Temporary Goodbye

 

Outside the Hotel
Orlando, FL
December 16, 2021

I am departing Florida this morning. It always makes me sad to leave the Sunshine State and head back north, but on the other hand it is good to go home.

It was another short trip, although longer than my previous 38-hour whirlwind. I am heartened that I will return before the end of the month. And then a cruise to start the new year 

Yay. 

I love the sun in the palms this morning outside of the hotel. And the blue sky. 

I’m in the airport now sitting here staring out the window at the jets, the palms, a water feature, blue sky, and warm sun knowing that I am headed back to cold temperatures and gray. But the sunshine will be in my heart. 

—Bob Doan, Orlando International Airport, Florida

Out the Hotel Window - Orlando

 

Out the Hotel Window
Orlando, Florida
December 14, 2021

I was assigned to the worst room with a view in the hotel. It is right above the lobby looking out over the portico. The view is, well, terrible.

I am staying at one of my preferred hotels, one that includes breakfast. The room is very nice and spacious but the view is, well, less than enjoyable.  

Orlando Airport
December 14, 2021

It really is not an issue, this time because this is a work-associated trip and I will not be in the room very long. In fact I expect to depart today before sunrise and return after dark. At least I can see the sky.

The view from one of the Orlando Airport Hotel rooms would have been much better--at least they had a Christmas Tree to enjoy in the middle of all of the airport activity.

A quick story. As we were landing yesterday the cabin crew on the Southwest flight made the announcement: "Look out the right side of the aircraft, you can look out the left side too, you will see palm trees and green grass and no snow. Welcome to Florida." They made me smile. Their rendition of "Southwest the Friendly Airline" sung to the tune of "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" so entertained me that I forgot to record it for posterity.

At least the view from the jet and the entertainment was better than the view out my hotel window.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Take Heart, the Finish Line is in Sight

Well, as Tuesday rolls around I am becoming more concerned about the Christmas gifts remaining to be procured. 

Frankly, I am out of ideas.

I admit, I'm a bit distracted with what has transpired during the past few days--but the headlong rush to Christmas has not slowed. The finish line is there, a short 11 days away. But of course everything needs to be done 2 days prior because of our family's traditions which also encompass the entirety of Christmas Eve.

I can feel Chris's stress as well as she deals with the multitude of tasks: meals, gifts, logistics, schedules, impending travel. I am luckier as I get to deal with all of those things and work. 

Thank goodness for my bike--I have committed to getting up early to workout not only for conditioning but for stress relief. 

Here is to everyone similarly afflicted by "this most wonderful time of the year." 

Take heart, the finish line is in sight!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 13, 2021

 

1. Welcome to Monday all over again. Today begins the last full workweek of the year. There are two Mondays remaining in 2021. 

2. Thanks to everyone for the outpouring of love and sympathy over the passing of my Mom. Your thoughts and prayers have really helped as I remember my Mom,  the great woman of faith and tower of strength.

Patrick and Chris at the Cowboys-Washington Game
FEDEX Field, Landover, MD
December 12, 2021

3. Family NFL Results. It was a rough week, only one of the family teams managed a victory.

    Ravens (8-5) lose to Browns (7-6) 22-24

    Steelers (6-6-1) lose to Vikings (6-7) 28-36

    Cowboys (9-4) defeat Washington (6-7) 27-20

4. Two of our family were able to enjoy the Cowboys vs Washington Football Team game from the stadium yesterday. We did identify them on TV in their end zone seats. It was fun to know that members of the family were at the game cheering for the visitors while the remainder of us were gathered together rooting for the home team.

5. The darkness continues to expand its grip on the region, but in just two short weeks the Solstice will occur and light will begin returning.

6. Today in History. Vice President Al Gore concedes defeat to George W. Bush in his bid for the presidency, following weeks of legal battles over the recounting of votes in Florida, on December 13, 2000.

In a televised speech from his ceremonial office next to the White House, Gore said that while he was deeply disappointed and sharply disagreed with the Supreme Court verdict that ended his campaign, ”partisan rancor must now be put aside.”

“I accept the finality of the outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College” he said. “And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.”

 The U.S. Needs a Hypersonic Capability Now - The Wall Street Journal

The evidence so far indicates that Omicron spreads faster than other variants. Here’s what we know. - The New York Times

Chris Wallace Leaves Fox News as Right-Wing Hosts Hold Sway - The New York Times

Meadows Was Deeply Involved in Fighting Election Outcome, Jan. 6 Panel Says - The New York Times

Omicron could become dominant variant by next week in some European countries, officials predict - The Washington Post

Vaccine holdouts in U.S. military active-duty ranks approach 40,000 - The Washington Post

'Phenomenal' Omicron spread accounts for 40% of London infections - Reuters

Two cargo ships collide in Baltic fog, rescue underway - Reuters

Starbucks shuts two China outlets after reports they used expired ingredients - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Memories of Mom

Mom
August 16, 2013

It is with sadness that I share news of the passing of my Mom, Sidney J. Doan. 

Sadness because the world has lost one of the most faith-filled, genuine women to be found almost anywhere and because her passing leaves a hole in the hearts of all who knew her and especially her family and my Dad, her husband of 67 years. She was my Mom.

But there is joy in her passing because she is now free from the most terrible disease I can think of, Alzheimer's, which robbed her of her memories and stole her quality of life leaving her a mere specter of her former vibrant, independent self. The disease took Mom from our family before her time. But she is now free, having changed her address to an eternal one this morning.

She was the last of her generation, all of her siblings have passed on before her. She was unique and one of a kind. She had to be strong and able to win a battle of wills because she was my Mom and I was not the easiest kid to parent. She set clear goals for me and my siblings when we were young and I can say we each achieved the goals she set out for us. She helped navigate our family through the obstacles that life threw in front of us with a sense of drive and determination that rubbed off on me. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Race is On

 

Start your engines and get dust off the keys on the computer and get the shopping finished. It is two weeks until Christmas. 

I guess that it is time to get serious about Christmas because the race has already begun and I am still at the starting line.

Santa is going to come, of that I am sure. But it may be a photo finish. 

I hope you are ahead of me. I guess that I am not really still at the starting line, I have gifts for my parents which have already arrived at their destination and are ready for the BIG day. And, I have one for Chris which should be delivered today. I also have some ideas--which need to translate into physical gifts. 

Who said that it is the most wonderful time of the year? I find it stressful. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Friday Comes Again

 What is not to love about the beginning of the weekend. 

And it is going to be a busy weekend, just two weekends before Christmas. There is a lot to do and some fun to enjoy along the way.

I am looking forward to attending the Capitals-Penguins hockey game this evening. I have not been to a hockey game is a few years--since the Capitals raised their seat prices to keep Penguins fans from attending. I remember one game a few years ago when there seemed to be more Penguins fans in the Capitals arena than there were hometown fans. I am sure to be in a minority tonight, but the change to see again some of the greatest NHL players of all time will be fantastic. 

And then there is a birthday celebration tomorrow in Annapolis at an Escape Room followed by some time wandering through a German-style Christmas Market which should be fun. And wet, it may rain. I remember fondly the Christkindle Marts in Germany we used to enjoy during the season. 

As Christmas rolls closer I am on the lookout for that special gift for someone special. 

BTW, important safety tip: Two weeks from today is Christmas Eve! Be ready!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Shopping Panic Grows

 

I don't know if anyone else is having "shoppers block" this year, but I definitely am. I cannot think of the perfect gift for the people on my shopping list. I actually think that is happening to a lot of other people due to the number of gift cards that are being purchased. 

I troll Amazon looking for ideas and draw a blank. I have not really had time to hit the shopping mall--except once and then Chris and I arrived after 7pm and most of the stores were closed. Who does that during the Christmas shopping season? It was very strange to walk around a shopping mall during what used to be prime shopping hours and have it mostly deserted. Only the anchor stores and the Apple Store were open. No wonder people are shopping on line. We had been to dinner at a restaurant on the mall's periphery and decided to knock-out some shopping afterwards only to be thwarted. 

So I am stymied. I have some ideas, but I am failing at execution. 

And this morning I realized that there are only two Fridays remaining until Christmas! It is really hard when Christmas is at the beginning of a weekend! I lost a weekend's worth of shopping opportunity. I feel as if there should be 15 shopping days until Christmas, but with shipping times there are really only about 6. Ugh!

OK, it is officially time to panic!!!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out with a Bang

Fireworks with a Bang
Elkridge, MD
July 4, 2021

The year is sliding inevitably towards its end and I am beginning to review the things that I have been involved with this past year. 

It was a fairly sedate year without major travel, just a few trips to Jupiter and two trips to Houston. I am planning on changing that for 2022 starting by the year off with a Caribbean cruise, if the COVID protocols allow. 

As I looked through the pictures that I took during 2021 I noticed a few things. I did not play enough golf. I lost two points on my handicap as a result and I need to remedy that. I saw a really cool space launch from the beach in Jupiter. I took too many pictures of my newly mowed lawn. I enjoyed coaching baseball again this Autumn. I miss the cicadas only because they were impossible to control and it made me laugh about how many people complained about them even knowing they would soon be gone for another 17 years. 

I began clearing my office, seriously, yesterday. I brought the first box of treasures home and it is all really beginning to sink in--when the year ends my daily life will change dramatically and I get to reinvent myself, again.

I think I am going to buy a real bicycle and ride outside, rather than just on my NordicTrack bike. So I need a lot of riding gear for Christmas--and a bike, of course. 

Waking up that first Monday in January as a retired person on a cruise ship at Coco Cay will be awesome as well. I likely won't even think about being at work. Not!

It will be weird! And different. At least I'm going to figure out how to go out with a bang.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Eighty Years

 

Sailors, planes and a huge ball of fire and smoke atwreckage-strewn Naval Air Station, Hawaii, following 

one of the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A date that will live in infamy forever.

 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Eighty years ago today the Japanese Empire conducted a largely successful surprise attack upon the the U.S. forces stationed in Hawaii that brought the United States fully into World War II.

2,400 Americans were killed and another 1,200 wounded during this surprise attack which began before 8 AM Hawaii time on a Sunday morning. 

Pause today and think about how lives were transformed in just a few minutes as the idyllic tropical islands were transformed and thrust onto the frontline of the world at war. 

The attack on Pearl Harbor remains an event that must never be forgotten, not so much for who conducted the attack, but more because of how and why it happened.

Take a moment today and read or reread an account of the attack in memory of those who served and lost their lives, whose world was turned upside down within a few moments on what served as a gateway for the U.S. to fully engage and enter World War II. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD