Connecting

 Yesterday was filled with highlights of meeting people and enjoying a few adult beverages and food. 

Dave and Me
Arbutus, MD
March 8, 2024

The afternoon began by meeting another retired work buddy for lunch at Guinness. Dave and I worked together for 26 years. He recently retired, while I am just over the two-years retired. We had an enjoyable lunch at reconnected. It was fun to talk of old times and catch up on the people we collectively know. But it was great just to see a person who I used to see every day. I would usually start my day sitting in his office talking to him about work, life, and the events of the day. I have to admit--I miss that.

BTW, I take a terrible selfie, I know that. Ugh! 

Not too long after I arrived back at Nicole's, the four of us: Nicole, Mike, Chris, and I; headed off to Crooked Crab for an early Happy Hour. It was Friday after all. We had no sooner obtained our first drinks and got seated when Patrick and Jen arrived. It was a total surprise for all of us. Something great happened with no prior planning. It was just one of those times when good things happen despite our best efforts. We enjoyed conversation and also were able to see the new vehicles, yes plural, that Patrick and Jen have acquired. They are really nice with all of the latest safety features and Chris and I are seriously considering looking into purchasing the Mustang Mach-E to replace her Highlander.

Returning back to Nicole's we decided to watch a dog movie, Togo. I am a sucker for dog movies even though they almost always bring tears to my eyes. The historical significance of this film and its accuracy make it a must watch.

What a great day! And I realized the importance of connection with friends and family.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Dinner and a Splash of Color

Tete-a-tete Daffodils
Odenton, Md
March 7, 2024

 Well, the whirlwind visit to Maryland continued today with a dinner at The Hideaway in Odenton. Chris and I enjoyed the company of Jeremy and Lucas as we ate our way through the great food. Our dinner was highlighted by a highly entertaining and attentive waiter, Christian, who provided top-notch service.

The dinner and conversation was great and we spent time discussing their upcoming Florida trip and beginning to plan events associated with that visit. It is hard to believe that Spring Break is upon us and much travel is about to begin. 

The weather cleared during the afternoon and the oppressive gray skies lifted. I paused by a patch of tete-a-tete daffodils that just screamed Spring to me! Against the still brown grasses of Winter, they provided a much needed splash of color. 

Sadly, although the weather warmed to the low 60s yesterday, today promises to be colder, but brighter before rain returns tomorrow!

New adventures await us daily. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Lunch with Friends

Daffodils in the Brambles
Odenton, MD
March 6, 2024

Continuing our visit to Maryland to reconnect with family and friends, Chris and I had a wonderful lunch with friends, Ralph and Todd, from our former street in Elkridge. 

We went to a small and very nice Italian restaurant in Waugh Chapel for an afternoon of good food, wine, and great conversation. It was so very good to catch up with them. 

Earlier in the day, we took the dogs for a walk with a light mist falling from the sky. The dogs were excited, me? Not so much! But we headed out. Along the path I spied a clump of daffodils blooming amidst thorns and brambles. I could not resist taking an image of the beauty among the desolate colors of the early Spring. The scene brought meaning to the phrase, "A rose among thorns."

We have a lot of catching up to do with family and will be focusing upon them for the next few days. It is amazing how the short distance from Maryland to Florida can create such an abyss in the mind. 

Is it Friday Eve already? 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Dueling 16ths

Excited for the Present Inside
Odenton, MD
March 5, 2024

 During the past week we have attended three birthday celebrations for people turning 16! Weird. Well it was only for two different people and one of them was a 16 year old trapped in a 64 year old body due the calendar complication associated with Leap Year. 

Jax with Cake 
Odenton, MD
March 5, 2024

Last evening we enjoyed a small family celebration for the newest 16 year old, Jackson, a/k/a Jax. We were honored to be able to attend and are currently batting 1.000 for 16-year old family celebrations this year.

It was a small family celebration which happened after baseball practice. There was exciting news on Monday as Jax also made his high school JV baseball team. The image I took of him at the table is interesting because looking into the mirror I am seen taking the picture and his brother, Ethan, is also seen. Kinda cool. Intentional? I think not!

At least there are warm celebrations even if the weather is cold and rainy!

Oh yes, and he blew out all of the candles in one breath!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Happy Tuesday Travel Day

Finn Sitting on Chris's Backpack
Tequesta, FL
March 4, 2024

 I remember before I retired I always had a problem with Tuesdays. They just didn't seem to fit well into the week. 

Monday was, well,  the back to work day after the weekend.

Wednesday was Hump Day

Thursday was Friday Eve

Friday was Fantastic Friday!

But Tuesday just always seemed to be a sore thumb in the week.

Now that I have retired I have figured out what Tuesdays are good for: travel.

Last week I traveled to Houston on Tuesday, but returned home on Sunday. Today I traveled to Baltimore and next Tuesday I return to Tequesta. So I will have traveled on three successive Tuesdays.

We left Finnegan home last week in the care of friends, but he made it clear yesterday that he was not to be forgotten this time. He was a trooper and we had another great flight with him today. I do have to remember that the 7:10 AM flights are hard on the body. I am gonna need a nap!

But, we have arrived in cold, rainy Baltimore. I miss the sun of South Florida already. This is continuing a string of travel where we suffer with cold, rain, and constantly overcast skies. Last time I was here I attended the final Ravens game of the regular season in, you guessed it, a cold rain! 

But here we are for the next week. Missing the expected 80s of Tequesta.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - March 4, 2024

 

1. Welcome to the month of March. This is the first Monday and there are 43 Mondays remaining in the year.

Looking out the Window
Houston Hobby Airport, TX
March 3, 2024

2. Sitting yesterday at Houston Hobby for almost four hours waiting for our flight home, Chris and I found some awesome chairs to enjoy with a great view. The airport was a huge hustle and bustle. Sunday is definitely a popular day to travel. Even so, we were not prepared for the crowds that jammed Fort Lauderdale when we landed. Fortunately, despite the storms, our over one-hour trip home from the airport was uneventful.

Shrimp Trawlers
Seabrook, TX
March 2, 2024

3. During our three-hour cruise on Saturday, we had the opportunity to enjoy the sights along the shores. In one place there were two shrimp boats tied up which I thought was a sight that I do not see in my region of Florida. We have many fishing boats, but not shrimp trawlers. These were tied up near the entrance to Galveston Bay.

4. How about them Orioles? Finding a way to win and showcasing the incredible talent that the team has amasses. I am hopeful that this will be a truly fun season. 

5. Well, at least it will not be a clean sweep for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee--he lost Washington, DC. Hmmm, Cooler heads prevailing?

6. Today in History. On March 4, 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is inaugurated as the 32nd president of the United States. In his famous inaugural address, delivered outside the east wing of the U.S. Capitol, Roosevelt outlined his “New Deal”—an expansion of the federal government as an instrument of employment opportunity and welfare—and told Americans that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Although it was a rainy day in Washington, and gusts of rain blew over Roosevelt as he spoke, he delivered a speech that radiated optimism and competence, and a broad majority of Americans united behind their new president and his radical economic proposals to lead the nation out of the Great Depression.

Rage brews in Haiti - CNN

Red Sea cables have been damaged, disrupting global internet traffic - CNN

Supreme Court may deliver key ruling as early as today - CNN

Kremlin says German recording shows intent to strike Russia, asks whether Scholz in charge - Reuters

Apple hit with over 1.8 bln euro EU antitrust fine in Spotify case - Reuters

The Skyrocketing Costs Driving Cheeseburger Prices Up—and Restaurant Owners Out - The Wall Street Journal

Kamala Harris Calls for Immediate Gaza Cease-Fire - The Wall Street Journal

Nikki Haley wins D.C. primary, her first victory in GOP nominating race - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Party Day

Houston Party Boats
South Shore Harbor, TX
March 2, 2024

 As I wrote, the day arrived cooler than expected, but that did not dampen the spirits of those gathered aboard one of the Houston Party Boats to celebrate Scott's Birthday. 

Unlike Gilligan, our three-hour tour was just that. We enjoyed a pleasant cruise from South Shore Harbor onto Clear Lake and then to the mouth of Galveston Bay before returning to our starting point. The boat captain kept our journey safe and smooth.

The Family
Clear Lake, TX
March 2, 2024

Our group was promoted to the largest boat, although there were but 30 of us. We had plenty of space to move around and also had more than enough food and beverage. 

There were sights to see along the way, but most importantly we were able to enjoy each other's company while celebrating. I also got to play with the kids a bit. They were wild at times, but enjoyable. 

The Passengers on the Party Boat
Clear Lake, TX
March 2, 2024

We did well with the cool temperatures that never made it out of the very low 70s, but the boat had a very nice industrial heater that took the chill off. That was important because the breeze off the water was very cool.

As can be seen from the image, we had a lot of space and it made for a very nice cruise. 

I had hoped to cruise on Galveston Bay, but the captain told me that the Coast Guard did not allow the vessel to actually enter the bay. I am guessing that conditions on the bay can change very quickly and the party boat could become unstable. But, nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable cruise and as I wrote before, I enjoyed it more because I was not at the helm.

Thanks to Pennie and Scott for hosting us on the party boat for the celebration. I am pretty sure that a good time was had by all--well except for maybe the one person that didn't bring a coat.

-- Bob Doan, League City, TX

#birthdaycelebration #houstonpartyboats #clearlake #southshoreharbor

Out the Hotel Window - League City, TX

From my Room, South Shore Harbour 
League City, TX
March 1, 2024

 Still in Texas!

Chris and I have relocated along with most of the family to South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in beautiful League City, Texas. The center is in Galveston County and we next to a marina close to Galveston Bay. 

Did I reserve a boat? No and I felt bad since my boat club has a site located right outside of the hotel. We walked down and talked to the Freedom Boat Club (FBC) crew member last evening and they are fully booked for today. I don't have a weekend plan anyway--but yesterday might have been fun for a late day cruise.

Today the big event is, in fact, a birthday cruise as the Leap Day birthday celebration continues. We are cruising aboard the Houston Party Boats this early afternoon. It should be a lot of fun, although the temperatures are not forecast to reach the 80s as we expected yesterday. That means coats and jackets. But, I love being on the water and since I will not be at the helm, I can enjoy myself with the food and adult beverages. 

The scene out my hotel window is one of the best I have recorded since I have been taking images out the hotel windows to remember my travels. We have a small balcony and I took the image last evening after we had arrived shortly before sunset. In the right center of the image are two buildings at the end of the dock. The one on the left is the FBC facility.

Looking forward to a day of celebration.

-- Bob Doan, League City, TX

The Birthday

 Leap Year Birthdays are such a rarity that they inevitably enjoy multiple parties to celebrate when the actual day arrives every four years.

Last evening was the family affair marking the date and celebrating the big 16th birthday. I loved the shirt that Scott received, it says: "I'm just a 16 year old trapped in a 64 year old body."

It is a perfect representation of how I often feel. Maybe not 16 years old, but younger. I sometimes think about how different it  would be if I was in my teens with the experience that I now possess.

Ah, to dream!

Well, we had a lot of fun celebrating the birthday--and we get to do it again with a bigger crowd tomorrow!

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Leaping

 Happy Leap Day!

It is that day which appears once every four years and seems to cause nothing but trouble. OK, I don't know about the trouble part. 

I am in Texas to visit my Dad and to celebrate the Leap Year birthday of my brother-in-law. It seemed a good time to be here and it seems that my family who reside in the frozen areas of New York are also going to be here for the same reasons! So we will be enjoying a family reunion! 

Well, we needed to do something different for mid-Winter! Although, Spring is officially just 19 days away occurring on March 19th at 11:06 PM EDT. And the way things are headed, Punxsutawney Phil may have been correct with his prediction of an early Spring.

Although 2024 is only 2 months old, it sure seems like we are on a rocket sled heading from one month to another. 

Enjoy the day as it will not return for four-more years. That almost sounds like a campaign slogan!

Ugh, campaigns! 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

#spring #leapyear #earlyspring #punxsutawneyphil