Heavy Frost this Morning

It is cold but clear and bright as dawn breaks this morning. My sister noted my unpreparedness for winter in a Facebook post yesterday which made me laugh. 

The cartoon was even more true as I was looking to find some shoes to put on to take Makayla for a walk this morning because of the heavy frost which was coating the grass.

And now another fantastic piece of news--there is snow in the forecast for the coming week.

Just laugh--summer is coming again, of that I am sure.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Loss of a mini-ecosystem

I helped my son tear down his salt water fish tank last evening. He is moving and possibly taking a new position in his company and there just isn't time for the salt water tank anymore. There were only three fish remaining, two clown fish and one yellow tang.

We took 110 pounds of live rock and the three fish to a local fish store to be resold and recycled. That made me happy, although I did consider that the home that these fish have known for the past over five years was being destroyed. 

But then I got thinking about the rest of the mini-ecosystem that we were destroying. All of the microbes and smaller bugs, plants, and animals living in the water, on the rocks, and in the sand. 

Wow--in less than a couple of hours we destroyed the habitat of millions of creatures. And when the day started thay had no idea how their lives would end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, Md

Things I Saw On TV That I wish I Hadn't

Television brings a lot of things into our homes. Some of it funny. Some sad. Some interesting and newsworthy and some of it useless.  

Sometimes it brings in seemingly important things with an incredible "ick factor." I find items of this nature are usually associated with gender specific commercials. We have seen and gotten used to the many gender specific commercials for women oriented items, but now they are beginning to focus on the men and some of our unique issues and problems. 

Frankly, I wish they would stop trying to make a buck by airing ads for gender specific stuff, the ads are really disingenuous and often paint an unreal expectation of life and relationships. 

But one commercial on Sunday really caught my attention and ire. I have it below. 

A commercial for prostrate exams. Seriously! Sure these exams are important, but, or is that butt, on TV? Yes it is an important topic, but really?

How could I possibly top that? Well consider the commercials for ED aired during football games. It isn't funny that they run so many of those commercials  during sports events, especially NFL games which is a slap in the face to the guys they are trying to sell the products to? Just think about what the commercials are telling us guys: "look at these big studs, how about you?"

Maybe some of this stuff should be better left unaired. Or better yet--maybe we should just be turning the TV off more to keep this junk out of our homes.

Just saying. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dinner on The Porch

November Dinner--An Autumn Offering

I was reflecting upon the beginning of the month, and I remembered that on last Friday, November 1st, the temperatures were so mild that Chris and I celebrated the beginning of the weekend by eating dinner on the deck. Yes, it was that warm and clear. A great day.

At that time we noticed that the trees had really dropped most of their leaves in two short days. From peak color to no color in 24 hours. Autumn is progressing at an incredibly rapid pace. 

The seasons, in general, seem to be flying by at an ever increasing pace. It is almost hard to keep up with them. The food we are eating has also begin to transition. More creamy soups and harvest dishes like apples and squash. 

I guess we are hunkering down for the winter season which is too rapidly approaching. 

Dinner on the back deck was a treat--the moderate temperatures and the fire pit provided a special atmosphere to reflect upon the week that flew by too fast.

I am going to work in darkness and now coming home with the darkness as well as the daylight winds down towards the winter solstice. I wish it would come and be over.

But a nice dinner on the deck was a reminder of the good times past and the adventures yet to come. Maybe it helped that we were discussing our summer plans.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Season of the turkey

House Turkey

It is here. That short season of relative sanity between Halloween and Christmas--the Season of the Turkey. 

The season of Thanksgiving. The season of joy and realizing the gifts and blessings that we have been given. 

We have decorated our house with the mascot of the season--Elmer, the Turkey!

Elmer is the name my family has always given to our Thanksgiving bird. Tradition has it that it is the name of an old boyfriend from long ago--and that the relationship didn't work out because, well, he was a turkey. I really don't know if that is a true story or not, but it sure sounds like a keeper.

The topper over our entryway says it all about this season: "Let us give Thanks."

This is a good time of the year to pause and remember all of the things for which we should be thankful.

Thanksgiving Door Topper

I'm not going to tell you all of them here, but I urge you to pause, whatever your situation, and realize that there are things for which you should be thankful. Basic things like a warm bed in a dry room to sleep in to the extravagant things like three wild grandsons who always make me smile and laugh at their exuberance for life. 

And so, the season of the turkey precedes the season of the excess. Enjoy the respite before life gets out of control.

BTW--did I say that I love turkeys? 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 4, 2013

1. The brilliant colors of the leaves on the trees are fading as they fall to the ground leaving bare branches behind. 

2. The World Series ended last week with Boston as the champion. We are now into the in-between days when baseball is played in our memories waiting for its rebirth in just three short month as Spring Training commences. 

3. The leaves are piling up on the lawn and I need to remove them, again. Funny how they fall so far from the trees. 

4. It got dark very early last evening. Daylight savings time has truly ended.

5. We, as a people and a society, need to be aware that forces both in the United States and around the world are trying to cripple us and how we defend ourselves from terrorism and anarchy. 

6. As darkness falls earlier each evening, I want to curl up and go to sleep earlier except that since I can't sleep any longer I get up earlier in the morning, which makes me want to go to sleep earlier in the evening. It is a vicious circle.

7. Why are all of the interesting movies released at the same time? There are many movies I want to see and I'm already two behind.

8. A hard freeze is expected this morning. The temperature is 30 degrees and falling in the predawn darkness. The dark season is beginning with a freeze to leave no doubt.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Soccer on an Idyllic Autumn Morning

Ethan in the Game

The day started cool, in the 40's, but soon warmed into the high 60's. The sun was bright and warm illuminating the colorful leaves on the trees. The sky was clear and blue, in the morning making a perfect day for outdoor sports. 

Soccer was the game of the day. It was Ethan's final game of the season. Ethan, wearing his favorite quarterback's number 10, was leading the charge against the undefeated opponents. The team performed admirably until midway through the fourth period when the other team unleashed their secret weapon who scored three quick goals to win the game 4-2. 

Ethan Playing the Ball

It was warm on the soccer field. I had taken a jacket, but did not need to wear it. We have been experiencing some beautiful days as autumn begins the inevitable slide into winter. 

I was chatting with someone who suggested that the colors of autumn were more beautiful than the spring, but I reminded them that summer follows spring and that the darkness and desolation of winter follows autumn. We laughed.

Tonight, we are expecting our first real freeze of the season with temperatures into the 20's. The fine weather may be over.

And, alas, with the cold weather comes the realization that the soccer season is now behind us and ahead lies basketball! Another day another sport.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Ender's Game - Review

Disclaimer: I have never read the books that were the basis of the movie and therefore I cannot comment on whether the movie accurately represents the story or not. 

The trailers for Ender's Game intrigued me. They suggested a complex story set in a future time when the existence of the planet was at stake and the best and brightest called upon to defend civilization were our children. I decided that I wanted to see this movie on opening day because it had been a while since I had treated myself to being some of the first to see a new release.

The movie did not disappoint. It should be a blockbuster, but the difficult story and the mania surrounding the personal views of the writer, Orson Scott Card, will likely keep many people from viewing the movie. Asa Butterfield as Ender Wiggin and Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff created the intriguing interplay between characters that movies demand to be successful. The story is complex and the character development sufficiently detailed to make the ending of the movie not only plausible, but necessary.

The story follows Ender Wiggin, the hero, a newly recruited member of a battle school designed to train young people to prepare to war with a deadly alien force that 50 years ago almost destroyed Earth. Ender finds himself often alienated and must overcome incredible pressure from seemingly every person he meets. The development of his life and family relationship is provided in sufficient detail to understand the basis of Ender's unique personality. Colonel Graff is the driving force and authoritarian leader who recognizes Ender's genius and trains and motivates him. This is no Karate Kid mentoring relationship. This is a difficult and hard, extreme military relationship in which there is no tolerance for failure.

The movie is fast paced and filled with action. There are only a few moments where I felt that I could reflect upon the story as it was unfolding and prepare for the coming action. The imagery is compelling and at times beautiful.

RECOMMENDATION: If you like SCI FI, see this movie. The movie contains violence--the premise of the movie revolves around warfare and training for a major military campaign. Probably not suitable for the under 12 group due to the complex story and the violence, although the violence is not too graphic.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Hand of the Painter

Autumn colors have finally arrived in the Baltimore area. I noticed them this afternoon. The leaves on the trees are finally beginning to change and approach peak color. It has been a long, slow, tortuous autumn.

The hand of the painter was at last evident in the trees and the hills. 

I noticed the vibrance of the colors even though the day was foggy, cloudy, and gray. 

The painter of the universe was evident in the intricate colors which are adorning the trees and bushes. 

Although I am not a fan of autumn, I enjoy the colors and the leaves--right up until they need to be removed from my lawn. What a mess!

But, they are beautiful.

And bright!

And they remind me of the glory of the season before the leaves depart from their homes and become piles on my lawn and in the woods.

Next up? Bare trees, cold temperatures and snow.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Halloween Jeep Pumpkin

Sebastian's Jeep Pumpkin

My family owns a lot of Jeeps. Some Sundays there are three Jeeps parked in my driveway.

I would like to own a Jeep for fun and play and of course to go to Jeep weekend.

In addition to the Jeeps owned by my family, the 16 year old neighbor who just got his driver's permit also just got a brand new 2013 Jeep to learn to drive. It is a beauty. But then, all new Jeeps are beauties.

To celebrate Halloween, they carved pumpkins and he made a special one for his new ride.

I thought it was cute--and he did a really good job carving the Jeep pumpkin.

Jeeps seem to be the real vehicles around here. They are everywhere and they seem to do everything. After going to Jeep week earlier this year, I believe that they really can do almost anything.  I need to sell Kitty so that I, too, can have a Jeep.

Happy Halloween--Jeep Style!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Although I am not sure how daylight savings time actually saves daylight, I am sad to see it end.

It is one of those dots under the exclamation point denoting the end of summer. That along with the final games of the World Series means that whatever illusion I had of summer hanging on are truly gone.

Dawn is barely thinking of gracing the eastern sky now in the the morning as  I head off to work--and evening is arriving almost as soon as I return home. 

Soon, while I may not need my headlights to illuminate the highway on my drive to work, I will likely be driving home in total darkness. The dark days have arrived.

I think I understand the angst that the older civilizations had about the light becoming shorter on a daily basis and wondering, because they did not comprehend the spinning of the planet about the sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis, whether the light would return.

Nothing good happens after dark!

The sun will return--I am sure of it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Halloween Housewarming

Family Halloween Portrait

I am not a fan of Halloween. Most everyone who knows me knows that. I stopped trick or treating when I was in fifth grade because I thought the whole holiday was contrived. 

But, last Saturday evening I went to a Halloween Housewarming Party and had a great time. I even dressed up--notionally I was Marc Anthony and I was going to the party with my Cleopatra. 

What a party--food, games, fun, and most of all family celebrating the excitement of a new house and a new home.

The Women in my Life

Friends. Wow, what friends were there to celebrate. The costumes were magnificent and demonstrated a high degree of creativity.

And there were new acquaintances. 

Maybe I will do more Halloween parties in the future and enjoy them more. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 28, 2013

1. The end of October and Halloween in upon us! Four days to go.

2. A vehicle with this logo on it was in my driveway the other day. I wondered if I should be worried about going into the house.

3. I learned what graupel was the other day. A nice piece of trivia I could have lived without knowing I think. It might be a good word to know for scrabble.

4. Here is a scary item I read yesterday: 30 percent of Americans get their news from Facebook. And we wonder why we have so grossly uninformed people in America today. 

5. Well at least the World Series is exciting. It is tied 2-2 with only three games remaining. Game seven, if necessary, would be played  on Halloween!  Might keep some of the goblins off the streets.

6. Here is some interesting birthday trivia: On this date in 1955, Bill Gates was born. One year later, the former President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, (a/k/a Ahm-a-dinner-jacket) was born.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

The Pumpkin Farm and Nicole

It is the season of the Great Pumpkin and Halloween is just around the corner. That meant that the time for our annual trek to the pumpkin farm in Davidsonville, MD was upon us. 

Yesterday was the day. Clear blue skies and moderate temperatures combined to make an idyllic day on the farm with the pumpkins. 

Jax: I Like it but I Want a Moon Pumpkin

There were, of course, pumpkins everywhere, but there was an incredible amount of fun as we charged through the corn stalk maze launching corn kernels at each other while running sneak attacks across the rows of corn. I admit, I had never done that before and ensuring that the other non-family members in the maze were not inadvertently attached added a sense of realism and fun to the game. 

Ethan: Is it the Great Pumpkin?"

We were a bit disappointed in the quality of the pumpkins in the field. Many were broken and rotting already. In fact, we did not purchase any large pumping, settling for a few small ones and some gourds. 

The Corn Maze

There was the obligatory posing on the straw bales for the annual photos--but with it being such a beautiful day, the posing was not a problem.

A great afternoon and fun memory it just makes me want to say: Happy Halloween!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

No Pets makes No Sense

I stopped and looked at the sign posted prominently on the entrance to the rest stop building. Why must my beloved dog remain outside complicating my life when she is traveling with me? It makes no sense--none at all. After all, they let children into the building and we all know that they are far dirtier and more destructive than pets.

On my most recent sojourn, I discovered that most of the wineries in the Seneca Lake region of New York allow dogs to accompany their owners into the tasting rooms while sampling the fruit of the vine. Why must my dog remain outside at a rest stop where food is not being served? Or for that matter, why discriminate against pets anywhere--food or not? 

Pets are companions. I am sure that soon there will be a movement to ensure that dogs and cats are seat belted when traveling in a car--not only for their own protection but the protection of the driver and other occupants. I mean, who needs the family pet flying around the interior of the vehicle during an accident?

For now, I am contemplating some radical action to try to get these ridiculous laws and rules reversed. What would be the harm in allowing my dog into an establishment especially on an extremely hot or cold day?

We seem to spend a lot of time writing laws and making rules that have precious little hope of being enforced, why don't we begin to take some rules and laws off the books thereby restoring freedom of choice and begin enforcing personal responsibility?

Makayla rules!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Second Favorite Rest Stop

I think it a bit odd that I have favorite rest stops along the highways I traverse. These are places where I pause to gather my wits during the hours of highway driving. My favorite rest stop is along I-95 shortly after entering Florida. "Welcome to the Sunshine State" the signs proclaim! Yeah. I really could use some sunshine right now.

My second favorite rest stop is no where near the first. It is along Route 15 a few miles after entering Pennsylvania from New York. It sits high atop a ridge overlooking a valley and a dam with a lake behind it. 

During the autumn, the area is especially pretty. The colorful trees surround the scene making it seem as if a painter had stopped and decorated the region for their own use. 

The small town in the valley below the dam is quaint and bucolic. I would like to visit there some day, when I am not feeling the stress of trying to drive more miles per hour than the speed limit allows. 

I am, it seems, always hurrying from one place to another with just enough time allotted for the trip and none available for the pleasantries of visiting places along the way which are more than a just few yards off the ribbon of macadam I am traveling. 

But this rest stop is a stop I must make. It slows and grounds me and makes me pause to enjoy the beauty of the region. 

I am thankful that it is there to slow me down and to break up my trip.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Chilly Gray Autumn Days

October 23, 2013
Gray and Chilly

Yesterday was one of those chilly, gray, autumn days that just makes me want to do nothing. I felt as if I could not  just do nothing except hang around and be a couch potato.

I noted that the leaves continue to remain valiantly attached to the trees, as if they can keep the inevitable from occurring. Yet they remain and for that I am glad. During my sojourn to upstate NY this past weekend I could see areas where the leaves have already made their way to the ground and the bare trees are evidence that autumn is transitioning into winter. Ugh!

Geranium on the Back Deck

Here in Maryland, my lawn remains green and in need of mowing. It was cold and rainy; hence, the mowing never happened. 

The gray skies just want to make me nestle under a big pile of  bed covers and let the world pass by. Unfortunately, it will not. The world keeps chasing after me despite my best efforts.

At least some color remains, until tonight when the first frost of the season is due to slide into my yard and transform the vibrant plants of summer into brown memories of the season past.

Life goes on--but the memories remain and sustain. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Grapes and Wine

I am amazed how many different varieties of grapes are used to make wine.

Most people can name a few.

Just a few. The biggies are:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Merlot
Chardonnay
Riesling
Malbec
Petit Verdot
Cabernet Franc


But there are so many more. Including the ones above, I  found over 20 different grapes that I currently have represented in wines in my cellar. The additional ones include:

Barbera
Chambourcin
Chancellor
De Chaunac
Muscatel
Niagara
Norton
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Sangiovese
Sauvignon Blanc
Shiraz/Syrah
Tempranillo
Touriga Nacional
Valdiguie
Verdejo
Viura
Zinfandel

Others that I know I have tasted or even possessed include:

Barbarossa
Carmenere
Gamay
Grenache
Lambrusco
Nebbiolo
Petit Manseng
Tannat
Traminer

I likely missed a few in the list--but the point of the exercise for me was to review the different varieties of grapes that I have sampled and to realize that each grape and the wine it produces has unique qualities which when combined with the growing region and the skill of the wine maker produce very different wines.

Wines are like people. Each person is unique despite their ancestry. And like a good wine, hopefully we get better with age.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Lowest of the Low

Of all of the horrific things I have had the unfortunate opportunity to read about in the news, a story I ran across yesterday really made my emotions boil.

It was about human trafficking in the UK (read England) but it is happening everywhere.

This one was especially stomach turning because it was about a young girl who was smuggled into Britain to have her organs harvested. Boldly enough, the article was titled: Girl smuggled into Britain to have her 'organs harvested'. I was appalled as the story unfolded about this being the first confirmed case of such an incident in the UK. But, the story reads, not likely the last nor even the only.

Another story states that there are 2.4 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. 

If we are looking for cause--here is one. I did not fully understand the magnitude of the problem. But the story I read about being trafficked for organ harvesting really caught my attention. I won't go down the mental road that the story took me--but, I will say, it really hit home with me that this stuff is real and real people are being hurt and even killed. Maybe the article resonated with me because it was about a young girl and I am the father of a daughter that I love very much.

I know we all thought that slavery and human trafficking had been abolished--but, sadly, it hasn't. Worse, it is happening in the U.S., too.

So, I'm sorry that this story isn't about the usual stuff I write about, it is not uplifting nor does it have a happy ending, but I urge you to read the two articles I linked and be disgusted enough to take action.

While we are struggling with government shutdowns and political infighting, millions of people worldwide are enslaved and dying. I offer this website from the FBI as a place for more information: FBI--Human Trafficking. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 21, 2013

1. The World Series starts this week. Baseball will be drawing to a close with the end of the month.

2. By not traveling on a holiday weekend, I found open highways, light traffic, and record setting travel times. WooHoo! 

3. When you mow the lawns for the last time of the year, how do you know it is the last time?

4. It was 39 degrees this morning when I woke up here in Maryland. Who forgot to pay the heating bill?

5. I liked a statement that I heard about running a marathon: There is no way I'm going to run that far unless I'm being chased by a clown with a knife and there are margaritas at the finish line.

6. Life is made exciting by the pursuit of something that I don't have, but want--especially if I have to work hard for it.

7. Sometimes wanting is far better than having.

8. It is hard to say good-bye, especially when the parting was unexpected.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cold Autumn Morning and The World Series

Autumn Tree with Obligatory
 Upstate NY Deer Target

It was 43 degrees outside as I woke this morning to greet another day. 

I was afraid there might be frost on the leaves, but at least that didn't happen. The day dawned bright, clear and crisp--but no frost. Yet!

The colors of the leaves on the trees continue to deepen and the excitement of the continuing foray into autumn continues. Soon hunting season will be upon the region and the thinning of the herd will begin.

Sunday's can be exciting with all of their promise and the expectation of adventure. My day will find me on the ribbon of highway homeward bound to prepare for another week of high activity.

Turning to sports--

Baseball is poised to begin its final chapter of the year. 

I was a bit disappointed that the World Series is going to be between the St Louis Cardinals (defending their crown) and the Boston Red Sox. While the match-up seems to be a no brainer, the teams tied for the best record in baseball during the regular season,  I would have hoped for almost any other two teams in the playoffs--like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers, for example.

Entry way to Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL

But I will watch the series because it is the final chapter of a baseball season that began eight months ago with pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. The season ends as the Spring Training 2014 schedules are being published and I am planning my trip to Sarasota to enjoy time with the Orioles. It is the circle of baseball, I guess.

I never thought about it, but baseball spans all four seasons. Spring Training begins during the last weeks of Winter and continues through Spring and Summer and well into the first half of Autumn. Until Spring Training begins,  I will be watching Penguins hockey and suffering through what is at this juncture a mediocre Ravens season while waiting for the return of the warmth and the sun. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Finding Autumn in the Finger Lakes

On NY 414 Heading to Watkins Glen

It took a five hour drive--but I finally found autumn yesterday. On the drive to Ithaca autumn appeared in the hills, known by some as mountains. 

The trees have seemingly found their color as the season progresses. I hope these colors soon find their way to Maryland.

Looking on Seneca Lake from a Winery

The day was perfect. The trip from Maryland to upstate NY was uneventful and punctuated with stops at four new Seneca Lake East Shore wineries. I actually found some NY State red (yup RED) wines worth buying. I'm going to disguise them as being from Sonoma to get people to try them. They were from Silver Springs Winery,  a great new find on the eastern side of Seneca Lake. The Bold Merlot was especially stunning in its depth of color and rich flavor.  It had a solid nose of dark fruit. And since this was the first winery I visited--I'm pretty sure of my assessment.

It was good to enjoy the colors of autumn, but even in the Finger Lakes the colors are muted in response, I believe, to the weather conditions which have been experienced across the region since autumn began. 

I wonder what today will bring?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Gray Skies but Bright Heart

Dark Skies over the Pool House

Although the skies were gray yesterday and threatened rain, I was really excited that our government lurched forward--even if only by three months.

Perhaps there is yet hope!

In celebration, I drove with the top down on Cat to enjoy the warm day despite the impending threat of rain which never fully materialized except for some widely scattered sprinkles.

Cold weather is on the way though.

I had the oil changed in the truck and equipped it with new windshield wipers for the coming winter season. I will hate to back Cat into the garage one day soon knowing that the likelihood of driving it again before springtime arrives is relatively remote. 

Soon, I will be looking for a coat before leaving the house. That will be sad. 

But, as each day passes pool opening day in the spring draws one day closer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Call to Action -- A Follow-up

Yesterday, following my own advice, I wrote two senators, two members of the House of Representatives, and the President. I received only one email response--from my local representative, so far.

Am I discouraged by the limited response? 

Nope! They were all pretty busy yesterday finally accomplishing their constitutionally appointed tasks. Traffic, unfortunately, should be back to normal for the morning commute.

Today is a new day and it, too, is a day needing renewed prayer and so I will again pray for our leaders.  Even though they finally achieved an agreement to reopen our government--the need remains great. A one time prayer push will not be sufficient. The trials and the tribulations of the day are great.

I urge everyone to continue to be in prayer over this crisis which is not ended, but only delayed until January and February.

I am not going to overload my representatives' email accounts today--but I will continue to pray for them and this country--every day. Maybe next week I will send them another word of encouragement.

I heard the words of a great hymn God Bless America as I was writing this. 

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, 

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free. 

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, 

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer: 

God bless america, land that I love, 

Stand beside her and guide her 

Through the night with a light from above. 

From the mountains, to the prairies, 

To the oceans white with foam, 

God bless america, 

My home sweet home. 

-- irving berlin

When it is the darkest, the arrival of the dawn is most greatly anticipated and appreciated.

We need God's blessing upon the land, this nation, our society, our leaders, and each of us who calls this land our home.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Call to Action

In reflecting upon the fall of the Roman Empire and the numerous empires and countries which have risen and fallen during the history of the human race, like maybe the British Empire, I am stuck by the similarities.

Among them greed, corruption, and selfishness.

Sadly, I worry that we, the greatest force for democracy that the world has ever witnessed, are experiencing the same thing. We have become besieged with special interest groups who define their entire existence upon one limited issue. Their unwillingness to compromise for the greater good of the country is carving a path to destruction and clouding the true mission and purpose for our nation and our society.

It is time for "We the People" to take action! We must let our representatives and leaders know that we are here, we are watching, and that we demand action!

Here is what I propose: Pray.

Yup. Pray. 

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul instructs: First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. -- NET Bible

Don't know what to pray? 

Try this:

Father in Heaven, I bring before you the leaders of our nation. We are facing troubling and difficult times and I ask You to provide our leaders with the wisdom and understanding they need to lead our nation. Help them to seek your will. Guide them and us through these difficult and stressful times and help this country fulfill the mission that you have laid our for us in this world. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen

Note: instead of just saying "our leaders" you may want to substitute the names of the leaders: President Obama, Speaker Boehner, and your senators and representatives (in my case Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, John Sarbanes)

Don't stop there!

Now write an email (it's faster) to each of the members of Congress and the Executive Branch that you prayed for. Use their web sites because they are all under limited staffing during the shutdown. You can find a listing of their names and addresses at the Contacting Congress website. Let them know that you prayed for them and that you are urging them to seek God's will for this great nation during this difficult time. 

Here is what I wrote in my email though their websites:

I prayed for you this morning. May you seek and find God's will for this nation during these troubling times.

Try it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Has Autumn Gone Missing?

When I looked outside yesterday at the beginning of the holiday, I was not expecting the sight that confronted me. 

Leaves were everywhere across the yard and my pool! The trees around my yard are losing their leaves and yet have not yet transformed from their summer green into the autumn colors. 

The leaves are just falling from the mostly already barren trees without providing the autumnal display that in some way makes the season special and exciting. 

There are leaves everywhere, But I have not had the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy their burst of color. The mum and the mandevilla continue to brighten the covered pool area providing some small splash of color against the otherwise drab background which is prepared for the coming winter weather.

Many of the trees around my house have already shed their leaves in preparation for winter's howling winds. 

Even the temperatures are confusing. The mild temperatures may have confused the leaves and the trees, stifling their anticipated show. There are pockets of trees which are transforming--mostly small stands of maples it seems. 

But despite autumn's delayed arrival, it is surely here as the leaves are falling in ever increasing numbers from the trees. I need to rake the lawn and move the leaves back into the wooded areas where they can rest more comfortably.

I am sure autumn is not missing, only giving us a respite before handing off the weather to winter. And really, who wants that weather any sooner than need be?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 14, 2013

1. Happy Columbus Day celebrated. In some ways this day is really the celebration of the subjugation of the native western hemisphere peoples day. But hey, it's a holiday and a day off.

2. The Government shutdown is about to enter its second week with little hope for resolution in sight. I ran across this political cartoon which aptly expresses how I feel.

3. I was corrected in my blog about the marathon yesterday. The news video shows the guys at mile 13--yes after the first half of the marathon they were still in really good spirits.

4. Some of the best government shutdown political cartoons of the week.
  
  a. The Tea Party strikes

  b. A scary truth

  c. Who is in charge?

  d. And the best of all--former presidents weigh in:

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Races, Marathons, and Life

Did I ever say how impressed I am that two of my sons ran and finished a marathon yesterday? They ran 26.2 miles? I've never even walked that far in a single session. I have walked over 6 miles doing Volksmarches in Germany, but never anything over 10, let alone trying to run 26.2.

It was a great Baltimore day for running. Temperatures in the 60's, a light drizzle to keep everyone cool, and nice crowds lining the race way. The Baltimore Running Festival was awesome.

They guys started in great spirits on their 26.2 mile journey through Baltimore and the ended together--the way they trained and the way the chose to end working through the cramps and the pain to be victorious--together, a true team.

With Their Medals after the Baltimore Marathon

The video is a news clip that shows them competing in the race together at about the 13 mile mark--a half marathon distance--which is how they ended--with exactly the same time crossing the finish line.

Although they say that running is a solitary sport, these guys have proven that running can be a team sport. 

The pathway to yesterday's success began back during March as they trained for the Frederick Half-Marathon and made the decision to go for the Maryland double--completing both the Frederick Half and Baltimore Full Marathons. I remember the cold May morning in Frederick when this dynamic duo of a team conquered the Frederick Half-Marathon and I promised then that I would be there for them at the finish of the Baltimore Marathon. And I was.

I am not a runner--I don't have the right mindset for it, but I appreciate those who do run. I am in awe of their accomplishment. And they indicated that there will be more marathons in the future. 

Congrats to both of them on this awesome accomplishment.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rain, Traffic, and Taxes

This week has been a difficult week for travel around the area.

Wednesday there was a terrible accident on a major highway near me which closed the road during the morning rush hour and the resulting regional traffic disaster changed my normal 15 minute commute into an hour and forty-five minutes of excitement on the highway. I did enjoy watching the sunrise during my extended commute--but I admit my backside began to hurt a bit from just sitting in traffic idling at about 4 mph on four lane highways where the average speed is normally closer to 70 mph. 

And then, later in the week, the rains came.

Traffic in our region simply fails to move when the rain comes. My commute on Thursday and Friday was tortuous. I mean--really hard, long, slow, and painful. Thank goodness for Sirus Radio in my vehicle or I am sure I would go crazy listening for traffic reports trying to find a way around the mess--etxcept, there isn't any.

We needed the rain. I believe it had been over a month, maybe closer to mid-August since we has seen any appreciable rainfall. Of course, it really didn't need to come all at once.

At least the governor is happy about the rain. He hadn't had the opportunity to tax anything new in a while. And I am serious. Since the governor has been in office there have been 32 new taxes or significant fee increases totaling $2.3 billion!!! And we actually do have a Rain Tax!

At least someone is happy about the rain and the misery it can cause. I have to take more water out of my pool after closing it to keep the level down where I want it for the winter. 

The commute will always be bad during rainy weather, but to tax me on top of that? 

Well, as Benjamin Franklin said:

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

And maybe rain.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Into the Darkness

Although it is only October, I have already done three days in a row of going to work in darkness and coming home after dark. Usually, I do not get to experience the thrill of Alaskan-like sunshine depravity until after Thanksgiving--but this year is crazy in more than one way.

First off, for those of you who were following my furlough exploits, I was not clear in stating that I am no longer furloughed. Congress, in a rare moment of lucidity passed a bill which allowed for many civilians related to military support to be recalled to work, and I was among that blessed group. That is why I am not answering the house phone during the middle of the day.

No, I am at work missing all of the sunshine and more recently, rain. AND NOT complaining about it.

This week has been busy with late, long meetings followed by racquetball matches. Or a family emergency that we are working through. I am leaving the house about 5:10 AM and returning somewhere close to 8 PM.

All of the travel in darkness means that I am not in a very good mood. Last evening I was at the pharmacy trying to pick up one of my regular prescriptions and was informed that the Federal Government, which is shut down I remind you, had changed some rules and I now needed to show my drivers license before they could even order my medication. Did they call me? They had had the script for four days. No. Did I want to verbally eviscerate the pharmacist? You bet! I was tired and not in a particularly good mood from driving in traffic in the rain.

Some federal worker, one of my brethren, somewhere, had reinterpreted a rule and the impact was placed squarely on me. I hope the slug is still furloughed. I had been trying to get to the pharmacy to pick the prescription up for three days. Now, I need a return trip tonight. Like that is going to happen.

What I really needed was a great dessert to drown my sorrows. Like the one I bought at Wegman's last week. But, it is already eaten. I must have an eating disorder if I think a good dessert can solve the problems of the world. Or even just my little portion of it.

Where is the ice cream? Maybe I can eat my way into next springtime.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Halloween Comes with the Decorations

The pumpkins are on the porch. The decorations are displayed in preparation for the hoards of children dressed in costume offering a trick or a treat. Our garden is ready for their visit. It is more than likely we will not even be home to celebrate the holiday as we will be strolling through another neighborhood with the grandsons watching them extort candy from the people living there.

But it is coming. Maybe too soon the cold weather will be here and the moon will illuminate the bare branches of the trees on the lawns giving them their eerie October appearance.

Autumn is here and with it the annual Halloween celebration. I've never been a huge fan of the celebration as it is a bit dark. But, my house is decorated.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Graces the Trees

The colors of autumn are slowing beginning to change the greens of summer into oranges and reds. One of the first trees to experience the transformation is just up the street from us. The reds of autumn are arriving on its branches daily. 

I have seen the changes starting in many other trees, but this is one of the first in our neighborhood.

Autumn had arrived. With the rain of Monday and the cooler temperatures, I suspect that more and more of the trees will begin to don the festive colors of the season.

I was concerned that the extremely dry conditions of the past two months would mute autumn's colors. The sycamore trees, for instance, have already shed most of their leaves and hence will not be fully engulfed in their yellow costume for the season.

It has arrived, this season of transition. I can already see the changes in the trees and feel the coolness in the breeze.

Next, the harvest!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gravity -- Movie Review

Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and space. Sounds like a perfect mix? Right?

Well . . . not so much.

Gravity is a movie about space, trying to survive a series of disasters and return back to earth alive. That is the short story. Actually that is the long story, too.

The imagery and photography are spectacular--especially in 3D (which I highly recommend) and Sandra Bullock plays one of the best roles that I have seen her perform. George Clooney is adequate. Neither gives anything close to an Oscar worthy performance.That is the good news. 

The problem is with the script, the plot, and the science. Nothing that is depicted in space in the movie is accurate. That is sad because it highlights the lack of knowledge that most Americans have about space.

The plot is nonexistent. The movie is a plotless action movie set in space. The event which sets into motion the is loosely based on a historical event from a few years ago, but that is where any similarity to reality or the laws of physics ends. Added to that,  there is no character development--and by the end of the movie I really did not care if the main characters lived or died. And they really did not do anything to make me want to care about their outcome. 

The action scenes--and the movie is mostly action, are fun to watch and the 3D really makes them come alive. If I checked my knowledge of space science at the door I probably would have enjoyed the movie more--but, where the movie makers could have taken time to provide a rudimentary education about space and space operations, they decided to take a Buck Rogers approach to orbital mechanics and fictionalize the results. Sadly, it did not work for me.

The ending is a page right out of American space flight history with Gus Grissom's Mercury flight. 

One interesting note--only two actors are ever depicted on screen (alive) during the movie--Bullock and Clooney. I think they probably could have used some help.

RECOMMENDATION: Not suitable for the under 12 crowd. There are some graphic and disturbing scenes. I cannot recommend this movie except for the incredibly awesome on orbit images of the earth, the shuttle, the Hubble, the ISS, and the Chinese space station. Fortunately it is a short movie running just over 90 minutes.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD