Rex--Soccer Star

 

Last Saturday, between our own packing and PODS loading and then heading over to help Patrick and Jen unpack their newly moved-in house, Chris and I were fortunate to take Rex, their American Bull Terrier, for a couple of walks to get him out of the house and away from the action. (I think I did OK with this long, but not run-on sentence).

Their new community at Tanyard Shores has a dog park. What a great idea! Building communities with dog parks. 

When we arrived at the park, it was clear that Rex had been there before. He immediately sought and found the purple ball and then the game was on. 

As can be seen, Rex has pretty good face-work with the ball. 

The only problem is that the ball is rough and it caused him to bleed a bit around his nose. I laughed at his antics until Chris and I realized that he was hurting himself and we had to separate the enthusiastic dog from the ball. That was an event, but we managed. 

It was a much needed "break in the action" for the three of us.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Rocket Sled Ride Through the Week

 My rocket sled ride through another week continues. 

Tuesday has arrived and it is chock full of previously unplanned activities. 

In the best news department we received and accepted an offer for the house yesterday! This happened less than a week after we terminated the previous contract to allow us to get back onto the market.

There is so much still to do and with the new contract the closing has slipped into mid-September. The new closing date presents a host of new problems--like when to close the pool and how to keep the house prepared if we decide to depart before settlement. I wonder if it is OK to close a pool before Labor Day? I can get the lawn mowed in the intervening weeks, but I worry about the pool if I close it too early. And I will still be paying for electricity and internet during that time so I will be able to monitor the place, much like my Florida home. 

But how do I turn in the cable boxes and modem if I am not there? I worry about dumb stuff like that.

The PODS is half packed--well it is half-full but mostly we are packed. We are getting down to the remnants, like golf clubs and push carts--stuff like that. I'm not thinking that I will be playing golf before I leave and I need the space in the truck to haul those "critical for living" items to Florida with us. Those are the items we need to survive after the PODS has departed and before we actually leave for Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - August 15, 2022

 

1. Welcome to the Ides of August. It is the third Monday of the month and there are 20 Mondays remaining in the year. I hope your vacation plans are complete!

2. Moving is tough--whether across the street or across the country. There is so much to do and my back has about been burned out between moving my stuff and helping Patrick and Jen.

3. Our house is becoming empty. There is nothing sadder than a now empty house that has been full of activity for the past almost 22 years. 

4. They are found! I lost the keys to our PODS, well misplaced them. It would have been helpful if I had actually remembered which shorts I was wearing, because when, in the middle of the night, I remembered I found the keys.

5. Espionage and treason are criminal, right? Even when a former president commits the crimes?

6. Why do a minority of people living in America believe they have there right and the mandate to determine how the rest of us should conduct our lives? 

7. Today in History. On August 15, 1969, the Woodstock music festival opens on a patch of farmland in White Lake, a hamlet in the upstate New York town of Bethel.

Promoters John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfield and Michael Lang originally envisioned the festival as a way to raise funds to build a recording studio and rock-and-roll retreat near the town of Woodstock, New York. The longtime artists’ colony was already a home base for Bob Dylan and other musicians. Despite their relative inexperience, the young promoters managed to sign a roster of top acts, including the Jefferson Airplane, the Who, the Grateful Dead, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival and many more. 

Republicans pressure Garland over search of Trump home - CNN

Florida students return to schools reshaped by Gov. DeSantis' anti-'woke' education agenda - CNN

A disastrous megaflood is coming to California, experts say, and it could be the most expensive natural disaster in history - CNN

Caste in California: Tech giants confront ancient Indian hierarchy - Reuters

Iran says Salman Rushdie and his supporters are to blame for attack on him - Reuters

China to lift Aug fuel exports but 2022 shipments to drop to 7-year lows, article with image - Reuters

Michigan plot to breach voting machines points to a national pattern - The Washington Post

At least six explosions rocked Crimea air base over course of an hour - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Sunday--Funday

 Well, not so fast. 

Arthur and Makayla Mooching Breakfasr
Odenton, MD
April 14, 2022

It has been a busy Sunday following a busier Saturday. 

We had another open house today. It seemed to be well attended and we are hopeful of an offer soon. I think we have had 15 or so people view the house since it has been back on the market. 

It takes Chris and I a lot of time to get the house "show" ready. We turn all of the lights and fans as well as make sure the house looks like a Better Homes & Garden showplace. That is a bit tougher now that most of the furniture is gone--but, we try to make the place look as presentable as possible.

Chris and I are finding refuge at Nicole and Mike's place while they are away. We are watching their dogs and it is easier to watch them there than at ourt house. We are still, however, making the 20 minute drive about 4 times per day. My cat, Riordin, is in charge of security at our house while we are away. We only take him out of the house when there is a showing. 

We are busy packing, cleaning, and then packing more. The PODS remains and we are slowly filling it with belongings and treasures headed for Florida. 

The biggest question remaining is, when will be make the 15 hour trek south. 

And there is not a clear answer, but the departure is slipping later in August and possible even into September.

Fun days. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Beautiful Night for Baseball

Padres vs Nationals
Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
August 12, 2022

 

The sky was stunningly clear and the temperatures moderate after stifling heat and humidity. Jeremy secured some prime seats at Nationals Park for the game between the visiting San Diego Padres and the local Washington Nationals. 

It was not so much about the game, I spent much of the evening watching the Orioles scores as they defeated Tampa Bay to move into third place in the division and actually take sole posession of the third Wild Card spot. Of course there is a lot of baseball remaining, but that the Orioles are third in the toughest division in baseball is no small feat.

But, back to the game. I was able to see some of the Padres superstars--Manny Machado--a former Oriole, and Juan Soto, a former Nationals. The Nationals were never really in the game once the scoring began and the Padres piled on the runs, winning 10-5, but three of the Nationals runs were gratuitious in the bottom of the 9th inning. 

The game was fun to watch, but there was a problem with the scoreboard and we did not have live pitch counts or scores after about the 6th inning. Fortunately, we were able to keep up with the game on our cells.

I thank Julie because she accepted the task of driving in the ferocious traffic; allowing me to enjoy the game more because I could just be a passenger.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Projects in the New House

Under-Cabinet Lights
Glen Burnie, MD
August 11, 2022

I was able to take a break from downsizing and packing yesterday to help Patrick install under-cabinet lights for his countertops.

It was a lot of fun to work with him again and he is very creative. The lights are multi-color LEDs and they are synchronized with his over-counter lights above the island. From his phome hae can change the colors with one command. 

We had a good plan for the installation, but as with any plan thery are designed to be changed and rarely survive first contact with the enemy. So we made a few modifications on-the-fly.

In the end, the project looked fantastic and the kitchen can adapt to whatever color scheme they desire.

New houses are so much fun because they are a blank canvass waiting for projects to personalize them.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hanging Around

 

European Garden Spider
Elkridge, MD
August 10, 2022

Walking through the garden yesterday morning, I came across a brave spider dangling from a tree branch trying to build what might have been the biggest web ever constructed. 

I stood for a few minutes watching the industrious spider. I learned something, this spider was able to wind-up its silk for apparent reuse. I didn't know that was possible.

This morning, I returned to where the spider was working and it was still there. A large web has, in fact, been constructed. 

I guess hunting is good and the hunter is not being hunted. I actually like spiders and appreciate the work they do to reduce the insect population. I don't appreciate their herbs in my face or hair, but that is a relatively minor issue. 

I wish I could just hang around, but there are too many things to do.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Day, a Dinner, and Memories

 

Anniversary Dinner
Edgewater, MD
August 9, 2022

Yesterday we celebrated our wedding anniversary. For those of you counting, it marked 47 years of marriage--to the same person!

What did we do to mark the day? We loaded the PODS during the morning--well, we got started. There is still a lot more to load into the PODS and fortunately there remains a lot of room. I am not sure where it is all going to go in Florida--but I'm sure we will find places for most of it. 

Out the Window

Yellowfin Steak & Fish House

Edgewater, MD

August 9, 2022

To celebrate the day we went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants on the water, Yellowfin Steak & Fish House in Edgewater, Maryland. We like the restaurant because the sun sets over the water and the window seats provide an awesome view. It is one of those classic Maryland scenes of flat water, boats, and sky.

A quick review of the dinner at Yellowfin. Chris had  kabobs--the meat was overcooked and the veggies were inconsistent--but flavorful. I had the tuna which is supposed to be seared and raw in the middle--it apparently sat too long and became cooked throughout. So, the entrees, while delightful visually, were not as enjoyable to eat--although they were tasteful. I noted that the restaurant has a limited menu for people with shrimp allergies. I tried to order two different scallop dishes, but for some reason shrimp was somewhere in each of the offerings; hence, I went to my go to--tuna. 

Now dessert was a different story. The Key Lime Key Lime Pie was awesome! And they added a few blueberries on top which really complimented the tastes. The wine I picked, a Pinot Noir, also went very well with the Key Lime pie.

It was a beautiful evening to pause and reflect in the middle of a tumultuous period in our lives.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled lives until this time next year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Downsizing Transition to Moving

PODS-zilla Placing the Pod
Elkridge, MD
August 8, 2022

 The PODS arrived yesterday. 

It was quite an event and I was really impressed with the driver and his ability to get the PODS into the spot that I wanted. 

The PODS is in place and ready to be loaded. Now the real fun begins! Loading. But we need to be careful not to leave too much stuff behind because I only have the pick-up to get the remaining belongings to Florida. I am sure I will be getting 10 pounds of treasures into a 5 pound bag at that time. 

Of course, the expected 105 degree feels like temperature for the afternoon means that we will take it easy and since I have the PODS for the next week, we can stay inside for the afternoon, or in the pool.

In other news, we terminated the contract for sale of our house due to non-performance and are putting it back on the market. Hopefully, we will get another contract soon--but, we are planning on heading to Florida before the end of the month as planned. 

Remember, however, plans are made to be changed.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 8, 2022

 

1. The second Monday of August has arrived. It is hard to believe that it has already arrived and that there are just 21 Mondays remaining in the year.

2. Moving became very real this past week. We watched many of our furniture departed on trailers and in trucks over the weekend. No amount of money can replace the sense of loss that we are feeling, despite the excitement of the future in Florida.

The Morning After the Storm
August 5, 2022
Elkridge, MD

3. Thursday and Friday evenings represented the worst two-day storm stretch of the summer. I had to spend quite a bit of time cleaning leaves and debris from the pool after the storms and ensuring the chemical mix was correct. I was glad that we got a break Saturday and Sunday. 

4. With most of the weekend consumed by the Estate Sale, we did not get out to so much. Friday night, however, during Happy Hour we experienced a thunder storm at a restaurant where there was one crack of thunder which was very close to our building. It was one of those see the flash, hear the crack lightning strikes.

5. I noticed this morning that sunrise is happening after 6 AM. Yesterday was the first day since May 5th that we has less than 14 hours of sunlight. The daily sunlight maxed out at 14 hours 56 minutes from June 18-24. 

6. For those of us in Maryland, it appears that Route 100 has become the Maryland State raceway. I amazed at how fast some drivers are speeding and weaving in and out of traffic.

7. Selling autos privately is fraught with danger. I have been contacted by no less than 20 scammers. The answer seems to be escrow.com. When I tell them that the financial transaction will be handled by escrow.com, they leave me alone.

8. Today in History. In an evening televised address on August 8, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House. 

“By taking this action,” he said in a solemn address from the Oval Office, “I hope that I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America.”

Senate Passes Climate, Healthcare and Tax Bill - The Wall Street Journal

Russia Provokes High Anxiety in a Strategic Sliver of Europe - The Wall Street Journal

China’s Military Exercises Showcase Modern Fighting Force Preparing for Possible War - The Wall Street Journal

More than 6,300 US flights delayed on Sunday - CNN

More human remains discovered in Lake Mead's receding waters - CNN

The market read the Federal Reserve all wrong - CNN

China announces fresh military drills around Taiwan - Reuters

Oil bounces as China, U.S. data ease recession concerns - Reuters

Hong Kong eases COVID quarantine rules for incoming travellers - Reuters

The Webb telescope is astonishing. But the universe is even more so. - The Washington Post

Rocket attacks at Zaporizhzhia power plant raise fears of ‘nuclear catastrophe’ - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD