After the Holiday

Finishing Ribs on the Bar-B
Elkridge, MD
May 30, 2022

 Memorial Day 2022 was memorable. Most all of the family gathered for a meal and fun in and around the pool. There were smoked ribs finished on the Bar-B, salads, adult beverages, and fun in the pool. 

The weather cooperated, for a change, providing a dry and hot day. That is what Memorial Day is supposed to be: dry and hot. 

Memorial Day in the Pool
Elkridge, MD
May 30, 2022

We started during the early afternoon and continued into the evening. A variety of music was played to help the mood of the day.

The pool started the day at 77 degrees and I am sure it gained a couple degrees by day's end. 

It was great fun and everyone relaxed and just let the day happen. 

After all, isn't that what holidays are all about, families gathering together to take an official time-out from the hectic schedules of life and enjoy each other?

And now, we resume our regularly scheduled activities.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 30, 2022

 

1. Remember and honor on this Memorial Day! It is the last Monday of May. How did the month escape? There are just 30 Mondays remaining in this year.

2. I have been so busy watching the weather in the Atlantic, I totally missed the first names hurricane of the year in the Pacific that is heading for Mexico. I guess having a residence in Florida has made me focus more on the more immediate threat.

3. I was exhausted when I dragged myself to bed last evening a bit earlier than I prefer. It had been a busy day of activity. The day started by visiting a Patrick and Jen's house that is under construction. It was exciting to walk through the house before the drywall was installed to see the work of the tradesmen: plumbers, electricians, and HVAC specialists. I was excited to hear how Patrick had included outlets and drops for WiFi throughout the house. It is really an experience to see how things are put together behind the walls.

4. Projects abound. After visiting Patrick's under-construction house and coaching a baseball game, I managed to power wash the siding on the house which took me until after the normal start of Happy Hour. But, another projects was able to be completed. It paves the way for two more projects to be completed.

5. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of Summer! We are expecting 90 degree temperatures to begin the season of fun. The pool is open!

6. The Severn Seminoles 14U are in the Championship Bracket of the Elkridge Stars and Stripes Tournament. They lost a tough game yesterday in the bottom of the last inning and finished the seedings 5th of 12 teams. Their first game this morning is at 8AM! Here's hoping for a championship. 

7. Today in History. On May 30, 1431, at Rouen in English-controlled Normandy, Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who became the savior of France, is burned at the stake for heresy.

Joan was born in 1412, the daughter of a tenant farmer at Domremy, on the borders of the duchies of Bar and Lorraine. In 1415, the Hundred Years War between England and France entered a crucial phase when the young King Henry V of England invaded France and won a series of decisive victories against the forces of King Charles VI. By the time of Henry’s death in August 1422, the English and their French-Burgundian allies controlled Aquitaine and most of northern France, including Paris. Charles VI, long incapacitated, died one month later, and his son, Charles, regent from 1418, prepared to take the throne. However, Reims, the traditional city of French coronation, was held by the Anglo-Burgundians, and the Dauphin (heir apparent to the French throne) remained uncrowned. Meanwhile, King Henry VI of England, the infant son of Henry V and Catherine of Valois, the daughter of Charles VI, was proclaimed king of France by the English.

Russian Forces Push Into Key City in East Ukraine - The Wall Street Journal

Bombed Bridges, Closed Ports Keep Ukrainian Grain From a World That Needs It - The Wall Street Journal

Canceled Plans Are a New Normal - The Wall Street Journal

Photos since Columbine show cycle of gun violence in schools - The Washington Post

Covid was vanishing last Memorial Day. Cases are five times higher now. - The Washington Post

9-year-old describes escaping out a window during shooting - CNN

Hurricane Agatha barrels toward Mexico - CNN

UK says Russia suffers devastating losses among lower-ranked officers - Reuters

Analysis: How the Ukraine conflict is reshaping global oil markets - Reuters

Twenty victims found after Nepal air crash, hopes fade for two missing - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Walking Down the Yellow Brick Road

Yellow Brick Road
Big Cork Vineyards, Rohersville, MD
May 28, 2022

One would think I was off to Oz, but in fact I was at my favorite East Coast Winery to enjoy a night of Elton John music performed by Yellow Brick Road. 

It was a great evening at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohersville, Maryland. The lawn was packed with Elton John fans by the time the show began and the wine was flowing freely. The weather was nearly perfect. The temperatures remained moderate, the skies cleared during the show and the winds were calm. It made for a great night of music and fun.

Yellow Brick Road
Big Cork Vineyards, Rohersville, MD
May 28, 2022

The band generated energy which the crowd reflected back to them as the show continued. The first set was relatively slow punctuated by long, almost too long, instrumentals and highlighting some of Elton John's lesser known hits. The highlights of the first set were Rocket Man and Candle in the Wind.

After the intermission, the show began to really rock with every song being a classic. This is where the band energy increased as did that of the crowd. I found myself near the front of the stage dancing for most of the set--and singing as loudly as I could and slightly off key as I could. There was good interaction with the band as they at times encouraged the crowd to sing the refrain from some of the songs. As darkness fell, the excitement grew with each familiar song. The highlights I remember were Benny and the Jets, Philadelphia Freedom, Crocodile Rock, Levon, Tiny Dancer, and a great rendition of Pinball Wizard. 

I was able to take a short video of the band doing Philadelphia Freedom which also shows the crowd. 

Yeah, we had a good time! I recommend an evening with this band if you get the chance. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Brakes in the Garage

Jeep in the Garage
Elkridge, MD
May 27, 2022

Out of the blue yesterday, although the sky had been gray for the past four days, I wound up doing something not related to either downsizing or baseball. Patrick needed to replace the brakes on his Jeep and needed to use my garage, since it provided shelter from the rain. 

New Brakes
Elkridge, MD
May 27, 2022

I had to move stuff around that is being stored for moving to Florida to make room for the front of the Jeep, but it worked very well. The job included new brakes: calipers, rotors, and pads as well as an oil change. It was a great afternoon in the garage using tools that I soon will no longer have access to as I divest many tools like the heavy duty floor jack. 

It was a great afternoon with Patrick and the Jeep. As we got into the project it became clear that the caliper on one side was locked up, and we determined that we should replace it and likely the other one. There was a break in the action as we headed off to the local autocrats store for the calipers. In the end we completed a $1200 or more brake job for the cost of parts, which were not inexpensive. I was a bit shocked that the core charge for the calipers was $60 each--I guess they really want those back to refurbish.

Great afternoon. Great fun. Good job!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Highway to the Danger Zone

 

Last evening, I returned to the movie theater for only the second time during the COVID era. The event was to see Top Gun Maverick on the big screen.

Wow!

What a ride and what a movie. The sequel, 36 years in the making, pays homage to the original Top Gun by continuing the storylines, but it is much more than that. A taken from the news world situation, a should-be but not over-the-hill renegade pilot, the music, and all of the drama you might expect are rolled into the plot to create a movie experience that should draw people back into the theaters. 

Yes, the movie is a formula movie. It is predictable, but wow, the plot twists and the flying action are definitely not green screen. 

If you like the original Top Gun (and the music, did I mention the music?) and have been waiting for a reason other than a Marvel superhero movie to go back to the theater--this movie is it. It must be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated. 

At the conclusion of the movie, Chris commented, "I wish I could stay here and watch it again!" Chris does not generally watch movies more than once in the theater.

One reviewer wrote: But mostly, honestly, it’s two hours of sheer, visceral fun on the big screen, which feels very retro. In the best possible way.

Bob's recommendation: A must see! 

Side note: If it has been a while since you saw Top Gun, watch it before you go.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Little Known Secrets - Facebook Marketplace

 

Winemaking Equipment

I learned yesterday that I could not sell my winemaking equipment on Facebook Marketplace. Because the equipment is related to alcohol it is not allowed to be offered for sale. I appealed the decision and, as expected, lost although the explanation was not clear.

So now, as I am downsizing, I have winemaking equipment and large fermenting bottles that I need to re-home. Sadly, I only made one batch of wine as I never found time to work another vintage. The wine I made was not great, but it was drinkable. I still have two bottles remaining which I should open to determine how they are aging or if they are over the hill. 

As it turns out, there is a comprehensive list of items that cannot be sold on Marketplace. They are detailed under Commerce Policies. This is important to know stuff although even reading the policies I do not see how winemaking equipment qualifies as buying or selling alcohol. I wonder if they know it takes at least three months to make a drinkable wine. It is not like someone is going to buy today and imbibe tonight. 

Now that I am fully aware of the policies. I will do a better job staying between the white lines. Actually, I don't see where I might violate the commerce policy again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rainouts, Faucets and What's Next?

 

The Final View of the Repair
Elkridge, MD
May 25, 2022

The rain and cold returned. It is 55 degrees this morning as the day begins.

I very much enjoyed the dry 90 degree temperatures of this past weekend and so, my reward apparently is rain and much cooler temperatures. 

The rain has already postponed two baseball games and thrown the schedule askew. And there is rain in the forecast for the next four days.

Despite the rain, however, the plumbers returned to the scene of the faucet debacle. Amazingly, in about 90 minutes the problem was resolved with another new faucet. The copper work actually looks much better than the previous attempt and it works--or rather it does not leak while in use! Yay! Check yesterday's blog to see the before image.

I was happy that there was no additional charge to complete the repair, however, I would have preferred that it had been done correct the first time. I did feel bad for the plumbing team because at times they needed to be outside in the cold rain. 

Now it is on to other repairs. Wait, I already repaired the automatic chlorinator for the pool. Next up; the dryer which is making a bad sounding noise which may just be the blower has become clogged with lint causing it to be unbalanced. Unfortunately, cleaning or replacing the blower requires complete disassembly of the dryer including removing the drum. That is an all morning project.  

Always one more project to accomplish!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Faucet Repair, Part 2

 After opening the treasure chest to pay for a plumber to repair an exterior faucet and thinking the problem was solved, there is a part 2 to the story. 

The faucet does not leak when it is turned off. That is the good news. The plumber departed believing that everything was good. 

The next day I actually used the faucet. Trouble, unbeknownst to me, began as soon as I turned on the water. The faucet, while providing water to the hose was also spraying water behind the wall into the house. Yup, huge mess. Fortunately, I needed to go into the basement and heard the water running behind the wall and was able to minimize the mess and damage. 

I had initially thought that the solder joint had failed, but upon further investigation I determined the water was coming into the house from inside of the the concrete wall itself indicating that the faucet was broken. And unusable. My diagnosis was confirmed by a plumber yesterday who will be returning today with the proper tools to chip away the concrete packing that the first plumber placed around the new and apparently broken faucet.

Today should be interesting as the plumber wrestles with this disaster. Yesterday I asked the plumber that was assigned to correct the problem why the other plumber used concrete as packing instead of silicone, which was used by the original faucet repairer over five years ago. Without vocalizing an answer, he gave me a look that said it all. And now the concrete must be chipped away, piece by piece. 

One wonders why the other plumber never turned the faucet on to see if it worked.

We may never know.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 23, 2022

 

1. Welcome the 4th Monday of May 2022. Yay! Next Monday is Memorial Day. 

2. Thunderstorms last evening broke the heat, which I was enjoying. The pool made it to 80 degrees during the hot spell, however, after the rains I expect it is a bit cooler. 

Baby Grapes
Big Cork Winery
Rohersville, MD
May 22, 2022

3. Yesterday, Chris and I took a break from downsizing the house and baseball. We joined friends and ventured off to enjoy one of our favorite hobbies: wine tasting. The day began at Big Cork Vineyards where we enjoyed a fantastic tasting and then lunch as part of our Case Club pick-up event. The wines at Big Cork are tasting great! The 2021 Syrah Rose is truly special and was only recently released. The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc also was drinking very well as was the 2019 Cabernet Franc. Following our time at Big Cork we visited Sunset Hills Vineyards in Purcellville, VA. It was our first visit there and we sampled a selection of their wine offerings. 

4. Baby Birds! The Orioles have generated some enthusiasm all of a sudden. I attended a game against the Yankees on Monday and the Club Level of Camden Yards seemed more like a hospital wing than a sports venue. But then on Saturday the call-up and arrival of the number one Minor League prospect catcher Adley Rutschman has generated excitement as this begins the expected revitalization of the Orioles club house and may begins to add the final pieces needed for the Orioles to move from perennial cellar-dweller to contended. Last evening the Orioles managed an 11th inning walk-off win to take a series from the Tampa Bay Rays for the first time since 2020! And who scored the winning run? Adley Rutschman off a single by Rougned Odor!

5. With there rains and storms of yesterday I was reminded about why I love owning a pool. Because it needs love after the storms to remove the debris! Oh how I wish I could have a lanai. 

6. Today in History. On May 23, 1934, notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police while driving a stolen car near Sailes, Louisiana.

Bonnie Parker met the charismatic Clyde Barrow in Texas when she was 19 years old and her husband (she married when she was 16) was serving time in jail for murder. Shortly after they met, Barrow was imprisoned for robbery. Parker visited him every day, and smuggled a gun into prison to help him escape, but he was soon caught in Ohio and sent back to jail. When Barrow was paroled in 1932, he immediately hooked up with Parker, and the couple began a life of crime together.

Russian soldier sentenced in first Ukraine war crimes trial - CNN

White House explores tapping emergency diesel reserve to ease price spike - CNN

Beijing urges millions to keep working from home amid COVID outbreak menace - Reuters

On Asia trip, Biden says would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan - Reuters

Iran will avenge slain Revolutionary Guards colonel, president says - Reuters

Shale Drillers Are Pumping Out Dividends Instead of More Oil and Gas - The Wall Street Journal

Suspected Graves at Canada’s Indigenous Schools Prompt Search for Answers - The Wall Street Journal

From Sandy Hook to Buffalo: 10 years of failure on gun control - The Washington Post

Civilian killings soar as Russian mercenaries join fight in West Africa - The Washington Post

Fire engulfs Philippine ferry carrying over 100 people, killing 7 - The Washington Post

Opinion | Florida lawmakers, too busy with culture wars, missed an actual crisis - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Split, the heat, and the cool pool

 

Jax In-between Games
Bowie, MD
May 21, 2022

On a hot Summer-like day it was time for a baseball doubleheader.

The Severn Seminoles 14U baseball team played two solid games in the 90 degree weather and split with the Bowie Bulldogs. Had the Seminole bats warmed up during the first game, it could easily have been won. 

The official high for the region, taken at BWI Airport was 91 degrees yesterday, but the "feels-like" was over 100 degrees due to the humidity. The team survived and played some great baseball because the dugout was covered and the boys were able to stay out of the sun when not on the field. The coaching staff, and parents, also encouraged everyone to drink water at every opportunity. I actually felt bad for the umpire, there was only one yesterday instead of the usual two, he was in the sun constantly for each game and he called consistent and fair games. 

Game 1
Bowie, MD
May 21, 2022

Game 2
Bowie, MD
May 21, 2022

Unlike major league baseball, we get to switch between home and away when playing a doubleheader. The success for the games was really on the shoulders of the pitchers who minimized walks and pitched out of some tough jams, but also on the entire team for hanging together in the heat and playing generally rock-solid baseball. Winning, or losing, is a team effort and everyone contributed yesterday. 

An injury suffered by a Bowie player that took time to resolve was the reason that the second game only went 6 innings (actually 5 1/2) since the home team (Seminoles) was ahead as time expired. Fortunately, indications are that the Bowie player will be OK, but he had to leave the game. Baseball injury time is not added to the time limit, unlike soccer. 

The picture of Jax between games really shows the hard part of playing a doubleheader. His uniform is dirty from sliding back into base, he is hot, and yet he was the starting pitcher for the second game. He posted a solid line: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 14 BF, 49 P - 27 S. I can also write that in English: 3 innings pitched, 2 runs allowed, 0 earned runs charged, 2 walks, 2 strike outs, 14 batters faced, 49 pitches thrown - 27 of those were strikes.

As for the pool--I was hot after the game. I consumed a great amount of cold water during the drive home, which fortunately was not excessive. But, when I got home to the "ready for Summer" pool, I admit to falling into it to fully cool off from the heat. Even though the 70-something degree water was a bit of a shock when I first dove it, it really did the trick and returned both my body temperature and mind-set to the proper temperature. 

Who says a pool needs to be 80 degrees to be enjoyed. Oh wait, that was me! I am corrected.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD