Spousal Safari

So, we’re getting to know our new gringo neighbors upstairs. They usually join us for our nightly worship of the setting sun and are close enough in age that we get along well (the old shared experiences situation). I bring this up because last week we were discussing their ongoing efforts to set up their newly acquired condo and bemoaning the fact they weren’t well acquainted with the shopping establishments in David, the nearest big city. You can all see where this is headed. I just so happen to be married to one of the Western World’s most accomplished and dedicated shoppers – my Favorite Panamanian. She also is a native of David so it was a match made in heaven (unless you’re considering cash flow considerations).

Had my Walking Partner Back This Morning

Yesterday's Wifeless Sunset

They set up a trip to David yesterday with a laundry list of items to purchase. They were accompanied by our resident PanaGal who was returning to David anyways. I heard rumblings throughout the day as my Favorite Panamanian informed me of the great items she found that she didn’t even realize we needed. I know. Amazing good fortune. I was sitting on the beach as the sun set with the other guy when our wives called to report their pillaging was complete, having run out of daylight, and were headed back to Las Lajas.

Husbands with our Carts Last Night

They showed up a little after eight last night and both of us went down to view the damage. My wife already had a wagon sized cart to haul our resupply runs up and our new neighbor was convinced it was a “need to have” item. The funniest moment of the day was seeing both of the carts fully loaded with the day’s booty dragged by the husbands into the condo. Although the ladies didn’t buy a couple of things they listed as the prime targets, boogie boards and curtain rods, they seemed to have done okay with supplementals, two wagons worth.

Re-Energized This Morning

I had my walking partner back for this morning’s walk where I received a full debrief on yesterday’s adventures. I didn’t receive one last night because she was so exhausted that she immediately went to bed. While she was gone yesterday, I took Facetime calls from the granddaughters. The FBR was encouraged to show me her injured foot which she sustained when, despite repeated warning from her parents, she performed gymnastic evolutions on the living room couch. She discovered the edge of the coffee table does not provide a soft landing spot. She sniffily reported that it didn’t hurt any more. The BRS and BR3 were in their usual high voice, aimed at each other for the most part. The BRS wanted to know about the crabs on the beach. I assured her they posed no risk and she would enjoy chasing them. BR3 attended her first official day of pre-school yesterday, having been promoted from the toddler class. By all reports it was a complete success. BR3 seemed to be preening with additional maturity.

Pre-Schooler

And Excited About It

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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