To the Dogs

Chris and the Dogs
Odenton, MD
January 3, 2024

 No matter how hard we try to train our family dogs, they remain very interested in meal time. 

Yesterday, Chris was having lunch and she had the company of not only Finnegan, but Nicole's two dogs Lily and Arthur. They were very attentive and watched her every move. 

The presence of dogs within here interpersonal space can be annoying. Despite Chris's best efforts to make us believe that she does not provide the dogs with an occasional morsel, I believe that she must be giving in to their long puppy-like looks. 

She is a softie.

She was able to complete her meal and the dogs were respectful of her space, well mostly.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Good-bye Christmas

Chris Taking the Lights Off
Odenton, MD
January 2, 2024

 And it is gone!

Christmas has departed. The decorations are back in the boxes and returned to the storage facility waiting to be unboxed just after Thanksgiving in eleven months. 

It is sad when Christmas with its magic is returned to the storage facility. 

I noted yesterday that in some respects, unless the date is known, it is hard to determine if the decorations are being unboxed for the holiday or re-boxed for storage. I considered the tree as we were nearly complete removing the lights--were they going on or coming off? 

But then, I saw the bare branches from where the needles of the now dry and dead tree had fallen. It was time. We had a carpet of dry needles beneath the tree and out the door after we got the tree out of the house. 

And so it is finished. The decorations are gone, but the memories remain. As the cold rays of the winter sun caress my face, I look forward into the year ahead and wonder, when will be back in Florida to return our decorations to the storage facility? I know out tree still stands and that Santa has left a few presents tucked underneath its branches. Thankfully, we have an artificial tree and so the needles do not fall in great numbers like a formerly living tree. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Day 2

Dawn in Columbia
Columbia, MD
January 2, 2024

 It is Day 2 of the new year. 

Schools are open, businesses are open and there is activity everywhere. 

I had a couple medical tests this morning and was out before the dawn. I know, right? I could have slept in and gone later in the day, but I love the dawn. I had the opportunity to drive past my former place of employment twice--once in the dark at about 6 AM and then on my way back at about 7:30 AM. I recalled my many years of arriving for work usually before dawn during the winter and often going home after dark had returned. 

As I exited the medical testing facility in Columbia, MD, near the hospital, I was treated to a colorful sunrise, which I captured for a memory. 

It is a great way to get the new year started. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - January 1, 2024

 

Happy New Year 2024

Times Square, NYC on TV

1. Don't look now, but the year changed whilst you were sleeping. There are 53 Mondays in 2024 and this is the first. There are 52 Mondays remaining.

2. Family NFL Report. The family teams did well this week posting a 4-1 record. There is a new family team--the Chiefs of Kansas City. Three of the family teams are in the playoffs. One is definitely out, and one team has an outside shot at making the playoffs. 

Cowboys (11-5) tame Lions (11-5), 20-19

Commanders (4-12) court-martialed by 49ers (12-4), 10-27

Steelers (9-7) overcome Seahawks (8-8, 30-23

Ravens (13-3) drown Dolphins (11-5), 56-19  

Chiefs (10-6) outlast Bengals (8-8), 25-17

3. Well, let's hope the world can solve some big issues this year. 

4. Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because “It’s all happening!” Have the happiest New Year!

5. Today is the day that the political campaigns start their engines and it gets real!

6. Today in History. On January 1, 1959, facing a popular revolution spearheaded by Fidel Castro’s 26th of July Movement, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista flees the island nation. Amid celebration and chaos in the Cuban capital of Havana, the U.S. debated how best to deal with the radical Castro and the ominous rumblings of anti-Americanism in Cuba.

The U.S. government had supported Batista, a former soldier and Cuban dictator from 1933 to 1944, who seized power for a second time in a 1952 coup. After Castro and a group of followers, including the South American revolutionary Che Guevara (1928-1967), landed in Cuba to unseat the dictator in December 1956, the U.S. continued to back Batista. Suspicious of what they believed to be Castro’s leftist ideology and worried that his ultimate goals might include attacks on the U.S.’s significant investments and property in Cuba, American officials were nearly unanimous in opposing his revolutionary movement.

Powerful earthquake hits western Japan, triggering tsunami warnings - CNN

Humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza as Israel-Hamas war rages - CNN

Russia says toll from Ukrainian shelling on border city has risen to 24 as it vows to retaliate - CNN

North Korea's Kim says armed conflict becoming reality because of US - KCNA - Reuters

Pope Francis tells Rome to clean up its act before 2025 Holy Year - Reuters

China's Xi says 'reunification' with Taiwan is inevitable - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

The Last Day

 The final day of 2023 has arrived. 

Despite predictions to the contrary, it appears we will actually make it to the arrival of 2024, which should be quite a tumultuous year. 

The new year is a Leap Year and that means it is one-day longer than 2023. 

Unlike the past two years, I will be ringing-in the new year in Maryland and not Florida. It has been just two years since I retired and I am still enjoying life without the necessity of setting an alarm clock.

This week, the flexibility of my retired life was recognized as Chris and I made the decision to extend our time in Maryland by a few days. In the world before retirement that would have been a difficult, if not impossible, ask. I would have been driven, literally, to get back to work.

Chris and the Boat
Sandbar in St Lucie River
August 2, 2023

I reviewed my image archives searching for the image which best characterizes the year, but it is tough with so many memories. I think this one, of Chris next to our boat, Sea Bean, anchored on a sandbar really captures the character of the year. We joined a boat club during the year and I have found great enjoyment learning to handle a boat and exploring the Intracoastal Waterway between Ft. Pierce and Lake Worth. I am looking forward to getting back onto the water when we return to Florida. And that is the beauty Florida life--year round outdoors summertime activity!

So on this final day of 2023, I remember those who have passed this year, and for whom I shed many tears, and the new friends we have made. I also remember the travel and fun that we have enjoyed, as well as the roughly 1967 miles I rode on my bike!

Here's a toast to the past and hope for the future.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Authentic Mexican - El Cabrito, Pasadena

El Cabrito Mexican Grill Dinner
Pasadena, MD
December 29, 2023

 Dinner last evening was at an authentic Mexican restaurant. Definitely not americanized and even the menu was in Spanish!

It has been a long time since I escaped the fusion of American and Mexican food--Tex-Mex or Southwestern--whatever it is called. 

We visited the El Cabrito Mexican Grill in Pasadena, MD, and enjoyed a filling and tasteful dinner. I samples a taco and a burrito. OMG--in the end I had one taco, half of the burrito and was full! But the flavors were perfectly balanced and enjoyable as were the variety of sauces they provided for dipping. 

We had a great time, maybe more-so because they do not serve alcohol!

There are not many places where 3 people can eat their fill of dinner for less than $40. And I brought half a burrito home for lunch today!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

A Visit with Louis

 

Louis
Laurel, MD
December 28, 2023

There is something almost magical about the week between Christmas and New Years. Many people take vacation to be with family and friends. And that is what we are doing. We are away from home, it is hard to call it a vacation since we both Chris and I are retired, but we are enjoying time with family and friends and, as it turns out, a former member of the family. 

Louis
Laurel, MD
December 28, 2023

Louis is a ragdoll cat that we got when he was a kitten. He spent many years with us and grew into a large cat who was part of the pack with Makayla, Riordin, and Finnegan--who was the late-comer. He is a soft spoken cat, but has one really great trait--he is not bothered by dogs. When family or friends would bring their dogs to visit Riordin would run away and hide, but Louis would just stay his ground and almost invite the dogs to bother him. It was interesting to watch the dogs sniff at Louis and he would stare at them with his blue eyes, taunting them. 

Through a series of events a couple years ago, we adopted out Louis to a friend as a companion. Last evening we visited that friend for dinner and were reunited with Louis, who in his usual cat-like manner totally ignored us even when we picked him up to say hello. We had always believed that Louis wanted to be an "only" cat and since his departure on the few times we have visited him we continue to be convinced that he is happier without another cat or dog to share life with.

Louis continues to enjoy life alone, but as always in the middle of what is happening. And yes, he always seems to have a scowl on his face.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Raw Day for Recovery

Northern Cardinal
Odenton, MD
December 28, 2023

 It rained.

It was cold.

I was not a good day to be outside. 

We have been enjoying a fun bird feeder. It is the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder and comes equipped with a wifi camera and an AI program to identify the birds at the feeder. 

We have been enjoying the feeder and the visits from the birds--even on a rainy and raw day. Sadly, we cannot feed the birds in Florida due to the infestation of Palm Rats which are very destructive.

The Bird Buddy images and video can be shared and Chris and I have been added to this camera so we can enjoy the activity. 

The Bird Buddy provides images and videos of the visitors depending upon the length of their visit. Looking at the images and videos was something to do while also watching a few series on TV.

Today, hopefully, the weather will be better. 

Wait, did I mention that we went to trivia night at the local brewery and our team came in second? If only we had done better on the music round.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

The Day After

What did you do the day after Christmas?

Darn, I missed a holiday celebration. Of course, yesterday was Boxing Day--but we tend not to celebrate that here in the U.S.

It was also the 32nd anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union (USSR), but that is not a holiday and their ghost is currently at war in Ukraine. 

I had a pleasantly quiet day highlighted by watching the movie Oppenheimer, I saw it in the theaters but it is now available on streaming services. It was a lazy day recovering from the adrenalin-filled rush of the holiday. 

Sadly, then I had to hear of and read a diatribe from a disgraced former president which was included in a perverted seasonal greeting on his website, which read:

“Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith,” Trump wrote in the post. He has often called Smith “deranged” and has repeatedly accused the special counsel of working to further what he characterizes as President Biden’s “political agenda.” 

“Included also are World Leaders, both good and bad, but none of which are as evil and ‘sick’ as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their Open Borders, INFLATION, Afghanistan Surrender, Green New Scam, High Taxes, No Energy Independence, Woke Military, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Trump continued. (The Hill)

I really do not need to read or hear this noise from a disgraced former president. He constantly touts how he is being persecuted, but no other former president (possibly no other person) has ever committed the widespread fraud and treasonous activities of this one man. I know he has freedom of speech, but I need freedom from him.

So I slipped back into the spirit of the season and blocked out the nonsense with friends and a bottle of wine.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

And it is a wrap

The Complete Family
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2023

 At the end of the Christmas day, during the Ravens' football game, I realized that I was exhausted. Looking back now, I can understand why. 

It was a Christmas of memories.

There were gifts and food and fun and family. 

The Roast
Odenton, MD
December 25, 2023

One highlight was that we gathered our complete family for the first time in a couple years to enjoy the holiday. 

The weather was mild and I managed to throw a football around for a while with Ethan and Jax. I am feeling the effects of that activity in my arm this morning. It has been a while since I threw a football or any ball for that matter. 

Did I mention the meat? The rib roast was cooked to perfection and was a fantastic centerpiece for the celebratory Christmas meal. 

And so Christmas is a wrap--well almost a wrap. Chris and I have a few gifts to exchange when we return home to Florida. I left most of hers under the tree there so we could enjoy Christmas one final time before returning all of the decorations to the containers and storing them for another year. 

Onto the New Year!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD