Hey, Orioles--What is the Plan?

To say this off season is not off to a great start for the Orioles is an understatement. 

Nelson Cruz

This week the Orioles, American League East Division Champions, lost two key players: Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis. In my opinion the loss of Markakis, a long-time Orioles player hurt the most. I expected him back in the outfield next season and until the end of his awesome career. Sadly, it is not to be.

Nick Markakis

I don't understand the baseball offseason. Obvious things don't happen and now the Orioles have a huge hole in right field and as a lead-off hitter. 

Last season was a fantastic and almost magical season as the Orioles easily won the division and the first round of the playoffs. They ran into a Royals team in the second round that was not to be denied, but still the Orioles are still champions of the AL East.

Markakis has been arguably one of the best American League left fielders for a number of years now. Cruz came to the Orioles to prove he was still a player to be reckoned with. Together, they held the team together during the crucial losses of Matt Wieters, Manny Machado, and Chris Davis. I thought the Orioles might lose Cruz, but never in my wildest dream did I believe that they would allow Markakis to play right field for any other team.

It makes no sense to me. And the loss of Andrew Miller--the fireball throwing reliever picked up in mid-season is expected to be announced any day now. 

I am not seeing the Orioles replacing these three players. 

But I am willing to show support to the General Manager, Dan Duquette, all I need now is some insight into "What is the plan?"

I surely hope they have one.

In the meantime, thanks Nelson for last year and thank-you Nick for being a classy Orioles player through the bad times (and there were a lot of them) and the good times. Best wishes to you both!

Really.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Three Trees in Three Days

First Tree of 2014 in the Family Room

Yup, it is definitely the Christmas Season. Beginning on Saturday, I assembled three Christmas trees in three days. 

Two were in my house. One in the family room upstairs adorned in the white lights that my family is so fond of and the other in the basement recreation room done in colored lights--just for Chris.

Second Tree of 2014 in the Recreation Room

Christmasfying the house took all day--but I've already written a few lines about that.

Then on Monday, after driving my parents home after the Thanksgiving holiday, I helped them assemble their tree. I don't mind assembling Christmas Trees, but I definitely set a record this year in helping get everyone ready for the season. 

Third Tree of 2014 at Mom and Dad's

I was surprised to learn that the first Christmas Tree display in America was in about 1830. Who knew?

Of my three trees, the image I took of the one at my parents house is very intriguing because I can see myself in the mirror. I didn't even notice that as I was taking the image. Definite proof that I took the image!

This is already a special Christmas Season--three trees in three days. I am sure there are more surprises to come.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Facing the Government

Why, I ask myself, don't the people working in governmental agencies that interface with the public realize that they represent every federal worker and that the general public forms its opinions based upon these exchanges?

I write this after a friend told me about a terrible three-hour telephone experience trying to get information about an application that had not been fully processed. The call ended about 6:30 PM when my friend, frustrated at the ineptitude and being kept on hold for over an hour, hung up and resolved to address the issue again today. 

Federal workers who interact with the public need to be reminded that "We the People" means that the people are the boss!

Who are the most likely federal workers to interact with the American? Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare, IRS, and TSA come to mind. 

Let's do better!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Highways, Traveling, and Holidays

I am in the middle of a round trip to Ithaca to return my parents and officially put an exclamation mark on Thanksgiving. This is my second roundtrip to NY in two weeks. I'm finding that the driving is not so bad--especially when the weather cooperates.

But wow, what a couple of weeks it has been in terms of the weather. The weather has alternated between unbelievably fantastic and horrendous. On the trip north yesterday, I saw signs of the remnants of the ferocious storm that assaulted the Northeast last week--right when everyone was planning to travel for Thanksgiving.


It looks as if it was just plain rotten and I'm glad we got out before it hit. 

I have been traveling a new route to access upstate NY which avoids the hordes of trucks which populate Interstate 81. The driving is easier and fast, now that much of the high speed future interstate has been completed. Some of it has been designated Interstate 99, the New York part. 

My Third Christmas Tree Under Creation

What I have noticed, however, is the impatience of many drivers. They just can't enjoy not being the leader of the cars. The speeds of some drivers is just insane. I am not a slow driver, I use my portion of the speed limit to keep moving along the ribbon of highway. But I like to be safe.

I enjoyed creating my third Christmas Tree of the season with Mom and Dad.

It has been a busy and fun couple of weeks. I'm sad to see it end and slide into the chaos that has become the Christmas Season.

Later today, I'll be back and thrust into the middle of it all--the joy, the work, the craziness, and the excitement all leading up to December 25th. One down and 24 to go!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY

Monday Musings - December 1, 2014

1. Blink. November has passed and it is December.

8th Hole at Eisenhower, Crownsville, MD
November 30, 2014
The First Time I Drove a Green

2. I was blessed with good weather enough during the past week to be able to play golf twice. And, in a momentous shot, I drove the green from the tee on a par 3. Then, after I repaired the divot,  I promptly 3-putted for a bogey! Ugh! I still have not carded my first par. I did have 4 bogeys yesterday which is one of my better outings.

3. The house has been Christmasfied. It took an entire Saturday, but we are finally, mostly, ready for the Christmas Season.

4. I read an interesting article about 1 World Trade Center, the new building that replaced the Twin Towers, in the New York Times. Maybe it didn't really need to be built.  

The Christmasfied Family Room

5. The Hallmark Channel is up and running with its continuous supply of sappy Christmas movies. The sad part is, sometimes that are the best things on TV!

6. I had the opportunity to remove the leaves from the lawn again on the last day of November. I wonder what December will bring? But without leaves the green lawn is great to practice my golf swings with practice balls.

7. Interested in a new car that is called a "terrestrial rocket?" Check this one out in the article titled, A Terrestrial Rocket That Defies Gravity. Oh yea, the price is $280K. Who writes reviews about unaffordable cars?

8. December arrived with clear skies and 50 degrees. I wonder when it will happen again? 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flying South with the Geese

Geese flying South during November 2014

There they were flying south the other morning. The geese were formed in their classic "V" formation.

The sky was clear and blue. 

It was a beautiful scene. I even caught the airliner leaving a contrail in the image as I recorded the sight for my memory.

The geese were flying south, and with them they were carrying my heart. I wish I were heading south to the warmth of a nice sandy beach somewhere.

The jet was heading north--probably to New York or Boston or some other equally as frozen city.

My vote is clearly to go with the geese--they know their way is the best way.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Axis and Allies: WWI 1914 - Review

Wow. Axis and Allies WWI 1914 is a fantastic and complex game that captures the essence of World War I.

Three of us traveled 100 years into the past to recreate the situation in Europe at the beginning of 1914 and play out the Great War, or the War to end all wars. This is what we do while the women in our lives face the crushing Black Friday crowds.

Thankfully, the game was simplified from the actual history of the time. The instructions indicate that the game averages 8 hour to play. We played for 10 hours and still none of the national capitals had been captured. The game played out much like history records WWI--slow and plodding. But, each turn was important and critical to the overall outcome.

The Board for Axis and Allies WWI 1914

We played with three players and I have to admit, I was the central powers and the game requires constant attention. The first round through the 8 countries took us 3 hours--but much of that time was learning the rules and the differences between the classic Axis and Allies versions and this one.

After the first round, the game picked up in pace, but our efforts to achieve a decisive victory on the field of conflict were just as inept as that of the countries involved in the war. No country or alliance could gain the advantage and the game quickly descended into a war of attrition which the allies gradually began to win especially as the U.S. was allowed to entry the conflict on turn 4 and in this case the French developed into an effective fighting force.

The game is complex. Eight countries are represented. On the allies side there are the French Alliance, the British Empire, the Russian Empire, Italy, and the United States arrayed against Germany, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

My mistakes? As Germany, I thought that I could quickly take Moscow and before the French and British could organize and then I would be able to hold the lines while the Austrian-
hungarian armies pushed through Italy and then onto Paris. I didn't pay enough attention to the India connection of the British Empire and my Ottoman Empire forces were neutralized and I was in a defensive posture for the bulk of the game.

After 10 hours of play, Moscow was under attack and Constantinople and Berlin were under siege. The Austro-Hungarian Empire forces were finally making their way through the Alps to pressure the French and the Italians, but Ottomans and Germans were effectively neutralized. The Central Powers navies had been neutralized and the allies had unopposed command of the sea lines of communication. I conceded the game.

RECOMMENDATION: It was a great game and another fantastic Black Friday event! If you enjoy this type of historical simulation--this game is for you.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

To Shop or Not: Bring on the Games!

Black Friday has arrived!

I am sitting safely in the comfort of my chair, writing, just before 6AM and the women in my life have already headed out to risk life, limb, and wallets at the explosion of after Thanksgiving Day sales. Early reports indicate that it is a jungle out there.

Great Dinners mean Fantastic Left-overs

I have no expectation of gracing a store today, except maybe to get more beer.

Today, as is every Black Friday, is devoted to wargaming and learning more about the history of the world wars. The guys gather to play Axis and Allies, while the women in our lives shop. The kids? They are with us, but are pretty much on their own.

I take another sip of my coffee, stretch, yawn, and reflect upon yesterday in the quietness of my living room. Not even the TV is on to allow reality to disturb me. The grazing and gaming are expected to commence about 9AM. 

We are playing a new version of the game this year: WWI:1914. The map is completely different we are struggling to learn the rules before convening. We got tired of confirming that the Allies win WWII every time we play no matter who plays the Axis or who pays the Allies.

The women shop while the men play! What a role reversal from prehistoric times when the men were the hunter-killers and the women stayed at home.

Who cares? Game time is coming soon! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The food, the Snow, the Day: Thanksgiving

Flag in Front of the House

Happy Thanksgiving! This is one of those truly American holidays that cuts across all of the cultural boundaries.

I am saddened that more retailers are opening their stores on the holiday this year. Thanksgiving was the last holiday that retailers recognized and now, even this holiday, is being minimized in the pursuit of profit.

The season of the turkey is here for the annual celebration. Yet, even yesterday, the tendrils of winter reached across the land to provide a sample of the cold, dark, weather on tap for the next couple of months.

Snow in my Yard

The scene around the area was very wintery. Even in my yard there were examples of the snowy, cold weather although for the most part this area was spared the terrible conditions faced by many others in the northeast. 

I am glad that I was not traveling yesterday and that the travelers in the family had already safely arrived at their destinations.

Cranberries on the Stove

I got to experiment with cooking yesterday afternoon by making cranberry sauce from scratch. I love canned cranberry sauce, because I have only rarely been able to taste the made from scratch variety. I believe I may never appreciate the canned variety again. Especially since one of the secret ingredients in the cranberry sauce I made is Port! Yup!

The completed Cranberry Sauce

Food, football, family, friends, and fun! I am ready for the day.  (The five "F's" of Thanksgiving)

I will take time to give thanks for the blessings that I have received today and for the blessings that everyone in my family has received. We are richly blessed and we are genuinely thankful.

Have a great day. Be well. Give thanks.

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Twas the day before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Thoughts:

Eat a turkey, don't be one.

Be thankful for your blessings.

Enjoy the day and the weekend.

Stay away from the black friday sales, all they want is your money.

I found a website about 62 Thoughts Everyone has During Thanksgiving Dinner. Here are my favorites:

2. It’s about time. The turkey “is going to be ready in 30 minutes”…for the past hour and a half.
14. Oh great, now dad has to carve the turkey. Why didn’t he do that before we sat down?
15. Watching dad carve the turkey is the Thanksgiving equivalent of watching paint dry. Except I am HUNGRY.
30. Everyone calm down! I’m not Dr. Octopus!
31. Why are we talking about politics? This will only lead to the parents shouting so loudly people are spitting food across the table.
32. DON’T MENTION HILLARY. WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T MENTION HILLARY.
33. Darn. Mom mentioned Hillary. Here we go.
34. Oh no, grandpa tasted the turkey. I am not ready for this.
35. PLEASE DON’T SAY HOW “MOIST” THE TURKEY IS.
36. DRY! It’s dry! I feel so very #blessed.
60. Literally all I am capable of doing right now is rolling over to the couch and passing out.
61. God, I am SO glad Thanksgiving is over.
62. And I can’t believe we’re doing this again in a month for Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

November 24th--Respite Before the Storms

What a day! It was unexpected and fantastic.

Although, officially we did not make 70 degrees, the local weather station recorded 69.5 degrees and the day was fantastic.

The rain ended, the sun came out and I enjoyed a great afternoon and evening.

Silhouetted Deer in setting sun on the course

Let's recap the afternoon--which was the creative part of the day. 

I slipped out of work, with the approval of my supervisor, to head off to the golf course with Jeremy.  Yup--a warm, sunny afternoon was celebrated outdoors on the golf course. 

It was not that I played that well on the course, but that it was November 24th it was warm enough to be outside in a short-sleeved shirt playing golf! We played until dark--14 holes and on the way to the club house spied deer all along the course in the sunset lit landscape. 

Back at the house, it was time for  happy hour and some quality time around the fire pit with Mom and Dad. 

Glasses of wine, cheese and some great conversation in the evening light was a true memory.

It was, after all, November 24th. A day when cold should reign, but for a moment, for an afternoon, the temperatures were warm and memories were made. I am beginning to realize that I must take advantage of great weather when it is unexpectedly provided.

I strive to grasp and remember days like yesterday. Today's high will be 55 degrees and that will happen this morning. The evening forecast calls for 39 degrees accompanied by rain and snow! Oh by the way, it is thirty days until Christmas!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 24, 2014

New Door Mat

1. Happy Thanksgiving. Eat a turkey, don't be one.

2. Be safe traveling this week, remember, this week has one of the busiest travel days of the year.

3. It is supposed to be in the 70's today. Yay! A final respite before the onslaught of winter begins.

Snowman picture on the wall

4. Winter takes many forms. Lots of people like snowmen. This one has lights! And it now hangs in my family room. It blinks. Really!

5. Traveling through Pennsylvania on a Sunday morning is the best time.

6. Turn signals. What a concept. I wonder how many people really know what the lever on the left side of the steering wheel is for?

7. What exactly is a turkey trot?

8. It is good to have the family gathering for the holiday! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunrise Fire in the Sky

Sunrise Reflected in the Car Door

Yesterday morning the fiery sunrise that graced the eastern sky was something to behold.

I walked outside to photograph it and I saw its reflection in the car. It was stunning, ruining in a stripe along the door of the car.

The sunrise was even more spectacular when looking at it through the naked, ready for winter, trees. The day was dawning and with it promise and excitement. Even though it was clear and cold, it was about 18 degrees as I stood outside with no coat and bare feet taking the picture, the artistry in the sky was something to be marveled at and appreciated. 

Sunrise, Saturday November 22, 2014
Danby, NY

I wish I were a painter like Van Gogh, but at least I can take an image to remember the magnificence of the scene.

I saw the fire of the sun as it crept above the horizon, the scene seemed even colder than it was because of the bare trees.

I am glad I imprinted this scene on my mind. But that was yesterday.

I wonder what joys today will bring?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY

Travel, sunset, flags and pizza

Looking Up a Valley in Central Pennsylvania

This time if year, it is best to leave for a road trip while there is still plenty of daylight.

The road trip this weekend is to upstate New York near the region where the epic snows have been falling, but not quite there; thankfully!

I enjoyed the drive because I didn't have to drive the first part of the trip and was able to look out the window and absorb the views as the sun began to set. It is that golden time of day when the sun makes even the leafless trees look interesting in the setting light. I especially enjoyed the lengthening shadows cast by the setting sun on the hills.

The colors were so bright yesterday against the crisp (OK, cold) sky.

Flag on the Bridge to Northumberland, PA

Sadly, though, as we were traveling across the bridge into Northumberland, PA, I saw something that needs to be corrected. The bridge has a number of US flags adorning the span, but they are in a sad state of repair and need to be replaced. Many of the flags along the bridge were torn similar to the one I imaged here. Proper care an respect of the flag mandates that these flags need to be replaced. I hope this happens soon.

Dinner at the end of the road

Fortunately there was only a dusting of snow on the ground when we arrived. The heavy snow is more north. The good news was that when we arrived there was a pizza waiting for us and that easily erased the memory of the trip. 

Traffic on Friday afternoon was frustrating even though we left just after noon. It took almost an hour to drive the 30 minutes around the Baltimore beltway. That set up a chain of events that caused us to hit heavy afternoon traffic in two other locations. Ugh! All told, traffic added an hour to our trip. 

But we arrived safely and I enjoyed the views until darkness fell and then, of course, it was my turn to drive.

It is the weekend. I am going to enjoy it and have a great time. I will be back home and at work too soon.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY

Keeping My Eyes Open

It was a beautiful November Sunday afternoon headed into a Baltimore Ravens football game on the Sunday before Veterans Day. What should I have expected?

Firstly, I didn't expect to be going to a Ravens game nor did I expect the weather to be idyllic.

Walking along the Ravens walk, however, I discovered two fully restored venerable vehicles from World War II. A half track and a Willys Jeep.

I remember watching television shows and movies with both of these vehicles in them and I never realized how reliable vehicles like these helped to change modern warfare.

They seemed out of place amid the throng of modern day football fans and many of whom barely paused to notice there historic machines. 

By keeping my eyes ope, I discovered something that did not seem to belong.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dark to Darker

It happened yesterday for the first time this season. It actually is the one thing I don't like about this time of year even more than the cold and snow.

It is going to work and later arriving at home during hours of darkness. 

Sunrise was 6:54AM as I was arriving at work, and sunset was 4:49PM for a grand total of 9 hours 55 minutes of sunlight upon the region. 

The darkness saps my energy. And my memory apparently,  I forgot that the Leonid meteor shower was at its peak on Tuesday night! Ugh! It was too cold to watch them anyway. 

Last evening I had to head over to do what I call, grandpa duty and be at the house when Ethan and Jax arrived home after a hard day of school. That ultimately delated my own arrival at home until well after darkness had fallen upon the land.

Frigid temperatures and increasing darkness. Yup, it is winter time no matter that the calendar tries to tell me winter does not begin for almost another month.

I now understand the concept of keeping the home fires burning.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections of Autumn

Buffalo, NY, November 2014

I noticed yesterday, while driving home from work, that the end has arrived for the autumn leaves. I have to admit, it was a beautiful and long autumn in my area. The colors of the leaves on the trees provided many opportunities to be amazed as their hues pasted against a clear cerulean and cold sky. 

Most of the trees are now bare and ready for the onset of winter. The leaves which once adorned their branches are scattered in piles upon the land and no longer muffle the sounds of traffic on the interstate. 

Snow has even been seen falling recently and more will soon be expected. We have not seen, nor do we expect to see as much snow as some areas of Upstate New York, near Buffalo. I downloaded an image posted by a friend which made me feel better about being in Maryland. That is just too much snow! And, in case you had forgotten, it is only November!

I remember last winter just did not want to let go and allow spring to arrive. It seems that winter has been waiting for the past eight months to get revenge upon us for allowing spring to arrive at all!

Jay on the Beach

After looking at the cold and preparing for my excursion out into the 17 degree morning, according to my home thermometer, I came across an image of a Jay standing on a warm looking probable Florida beach in Facebook. Thanks for rubbing it in Jay. 

It is a really nice image. I like the sun in the background. 

I wish I was on a warm beach somewhere enjoying the afternoon sun with my dive mask and snorkel in hand. 

But I'm not! I'm lamenting the end of autumn and the cruel onset of winter.

I am encouraged that temperatures will rebound in to the 40's and 50's by weeks end. When did I ever think I'd be looking forward to temperatures of 40's and 50's?

Good-bye autumn and hello winter! Spring must not be far off!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Coldest Morning of the Season

It is cold out this morning. It is the coldest morning of the season, thus far. As some would read the thermometer, it is not really that cold. It is not the bone chilling frigid weather being faced by people living in the midwest where Denver saw -1 the other day. Thankfully, it is definitely not that cold.

But still, cold is cold. My local weather station reports the temperature at 23.8 degrees Fahrenheit. That qualifies as cold. A freeze, even. All of the annuals have dies with the recent spate of below freezing temperatures. It was sad to see them go, but freeing because the gardens are beginning the process of readying for revival.

A review of some of my favorite places finds temperatures ranging from 19 degrees in both Ithaca, NY,  and Denver, CO; to 75 degrees in, wait for it, Key West.

I noticed that it is 27 degrees in Charlottesville, so even the Virginia wine country is cold.

I could wish I was further south, but I'm not so I just have to deal with it.

I may even have to wear an overcoat this morning to protect myself from the chill.

As the day prepares for dawn, the temperatures will rise--but it will still be cold. 

Be careful out there!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 17, 2014

1. There is just over a week until Thanksgiving and the turkey's are getting fat.

2. Holiday decorations take a long time to put up. 

3. The baseball off-season is heating up. 

4. Is it possible to enjoy the holidays and not gain weight?

5. Do football and turkey have anything on common other than Thanksgiving?

6. What is your traditional Christmas Day meal? Ours is prime beef and presents.

7. I like the Penguins of Madagascar. Smile and wave, boys--smile and wave. I'm looking forward to the upcoming movie.

8.  I enjoy Sunday's when the Raven's have a bye week.

9. Wine for Thanksgiving? I'll give some suggestions this week in my wine blog.

10. My favorite Thanksgiving activity is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Let the floats fly!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Snow Village Arrives for the Holidays

The completed display

After a year hiatus, the annual version of our Snow Village was created yesterday. It was an especially complex assembly because we decided, at the last minute, to add a train to the scene. The train was graciously loaned to us by Patrick and Tina. 

The boxes being staged

The first and most difficult decision surrounding the display was the location. Even though the Snow Village is fairly large, we actually discussed five different locations and the final location--interestingly, was not one of the initial choice. This year, the display is in our dining room.

Initial layout without train

The Snow Village is a whole day project, well almost all day, that requires multiple boxes to be retrieved from the storage area and staged. The multiple buildings and pieces which become the scene must each be checked and placed on  the underlying base which I have made configurable for what ever space we choose. 

The train is Assembled and the city placed

The train caused the base to be changed this year, which delayed assembly, but also provided some exciting creativity moments. The change is evident in the pictures I have added. We used an HO scale train, however, upon reflection, I'm not sure that is the best scale for the Snow Village. But, hey, it works and it is fun, for the first time ever, to have an operating train in the village. 

Seven hours after we began--it was complete. I believe we will continue to incorporate trains into the village and will do a better job planning in the future. It will likely become a train display with a Snow Village rather than a Snow Village with a train. 

Bring on the holidays!

Note: One observant reader asked about the Christmas lights I put on the house on Veterans Day. To clarify, the lights are in place but not illuminated. We do not begin lighting them until the day after Thanksgiving when it truly becomes the Christmas Season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Big Hero 6 - Review

Lucas in front of Baymax

What are you doing this cold weekend? Getting ready for the holidays or hoping they won't come?

Here's a thought. Go to a movie! Yup. I went to see Big Hero 6 with the grandsons and I confirm--it is worth the time and money. 

The movie is well paced and has a good story with a not so obvious twist. 

The story revolves around a Hiro Hamada, a 14-year old genius whose older brother, Tadashi, motivates to achieve something higher than where he was happy being. Tadashi, who tragically dies, was a genius as well and created a personal health assistant robot, Baymax. Teaming with his older brother's friends, Hiro, accompanied by Baymax, unravel the details around Tadashi's death and begin down the road to becoming super heroes.

The story is fast paced with action to keep the younger crowd engaged, but also has an engaging story for the older audience, like me.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie, preferably with kids or grandkids. In my case I was lucky--I went with both kids and grandkids. Have fun. Buy some popcorn and escape for a couple hours on a cold weekend's afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Unnamed Holiday, Holidays

What is in a name?

It seems quite a bit. Montgomery County, Maryland, has decided to omit the religious names of observances from the calendar.

So let me get this straight--if I don't call it Yom Kippur or Easter, but there is still a day off it makes it all better?

CNN reports it this way:

(CNN) -- Starting next year, the names of religious holidays like Christmas and Yom Kippur will no longer appear on the school calendar in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Instead of Christmas break, students will have winter break. And when Yom Kippur rolls around, the calendar will simply state that there will be no school.

I'm caught up in the old idea that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. A holiday, although unnamed, is still an observance!

This sounds really petty--and all because another special interest group wanted to add another holiday to the school calendar.

I sat on the Howard County, Maryland, School Calendar committee planning the 2014 calendar and I have some observations.

First and foremost--Christmas needs to be excluded from the discussion of religious holidays with respect to school calendars. Why? Christmas is a federal holiday unlike all of the rest of the days being considered. So it is truly acceptable to say Merry Christmas and not worry about it being construed as a religious event.

Second--everybody should have seen that this situation was going to be coming soon. There are enough teacher work days built into the schedule to be able to move them around to accommodate the "religious" holidays if the school districts really wanted to account for them. 

Third--at least in Maryland, not all of the federal holidays are observed by the schools. 

Finally, the calendars in the school systems are built around the last day of school. Anything is negotiable as long as the last day of school is not too late during June. With some creative work everyone's wishes could be accommodated.

I think the final paragraph from the CNN article really sums it up:

"They're trying to be politically correct so they don't offend anybody," he said. "But let's be real here; they're going to offend a few people. People always get offended."
It is not that hard. If we, as a society, are going to be inclusive--as we say we want to be, then we need to act that way. Taking the religious names off the calendar doesn't change the fact of the observance, it only obscures it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Winter's Approach and the Deer Draw Near

Deer in the Forest

During the warm days of this past weekend, I became aware that I was being watched, closely, much of the time I was working in the yard. 

As the season grows darker with the coming of winter, it seems that the four-legged critters that we share the area with lose their fear am draw closer to the house. Not only have the deer been stalking me, but the yard is full of rabbits and squirrels. Makayla loves chasing them from the yard--but it is only a temporary measure. 

There were actually five deer near me that day. Two panicked and ran as I got close to the boundary separating my yard from the wild area, but these three remained hoping for a hand out, I think.

I have watched to two smaller deer grow from fawns at the beginning of the year. I am amazed that they are still at their mother's side even as the winter draws near. 

I enjoy living on the boundary between civilization and the wild land. It is reassuring that there is so much wild space near us that it supports a thriving herd of deer--which, admittedly are a nuisance, but were more well behaved this year and did not eat the expensive flowers to the ground thinking they were a gourmet deer meal.

I also was really amazed at how close they let me approach the group before the walked--not ran, away. They were never bothered by my presence until I got about 40 feet away. I was reminded of a golf outing a few weeks ago at twilight when the deer herds were running the golf course and I actually took one shot while looking a buck in the eyes. He was only about 20 feet away and totally unconcerned that I was swinging a club at a small white ball. I remember taking another shot across and above a small grouping of deer. They were very accepting of my presence.

The frigid cold is approaching and with it winter-like weather. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of the deer and other critters in my yard seeking food.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What I Did on Veterans Day

I was very busy on Veterans Day. I think I would have been better off to go to work, because I worked hard around the house. 

I played some too.

Here is how the day went down.

I wrote my Veterans Day blog.

Driving Range

Then, because the morning was cold (36 degrees) and the lawn was still wet, I decided to go to a driving range and hit some balls, since I wasn't going be able to play golf. I also had one club re-gripped because it was a disaster. I hit 168 golf balls in about an hour and a half while the sun crawled higher up into the sky and the day began to get going.

Back at the house it was time to finish cutting down the grasses that form the privacy fence around the pool. I love the grasses, but every year they must be cut down and removed. It is not a hard job, but it isn't a lot of fun because they make my arms swell a bit because I am a bit allergic to them. Even though I wear a long sleeve shirt, they manage to get under the fabric around my wrists.

My Truck loaded with the Grasses

Then it was off to the landfill to recycle the grasses with my trusty dog Makayla. She loves to go for road trips and I like having her along for the ride. Speaking of the ride--wow, two delays. First, I got a mile down the read before I realized that I had a soft tire so it was back to the house for air. Then I realized I needed gas--ugh! Why didn't I fill the tank on Friday when I knew it was low?

Back at the house it was time for lunch. 

Then Christmas decorations. I do exterior decorations on Veterans Day, especially if it is a nice day, because then I don't have to worry about them later. For this event, I called in reinforcements: Patrick and Tina. The small army working together completed the task in record time and by 4:00 we were done! Yay.

But the day wasn't over yet.

I have been working to make the fire table have real flames for over two weeks. I have ordered a number of things to make this happen--and have been thwarted. Today, though, the FEDEX man delivered the final part--an adjustable regulator. With Patrick's assistance the fire table was transformed from a warming table to one with true flames and became a true place to enjoy.

But wait, there's more, it was racquetball evening. By 5:30PM I was on the racquetball court playing a match. 

I was there for a bit and then it was home, arriving about 7:30 PM. 

Dinner and a glass of wine around the refurbished fire table was the perfect exclamation point on the day. 

A great day. Very busy and full.

--Bob Doan, Elkridge, Md