So, It Begins

Some late-night blog writing is required since I plan to devote all the usual waking hours to enjoying my usual Christmas high. That unfairly burgeoning sense of joy was given a huge boost earlier today with the arrival of my daughter and the FBR. Before I get to that I have to report on a fairly frustrating Friday (unusual for that day of the week). I was excited all week long because my former most excellent boss and the guy who followed me as general manger were planning on meeting up for a First Friday gathering. The New England winter finally decided to show up which put the kibosh on that plan since my former boos was traveling across the state. I was further frustrated driving around the city on gift related errands. We only got about two inches of snow but traffic was snarled everywhere. It seems we’ve lost something since my youth when I remember anything less than six inches of snow caused no problems getting around. Of course, I lived in a small town with a population used to snow and not a large city with an unfair percentage of flatlanders.

Guarding the FBR's Stuffies

Morale was therefore dented but unbowed when it received the expected major influx of joy with the aforementioned arrival. They also delivered a bounty of Christmas cookies. Wingman had to stay home for work so he won’t be with us until Monday. The FBR was excited about the minimal amount of snow. Fifteen minutes after she arrived, she had linked up with the next door neighbors granddaughter, donned her snow suit, borrowed her abuela’s snow boots and was sliding down the back hill. She was taking particular care to avoid her abuela’s Virgin Mary statue, remembering the decapitation situation of a few years ago. The FBR must have inherited some of my New Hampshire genes that her mother avoided as she embraces the cold versus cowering from it (like my wife and daughter).

This Much Snow Shouldn't be a Problem

They're Here! With Cookies!!!!!

She returned from conquering the hill to unveil the first Christmas present she received, a karaoke set from Wingmom. She and her mom were soon belting out songs, with a decided preference for Taylor Swift. They drew my Favorite Panamanian into a performance of Feliz Navidad. We all started laughing when she had trouble with the line, “I want to wish you a Merry Christmas”. It turned out she thought the phrase was, “I want to wish you an American Christmas”. She did great with the Spanish part of the song. I maintained my lifelong determination not to inflict my singing voice on anybody, much less people I love as much as these. The FBR then promoted me to be caretaker of her stuffed animals and equipped me with some goofy glasses to perform the task (so much better than singing).

FBR on the Hill

Karaoke Time

Very Melodic

After dinner the FBR demanded a movie night since she missed her usual Friday because she was assisting her mom with cookie preparation (truly God’s work). We all descended into the Man Cave to watch A Christmas Story to enjoy Ralphie’s quests for his Red Rider. After a popcorn filled granddaughter retired for the night, my daughter and I watched the latest Clint Eastwood directorial effort which was really good. I truly enjoy watching movies with either of my kids, even if I don’t like the movie, the company is just that good. So, here I sit, around midnight, just savoring the Christmas spirit and looking forward to further embellishment tomorrow when my son’s family shows up. Life is good.

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: No Country for Old Men, almost a perfect movie despite the haircut; No Hard Feelings, Ms. Lawrence is simply fantastic; North Dallas Forty, some major plot holes but stark look at 1970s NFL; Notting Hill, Roberts and Grant at their peaks; The November Man, Brosnan back in the spy genre in great thriller; and No Way Out, dated but loved seeing some of my old haunts from DC area, including where I used to run every day.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Biopsy Free Tuesday

I didn’t even realize that it was biopsy free Tuesday or I would have felt a lot better about my visit to the dermatologist office yesterday. I had my semi-annual visit there where a comely dermatologist runs her hands all over my body and there’s usually some delving into my skin involved. I hardly notice because I’m praying too hard that she doesn’t find anything worthy of a biopsy and the dreaded follow up Mohs Surgery. In accordance with strict instructions from Great Aunt to keep her advised of all things health related, I can report no biopsy was needed (prayers answered). I didn’t get out of her clutches unscathed though as there were two areas on my face needed to be frozen since they were pre-cancerous; one under my right eye and just below the scalp on the left side. It still counts as a win though despite the frozen section swelling up. I’ll say I was in a fight and you should see the other guy.

Not Too Much Damage

Cue the Happy Dance

In more important and tasty news, the family Christmas cookie production seems to be on schedule. My Favorite Panamanian completed the spritz cookies and they’re safely in the freezer where I am forbidden to venture. My son and his crew are working on sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms. Meanwhile in New Jersey, my daughter and the FBR have thrown themselves into the effort over the last couple nights with these photos as testimony. The FBR proudly proclaims that she is the official taste tester, definitely horning in on my territory but the geographic distance involved prevents any fisticuffs. I am very excited that the entire family will be in the house by the end of the weekend.

The date night movie this week was Kraven the Hunter. I’m not sure why this is getting such bad press because I thought this was a fun super-hero movie.    Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was so good in Bullet Train, proves he’s certainly grown up since his Kick Ass days. He’s a very watchable star and more than holds his own with Russell Crowe who plays his evil Russian dad. The action was top notch and Kraven is an interesting hero. My only problem was the ending which I think they botched, trying to ham-handedly set up a sequel. With current box office figures, I don’t think they’ll have to worry about that but I did truly enjoy this.

Two movies fell in the A-Z watch, both keepers: Nobody, love this action flick with a great premise and Nobody’s Fool, might be Newman’s best role, love it when his luck turns.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Holidaying, Again

We were off to the holiday races again this past weekend with the Christmas open house at the home of one of the mafia members, near our old Charlton haunts. These very good friends are justifiably famous for their gatherings, this one or the annual 4^th of July bash. There would be none of the summer immersion in their pool, of course. They had a very fun group of friends and neighbors, including the renowned Czech Friends and the Czech Shadow (fresh off her triumphant school play audition). My Favorite Panamanian and the host had conspired to continue with the best holiday games they could glean from YouTube. There was also the obligatory table full of delicacies which had me in abject pain that I couldn’t devour more than I did (still working the November excesses off the belt line).

Saturday Party, Shadow Next to my Wife

The games were a lot of fun. There’s something of very lighthearted competition that can be bonding. We also indulged in the left-right-center game where I continued my lifelong losing streak in that benighted game. One of the Czech friends won and the Shadow immediately assumed control of the money; I’m sure discussion followed at home. It was exactly the kind of party that makes this season so special for me, hanging out with good people and celebrating life. Sometimes it takes Christmas rolling around to fully appreciate it. Many thanks to our stalwart hosts for that special Saturday night.

Source of Consternation

Host Explaining Game Rules

This season also calls for doctor’s appointments, at least for my wife and I. The annual physicals have been migrating in this direction for years as they have to be more than a calendar year after the previous one. It’s testament to how long we’ve been in one place that these started out in November and are now invading the last weeks of December. We started out bright and early with my Favorite Panamanian’s knee surgeon follow up. She presented him with a picture of her hiking up the rock-strewn path in Medjugorje in way of thanks. I then had my annual physical a couple hours later followed by my wife’s this afternoon. New England helped by providing some freezing rain for the roads to ensure blood pressures were elevated.

L-R-C Game

Wife Setting up Next Game

Competition was Fierce

I’m honor bound to report my health stuff because Great Aunt chastises me if she discovers I’m dealing with something she hasn’t been advised about. Therefore, I can blissfully report that I came through this year with flying colors. The only follow up is with an eye doctor and only because it has been a couple decades since I’ve seen one (I love the Lasix surgery that allowed that). In discussion with the doctor, she says it’s recommended that someone my age should limit his alcohol consumption to one drink per night. While I understood her advice, I told her I have a much younger body that it may appear. I don’t think she bought it. I have a bone to pick with Great Aunt which is health related. She knows I’m doing this A-Z watch, but she still recommended a Netflix series, Black Doves, that is decidedly affecting my sleep schedule since I stay up even later than usual to watch.

Three movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: The Night Before, some really knock down drag out jokes in this holiday movie, Rogen in church hallucinating may be his funniest screen moment ever; The Ninth Gate, spooky thriller with Depp sleuthing amongst devil worshippers assisted by hottest demon ever; Noah, was wondering how they could make an entertaining film about the most famous boat trip ever, somehow, they did it, Crowe helps a lot in that regard.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

That Special Something

I’ve said it way too many times to worry about becoming redundant, but there is something special about cousins. This “theory” (fact) was proven again yesterday when I was summoned back to my hometown to celebrate the birthday of one of our eldest cousins. It moderately scares me that I now have cousins in their 80s but thankfully they’re every bit as much fun as they were when they were teenagers and worshipped by us younger ones. The luncheon was held at Tempesta's Restaurant. My Favorite Panamanian declared she had never been there until I reminded her that the birthday pub crawl used to start there when it was called Waxy O'Connors. She still didn’t remember but I put that down to the fact that you can clearly see the TJ Maxx store across the highway, and she probably ignored every other detail back in the day.

Cousins!

Shortly after assembling the cousins immediately picked up our conversations as if no time had passed since we last got together. Given the aforementioned advancing onslaught of age a lot of the conversation revolved around health issues. The youngest member of the group, and only one from the next generation, was a good sport about the chronicling of all the aches and pains. Since we no longer do our Thanksgivings together this was a lot of fun to catch up with the all the comings and goings within the family. I left, as I always do, thinking we should do this more often.

The Birthday Girl (2d from left)

Since we were so close to my Favorite Panamanian’s most robust tax-free hunting grounds, she quickly dropped me off at Keene Friend’s so he could supervise me during her shopping induced absence. After awaiting the opening time for the Lab ‘n Lager, he and I walked to that establishment. We decided along the way that it was really, damned cold and rethought any plans of leaving the heated environs after that. We ran into the Cantankerous Friend as we were entering. We were later joined by a couple other high school classmates, including the Kindergarten Friend. This provided for a very fun afternoon of laughs. The other classmate brought us each a small box of Christmas cookies she had made. She knew her audience.

At the Lab

We stayed a lot longer than I had anticipated but since we were tied to my wife’s shopping experience I shouldn’t have been. The time for the First Friday Family Facetime Call rolled around and while I got it started on my iPhone, I could only see a few faces and hear virtually nothing since the Lab had a healthy First Friday crowd itself. I found that I really missed having that call despite all the fun I was having with my good friends. I hope the rest of the family continued with the call after I bowed out. The FBR, in particular, looked vexed with me when I signed off. The Favorite Panamanian finally exhausted her hunting inclinations and deigned it was time for dinner. The Kindergarten Friend had to return home since his furnace was on the blink which left the four of us to join the wife. We walked across the street to Margarita’s only to find that again, that once proud location failing miserably. They had a bunch of open tables but didn’t have the staff to handle the Friday crowd. When I asked how long a wait, the hostess said she had no idea.

Keene Friend Tried to Sneak out of Picture

We abandoned downtown for dinner at Applebee’s which was a lot of fun. My Favorite Panamanian took in her fellow, well lubricated tablemates with her usual good grace (she has experience). Some of us were more well-oiled than others. The Cantankerous Friend made the tactical error of drinking the more potent IPAs all afternoon at the Lab instead of the watered down Lite beer the rest of us indulge in. The result was a semi-coherent state that added a lot of entertainment value. Fortunately the cookie making classmate was available to insure he got home safely. It was a very, very fun day that, even though not directly Christmas related, certainly qualifies as yet another morale boost.

Five movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Neighbors, this caught me at a bad time and I was thinking of kicking it until the air bag gags, way too funny; The Never Ending Story, hokey and childish but with fond memories of watching this with my son; The Never Ending Story 2 The Next Chapter; ditto on comments for the first movie; Next, interesting sci fi concept with a Nicholas Cage knowing what’s going to happen in future, Ms. Biel, Yikes!; The Nice Guys, one of my favorite movies from recent past, Crowe and Gosling are so good together.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Slip Sliding

We’re having one of those rare (this year at least) day-long rainy days which makes it harder to get out of bed. I should mention at this point that the new bed has already made that task infinitely more difficult. This means I must hear an “I told you so” from my Favorite Panamanian every time I mention how much I love the king size bed. A small price indeed. A large part of the luxuriating comes from the Leesa mattress (thank you daughter and Wingman) as well as the increased area to roam. Speaking of roaming, I’ve had to pay more attention during the inevitable late night wandering to the rest room as the larger bed has intruded into my chosen, well worn path to that important destination.

Friend Sent us This From Past Weekend's Party
Wife Dangerously Trying to Supervise me when I have an
Electric Knife in my Hand

The New Hampshire bunch had a very fun, Christmas themed weekend when my son and the ABFA took the BRS and BR3 on the Polar Express. This is a themed train ride out of Portland, Maine. I could tell how much the kids enjoyed it because I usually get a well coaxed hello from the BRS and a collection of primordial screams from BR3 during our Facetime calls, but when I asked about the train ride they were both almost too excited to talk about it. The ABFA provided the attached photos which document the experience. You just gotta love the matching Christmas outfits. It seems I’m not the only one in the family excited about the 25^th.

ABFA and BRS

Son and BR3

All Aboard the Polar Express

Sister with Golden Tickets

But, Where's Santa?

Oh, There He is!

BRS Meeting the Big Guy

Very Happy Santa Girls

This is already one of the busiest times of the year for us because of the holiday but we’ve decided to make it more exciting with telescoping a lot of our doctor and dentist appointments as well. I have my annual physical next week as well as the dermatologist (praying for no more delving). You’ll notice there are a lot of movies in the A-Z section below. This is a result of the most important aspect of our trip back to Panama following Christmas, the spousal luggage packing extravaganza which meant I was on my own in the Cave. As I’ve documented in the past, my Favorite Panamanian takes packing very seriously. For the past weeks she’s been extracting items she’s bought over the past year for the condo from well-hidden caches, as well as presents for her family. I checked in a couple nights ago to survey her initial load plan. As innocently as possible (well, maybe not so innocently), I reminded her that I also needed to pack some clothes and there was no room for anything of mine in the current, very full suitcases. That sent her into a mild depression followed by re-packing, which is still going on and will continue until the day before we leave. I’m confident at least my underwear and shaving kit will make it with me. I don’t need a lot more for the beach but am hoping, pray for me.

On Date Night we finally got around to see Wicked. I went into this not knowing much about the play this originated from other than the big song, Defying Gravity. I’d heard of Ariana Grande but wasn’t impressed with her at the beginning as she seemed to have a weak voice that the music overwhelmed at times and she looked almost anorexic. The movie is saved by the arrival on screen on Cynthia Erivo with her powerful voice and immense screen presence. Grande seemed to bloom herself with Erivo at her side and was much better as the film progressed. It’s one of those really long films that can’t mask that and both my wife and I nodded off a couple times. All that being said, it rises to magical at times before descending back into unneeded mediocrity. I know this is wildly popular and the Gen Z’ers will hang me in effigy for saying this, but, this wasn’t that great. I guess it isn’t easy being green after all.

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, five keepers: My Blue Heaven, Steve Martin, national treasure in goofy mob comedy; Nacho Libre, terrible, just terrible, couldn’t finish watching this; National Treasure, there’s that word again, love this treasure hunt with Cage, fell in love with Diane Kruger all over again; National Treasure 2 Book of Secrets, continued hijinks with the gang, no drop off; The Natural, one of the three best baseball movies ever made (with Field of Dreams & Bull Durham); Near Dark, modern vampire movie with cast from Aliens directed by eventual Oscar winner Bigelow. Now, guess which one got kicked.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Partay!!

I forgot to mention during my last post’s devotion to the Christmas spirit that we had our annual Christmas party scheduled for last night. It did not disappoint so the Christmas spirit continues to build unabated within the homestead. I have a very special group of friends that gathered last night for that development. Of course, I had to get there first which meant surviving my Favorite Panamanian’s party prep. My kids are nodding in sympathy with me having endured similar procedures during their youth. This meant the house looked fabulous for the party and I owe a debt of gratitude to some early arriving friends who took the heat off me during the final (usually most contentious) hours. Our very good friends from Rhode Island, next door neighbors from the early 1990s, arrived a full hour and a half before party time. The two ladies immediately fell into a routine of helping each other while I was deemed non-essential amidst the conversation that always springs up when these two get together.

With Our Rhode Island Neighbors

This allowed me to escort my counterpart downstairs to explore the magnificence of the Man Cave and college football playoffs, which was eminently preferable to executing frantic last-minute orders from the wife. I was summoned to forage for some pine branches at one point but was otherwise left to my devices (always a dangerous proposition). We had an eclectic, very multi-national crowd for the party including elements of the Panamanian mafia, neighbors, and the Czech crew (including the Czech Shadow). The pre-meal blessing was conducted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, and Hindi. The only critical elements missing were the Neighborhood Mafiosos who had a prior engagement although they performed an important late party save, more on that later.

Where the Pine Branches Ended Up

Wife and I

Good Friends Including the Czechs Next to my Wife

When my partner and I came up from the Man Cave we found the two ladies had performed their usual magic. As party guests arrived, they donated a growing collection of delicacies to accompany the large ham my Favorite Panamanian had in the oven. There’s a shorthand when excellent people get together even if they don’t know each other well. That certainly took place last night. Since Panamanians were present, dancing soon broke out and in a huge development, that included my wife. She hadn’t tested the knee since well before her September surgery but there she was cutting the rug. She later admitted that didn’t even think about it, which is a good sign. Seeing her out there was a great morale boost because I know how important dancing is to her.

Wife Portraits

The ham was great as was the rest of the meal, not that I had any basis to judge because it included a lot of incredible dishes that my pickiness prevented me from sampling. The meal also saw the funniest moment of the night. My Czech Shadow was her usual saucy self throughout the night, kidding me about that pickiness. Her mom inadvisably mentioned that the Shadow would be auditioning for her high school play on Tuesday. This was met with some good natured kidding about how she should practice her song with us. She adamantly refused, scandalized that we would even ask for that. She kiddingly said she would sing as soon as I ate a piece of fruit, thinking herself safe. Unfortunately, for her, she made that declaration with parameters too wide. Everyone at the table had joined in the back and forth with the Shadow when I returned from the kitchen with an apple, the only fruit I will willingly eat.

Wife Back on the Dance Floor

The Shadow looked stunned as I consumed the apple. While her argument had been effectively destroyed, she maintained her refusal to sing. We had reached this impasse when my Favorite Panamanian came into the room equally stunned to see me eating one of her apples. While she had been out of the room for a while, she had been there earlier for the Shadow’s comment about my relationship with fruit. I asked her if she knew what my eating the fruit meant, and my wife immediately answered that the Shadow had to sing. The entire room erupted in laughter. I felt a little bad because I think the Shadow felt a little intimidated. I later told her that we would never force her to sing, and she was a good sport about it.

Sampling Some Hummus, Them, Not Me

Very Fun Crowd

Ready for Dinner

The final phase of the party was a series of games my wife’s journey through the internet produced. She and one of her friends came up with these table games for all to play. She placed me in charge for her games because she was searching the house for the dice needed to play Right, Left, and Center. I did the best I could at that point in the party but my ability to coach the crowd in how to flip cups on the counter was dismal at best. We finished the last game before the Right, Left, and Center game which my wife had insisted everyone bring three dollars to participate in. This is where the Neighborhood Mafioso saved the night. My wife called her and she volunteered her set of dice. I walked over to pick them up and the game was saved. I kept my streak alive by failing to win the game. I’ve played that darn game so many times over the years in a bunch of different environments and still haven’t won. That was a small price to pay for all the fun I had hanging out with these all too excellent friends, plus, you know, Christmas was involved.  

Game Time

Two movies fell in the A-Z watch, both keepers: The Music Man, dated, but still one of the best concluding songs in movie history, still echoing in my head; and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, forgot just how good the original was, completely heartwarming.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course