Around the Firepit

Chris Around the Fire
Elkridge, MD
May 11, 2022

Between the rainstorms of the past week, Chris and I found time and a dry spell to enjoy time around the fire pit. I believe it was our second fire of 2022 as we were lucky enough to have one during January.

I was surprised that the wood we used was dry and made such a fantastic fire, but we sat and enjoyed the crackling of the fire for some time. 

Unlike many other fire pit evenings, we did not remain out until after dark, but rather went inside to enjoy dinner. It was Wednesday and the middle of a very busy week. But we enjoyed the respite from the bad weather. It was at least warm!

Sadly, we will miss the joys of the fire pit during the time we spend in Florida. Our condo association and the Tequesta Fire Department do not allow open flames in our community. Not that there is really anywhere for a fire pit in the condo area. And no, no open flames are allowed on the beaches, either. The light from the fire is a detriment to the turtles when they are laying eggs and then to the hatchlings as they race to the sea. 

We will, however, survive and leave the joy of fire pits to our visits back to Maryland.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

I Have to Brag

Ethan
Odenton, MD
May 13, 2022

I'm writing a brag blog today.

I have the best looking grandson in the world!

Last evening was prom night and my grandson was lucky enough to attend the event. He is a junior and his date is a senior. Chris and I were lucky enough to attend the pre-prom picture sessions. Yes, plural! We did three sessions as it turned out. One at home and two at the local community center which has some very nice bridges crossing a small brook which provide for very scenic settings. 

Chris and I with Ethan
Odenton, MD
May 13, 2022

The couple coordinated his vest with her dress and they were stunning together. The picture taking went a bit long, but I have it on good authority that the couple made it to dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the prom arriving safely back at their homes, compliments of her parents, during the wee hours of the morning. 

Chris and I had our picture taken with Ethan, on more than one occasion, and he made the scene look good.

I remember high school and prom. I have to admit, I did not look nearly so good, but Chris, I remember, was stunning in a very pink gown. Maybe that is why I grew to love flamingos!

But wait, last evening was about Ethan enjoying his post-COVID high school experience and I am very happy that life is resuming and those major milestones of life, which so many kids missed, have returned. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Smell of Springtime

Spring 2022 Lilac 
Elkridge, MD
May 12, 2022

The lilac bush next to my porch is in full bloom. It is a late bloomer due to our location at the bottom of the street where it stays a bit colder longer. But when it blooms, it is fabulous.

And the bush is in full bloom. I enjoy walking out the front door into the air filled with the aroma I most associate with Spring. During a brief break in the clouds yesterday, I was able to get a good image of the flowers which are producing the sweet aroma. Set against the newly mown lawn they are the image of Springtime enjoyment for me.

Growing up in Upstate New York there was a large lilac bush right outside on my second story bedroom window. It was one of those huge, unkept bushes which get larger until they begin to take over the yard. I remember enjoying the sweet smell of the lilacs during the Spring and then remembering that sweet fragrance as I mowed around the bush during the remainder of the growing season until the winter. I lamented that the two weeks or so of enjoyment were so short in comparison to the remainder of the year. I believe that in why I have grown to enjoy Crepe Myrtle. Although Crepe Myrtle does not have the fragrance of lilac, its flowers remind me of lilac flowers and their fragrance. Of course, I say that now until I have to skim the Crepe Myrtle flowers out of the pool once they bloom.

Springtime! Something new to enjoy every day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fighting for a Spot

When the sun comes out everyone, it seems, becomes excited. 

Louis, Finnegan, Riordin in a Sunbeam
Elkridge, MD
May 10, 2022

It happened the other day when the sun created a warm ray shining through the window onto the floor. Two cats and one dog found a way to share the space and soak up some warmth. Louis, who is back visiting, Finnegan and Riordin all managed to find space--and they were close to each other. 

For a while, all was calm in the house as the three slept together. Sadly, the sunbeam soon moved away and the three animals scattered.

I wish the sun would shine more often. Since the afternoon yesterday the skies have been overcast again and are expected to remain gray until next week. Rain and thunderstorms are the forecast for tomorrow making Happy Hour a potential washout. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Three Game Winning Streak?

 This is just shocking and exciting. 

American League East Standings
May 11, 2022

The Orioles just won their first game of a road trip against the Cardinals with a rookie pitcher on the mound that threw 11 strikeouts and completed 7 innings. 

That win gives them three wins in a row. 

The win also propelled them into 10th among the 15 American League teams. They are also in 4th place in the AL East with Boston below them. 

Just a note--they are also now tied for 19th among the 30 MLB teams.

This is so different!

I have become accustomed to the team being 28th, 29th, or 30th among the MLB teams and at the bottom of the division. 

This is exciting and different; I am happy that I have already been able to attend two games this season. My game attendance record if 1-1.

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Was that number really 70?

 

Springtime Flowers Alongside the House
Elkridge, MD
May 10, 2022

Officially, at BWI airport the temperature yesterday never reached 70. But at my house it did! Yay!

I never believed that I would be excited about temperatures in the 70s, but I changed out of my jeans and put on shorts to celebrate the more moderate and seasonal temperatures. 

I was almost giddy with excitement as Chris and I took Finnegan for a walk. It was actually warm. The sun felt good, almost like Florida, on my exposed skin.

The warm afternoon temperature also encouraged the lilac bush alongside the house to burst into bloom and its sweet fragrance filled the afternoon air on my porch. The image actually shows the bleeding hearts, lily of the valley, and the lilac bush all in bloom--although, in different stages of blooming. 

Hopefully, the days ahead will be warmer and Spring can finally take hold.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 9, 2022

 

1. Amazingly, its is already the second Monday of May. There are 33 Mondays remaining in the year!

2. I am hopeful that warmer weather arrives soon. Morning temperatures of 45 degrees and afternoons of 53, as yesterday was, are too cold to motivate me to open the pool and enjoy outdoors activities like baseball. 

Fly on the Deck
Elkridge, MD
May 8, 2022

3. Even though the weather has been cold, the flies have arrived to begin the Spring season. I imaged this on on my deck yesterday. It was cold enough that it didn't to move very quickly. Flies, why did it have to be flies?

4. It was a somber Russian Victory Day celebration according to the news reporting.

5. A busy week begins. At least the morning is bright and clear, unlike the past few days. Its is cold, 45 degrees when I awakened, but supposed to at least climb into the 60s. 

6. Today in History. On May 9, 1960, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the world’s first commercially produced birth-control pill—Enovid-10, made by the G.D. Searle Company of Chicago, Illinois.

Development of “the pill,” as it became popularly known, was initially commissioned by birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger and funded by heiress Katherine McCormick. Sanger, who opened the first birth-control clinic in the United States in 1916, hoped to encourage the development of a more practical and effective alternative to contraceptives that were in use at the time.

Putin tries to defend Ukraine war in Victory Day speech - CNN

What overturning Roe v. Wade could mean for decades-old abortion bans - CNN

Ukrainians report fierce fighting as Russia marks Soviet WW2 victory - Reuters

China's two biggest cities tighten COVID curbs - Reuters

Alabama ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth takes effect - Reuters

'We will win': Ukraine defiant on anniversary of World War Two victory - Reuters

Ukraine is rebuilding cities as fast as Russia destroyed them - The Washington Post

Mississippi governor doesn’t rule out banning contraception if Roe falls - The Washington Post

IRS Pays Billions in Interest on Delayed Tax Returns - The Wall Street Journal

Truckers Want More Trucks Than Industry Can Build at the Moment - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, ELkridge, MD

Mother's Day 2022

 

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

With the passing of Mom this past December, the day is a bit different. Chris and I did not buy a Mother's Day gift for her for the first time, ever. I know my entire family is grappling with reality of life without her, but there is joy. The Celebration of Life that was held for her during late-April provided an inspiration of a life well lived and she was a model for us all. She was special because her inclusive definition of family was evident in everything she did. She truly believed that we all are brothers and sisters and integral parts of a larger family. She lived her faith everyday and was a genuine believer.

So, for my family and friends here is the video that was used at Mom's Celebration of Life as a way to remember a great Mom to everyone Mother's Day. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom. We miss you.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Rain Came

Morning Weather Radar
May 7, 2022

It has rained for over 24 hours.

It will rain for about 24 more hours.

Everything is soaked and soggy. I am happy that Chris encouraged me to mow the lawn before the rain else it would be turning into a jungle. 

The rains beginning on Wednesday have washed out three scheduled Severn 14U Baseball games. They are going to be very hard to make-up. 

I was going to open the pool this weekend. Not now.

I wanted to play golf. Not now. 

Yesterday the small stream leading to the larger creek needed to be cleared of leaf dams so the water would not overflow into my yard. In my raincoat with the rain falling steadily, I cleared the leaf dams and lowered the bottom of the stream so that the rain water could flow unrestricted to its destination. It was a wet, but successful project. 

And with more rain on the way, I will likely clear another closet of accumulated treasures today and dream of a place where the sun shines and the temperatures are in the 80s. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

We Did What?

 

Cinco de Mayo Lunch
May 5, 2022
ELkridge, MD

Chris and I have been in packing mode for much of the past two weeks. We are aggressively downsizing and determining which possessions will move to Florida and which will be disposed through sale or donation. I have to admit--the sale is not going well. I have only actually sold a few items--but there is time. Of the items planned for Florida, we are packing those which we can live without between now and arrival in Florida. That includes three sets of dishes!

Yesterday afternoon, however, it happened. We ran out of packing material. That really put a damper on the process. More will be arriving today when the Amazon truck shows up in front of the house, but we will have to focus on aspects of downsizing which do not require packing--like reducing my closet. I am still carrying my full wardrobe from when I was having to go to work everyday. I am hoping that I can significantly reduce my holdings to something more manageable. Goodwill will definitely be receiving sport coats and dress shirts and pants this afternoon!

Despite the downsizing effort, there was time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. As I expected to be playing a baseball game during the evening meal time, we celebrated at lunchtime with some margaritas and chips! I make a great margarita!

After all of that, the baseball game turned into practice on the outfield grass because the infield was mud!

What a day! Did I mention I was able to mow the lawn?

We did what yesterday? I wonder what today will bring?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD