Momentous Moment and Cross-state Adventure

An event took place in Hampton, NH a couple days ago that shocked me to my very core. Since I’m on a beach vacation, I haven’t been following the news, but this incident qualified in every respect as earth shattering, breathtaking news. I hope you are sitting down to experience this  report because it has the ability to rob you of your equilibrium due to the level of surprise involved. If you’re sure you ready, here it is, my Favorite Panamanian voluntarily entered the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. I know! Completely and unabridged shock! For the entirety of our marriage, she has steadfastly refused to even consider placing a foot into the cold New England ocean waters.

Wife Entering the Water with BRS embraced for Body Heat

Making Sure I saw Her

Paddle Board Duty

Having been exposed to the sultry and decidedly warm ocean waters of her native Panama, I understand and completely ascribe to her point of view. What could have caused her to abandon her long-held determination, you should rightly ask. The answer, predictably, is our granddaughters. We were sitting on the beach a couple days ago when the FBR and BRS began to campaign for her to join them in the waves. They wanted her to assist in their navigation of the ABFA’s paddle board. I was in my usual semi-conscious state, while enjoying the beach views, when I saw them approaching the surf line. This caused the predictable shock to my system to see the unthinkable unfolding before me.

It is certainly testament to the love she has for the granddaughters. She timidly approached the water and then grabbed the BRS to provide some shared body heat. I was taking as much video as possible of this, because this was of historical significance. Eventually she released the BRS and began her task of dragging the paddle board back and forth while the BRS and FBR cavorted on the board. At a certain point, she got a little cocky and tripped. This caused her to fully submerge in the water. Up to that point she had only gotten her legs wet. I forgot to continue videoing at this point because I was laughing so hard. She was trooper though and emerged triumphant. This could serve as something both the FBR and BRS can put on their future resumes, the ability to convince someone to do what they themselves considered impossible.

Our beach sojourn was interrupted by a couple days of rain. This isn’t a big deal, unless you happen to have three young granddaughters who begin bouncing off walls if not allowed to expel their high levels of natural energy. When my wife heard about the impending rain she stopped off at Michaels and bought some art supplies. I’m still not sure how she convinced them but they spent an afternoon decorating the small rocks they collected off the beach that morning to create some very nice beach mementoes. My son and I finally drove a stake in the heart of the latest, difficult puzzle, as we are both less artfully gifted.

Can't Keep Them off the Rocks

BR3 and I created a Fort

Abuela Art Session

The Results

ABFA Caught me Working on the Puzzle from Outside

Rainy Day Girls
What Did we do Before iPads?

Escape to one of Hampton's Arcades Like BR3

And the FBR and BRS

We had a couple late nights this week and not just because the Sox are on the west coast. Each year for my son’s birthday we accompany him to see a couple movies, usually on his actual birthday. It’s the one day of the year he can escape the usual movie fare he experiences escorting his daughters to the cinema. Because his birthday fell on Sunday this year we had to change plans and see the movies on consecutive nights, after all the granddaughters were safely in bed. That meant 9 o’clock movies, which is fine for me but challenging for my son’s earlier usual bedtimes. This was exacerbated on Wednesday night when we saw the three hour Christopher Nolan movie, The Odyssey. My Favorite Panamanian joined us for that one but Tuesday night’s The Evil Dead Burn was a guy’s night out (not hard to figure that out).

Monthly Luncheon

My son and wife headed back to the cinema on a rainy Thursday escorting the granddaughters to see the latest Disney film. I, in a stroke of unforeseen luck, was on the road headed west. I planned on blowing off the monthly luncheon for my high school classmates since it would mean leaving the beach and granddaughters. Last week I learned that the PCR was inbound and would attend which caused me to alter my plans since this would be the PCR’s only New England visit of the year. Since it got me out of the Disneyfest, I considered this just part of the win. The luncheon was the usual gathering of old friends liberally laced with funny bouts of nostalgia and sharing the latest health news/remedies.

At the Lab

Tres Amigos Outside the Nest

Later at the Lab

We followed this up with the usual afternoon social hour(s) in Keene. We started off at the Owl’s Nest so the PCR and his Mrs. could see the transformations wrought by the change in ownership to the venerable Penuche’s. We then journeyed down Main Street to the usual haunt the Lab ‘n Lager. Since we had the attraction of the PCR in residence, we assembled a memorable crew to mark the afternoon. The Kindergarten Friend, the Cantankerous Friend, as well as the CRC, joined us along with Keene Friend and his lady. It was a very fun afternoon. I was on my best behavior since my usual designated driver was a hundred miles away “enjoying” Moana. She is not without her assts though. She had subverted the Keene Friend’s lady into her agent. That agent documented my mid-afternoon switch to coca cola instead of beer. The lengthy drive back to the coast last evening made for a very long day but more than worth it since I got to share it with some very important, to me, people, some of the best currently drawing oxygen.

The Evil Dead Burn was everything you would expect from an Evil Dead movie. Nonstop mayhem liberally lubricated with the appropriate level of blood and guts. This serves as a direct sequel as those pesky deadites continue to infect and dismember at will. The vast majority of the family at risk in this outing were very unlikable which made their sequential demises a sneaky bit of fun. You can’t take this seriously and it is what it is, another scary outing in the series made famous by the incomparable Bruce Campbell (Hail to the King Baby!).

The Odyssey is very dark, but that’s appropriate given the source material. The journey of Odysseus has always been very bleak as he loses his entire army and his mind for a number of years. Nolan confirms his status as a master story teller as he makes this classic story a great watch despite bowing to modern sensibilities in some respect. This may be Damon’s best film ever as he radiates charisma as the conflicted king of Ithaca trying to get home. Back in Ithacan Ann Hathaway captures the frustration and bone deep loyalty Penelope always embodies. I was worried Nolan would get too creative with the story but he’s true to the important aspects and makes this one of the best films of the year.

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

Beach Landing

You’re right. I haven’t written in a few days (you are most welcome). I find myself back on Hampton Beach for a week, cohabitating with my son’s family in their annual beach front rental. In prior years, we’ve spent just a couple days here with them. Those have been so much fun that we took the plunge and decided on an entire week this year. Keeping in mind my recent dermatological adventures, I’ve reduced the number of hours I spend on the beach. The house they rent is more than enough of a pleasure in itself that the reduced thong watch opportunities are worth it. As I’m working on this, I’m looking out over the rocky shore of the Atlantic towards the Isles of Shoals. I’m reminded of my winter sojourn at the condo looking out at the Pacific while I type.

Beach Bunch Yesterday

Since my daughter and especially the FBR had such a great time last year, they also re-enlisted for another trip. They joined us late on Friday before we drove over on Saturday. The three granddaughters were reunited which is always fun to watch. They immediately took up where they left off last year, exploring the rocky tidal pools directly in front of the house. The local crab population is quaking and high alert with their return since they compose the most readily available quarry for the ladies.. My Favorite Panamanian had spent most of last week preparing a series of meals (favorites of both “kids”) and then freezing them (the meals not the kids) so she wouldn’t have to spend time cooking at the beach. The ABFA’s parents are also part of the mix which further enhances the fun.

Granddaughters in Search of Crabs in the Tidal Pool

Wife ad ABFA's Mom on the Deck

Granddaughters on the Hunt

Granddaughters Seized Control of ABFA's Surf Board

Wife and I

Sunday was my son’s birthday which was celebrated with the appropriate amount of pomp and circumstance. I got to watch the entire Red Sox game with him. A rare opportunity with his daughters in residence. Since it was his birthday, they were forbidden from complaining about the lack of cartoons on the screen. Luckily, they had a nearby beach and those tidal pools Likewise, my Favorite Panamanian was subjected to a series of indignities as her son repeatedly placed a cold drink can against her exposed leg leading to an appropriate levels of shrieks. I kept having to remind her that she couldn’t engage in her planned retaliation because it was his birthday. I also reminded my son that he was living extremely dangerously as I (better than anyone) know that she doesn’t forget and what she is capable of.

Successful Hunt

Birthday Boy

BR3 with her Abuela

Wife and I, Again

My son and the BRS have been bonding over the past year watching the old TV series, Supernatural. My wife therefore created one of her signature cakes with that theme, fake blood seeping over the edge of the cake (I know, we’re weird). The BRS and BR3 found an old lobster hat in the basement which they decided their dad had to wear for the cake ceremony. He took it in good humor, a girls’ dad to the core. Once the younger generation had retired for the night, we engaged in a lively game of Uno Flip around a table. The ladies, somehow, figured out a way to manipulate the game so only they won. It was still a lot of fun, as is any time when you get to hang around a table laughing with those you hold most dear. We were only missing Wingman for the complete set.

BRS and BR3 Helping Dad with Sword

Bonecrusher About to Descend

With the ABFA

With his Sister, mom, and Dad

On Monday, Keene Friend and his lady arrived to spend the day with us. They fit in immediately with the crowd, especially the ABFA (could have been the chocolates they brought with them). It was a great, leisurely day spent on the beach. I’m hoping my dermatologist is not tracking my activities too closely (my Favorite Panamanian is an acknowledged agent). Fortunately, that agent spent most of the afternoon scouring the rock field for shells because we’re supposed to be getting some rainy days ahead and she wants a craft activity of the granddaughters. It’s been a very un-July like brisk out of the sun but we still managed a very fun post-beach gathering on the deck liberally laced with Beachboy music courtesy of my daughter and her trusty portable speaker.

Trouble Brewing

FBR Posing on Beach

Joined by Cousins

Keene Friend and his Lady

The Daughter Waving

I’m away from my stationary bike and did not want to spend another week without working out after the week following surgery required it. There is also the inordinate amount of celebration I’m called upon to engage in (more than willingly I should add). That being the case, I’ve started taking long morning walks. It’s easy since the terrain is so flat, unlike my hilltop home. It has brought back how much I miss being able to jog, which was such a staple of my life for so many years (the whole Army thing about staying in shape). It’s been over ten years since I had to give it up due to balky knee. The walks reminded me of that lost activity, only much slower. Kind of like my whole life at this point, much slower but still so much fun. The fault of that can be laid at my incredible family’s feet, of course.

Watermelon Break

Deck Social Hour

Daughter Getting Hugs before Leaving This Morning

My View While Typing This

Daughter and FBR on their Way to New England

The Bloody Cake

BR3 Stalked by the Shadow

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

Sub-Culturing

I was out and about today getting my wife’s car serviced and then mine inspected. These two efforts were sandwiched around a stop by the grocery store as my wife ramps up her cooking efforts with the grandkids on the agenda for next week. I’ll be looking to rent space in available freezers as she kicks that effort into high gear. I mention the errands because, as I was wandering around greater Worcester today, I realized I am now part of a sub-culture. It took me a while to realize I’m old, a bona fide senior citizen. The Cantankerous Friend was instrumental in making me come to grips with that reality when I claimed to be middle aged. Anyway, the sub-culture I’m talking about is senior citizenry.

Since I’m retired, I accomplished those errands in the middle of what used to be a work day. As I was going about, I noticed that most of the other people on the road, at the inspection station, grocery store, and the service center were all senior citizens as well (judging by the abundance of white hair in evidence). While this makes driving a bit more of an adventure than I would prefer, it brought home to me that a younger guy passing by would think the same thing about me.

While getting old comes with an abundance of issues (mostly health and memory related) there is an upside (who knew!). I can perform these errands at my leisure and avoid the crush of people when all the working stiffs get out of work. As my voyage of self-discovery continued, I realized I don’t even try to go to Home Depot on weekends any more and my obsession with the movies is addressed by weekday matinees. It turns out, between 10AM and 3PM, the seniors dominate the world. I could just be looking for an upside but what the hell, why not. Getting old is not all that bad and to once again quote my Cantankerous Friend – it certainly beats the alternative. I finished another puzzle, because, as a senior, I have the time for such mundane pleasures. Faux philosophy session ends.

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

Lake Side Tributing

My recovery from my latest Mohs battle was going swimmingly when, on Wednesday, my Favorite Panamanian reminded me that we had a social engagement on Thursday. She and her accomplice in crime, the Neighborhood Mafioso, decided in June that it would be fun to attend a concert at the Indian Ranch at Webster Lake. At the time, not knowing about the future biopsy results, I agreed since it’s always fun hanging out with the Mafiosos. The group we were scheduled to see is called, Yächtley Crëw, which I took to mean some sort of tribute band. The mafioso had seen them before and attested to their quality.

Pre-Concert Dinner

The Mohs headache was reduced in scope by Thursday and I was finally able to shower and remove the huge pressure bandage from the side of my face. I was a little surprised at the size of the cut but glad to get that thing off my face, replaced with a much smaller gauze pad and tape. We joined another fun couple for the drive to the lake for dinner at a local restaurant, right next to the ranch. As we pulled up, I was reminded that Webster Lake is an easier version used instead of the lake’s true name, which is, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. I know. A humorous translation of this Indian name is: "You fish on your side, I'll fish on my side, and no one shall fish in the middle.” The reminder came from the sign over our chosen eatery.

See, I wasn't Kidding About the Name

The food and company were excellent. We were just about to start eating when a group of beautiful younger ladies entered the restaurant. I know, as a dedicated married man sitting across from my wife, I’m not supposed to notice such things, but who are we kidding. I was scrupulously trying to camouflage my attention when my wife rose to greet them. It turns out one of the group was none other than the Mafioso’s own daughter. Neither she nor her parents knew that the other was attending the concert.

Indian Ranch Stage

We took so long at dinner (I blame my Favorite Panamanian for ordering that lava cake), that the regular parking lot was full. Our driver spoke with the attendant and got us in for a “special rate” at double the usual cost but right next to the venue. With three contributing it was more than worth it. I was genuinely surprised at how packed the place was. Apparently, Yächtley Crëw is one of the biggest attractions of the year. A large percentage of the arriving crowd sported yachting captains’ hats. We arrived early enough to get some really good seats.

With the Mafiosos at the Show

Again, this was my first time at Indian Ranch. I saw it from the lake once from a friend’s boat. I loved the location surrounded by pine trees with the lake visible behind the stage. The arriving crowd once again tested my abilities in camouflaging attention again, you gotta love summer temperatures. The band turned out to be another surprise because they were very good. They played a number of hits from the 1970s and 80s with a lot of flair. The crowd was truly into the performance, including my Favorite Panamanian who only stopped dancing in place a couple times. A lot of the crowd spent the entire time on their feet, singing and dancing along with the band. There were a large number of boats out on the lake also taking in the show.  

The Crew Takes the Stage

When the sun finally set, the setting was further embellished with a light show and the frenetic performance on stage. They played non-stop for over an hour and a half. At that point our driver asked if we wanted to leave to beat the rush. There were only a couple more songs scheduled and from the look of the packed and sold out arena, getting out was going to be a long term project if we waited, especially since we were parked the furthest from the road. Surprisingly, the ladies agreed and we made our leisurely way out. I know, if we had waited, it would have taken at least an hour to get out of the parking lot, instead of the two minutes it did. It was a great night spent with great friends enjoying some nostalgic music from our younger times, enthusiastically performed in a beautiful setting. My face apparently didn’t enjoy it as much (that might have been the accidental headbutt from my wife precisely to the incision site). As predicted by the doctor, that side of my face was swollen up yesterday like I had taken a punch to the face. My live in commander in chief directed that I take it easy this weekend. Some orders are easy to comply with.

The Friday Face

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