Five Years Ago

I hesitate to make a statement in this regard but this has been a fairly easy winter so far. I hesitate because I was thinking the same thing 5 years and Mother Nature then laid the hammer down with a series of memorable snow falls. Of course, back then I had the driveway from hell to clear which made the winter even more unforgettable. I also had Buddy the Wonder Pooch as my trusty sidekick and he loved the snow which made it more bearable. While I’m still on a hilltop my driveway is a small fraction of the 2015 version. While the governor ordered all traffic off the roads a couple times that winter I was still proud of the New Englanders who emerged after the snow falls to clear the roads and get back to work.

The View from my Office 5 Years Ago

Both granddaughters were in high form last night. The FBR was very excited because her dad was due to arrive home. Wingman’s reunion tour ended and he was targeted for one of the FBR’s patented wakeup calls this morning. I volunteered to assist her in honing her technique in this area on my recent visit. The BRS was dancing to her favorite Frozen song when I caught up with her. She was doing this from the top of her kitchen tower which made the performance even more impressive. I also received an update from the Favorite Panamanian who will finally get down to our condo today for the first time since arriving in Panama. She’s been a more than willing taxi driver for her mother and elder uncles for medical appointments and then there’s always shopping to consider. There was also some very good news I that a new ultra-modern movie theater has opened in her home town adjacent to a huge new mall (they still build them down there).

Oh! Today is also the First Friday of the Week which will not go unrecognized.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor

Tic Tac Turnabout

I would be the very first to laud either of my granddaughters as highly intelligent, charming, and simply delightful. That would surprise no one who knows me. Even though I wasn’t able to talk with either of them last night I was provided with the attached video which demonstrates the basis for my less than unbiased opinion. The BRS is seen playing tic tac toe with my Favorite Son and actually seems to grasp the concept despite still being short of her second birthday. Granted that my son didn’t bring his “A” game to the contest but this still scored off the charts on the charm scale.

Making her Selection

She's Got Game

In for the Kill

Pickings were slim as far as unseen movies at the local cinema (I blame myself) so I violated one of my house rules when living alone in an empty house – I went to see a horror movie – The Turning. I normally avoid this because my imagination makes me a total candy ass when I have to return to a dark, empty house after being scared thoroughly by the movie. This was yet another re-telling of the classic Henry James story The Turn of the Screw. It doesn’t answer the age old question whether the ghosts were real or just in the dissolving mind of the benighted governess. It was kind of jarring to see Mackenzie Davis as the vulnerable governess after recently re-watching her kick butt in the latest Terminator movie. She’s very good in this which is a better movie than most critics are giving it. She’s charged with caring for two kids in a huge mansion that may be haunted. The kids are scarier than the ghosts and I thought director did a great job with imaging. It is ultimately frustrating because two endings are provided but after thinking about it I kind of liked that aspect. The whole point is to decide whether the supernatural entities are real or the governess is simply bats**t crazy. The director leaves it up to the viewer – I’m going with real, that’s why I kept the lights on a little longer last night.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor

Granddaughter Bequeathal

If you’ve read this blog at all you know by now that I am hopelessly in thrall to both of my granddaughters. The best recent news is that the FBR and BRS will be joined by another agent of joy – the BR3. Last night I was safely entombed in the solitary Man Cave when serial calls from both granddaughters brightened the leaden atmosphere. I’ve already noted that the FBR has inherited my Favorite Panamanian’s shopping genes (extensive as they are). Last evening she regaled me with the proper way to speed eat an ice cream sandwich (something I’m guessing she gets from me). She also related her weekend adventures at a Frozen themed birthday party. Apparently Princess Elsa drove all the way from Disneyworld to help apply makeup for the party goers. Disney, what can you say? They are dedicated to their fans.

The BRS was equally charming last night. My Favorite Panamanian has bequeathed her telephone adeptness to this little fireball. Last night when the BRS saw I was on the phone she demanded my son give her the phone. I spent the rest of the conversation speed walking around their house with a view of her hairline and above. During our travels her other grandfather, the ABFA’s redoubtable dad, called in. She immediately demanded that phone also and refused to give up the one I was on. I was able to share a few words with my counterpart as we continued our trek with a very satisfied BRS who kept saying “Hi!” whenever she heard our voices. She’s not even two yet but was capable of handling two phones simultaneously with great aplomb. This is definitely something she inherited from my wife, whom I once caught carrying on three separate phone conversations at once (cell phone, house phone, and Skype); definitely genetic.

I eventually left the house for dateless date night and saw The Gentlemen. This was Guy Ritchie attempting to return to his earlier themes of quirky British criminals. Matthew McConaughey leads off as a career marijuana impresario assaulted on all sides from one Ritchie’s typical mixture of bad guys - Chinese mobsters, Russian mobsters, and American mobsters. The cast is genuinely superb and this is the first movie I really enjoyed Charlie Hunnam in as he makes his way from the small to the large screen. He plays McConaughey’s second in command who has to manage the chaos swirling around the various sub-plots. Michelle Dockery also shines as the more than capable wife. Colin Farrell however steals the movie as possibly the one sort of good guy. He nails every scene he’s in as a hyper boxing trainer trying to shield his charges from the criminal world. The thick British accents were a challenge at times for a Yank but it’s definitely one of the movies I’ll see again, knowing I missed some things during the rapidly evolving plot. It was the funniest movie I’ve seen in a while and definitely a return to form for Ritchie.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Year Ahead

This will be a fascinating year ahead as we prepare to immerse ourselves in the presidential primaries. It’s bringing into sharp focus the stranglehold the two political parties have on our republic and this most important of political contests. There are some very interesting candidates trying to gain footholds, Tom Steyer, Pete Buttigieg, and Andrew Wang amongst them. They seem to be fighting a losing battle though against the entrenched party faithful. I thought at least the democrats would have learned after Hillary hijacked the last nomination from Bernie Sanders but they seem to be lining up with the career politicians versus some guys (like the ones I noted above) who have clear leadership credentials.

This could all end with a choice between the Twitterer in Chief and an avowed Socialist in Sanders. A friend recently shared an interesting article about the political process in which the primaries are identified as the problem in a polarized America. The people most likely to vote in primaries are the most ardent adherents of the far ends of the spectrums, radical liberals for democrats and staunch conservatives for Republicans. At the end of the primaries, for the general elections, when most people come out to vote, we’re left with only choices from the two ends of the spectrum. If we are left with the choice of Sanders or Trump that could be a good thing. Maybe, just maybe (and I’ve always been an optimist) the burgeoning center will finally assert itself and it can serve as a death knell for the existing power of the current political parties. It will certainly signal they have lost credibility with the majority of Americans.

First Draft of the Route

I’m continuing my planning for my cross country trek later this year. I mapped out the roads I want to take in hitting all 48 of the lower states. It was a fascinating process in trying to find state routes that went in the direction I wanted. I avoided areas that I know too well from my Army days, either having lived there or spent a lot of time visiting. That was toughest in my home state of New Hampshire which I know almost too well. I was also reminded of how big those western states are. I’m sure the itinerary will evolve right up to the departure date but I getting genuinely excited about the prospect.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Granite State Fun Run

A granddaughter once again played a key role in assuaging any thought of loneliness over the past weekend. This time the BRS stepped up with able assist from Keene Friend and the Cantankerous One. I started out Saturday morning to the New Hampshire seacoast to see my Favorite Son, the ABFA, and the BRS. He was holding the BRS looking out for me when I drove in and she immediately took charge when I came in. She showed me all of her Christmas acquisitions and is a lot more verbal in the short time since I last saw her. She also became a big fan of grandfather shoulder rides.

A Very Happy Grampa

In Thrall

Fortunately for my Knees Daddy was on Ball Tent Duty

I didn’t want to stay too long because the ABFA was fighting a cold along with the BR3 demands on her energy. It was still a very fun visit that reminded me of how lucky I’ve been on a number of levels. My next stop was the other side of New Hampshire for an afternoon with high school buddies. I used the northern route via I-89 and made the trip in about one and a half hours. That would have been unheard of back in the day and much faster than recent trips via route 101. I got to Keene so early that Keene Friend was still out running errands. This allowed me the luxury of driving around my hometown wallowing in nostalgia.

Keene and Cantankerous Friends at Kilkenny

Keene Friend and I set up shop in the Kilkenny Pub after finding the new bar inhabiting the former Scores wasn’t open on Saturday afternoons. That turned out to be a good thing because I love the Kilkenny – which is a real bar without affectations or apologies. We were soon joined by the Cantankerous Friend and somehow successfully avoided politics for the entire afternoon. It was a great afternoon of old friends sitting around and just talking – although there was some beer sent downrange. There’s a shorthand in communication between guys who’ve been friends for as long as we have that’s comforting.

Meanwhile - Panama City The PanaGals were on the Loose

I drove home yesterday to accomplish the usual Sunday chores. My Favorite Panamanian had been closely following my travels and delivered her usual diatribe on the evils of demon alcohol but I enjoyed talking with her enough to take it in stride. She had been running around Panama City with her cousin and sister for the past few days so didn’t really have a platform to lecture. I was shocked to hear the news of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. It was also telling that his death seemed to be a bigger “news” story than anything else going on, including the presidential impeachment. It’s a sad comment on how far we’ve fallen into celebrity worship versus real news. Still Bryant seemed to have been one of the few superstars who were bigger than their game and genuine.

FBR Was Getting her Elsa on in NJ

I'm Guessing She Liked It

Frozen Themed Birthday Party - Talk about Wheelhouses!

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Fox Run

I’m starting to get into my annual geographic bachelor routines which can be startling for anyone who knows me. I wash dishes before going to bed and have caught myself actually vacuuming the Man Cave. The less said about my ironing technique the better. I blame my Favorite Panamanian for all of this and yearn back to my earlier days of sloth. She’s ruined me – I can no longer stand a dirty/cluttered house. I mean, I’m even keeping house plants alive.

BRS Arguing About the Car Seat

Escape Mode

My newest fascination is my door bell. Not as weird as it sounds; I received a Ring doorbell for Christmas. My initial reason for asking for it was to identify the person who lets their dog crap in my front yard without picking it up. It’s so easy to use that I find myself checking the status of the house constantly as it alerts me when there is anyone walking or driving by. Yesterday I noticed an alert from 2 o’clock in the morning. When I reviewed the video (see below) I saw that we had fox making its early morning rounds. I hope it had squirrels or rabbits on its play list. Oh, not a single dog crap incident since I put up the sign about the camera. Dog walkers seem to hurry by the house now.

I caught up with the FBR last night as she was taking her bath. This severely reduced her ability to splash which was a good thing for my daughter who had the task of eventually extracting her from the tub. I didn’t get the chance to talk with the BRS but she’s lost nothing off her fastball when it comes to establishing attitude. The ABFA posted these pictures this morning of her trying to get the BRS to consent to the car seat. This will be a very interesting ride for my Favorite Son, the ABFA, and BR3.

Very Startling Photo of Lightning with Philippine Volcano - I Know - Random

I finally spoke with my Favorite Panamanian who’s been hard to pin down for the past couple days. She’s spent her entire first week driving her mother and uncles to medical appointments. She feels honor bound to do this since those duties fall upon her sister and cousins for most of the year. She hasn’t even been to the condo yet. She did fly down to Panama City Tuesday night to spend a few days there with cousins and shop, of course. I felt a real pull to be down there with her when she related she spent last evening with the daughter of her older sister, one of my favorite people in the world.

Wingman on the Death Star

She’s not the only one from the family on the road. Wingman’s band finally made it to the left coast on their reunion tour. Wingman is possibly even a bigger geek about Star Wars than I am. I know, lofty praise indeed. I was intensely jealous yesterday when he posted pictures of himself at Disneyland’s Star Wars attraction. He got on the Death Star and even into the pilot’s seat of the Millennium Falcon! I know he’d much rather be back in New Jersey, still, that had to be pretty cool.

Escaping in the Falcon

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Projecting

As I ease towards actual retirement I’m becoming more involved in planning my big post-retirement adventure; something I’ve had in mind for many years. I can claim to have “visited” 48 of the 50 states. The only outliers are North Dakota and Idaho. I say visited but in reality many of those were touch and goes at the airport or zipping along on the interstate from one place to another. My adventure will be an epic road trip in which I hit all 48 of the lower states. I’ll use mostly state routes and avoid the interstates because I want to take a look around this great country. I must be channeling my inner Jack Reacher but in reality this is something I’ve dreamed about before I started reading those books.

My Newest Obsession

I still believe in the fundamental greatness of this country and the intrinsic worth of the vast majority of the people inhabiting it. During my years in the Army I was always too busy to take the needed look around to see what had led to my calling in defense of it. I’ve started with the premise that I’ll avoid the places I’ve already spent a lot of time in and hit the undiscovered (personally) places. My Favorite Panamanian recently informed me, in no uncertain terms, that I would not be taking this trip without her, although she did immediately start complaining that it sounded boring. I plan on starting this summer and getting as far as I can each day and then finding a motel to crash for the night if a friend or relative isn’t within striking distance. I’m guessing at this point it will take about two weeks.

Man Cave Starting to Fill Up

As I said, the planning has started. I bought a book with the latest maps. Using a map of all 48 states I traced out a potential route and then went to the book of maps to see what roads are available along the way. I also sent away to each state tourism bureau for travel information and that has started to arrive at the house. It reminded me of a high school project where I exhaustively mailed each state for the same thing and received about 80% back. Now I used google and the state websites, making all the requests in about twenty minutes. I’m started to get excited about the adventure and really seeing America this time out.

For dateless date night I checked out Bad Boys for Life. After seeing this I’m still not convinced this was a franchise that needed to be resurrected. It was very entertaining to see the two buddies played by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence navigate middle age but the film at times goes for angst and introspection which isn’t either character’s strong suit. The guys are trying to find out why the entire country of Mexico seems devoted to killing Smith’s character. Things are blowing up all over in very Michael Bay fashion which requires the suspension of disbelief and common sense. It’s still an enjoyable ride emphasizing friendship, honor, and fast cars. Will Smith takes more of a central role, reflecting the difference in star power since the original, but Lawrence is undeniably funny when he needs to be.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Jersey on my Mind

Some three day weekends are better spent than others. This past one certainly qualifies as I accomplished two trips through the barren wasteland of Connecticut traffic (where hopes go to die) without incident or hold up. This is truly unprecedented. Of course, I would have done it with the usual pain because of the destination. I drove down on Saturday morning ahead of a snow storm to hang out with my daughter and the redoubtable FBR.

Heading Out to the Snowball Range
FBR with her Preferred Target

She immediately put me to work in a new game she’s developed. I was seated next to her while she employed one of her small figurines to attack another. I was then called upon to counsel the offending figurine who was then banished to a small pail. This is not a game she tires of, even after 50-60 iterations. I blame Soxfather for all of this as he introduced talking to the FBR’s figurines over the holidays. As we’ve all learned – the FBR forgets nothing. As she seemed to take an inordinate amount of joy out the silly game I was all in – even when summoned to play during the NFC championship game.

The Figurine Game

Grampa - You're not Paying Attention!

But That's Okay

The weekend also gave my daughter a couple breaks as she’s been acting as the sole child care provider during Wingman’s absence on tour. The FBR and I went out to lunch on Sunday at the local diner and she was perfect. I didn’t have to chase her down at all and she had a seemingly well-rehearsed schedule of sequencing her toys out of the accompanying bag. My favorite part of the weekend was getting some time with my daughter where we talked about our shared love of reading and movies. When the FBR retired each evening we watched movies and Mrs. Maisel together. She even convinced me to watch Little Women with her – who thought that was even possible?

Working with Mom on the Computer

I gave the FBR the important job of waking me up as soon as she came downstairs each morning. A task she took to with great aplomb. Luckily I could always hear her approaching down the sitars and was prepared when the four year bundle of energy landed on my stomach while I feigned sleep. New Jersey only got a couple inches of snow but the FBR and I were out there to insure every available snowball was made and then cast at the nearest grandfather. It’s my role in the equation. I know the FBR misses Wingman and when I asked her about the concert she went to last week she immediately summoned some of her dad’s band’s music. She then launched into a head banging dance to celebrate the music – claiming this was now her favorite song. Wingman over Disney – high praise indeed.

My Other Snow Bunny - the BRS

Very Excited

Dad You Don't Need Those Glasses

I am an Angel - Trust Me

I returned home yesterday to find that Worcester had received a lot more snow than New Jersey and the ensuing time/temperatures had allowed it to freeze solid. That made the snow blowing a little more interesting than it should have been. After groceries, laundry, and cooking I spent some quality time in the Man Cave insuring the DVR backlog did not get out of hand. Over the weekend we tried to get the BRS and FBR together via FaceTime and while the BRS was excited to pursue that the FBR was in diva mode.

The Sink Master

Yes - I Am!

The BRS had even donned her Moana costume of the call. My Favorite Son related the BRS was in full control of the kitchen sink now. This usually results in everything getting wet, prominent being herself and the surrounding kitchen. They also received a lot of snow. Riggins and the BRS engaged in a snow eating contest which the ABFA said greatly assisted in clearing the driveway. The BRS is a lot more vocal and answers questions in possibly the most charming manner ever. She also has very definite ideas of where she falls in the food chain. The word I am looking for is – formidable.

Riggins in the Snow

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Away We Go

Yesterday saw a fairly important milestone take place when the articles of impeachment finally made it over to the Senate. I got the distinct impression the house leadership didn’t want to let go of them because of the press they basked in during the past couple months. The Senate proceedings were appropriately a lot more solemn than the House circus. I remember in college during a political science class the professor emphasized that impeachment was a huge deal and had only been invoked once in our entire history. This marks the second impeachment in recent history. It was supposed to be a measure of last resort and not a political game; well, we’re now three for three on that count.

Senate Swearing In Yesterday

The advent of the information age has trivialized a wide range of formerly semi-sacred traditions and this needs to be added to the list. I blame the republicans who first invoked it for Clinton for something that didn’t rise to the founders’ concept of high crimes and misdemeanors. Clinton was certainly morally contemptible on a wide variety of levels but the republican’s hatred of him drove that impeachment effort. The same can certainly be said of the current situation. Trump is at least as contemptible (much more so actually) as Clinton and for me that’s saying a lot. The democrats are driven by hatred of Trump and his certifiably disgraceful personality. They were calling for his impeachment before he was even inaugurated. Being a self-important gas bag isn’t a crime, otherwise three quarters of the congress would have to be unseated along with the Twitterer in Chief.

My biggest concern is the distraction this will cause from both governing the country and keeping an eye on world events. US election years are always looked at as an opportunity by the lurking wolves out and about in the world as we devolve into our customary election year chaos. In the end though I have confidence in the intrinsic worth of this country that we can survive a Trump presidency which I guess qualifies as an acid test of our political system.

Wingman (r) and the Band at NASA

No contact with the granddaughters last night as I hunkered down in the Man Cave emptying out the DVR backlog along with Christmas gifted movies. A serious cold snap manifested itself accompanied by some serious winds which made the empty house seem a little spookier than usual. I should have stayed away from the scary fare. Morale maintenance responsibilities during this weekend’s geographic bachelor malaise fall upon the New Jersey bunch. I’m heading down there tomorrow hopefully ahead of the incoming snow storm to spend the long weekend with the redoubtable FBR and my daughter (also in geographical bachelorhood). Wingman continues his nationwide tour with the band and they were at Cape Kennedy this week and received a VIP tour of the space agency, extremely cool.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues