Monday Musings - June 20, 2022

 

1. Hey there, it is Monday again! It is the 3rd Monday of June and there are only 27 Mondays remaining in the year. 

View from the House at Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten
June 19, 2022

2. Next week, at this time, hopefully, I will be in Sint Maarten enjoying a sunny Caribbean beach. A vacation long in the making. Pennie and Scott are already there enjoying their well-earned time away. Friday, Chris and I arrive to rain on their parade!

3. Happy Juneteenth! Yes, it is a Federal Holiday--don't check your mailbox today--nothing new will be there.

4. Yes, we are back at home. For those wondering, we do not yet have a purchase offer on the house. So, if you were on the fence, now is the time to move in and offer to buy our fantastic homestead!

5. The cool weather of the past two days has been enjoyable, but not conducive for swimming. I'm looking forward to hitting the pool today as things warm back up into the 80s.

6. Today in History. On June 20, 1975, Jaws, a film directed by Steven Spielberg that made countless viewers afraid to go into the water, opens in theaters. The story of a great white shark that terrorizes a New England resort town became an instant blockbuster and the highest-grossing film in movie history until it was bested by 1977’s Star Wars. Jaws was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Picture category and took home three Oscars, for Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound. The film, a breakthrough for director Spielberg, then 27 years old, spawned several sequels.

Small Businesses Fall Behind on Hiring as Inflation Takes a Toll - The Wall Street Journal

Russia Strikes Positions, Residential Areas in Donbas - The Wall Street Journal

Less Russian Gas Puts Europe’s Winter Fuel Supply in Jeopardy - The Wall Street Journal

Shooting near Washington, DC, concert leaves 15-year-old dead, wounds officer and 2 adults, police say - CNN

Juneteenth: What's open, what's closed today - CNN

Election standoff ends in New Mexico county after false fraud claims threw primary certification into question - CNN

Macron seeks to salvage a functioning government after French election shortfall - Reuters

Russians advance, Zelenskiy expects escalation as EU set to welcome Ukraine - Reuters

China says it tested missile-interception system - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Father's Day 2022

Happy Father's Day!

To all of the fathers out there--this is your day to celebrate being a dad and all of the joys, and frustrations, that come with that calling. It is not for everyone--and that is OK!

To all of the sons and daughters out there--celebrate your Dad! 

BTW--forget the necktie gift--most Dads don't wear them anymore. 

-- Bob Doan, Laurel, MD

Chugging into the Weekend

What a week it was. 

Culling the Possessions
Elkridge, MD
June 15, 2022

I almost do not know how to process everything. The week had a wide variety of activity including downsizing and prep work, a trip to the local landfill/recycling center, the house going onto the real estate market, a fantastic Happy Hour with our complete group for the first time in months, and of course the 8th grade dance. Somewhere in there I also jump-started a dead car battery in Annapolis and checked out a water leak in Jeremy's house.

Whew!

And now it is the weekend and time to relax, right? 

Not so fast grasshopper!

Chris and Jax
Odenton, MD
June 17, 2022

We are currently living with a friend to allow our house to be viewed whenever someone desires and I have the season ending baseball tournament doubleheader today and at least 1 but hopefully 2 or 3 games tomorrow. 

Important programming note: just because the season is ending does not mean that baseball is over! There are at least two more tournaments on the schedule taking us into July. Sometimes I wonder where all of this was when I was a kid.

What about the 8th grade dance? Jax went off to the dance last evening and Chris and I were at his parents house to get a few pictures before the big event! That was sandwiched in between moving into the friend's house and Happy Hour! I love driving at rush hour in Maryland--just saying. BTW--guess who is getting tall?

And I thought retired life would be quiet.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Laurel, MD

The clock is ticking

For those of you following along--it is official. The homestead is on the real estate market and up for sale. The listing is here. An era is closing as we change chapters of our lives. 

6155 Rainbow Drive
Elkridge, MD
June 15, 2022

I have to admit, it has been a bit nostalgic as Chris and I remember all the events that have taken place at our home. The house has hosted graduation, anniversary, retirement, and get-out-of-jail parties. We have also hosted crab feasts (even though neither Chris nor I particularly enjoy blue crabs), church services, end-of-year parties for teachers, end-of-the-season parties for baseball teams and, not to forget, Friday Night Happy Hours!. And then there were just pool parties for the sake of having a party. During 2020 at the height of the COVID-10 pandemic when the public pools were closed, we became the neighborhood pool.

All of those do not even begin to equate to the family gatherings through the over 21 years as our family grew from the nuclear 5+1 when we moved in to the 11 of us that now comprise the basic set when we gather. Granted, there have been some swap-outs and swap-ins--but life happens. Our family, however, is larger than those who are related by blood or marriage. I think my Mom had the best definition of family, everyone is family all we need to do is just open our arms and accept them. We have friends who are more than close--they are family. 

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.” | Richard Bach

This statement is more than true.

In distilling the past, I realize that it is gatherings and the sharing of this fantastic home with others that have made our lives here so nearly perfect. Yea, it is hard to say good-bye--but, it is time.

P.S. Don't the hydrangeas in front of the porch look fantastic?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

1-2-3-2 Triple Play

 It was a baseball evening for the Severn Seminoles 14U last evening. The Pasadena Eagles were the opponents for the final game before the season ending tournament. 

It was a beautiful evening for baseball. The team has really come together as the season has progressed. They are generally solid in the field, although at the plate there is still some weakness even though I have seen every member of the team crack the bat on the ball.

The game was a close game for all of the scheduled 7 innings. 

As the line score shows, the teams were fairly evenly matched. Being a scrimmage, both coaches decided to use pitchers for only one inning as a tune-up for the weekend tournament. All of the pitchers brought their best stuff for the evening. Although it would seem that the 1st inning was the pivotal inning where Severn won the inning by outscoring Pasadena, the play of the night, and perhaps the season, occurred during the 4th inning. 

To start the 4th, Severn sent its lefty pitcher to the plate to face the Pasadena line-up. It was a rough start as he walked the first three batters. He took the 4th batter of the inning to a 3-1 count before the game changing pitch and play occurred. On what looked like a possible ball 4 to walk in a run, the batter swung and hit a solid drive back to the pitcher (1), he threw to the catcher (2) for the force out at home. The catcher fired a bullet to the 1st baseman (3) getting the out on the batter, but that was where the real magic occurred. The 1st baseman continued the play and fired the ball back to the catcher (2) who tagged out the runner who was trying to score form 2nd base. That friends is a beautiful 1-2-3-2 inning ending triple play--with two outs being made at home plate.

It was a fantastic way to get out of the inning!

And Severn ultimately won the game, 5-4.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Working Harder

I have been retired over five months now. I thought retirement would be a bit more relaxing than it has been these past few weeks.

Getting a house ready for sale is no small task. Trust me! There is always one more thing to do--especially after living in the same house over 21 years. 

Hydrangea Bloom
Elkridge, MD
June 14, 2022

Today is picture day for the real estate listing. Yay!

Chris and I have been busy getting the house into a "Better Homes and Gardens" category of cleanliness and beauty. I think we are at about the 95 percent level. I know of one garden that needs attention--it is not going to get it unless I decide to mow it under!

That written, the hydrangeas are in bloom in front to the house. We planted the Endless Summer variety a few years ago and enjoy their blooms all year. The plants have gotten so bit they have covered the entire garden and I often refer to them as the "hydrangeas that ate Elkridge." We are lucky right now in that we have both purple and pink blooms. It makes them very interesting. The calla lilies are also blooming as we slide into the longest daylight of the year. 

But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully by this time next week we will be under contract and preparing to escape to St Maarten for a week of beach and sun. My beach low-level light is definitely illuminated!

Happy Hump Day, btw!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, Tuesday

 I was awakened this morning to the rumble of thunder and the flash of lightning. 

Dining Room Nearly Ready
Elkridge, MD
June 14, 2022

I am thankful I completed my outdoors work yesterday while the temperatures were in the 90s and the sun was shining. I even allowed myself some enjoyment by jumping into the pool. The water was a beautiful 81 degrees. 

Tomorrow is picture day! The house, inside and out, needs to look better than it did when we toured it over 21 years ago. And it does!

On the really exciting side, we already have a scheduled showing for Saturday. Yay!

It is both exciting and frightening. 

From a getting ready for photo day standpoint, we are almost there.

BTW, Happy Flag Day! Go wave a flag!



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 13, 2022

 

1. Look out! It is the second Monday of June and the month is half-over. Summer begins next week. We are nearing the mid-point of the year with just 28 Mondays remaining in 2022.

Royal Farms
Severn, MD
June 12, 2022

2. I filled my gas tank last evening. I was lucky on two counts. First, my 26 gallon tank was not completely empty. Second, I was able to get gas for $4.75 instead of $5.00. I have not paid this much for a tank of gas since I traveled to England during 1992 with our full-size van.

3. I am confused about the Republican positions on guns and abortion. In one they want to protect the rights of Americans to kill children and in the other they want to take away a woman's right to control her body because they say it kills children. 

Rabbit on the Pool Deck
Elkridge, MD
June 12, 2022

4. We had a visitor on the pool deck yesterday. A small, and I mean small, not very old rabbit was munching on something on the carpet right outside the door. It was very cute and I just had to capture an image of it.

5. I realized this morning that in about two months my signature banner will likely never include Elkridge, MD, in it again. Wow!

6. Despite that I could not find many headlines about it, the Russia invasion of Ukraine continues. 

7. Is anyone else tired of hearing about the animosity between actors? We survived Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial and now we have Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Ugh! There are real problems happening in the world today.

8. Inflation. Why is it so hard to understand that the inflation we are experiencing is directly related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine? The invasion is driving up oil costs which underpin everything in the world economy. Additionally, oil is a global market and so despite the U.S. being a net exporter of oil and gas, the demand in Europe and china is driving up the prices and that means that we, U.S., consumers are paying for the impact of the war from our wallets. To reduce oil costs the Russian invasion must end and Russian oil must begin flowing to Europe and Asia.

9. History Today. On June 13, 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down its decision in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing the principle that all criminal suspects must be advised of their rights before interrogation. Now considered standard police procedure, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will, be used against you in court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you,” has been heard so many times in television and film dramas that it has become almost cliche.

3 reforms left out of the bipartisan gun deal - CNN

Fiji says Asia's biggest security threat is climate change, not conflict - CNN

Ukrainian forces pushed from Severodonetsk city’s center; NATO chief to Sweden - The Washington Post

Monkeypox dilemma: How to warn gay men about risk without fueling hate - The Washington Post

Amazon calls cops, fires workers in attempts to stop unionization nationwide - The Washington Post

Futures Put S&P 500 on Course to Enter Bear Market - The Wall Street Journal

Without Cheap Russian Energy, Some European Factories Must Close - The Wall Street Journal

Idaho Police Arrest 31 Suspected White Nationalists Near LGBT Pride Event - The Wall Street Journal

Major crypto lender Celsius freezes withdrawals as markets tumble - Reuters

UAE bans 'Lightyear' film screening over supposed content violation - Reuters

Wikipedia fights Russian order to remove Ukraine war information - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What to do?

 The downsizing and preparation to tell the homestead continues unabated. 

The Paint
Elkridge, MD
May 12, 2022

We are only doing the minimum necessary to make the place look like it is worth what we are asking. Although we did not have any major painting projects on the plan, yesterday we ran into one of those situations that caused us more than a moment of discussion.

Taking personal pictures and mementos down off the walls we discovered som damage behind on of the images. We did not remember the damage, but it was more than just filling the hole. No problem, some Spackle and damage repaired, right? Not so fast grasshopper! I keep paint from every project so we can effect repairs, but in this case I did not have the proper paint. I had more than a few cans of paint that were close, but no exact match.Frustration began to set in!

What to do? Repaint, of course. This wall, however is not a normal wall. It is in the stairwell meaning it is nearly two stories tall! Yay! But, the wall needed to look good, not just to sell the house for for Chris and I. This was a repair that we would have had to accomplish whether the house was going to be sold or not. 

And so, after a trip to the paint store to get a gallon of paint which matched the wall abutting the stairwell,  we were tackled the wall. It only took a couple of hours, but it was time that we had not planned into our schedule. 

Everything looks great now. 

Did I mention that I hate painting? And I hate it more when I am at the top of a ladder nearly two stories up in a confined stairwell. 

I wonder what fun we will have today?

Oh wait, I have a baseball doubleheader scheduled--except, it is raining throughout the area. I may not be able to escape for five or six hours!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

LakeFest Weekend

LakeFest Weekend: Sway
Columbia, MD
June 10, 2022

Columbia Festival of the Arts is presenting a LakeFest Weekend. Chris and I attended the event last evening and enjoyed time sitting along Lake Kittamaqundi listing to music and watching performers. 

There was also a fine arts show included and we toured artisans and explored their creative wares. 

The most creative group we experienced was Sway, three dancers on long poles moving to music. They were not only creative and inspiring but talented and exciting to watch. 

We joined a group of people and made some new acquaintances while experiencing the event. 

The only downside was that the music being presented by the bands was too loud and, frankly, they need a new sound mixer because the vocals were had too much high range and sounded very harsh. We could not hold a conversation during some of the songs and we were not even in front of the stage. I think the noise level may have been above that of a jet engine!

It was an enjoyable evening, however. Relaxing by the lake watching the people and discussing wine and wineries with others. 

The LakeFest continues today and I recommend it as a place to visit and enjoy.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD