt, I revved-up the tractor and mowed the weeds. The grass was at a good height, but the weeds were getting a bit too tall. And the mower also removed the last bits of winter debris from the lawn.

It was good to be outside doing work and enjoying the sunlight of the just a bit too cool day. I also managed to rearrange the shed to find a spot for the snow thrower--it has a great place to enjoy until it is again needed next season.

AL East Standings
Games through April 3, 2021

And writing of seasons--guess which team is alone atop the AL East of the MLB? Yes, the Orioles. Although unlikely to remain there long, it is good to see the Birds atop one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Orioles are already exceeding expectations, they have been at or above .500 for two days!

It seems prophetic, almost, the O's atop the AL East and my mowing season beginning. Spring has truly arrived and hope springs eternal. 

I also want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. It is because of Easter that we have hope.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Easter Treats

 

Easter is synonymous with rabbits, chicks, candy and eggs. Each year it seems there is some new candy or confection to enjoy as part of the celebration. In past years Cadbury Eggs were the rage.

Well, this year imagine my surprise at the newest Easter Candy. Most everyone knows that my favorite dessert is Key Lime Pie. I always have room for more Key Lime Pie and, frankly, left to my own devices I am sure that I could eat an entire pie in one sitting. 

Imagine my excitement when Chris brought home Key Lime Pie M&M's. 

Wow!

They are good. And they represent a respectful Key Lime Pie flavor.

Have a Happy Easter and enjoy the candy!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

 

AL East after Games of April 1, 2021

Baseball has arrived. 

Well, except for the Orioles whose season opener was delayed until today. But, in so doing, the Orioles have a half-game lead over the Yankees! 

I am excited about the baseball season, not because I believe that the Orioles will be in the playoffs, that is unlikely. But, because fans are being allowed into the stadiums and by the end of the season, hopefully, there will not be any restrictions on the crowd size. 

My prediction, which I gave earlier but will repeat here, is that the Orioles finish 75-87. That would be a good season and position them for a strong season next year.

I remember, in olden times, that the first place I would turn when reading the morning newspaper was to the sports section to check the baseball scores and standings. In some way, I long for those times again. Now, I only see a newspaper on Sunday and lately it has been unreadable due to being soaked through by the rain. 

But baseball is back! Take me out to the ballgame.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's Been a Year

Patrick's Double Birthday
Elkridge, MD
March 31, 2021

Last evening we celebrated a birthday. Actually, we celebrated two birthdays. The one that was not celebrated last year at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current birthday. 

The family gathered together for the celebration. A good old fashioned BC (before COVID) celebration. Mind you--most all of the adults present were vaccinated! And so we are beginning, hopefully the AC (After COVID) new normal. 

Last year, we stopped by his house and sang Happy Birthday at a respectful distance. This year, following the CDC guidelines, we celebrated with no masks and a small family gathering. Our family is part of the herd!

It was a great gathering and we are hopeful that it is the beginning of something great. Like the prairie dogs sticking their heads out of their burrows, we are testing the waters of normalcy. I am even seriously considering going to a baseball game.

Baseball begins its season today!

Perhaps, AC is growing closer.

Happy Birthday Patrick--hopefully this it the beginning of something big!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD