Friday in Maryland

Apps at Lures
Crownsville, MD
December 2, 2022

 Friday marks the end of the workweek, except that I am retired and so standard evening Happy Hour celebration is not so exciting as it once was. But, yesterday was a special day in which I enjoyed two events.

I was able to attend a going away luncheon for a former colleague and catch up on the news of the workplace while reacquainting with those still serving to defend the nation. It was good to see everyone still going to work every day and also a number of those of us who have retired.

Following that, Chris and I headed off to Happy Hour at Lures in Crownsville for a great evening with Nicole and Mike who have been graciously hosting us these past two weeks. The time passed quickly while we were there and we had a very enjoyable Happy Hour and dinner.

And now Saturday has arrived and of course I will be watching the USMNT play the Netherlands this morning in the round of 16 at the World Cup! The expectation is that the US team will be out matched, but as they say that is why we play the game. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Frost on the Vehicles

Frost Out the Back Window
Glen Burnie, MD
December 2, 2022

The heavy frost covering the ground and vehicles this morning reminded me that it is December and I am still in Maryland. It is cold this morning not just below freezing, but really below freezing. My watch is showing 27 degrees. 

The sky is clear and that, of course, contributed to the cold. 

We stayed with Patrick and Jen after attending a Bourbon and Beer gathering at their community center last evening. There was an assortment of wines also present and we interacted with community residents. 

Well, it is Friday. The weekend is at hand!

There is another huge soccer match tomorrow at the World Cup and I am hopeful that the USMNT can overcome the Dutch. I am encouraged after Croatia played Belgium to a draw yesterday sending the number 2 ranked team in the world home! Tomorrow's match, however, cannot end in a draw! One team has to win. 

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Fire in the Sky

 

Sunset in the East
Odenton, MD
November 30, 2022

Last evening, after a dark and dreary day, we were treated to a classic fire in the sky sunset. 

Looking east was where the real scene was built. The sunset to the west was bright and deep, but the east is where the reflection off the clouds was most exciting. 

It was a visually stimulating way to close out the month of November. 

And with that, December has arrived. The dark month is here and daylight is waning daily towards the Winter Solstice. The temperatures are becoming colder as well. But, there is still beauty to be seen and appreciated. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

After the Big Game

Yesterday was devoted to Soccer and Christmas shopping. 

Both were successful.

I was very happy that the United States played a great match against Iran and won, moving on to the Round of 16 at the World Cup. I was very impressed with the generally good sportsmanship shown by the players despite all of the geo-political swirl surrounding the game. 

Sadly, though, the results of the match could have dire consequences for the losers. 

Iranians face retribution after World Cup loss against USA - New York Post

Conversely, one media outlet reported something very different about the mood in Iran after the game:

Celebrations erupt in Iran after world cup loss, people wave - Mint (which I believe is an Indian news reporting organization)

The euphoria of the win is dampened by the injury report. Both the US players in the image of the goal being scored are injured. Pulisic, who scored, and Sargent were removed from the game. Their status for the Saturday match against heavily favored Netherlands is day-to-day.

For the evening, Chris and I went to the nearly deserted mall for some Christmas shopping. I had expected crowds and tight parking, but that was not the case at all. It was wide open parking lots and few holiday shoppers inside of Arundel Mills.  

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Soccer, or is it Football?

 I love the World Cup! I even watch it when the U.S. is not playing, but I do enjoy it more when the U.S. has a team in the mix. 

Today's game is crucial! A must win. Failure to win means elimination from the tournament and another disappointing showing for the U.S. Mens National Team. 

Wait, and the match today is against Iran! The same country that our team upset by defacing their flag the other day resulting in Iran demanding that the U.S. be eliminated form the tournament. The issue was over Women's Rights.

Sadly, this game has almost become more important geo-politically that it is from a World Cup sporting view. The Iranian players have been threatened, of course they did not sing their national anthem prior to their match with England.

CNN reports the activities in the following report: Iran threatened families of national soccer team, according to security source

It could be a very rough and difficult game for many people not just on the athletic field of play. 

It is a must win for both teams. The winner advances to the elimination round and the loser heads home! 

Go USA! The game begins at 2 PM Eastern Time!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

Monday Musings - November 28, 2022

 

1. The final Monday of November has arrived. Don't look now, but there remain only four more Mondays in 2022. 

Portion of Patrick and Jen's Snow Village Display
Glen Burnie, MD
November 27, 2022

2. Chris and I have been enjoying visiting and transforming homes for the Christmas season. Yesterday we assisted with setting-up another Snow Village, two Christmas trees, and house decorations.

3. Family NFL Report.

    Ravens (7-4) lost to Jaguars (4-7), 27-28

    Commanders (7-5) defeated Falcons (5-7), 19-13

    Cowboys (8-3) defeated Giants (7-4), 28-20

    Steelers (3-7) at Colts (4-6-1), Tonight!

4. I hope that you were not traveling yesterday as the storm delayed air travel and snarled thousands of flights.

5. The weather for the week ahead is expected to be very enjoyable, yet cold here in Maryland. Thursday will be cold with the high right now projected to be 41 degrees. I am missing the opportunity to enjoy Happy Hour on the beach, but I am definitely enjoying Happy Hours with family.

6. I believe there is Christmas shopping in my immediate future!

7. Today in History. November 28, 1520. After sailing through the dangerous straits below South America that now bear his name, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan enters the Pacific Ocean with three ships, becoming the first European explorer to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic.

On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific. He searched the Rio de la Plata, a large estuary south of Brazil, for a way through; failing, he continued south along the coast of Patagonia. At the end of March 1520, the expedition set up winter quarters at Port St. Julian. On Easter day at midnight, the Spanish captains mutinied against their Portuguese captain, but Magellan crushed the revolt, executing one of the captains and leaving another ashore when his ship left St. Julian in August.

Iran calls for US to be kicked out of 2022 World Cup - CNN

Thousands of US flights delayed Sunday as major storm system hampers travel - CNN

What to know about the protests sweeping China - CNN

Trump hosted Holocaust denier at Mar-a-Lago a week after announcing 2024 run - CNN

Exclusive: U.S. weighs sending 100-mile strike weapon to Ukraine - Reuters

China tightens security after protests against COVID curbs - Reuters

China poses increasing threat in military space race, top U.S. general says - Reuters 

-- Bob Doan, Glen Burnie, MD

Photo-bombing the Christmas Tree

 

Christmas Tree with Finnegan
Odenton, MD
November 26, 2022

We had the opportunity to transform another room and prepare it for Christmas by helping decorate a tree. We missed the opportunity to go Christmas Tree hunting (Be very very quiet, we are hunting Christmas Trees), but were able to help with the decorating. 

The freshly cut tree arrived in good shape and was quickly installed into the stand and the best side for viewing determined. Then the fun began. Decorating. The decorating was not done to Christmas music, but rather the Ohio State vs Michigan football game. Having the game on the TV was different, but it kept my interest. 

When the decorating was complete, it was time for pictures and without any prompting Finnegan moved in to photo-bomb the image. He sat right on the tree skirt as if to say, "Did someone say pictures?" It was really very funny. And it made for a good picture.

Merry Christmas and the season is in full swing!

Did anyone else notice that the Black Friday sales were not that spectacular?

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Axis & Allies 2022

 

The annual Black Friday Axis & Allies WW2 game was a success yesterday. This is something the family does annually and each year we find new strategies as we change countries. This year I was responsible for Japan. 

Japan is in a tough position in the game in that it has to keep the U.S. out of the Pacific and put pressure on Russia to help the Axis ally, Germany. I successfully sent the U.S. and British carrier battle groups to the bottom of the ocean on three major occasions and was beginning to pressure Russia by clearing China. We ended the game so we could watch the USA vs England World Cup match. My ally, who was managing both Germany and Italy was doing a great job as well. 

When we ended the game, we determined that the game was still even with advantage to the Axis.

Actually, in thinking back, the World Cup match ended much the same way--even with advantage U.S.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Woolly Worms and Predictions

 

Woolly Worm
Odenton, MD
November 23, 2022

Again this year I was confronted with an all black Woolly Worm, the predictor of a long and difficult winter.  Based upon recent experience and considering the terrible pre-Thanksgiving weather across the Great Lakes, I am guessing that this woolly worm is making an accurate prediction. 

It is interesting how we turn to animals to attempt to predict the upcoming weather patterns. As if they have any better idea than we about what is to come. We want to know the future, but are still surprised when it actually arrives. As an aside, officially and scientifically, an all black woolly worm does not really mean anything except it is possibly a different species. What a bummer. 

The weather he the past few days has actually been very nice and mild. I walked dogs outside without a coat on Thanksgiving morning. The sun was warm and enjoyable. I don't think the woolly worm predicted that nice weather. But I did enjoy it. 

Here is hoping that you had a nice Thanksgiving!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Thanksgiving 2022

 

As if it hadn't happened already, the holiday season is careening full speed into the end of the year. 

In the past, Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the Christmas Season, but that date moved earlier this year with Christmas shopping and Black Friday sales beginning immediately after Halloween.

Thanksgiving is a day designated for giving thanks and celebrating the bounty of the harvest with family and friends. We also commemorate the first Thanksgiving between the pilgrims and the Wampanoags. While the traditional Thanksgiving that we generally celebrate occurred during 1621, there was a Thanksgiving celebrated during 1619 in Virginia with the arrival of settlers along the James River, but that celebration did not mark an alliance with the native peoples. 

Today, much of the history gets lost, but hopefully being thankful continues as a tradition around the table. As we watch parades, dog shows, and football games while consuming quantities of food and beverage we need to pause and give thanks for our blessings.

We also must take a moment to honor and give thanks for the First Responders and the men and women of military forces. Many are away from their families on this holiday and possibly alone. I am thankful that our military forces are not actively engaged in combat operations this Thanksgiving, but they are ever vigilant. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD