Once More into the Claw

Grandpa and Abuela’s annual summer camp continued apace over the past couple days as well as my recovery from mountain climbing with the FBR. That recovery was challenged yesterday as I spent the entire day following her around Canobie Lake Park on a very hot and humid day. We re-discovered Canobie last year and since the FBR usually gets an extra week with us as opposed to her cousins, she qualified for an extra visit last year. Early on this year she was vocal in laying out her rationale that we should follow the same sequence again. As I am physically incapable of denying any granddaughter requests, off we went.

FBR and I at Canobie

The FBR’s abuela decided her presence wasn’t needed, so I was on my own. The FBR is a great co-pilot constantly changing the radio stations as we traveled until I asked her to let the GPS work occasionally (police speed traps don’t ya know). As soon as we arrived, she made a bee line to her favorite ride, the super-frisbee. I joined her for this initial ride although I noted my senior citizen body was more challenged this year than in the past to handle the gyrations. The FBR was in seventh heaven. We then took on the bear claw which features a vertical climb and then face first drop followed by a series of loops and twists. Again, I noted the difference from prior years as my head bounced a couple times off the head rests. 

FBR in front of the Bear Claw

I was able to talk her out of accompanying her onto the super skateboarding ride, which featured a lot of twisting and turning. We made our way over to the water park side where I fulfilled the promise I made to her last year to join her on the lazy river. That was actually a lot of fun, I did mention how hot and humid it was, didn’t I? The river was packed but I enjoyed riding the current while dodging inner tubes featuring disadvantaged teenagers from Boston (a summer camp group). It looked like they didn’t know how to swim and were a little terrified but I enjoyed seeing how much they also enjoyed the experience.

FB R in Line

FBR Holding onto her Hat

Lunch Time

After drying off, the FBR and I returned to the rides where she was back on the Frisbee and bear claw again, with my enthusiastic support from the sidelines. I was coaxed back for a twisting ride that had my neck sore as hell as well as the “Psychodrome” which more than lived up to its billing. As a lot of the crowd had decamped for the water park, the lines were much shorter in the late afternoon. She was able hit every ride she wanted except the Boston whaler which broke down just as she got into the boat. We returned to the water park so she could navigate the lazy river again. She promised only two trips around were needed. Five trips later I was finally able to get her out of the water.

FBR on the River

We were allegedly headed for the parking lot after this but our route took us by the super Frisbee ride and you can guess what happened. See comment above about denying requests. I told her she could have one more ride. As she was getting off, she noticed there was no line for the next group and went directly there to ride it again. It was worth it to see her laughing and obviously enjoying the day so much. It made the perils of driving home on I-495 tolerable knowing we’d had a good day (her more than I, but that was the plan anyways).

The River

The FBR had apparently made quite an impression on Great Aunt’s grandchildren during a recent visit and vice versa. Today’s plan was a visit to Great Aunt to jump in her pool (the FBR, not me). The FBR was very excited when I told her about this, and her first question was if the grandchildren would be there. Likewise, Great Aunt was bombarded with excited questions all week when the grandchildren heard the FBR was coming back. I’m guessing the FBR is fulfilling the need for younger siblings she never had as an only child. She is so good with these younger kids.

Wife Grabs the Youngest Kid

While the FBR Jumps in the Pool

Entertaining Each Other

As usual Great Aunt was the perfect host. I seriously don’t know how she manages to take care of all three children all week long during the summer. I would not have the energy as the two weeks of Grandpa and Abuela Summer Camp knocks me on my butt. Namesake Nephew’s youngest daughter is especially enamored with the FBR and likewise. The other two grandkids and the FBR convinced Great Aunt to join them in the pool. My Favorite Panamanian was able to engage on one of her favorite pursuits of holding the baby. She soon had her dancing on the table, joined for a bit by the FBR (see video). In the day’s biggest surprise, that youngest granddaughter went willingly into the pool with her grandma. 

FBR Assisting

Good Buddies

Youngest Loving the Pool for First Time

Her Signature Smile when She Knows a Photo is Being Taken

Every other attempt this summer was met with tears and demands to get out of the pool. She spent the entire afternoon in the pool cooing in delight as the FBR and her grandma entertained her. It was a great afternoon for all as Great Aunt also provided my personal kryptonite, a donut cake. My wife claimed she only wanted a small piece but made the mistake of sitting directly in front of the cake. Six or seven small pieces later she acknowledged the mysterious power of this Rhode Island delicacy. It was great day spent with awesome family and offered my tired legs and battered psyche a welcome respite as I gird loins for the rest of the camp.

How we've Been Watching the Sox this Past Week - Love It!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Upstairs Neighbors – American couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Cloud Trekking

We are now fully in the throes of the annual Grandpa and Abuela Summer Camp, as my aching legs will attest. I made the mistake, earlier in the year, while discussing the upcoming camp with the FBR of asking her if she wanted to scale Mount Monadnock again. We have done that a couple times in earlier iterations of the camp, but it blessedly fell off the schedule last year. She enthusiastically affirmed that it would be back on for this year. I compounded my mistake by once again believing the New England weather forecasters, who all said early morning rain would be followed by clear skies near the mountain.

The Climbers Yesterday

I put the climb early in the camp before the inevitable physical degradation associated with trying to keep up with the campers. My Favorite Panamanian classifies this activity as a purely “Grandpa” level event so it was just the FBR and I headed out yesterday under drizzling skies. I assured her that by the time we got to the mountain the skies would be clear and for a while it looked like I was right as the sun was obviously trying to break through as we drove north. Upon arriving, we saw that I had been indelibly wrong as the mountain was encased in clouds. I tried to give her hope, saying we would climb through the clouds and the top would be clear (again – so wrong).

Ready to Set Out

At the Base of the Mountain

All this being said (and experienced), we still had a great day as I tried to keep up with the FBR as she bounced up the mountain. My technique was closer to shuffling. I made the mistake of not putting the inserts inside my hiking boots, so I was climbing flat footed. Again, I loved the climb for the time I got to spend with my granddaughter absent iPad screens and Netflix. Much like her mother, she revels in being out in nature and hiking. By the time we reached the tree line, we were fully engulfed in the omnipresent clouds. We never got rained on but everything was coated by the fine mist we were walking thorough.

FBR Standing on a Heart Shaped Rock for her Abuela

Into the Clouds

I learned about halfway up that my Favorite Panamanian had given the FBR strict orders to look out for me. She was constantly checking on me and every time I stumbled (which happened more than I’m proud of) she rushed to my side to check on me. When I asked her what was going on, she confessed that my wife had been really concerned about me attempting the climb and given her orders to take care of me. I guess I’ve got to act a little more capable around the house. Although the weather wasn’t what we hoped, it made for a comfortable climb, temperature wise. At least until we reached the top, the wind was howling and blowing the aforementioned mist into our face. As I told her parents when we facetimed them from the peak, the weather was bad but at least there wasn’t a view.

At the Top

Fellow Hiker Took This of us On top of Mountain

The FBR took it in stride, we found a cleft in the rocks, out of the wind, to have lunch, change socks, and laugh at the situation. The FBR took a lot of pride acting as the trailblazer, spotting the correct symbols to keep us on the right trail. We chose a different trail for the descent as the White Dot Trail had been way too much fun going up. The White Cross Trail (or the plus sign trail as christened by the FBR) wasn’t much better going down. The weather had kept the crowds down which was nice and the descent went well, except for the whole sneaker debacle.

Lunch Time

The No Longer White Sneakers

Let me explain. The FBR was wearing her favorite sneakers, white converse high tops. I was directed to lead the way down (I think she was afraid I might fall on her). She prided herself on choosing different paths if she thought she could show me up. During one of these diversions, she slipped on a rock and plunged both feet into a dirty pool of water. She immediately broke into tears and explained that the sneakers would never be white again. I didn’t think it would be the right time to ask her what she had been thinking to wear white sneakers on a mountain climb anyways. She only calmed down when I assured her that her abuela was a recognized expert at returning white clothing and shoes to pristine state after being soiled. I didn’t share that this was an important trait she picked up due to her long association with her husband and his tendency to apply the soil.

FBR on the Descent

Happily at the Bottom

We made it back down in good shape. I was sneakily a little proud of myself for still making the climb at my advancing age. The bad knee only twinged a couple times near the top as we went up and nothing on the way down. Both the ascent and descent were greatly assisted because I had a hiking pole that was a true godsend when it came to balance. The FBR decided to serenade the mountain as we came down, claiming it was needed to lift the somber mood of the mountain. While the mountain might have been somber, I was anything but, getting to spend a whole day hanging with my eldest granddaughter. The only downside was the constant foot cramp as I drove home due to the lack of inserts in my shoes (getting old sucks).

Meanwhile, on the Left Coast, BR3 at the Zoo

The BRS Beaching it near San Diego

The adventure continued today with the FBR getting her pre-school haircut courtesy of my wife’s designated hair dresser. My Favorite Panamanian and the FBR then launched on another of their dangerous (to my credit card bill) shopping forays. I eventually caught up with them at the movie theater for Date Night movies. The FBR still has the habit of climbing into my lap during the movie but she’s a lot bigger than she used to be and I had to check to ensure her long legs weren’t hanging in front of the people in the row in front of us. She also managed to dump half my popcorn onto the floor with one of her latest tendencies, grabbing. Another great day.

The End of Oak Street was an interesting mix of sci fi and suburban drama. A family’s entire neighborhood is inexplicably transported back to the age of dinosaurs which promptly decide humans make tasty treats. The director was obviously aiming for Spielberg territory, setting this in the 1980s, but didn’t achieve the same level of charm. The family holes up in their house watching the neighbors become menu items. The two kids are called upon the make incredibly stupid decisions which sets up the requisite drama as their parents attempt the rescue. The dinosaurs were very realistic and the two leads, Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, deliver. Their kids, not so much. I really enjoyed how the director brought the story home, making that thirty minute pizza delivery promise important. A great summer, popcorn movie.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Upstairs Neighbors – American couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Let the Onslaught Begin

The 2026 Grandpa and Abuela Summer Camp kicked off yesterday with the arrival of the FBR for the first week, where she will be solo until the arrival next week of the BRS and BR3. My daughter fought through the usual frustrations of Connecticut traffic to deliver her. Just before they arrived the Neighborhood Mafioso called to remind us the Worcester Italian Festival was also going on, and we had planned to attend with them Saturday night. We thought this would make an excellent kick off event. That turned out to be an accurate assessment.

At the Italian Festival 

We first had a couple hours to rest which were needed for the driver who braved the benighted Connecticut highway system. The FBR ordered me to the Man Cave (easy that) where she wanted to watch a movie with me. Her selection was Mean Girls (see – not so easy). The FBR, in character, thought it would be too mundane to simply just watch a movie where she could simultaneously mess with her grandpa. Her chosen method, this time out, was to cover me with every blanket she could find (there were a lot) and then place a neck pillow as some sort of crown on my head. I asked why I had to be cocooned in blankets (remember, it’s August) and wear a silly crown, she blithely responded that I didn’t have a need to know. I don’t know where she picks these expressions up from.

Daughter and FBR Setting Out Yesterday

The Italian festival was a going full bore when we arrived. We had to park on a side street a short distance from the location. There was a huge main tent with what seemed like dozens of food vendors – remember – Italian. The Neighborhood Mafiosos were already in residence and had secured a rare table in the cavernous tent. There was loud music playing throughout, including the band we had seen a couple times with the Mafiosos at attempted dance venues. I say attempted because, as I wrote about at the time, this band has a legion of devoted fans who refuse to dance but simply crowd the dance floor, standing, and staring at the band. When I recognized the band, I asked the Mafioso where their attendant horde of zombies were. Fifteen minutes later, they were out in full force; full on weird.

Our Table at the Festival

Well Attended

Abuela and her FBR

Face Painted

The FBR had not been complacent. While I was looking for food, she had dragged her mother into the rear forty which featured a series of bounce houses. They eventually returned to join us at the table. My Favorite Panamanian and the Neighborhood Mafiosos were dancing at the table (the band is really good). They tried to coax the FBR into joining them, but she thought cat videos on her abuela’s phone were more entertaining. She then noticed the nearby face painting station and was soon decorated with a face of blue flowers. As we made our way home, my daughter guided us to pass by a dive bar in Worcester where they had shot scenes for Widow’s Bay, a TV min-series that we both enjoyed (it’s what movie buffs do when the opportunity arises).

The Cursed Trumpet

Saturday night, we all watched an episode of the old series House which is one of the FBR’s latest obsessions together while we fought over the proper distribution of the popcorn bowl. After FBR’s bedtime, I enjoyed watching a couple things with my daughter while also catching up on her life, much like I did earlier in the week with my son. There’s a fundamental joy in these times, all too rare with the arrival of grandchildren. A serious faux pas had occurred earlier at the Italian Festival where a very nice lady sitting at an adjacent table gifted the FBR with a plastic trumpet which possesses its only redeeming value in a very annoying braying tune. The FBR loved it of course as was soon serenading us at the most inopportune times (including at 7am this morning at our bedside). I’ve hidden it twice already, but she keeps finding it. My Favorite Panamanian says she’s going to find the address of the “nice lady” and send her repeated videos of the result of her kindness (at full volume).

Heading to Church This Morning

My daughter headed home this morning, while, after church, the FBR and I hit the grocery store to lay in needed supplies (like Oreo Cakesters). She and I are climbing Mount Monadnock in the morning so a lot of the purchases were aimed that way (my back pack is going to be heavy). As soon as we got home from that adventure, we hit the road with my Favorite Panamanian for Keene, since the two ladies had conspired to schedule a tax free shopping trip. I phoned the Keene Friend who agreed to host and save me from being subjected to the shopping experience. My wife is in seventh heaven because she finally has someone who shares her shopping obsession (it must skip a generation). All I know is that they are very dangerous together. Keene Friend and I watched the Red Sox while their depredations were ongoing. Once sated (for the day) they returned and we all went downtown for dinner al fresco at Margarita’s. I was surprised to see how dead central Keene was on a summer Sunday evening (no college kids yet). It was still good to be home though (that feeling apparently will never die no matter how long I live away from there). So, it has begun. Tomorrow I’m scaling Mount Monadnock for the first time in two years. I hope the new knee braces work out.

Quick Lunch on the Road

Dinner in Sleepy Keene

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Upstairs Neighbors – American couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Welcome Respite

I haven’t posted in a while (you are very welcome). I have been girding the proverbial loins for the physical challenge of chasing the three granddaughters around for the upcoming Grandpa and Abuela’s annual summer camp. The rest will be needed. Yesterday was an important day for a couple reasons. First, it marked the graduation day from the twice daily application of chemotherapy cream which has my left shoulder looking like a piece of raw hamburger. I will take pity and spare you a picture of that devastation. It would have to be some stalwart cancer to have survived this chemical onslaught (I know the skin in the area did not). The only person to have a view inflicted upon them of this was my Favorite Panamanian who seems to take a morbid curiosity as my shoulder dissolved. I’ll need to get this dried up as granddaughter hugs are looming.

Last Night at the Ballpark

The second, vastly more important, reason that yesterday was so important lay in our latest trip to see a WooSox game. My son, a free agent this week, drove down to Worcester after work and joined us. I’ve always enjoyed my trips to Polar Park (even the frozen one) but last night has to take the cake as the most enjoyable. My son sat between my wife and I on his first trip ever to see the WooSox. This meant he and I could talk almost uninterrupted for the entire game as his mother commandeering my iPhone and spent the entire game surfing the internet. Except for the times my son and I scared her into thinking a foul ball was headed her way. That only worked until the sixth inning.

BRS and BR3 Feeding Birds out West

Right From their Hands

The fact that the ballpark was also hosting a $2 a Coors Lite beer night also didn’t damage the process whatsoever. Anybody who has bought a ballpark beverage knows what an amazing bargain that was. I had a lot of fun showing Polar Park off to my son and the Sox didn’t disappoint either winning decisively. I had been talking up the top prospect, Franklin Arias, and he delivered as well, homering, doubling, and being a real sparkplug. We both agreed we should see him in Boston next year (if they play baseball at all). While my wife and I love having the whole family together, I treasure the rare opportunity to hang out with one of my “kids” solo. Last night was no exception as we covered a lot of ground catching up on his family news as well as work machinations. As both our children’s lives complicate as required with the inexorable march of years, an opportunity like last night was pure gold. We ended the night, after the ball game, in the Man Cave watching a season finale episode together. The whole evening was every bit as special as I’m inadequately trying to describe.

ABFA & the Girls with their Seattle Hosts

He had to drive off to work this morning after a huge breakfast lovingly prepared by his mom. Above I called him a free agent, that condition was rendered when the ABFA took the BRS and BR3 on a west coast trek. They spent most of this week near Seattle and yesterday flew down to San Diego before ending their trek next week in Sacramento. They’re visiting friends and families there. We received these pictures from the ABFA earlier this week that shows them feeding birds landing on their hands. On that same nature hike they encountered a large black bear feeding. BR3 has been to too many zoos because the ABFA had to grab her as she started to walk over and pet the beast. I can’t figure her out (better minds than I have tried) as she was terrified of chickens but wants to walk up to a six hundred pound bear. You have to admire her joie de vivre which I know challenges her parental units at times. It’s much easier for a grandparent to tolerate since the parents retain ultimate responsibility and attendant head aches.

BR3 and BRS

Saying Goodbye to Seattle

While the first part of last night was incredibly special, the second half, not so much. After my son went upstairs I continued my usual late night Man Cave routine. I went upstairs a little after midnight, my usual time. I knew as soon as my head hit the pillow that I was in trouble. One of the “benefits” of getting old is the occasional bouts of insomnia. That knowledge itself is probably part of the problem as, instead of resting with peaceful thoughts savoring the earlier evening, I immediately began worrying I wouldn’t fall asleep. That became a self-actualized prophecy and I eventually gave up and returned to the Man Cave. I found a new episode of Ted Lasso to pass the time along with the usual late night/early morning junk festering the air waves. I eventually got to sleep around 3:45am which made for a short sleep since I wanted to get up to send my son on his way. Totally worth it.

Earlier this week, on date night, I took one for the team and saw a rom-com with my Favorite Panamanian. Against all odds, I truly enjoyed One Night Only, which is decidedly different than my usual fare. The film is set in the near future NYC where unmarried sex is only allowed one night a year and enforced through the usual evil corporation and right-wing government. Luckily, they only spend a few moments launching at those easy targets and most of the film allows the characters to wallow in the attendant insanity as single New Yorkers seek each other out. The film was enjoyable because of the two main actors, Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. Especially Barbaro who shows some range here as a struggling singer (after also standing out as one of the top gun pilots) to Turner’s Pizza shop owner. There are some truly hilarious moments as they struggle towards their usual rom-com conclusion. A really good movie featuring two very likable stars.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Upstairs Neighbors – American couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Tax Freed and Commemoration

Each year, the People’s Republic of Taxxachusetts gifts a tax-free weekend to the residents. I’ve always been a little upset that it never seems to occur when I needed to buy something big, where the savings would be appreciable. Well, I’ve got to be careful about those hidden prayers, uttered in frustration. This year, while I was lounging on the beach in February, our house sitter reported that our snow blower had given up the ghost. I resolved to buy one close to the season when hopefully there would be discounted sales. I did the usual mind flush and went about my business until wandering about Home Depot earlier this week (as I am wont to do). I ran across a discounted snow blower and armed with all the advertising I’ve been bombarded with this week about the upcoming sales tax holiday, I knew what I was going to do this weekend.

The Mafia Partying Last Evening

Since retirement I’ve avoided hitting the Home Deport on the weekend, allowing all those still employed their free day there. The weekends are always mobbed with still working stiffs. Obviously, that wasn’t going to work with the tax free weekend so I bounced (more accurately eased) out of bed this morning and headed directly to the Depot. My strategy worked as I was able to park inside of a kilometer from the front door. My luck held as someone was able to help me immensely and I was soon in possession of the new machine. I planned on loading it in the back of the Highlander, but the shipping crate was an inch and a half too tall. They would have delivered it for $90, wiping out my tax-free savings, or I could rent one of their vehicles for $20. Problem solved, at least until I pulled into the driveway and realized I did not have a fork lift to off load it. I was planning on going with my default approach, brute force and ignorance. That is, until my Favorite Panamanian, attracted by the backup alarms, arrived to supervise. I reacted as I usually do, by saying I didn’t need her help or supervision. That was received as well as you would expect. She actually had a very good idea (which I was forced to admit to her) to use a ladder to slide the crate out of the truck. It worked better than I expected and it was safely in the garage.

The Crate

I was prepared for the tax weekend with a First Friday of the Week Happy Hour barbecue down the street with the Neighborhood Mafioso. He was remarking about the stifling heat and humidity when his wife informed him about the barbecue. They have a great social area behind their house which is a great party spot, especially when they added a fan. It was a great way to send off the week laughing with the Panamanian Mafia. The ladies set up shop around the table when the host suggested we gringos eat our meals in the air conditioned house. That was a complete success, and we emerged to find the day’s heat dissipating as we set up for extending the socializing and attendant laughing on the back deck. Mother Nature sent us a message to wind the party up as we watched a massive electric storm head our way from the horizon. Great friends, great times.

The Gringos Last Night

                                                        The Storm Approaches
This weekend is also more than memorable for another reason(s). It marks the 17^th anniversary of the Best Weekend Ever #1 and the 12^th of the Best Weekend Ever the Sequel. 17 years ago, I had an unexpectedly emotional walk down the aisle with my daughter as she tied the knot with Wingman. Likewise, my son experienced similar emotions five years later when, directly in front of our seats, he spotted the ABFA for the first time in her wedding garb headed down the aisle to him. There are so many great memories from those weekends that whenever we all get together, inevitably an anecdote from one of those celebrations is brought up. Wingman and the ABFA are integral members of the family now and obviously played important roles in producing the lights of our lives, the FBR, BRS and BR3. Happy anniversaries, you crazy kids and thanks for the memories those weekends produced and everything that flowed from them since.

Best Weekend Ever #1 Kicks Off in Sturbridge

Best Weekend #2 in Nashua

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Upstairs Neighbors – American couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course