Hosed

Since we’re expecting a VIP guest tomorrow, Great Aunt, my Favorite Panamanian has been on one of her legendary cleaning binges. That means, so have I. Beach time was sacrificed today in order to fully clean windows that are usually covered with curtains. I’m told it’s important. The vacuum cleaner has been a true hero today, not so much the guy wielding it (I think she can sense my lack of total devotion to the effort). The already pristine condo will be sanitized to unprecedented levels by the time my sister arrives. Then the fun will start up again.

Wife Studying on the Beach Last Night

We also realized a long planned goal today by installing a dryer vent hose. I wasn’t here when the unit was installed so I always assumed the dryer was vented out somewhere behind. It was. Directly into the room. Our new upstairs neighbor came up with a cool way around this conundrum. They attached a hose and then set it in the window during use. This was much easier than trying to get a large hole drilled into the building. As you can see from the photos it is pretty close quarters in the utility room so not optimal for someone with size, like me. The upstairs neighbor volunteered to help and was sprightly enough to jump in behind the unit and handle the connections there. This was after I vacuumed up four years’ worth of dryer lint. I was impressed.

New Hose Deployed

And Stored

I’m into my second week of applying the chemotherapy cream to the biopsy site on my back. This, until I finish in a couple weeks, is not a lot of fun. An area about the size of a small tea cup looks like it’s been scorched. It also hurts, but only when I move my arm. The cool water of the pool and the Pacific Ocean help to a certain degree so life isn’t intolerable. This sucks but it beats the alternative.

Was Out on Beach Star Gazing Last Night
Saw this Sliver of the Moon Reflected in the Water

Beach This Morning

Both my wife and I are studying for our driver’s exam. We have the 133 test questions of which ten will be given to us on the appointed day. I’ve learned that horses that ride on the public ways must be fitted with horseshoes. I took the test after four beers yesterday and scored 131 out of 133 so I think I’ll be okay. My Favorite Panamanian is stressing a little because she wants to understand why certain answers are right. I’ve tried to impress upon her that understanding isn’t as important as remembering the right answer. I’m a work in progress.

Yesterday's Sunset

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RECURRING CHARACTERS:                                     

ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete - my daughter in law; BR3 – Blog Reader #3 – granddaughter #3; BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; CRC - Connecticut Riverboat Captain – another close friend from high school, renowned sailor of the big river; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during him her single days in Brooklyn; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter; First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd Musquetera (musketeer); Namesake Nephew – son of Great Aunt and Soxfather named after me; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member; 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; PCR - Pittsburgh College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; PCR+1 - Pittsburgh College Roommate’s wife; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course