Halling the Deck

I spent a couple days this week on Deckzilla’s annual spa treatment. That meant last week’s power washing was followed by a complete sealing/staining this week. Have I mentioned before how damned big this thing is (hence the name)? It was still nice to spend some time outside as the weather continues to progress towards something resembling spring. The nice part didn’t extend to the contortions I had to go through to reach some of the nether regions of Deckzilla. This year called for a complete coating as the winter and sun made their usual inroads on Deckzilla’s wood.

Deckzilla After the Power Washing

After the Staining

Ready for Action, Including the Sun Shade

My Favorite Panamanian did her part in the effort by commencing her spring planting of the various plants she’s bought over the last couple weeks, including Deckzilla’s flower pots which were removed for the staining. I still marvel at her innate abilities with flora. I’m prohibited (by myself) for endeavoring in that arena other than providing the occasional brute force and ignorance, usually in digging holes and carrying bags of dirt. The next step will be the annual mulch spreading but that delivery won’t happen until Saturday so my ravaged wrists get a chance to recover (if I haven’t mentioned this before – getting old can suck at times – such as when you have the repeated motions required for wielding paint brushes).

Between all of Deckzilla’s ministrations my Favorite Panamanian and I snuck out for a Date Night movie. We saw Guardian of the Galaxy, Vol 3. This is purported to be the final installment of this beloved Marvel franchise and it goes out with a bang. All of the lingering questions, some I didn’t know I had, were answered. It features the usual mix of humor, action, and heart along with great oldies. The flashback of Rocket’s origin story was heartbreaking but explained more than a lot. The skillful mixing of plot lines and the length of the movie gives the audience a chance to see off each of the iconic characters, although some of the reasons seemed forced. Still, a big, wild Guardians movie which is all I could have hoped for and I hoped for a lot. Loved it.

Three movies fell in my A-Z watch, two keepers and a definite elimination (first in a while), Devil’s Advocate, Reeves holding his own with Pacino, great chemistry; Devil’s Brigade, probably one of the movies that steered me towards a military career, loved William Holden; and Diamonds for Kilimanjaro, don’t know how the hell I came into possession of this, so bad, the fact they misprinted the title on the DVD case should have been a clue.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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