Day of Birth Observing

My geographic bachelorhood was significantly energized by, predictability, the Upstairs Neighbors. After a lively series of FaceTime calls with first my soon to be visiting buddies and then the First Friday Family call we convened on the beach for a typically superb sunset social hour. Since I was without transportation, the Upstairs Neighbors provided a ride to Sunset Pizza for the weekly immersion in what is definitively the best pizza in Panama. The Sunset Pizza owner learned that today was the Upstairs Neighbor’s birthday so he was treated to a special dessert, even before the signature Sunset Pizza gelato.

Birthday Boy with his Sunset Pizza Treat

The gelato marked a special moment. The usual gelato serving guy, a very quiet young Panamanian, knows how much I covet the Oreo flavored gelato. He saw me come in for pizza and as the Oreo flavor was almost gone, he secreted it. The host told me that I had a treat waiting for me and revealed that, unasked, the gelato guy had saved me a serving of the Oreo. This was so cool and I profusely thanked the guy when he sheepishly provided the hidden gelato. So, my Friday reputation finally resulted in a positive outcome.

Friday Sunset Crew

And the Sunset

Pizza Time!

Saturday was the day of the Upstairs Neighbor’s actual birthday and, as luck would have it, also included a scheduled beach event. I wrote last year about Johnny Fiesta’s, a hole in the wall type bar down the beach that hosted a memorable expat gathering last year where my Favorite Panamanian’s church boyfriend was disabused of hopes in that arena. Unfortunately, upon our return this year, we learned Johnny Fiesta’s had closed with manager returning to California.

Singer at Coco Loco

Our Fun Table

Earlier this week we received an invitation to come to Coco Loco which was the new name of the same location, now being managed by a German expat. That invitation announced an expat (and friend) as going to be singing at Coco Loco. We arrived this afternoon to find the bar had been moved to another location within the establishment and the place was much cleaner than pervious experiences. The new bar location allowed the beach breeze to flow through making it much more comfortable. Since we had a birthday boy in our group, I didn’t allow him to buy a single beer. In a major departure from usual circumstances, he made a gallant effort to stay with me beer for beer.

With his Woody

The Coco Loco Crowd

After the third iteration of this, he passed the car keys to his wife. Although I snuck a couple extra beers in, he made valiant attempt to keep up with me. It was a very fun afternoon listening to the music and reconnecting with the gathering group of expats. They mostly came from the other end of the beach where the bar was located and were significantly Canadian. Given that, Americans weren’t highly esteemed but we rangered on. The singer proclaimed there would be a trivia contest later where the winner had to name the movie that the song he sung came from. The Upstairs Neighbors, aware of my movie addiction, immediately enlisted me as their designated ringer. The song came up and I recognized it as coming from Toy Story but in a major surprise, that turned out to be one of the three movies the birthday boy had seen in the last twenty years, so he had the answer and was declared the winner. He won a Woody doll which led to lovely crowd to kid him about being gifted a “woody” for his birthday. You have to be our age to understand just how funny that was.

Our Designated Driver Getting us Home After Coco Loco

So, while the absence of my Favorite Panamanian has dimmed my lights to a certain extent, the Upstairs Neighbors and a bunch of Canadians have done their best to fill the void. I was impressed with Coco Loco and decided while there that it would be a perfect stop in a Las Lajas pub crawl. In a bit of fateful timing, I have veteran pub crawlers arriving on Tuesday and have worked up a tentative itinerary for the first ever Las Lajas pub crawl while they are here. I really shouldn’t be left to my own devices like this.

Today's Sunset

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

44 and Counting

I am a geographic bachelor again as my Favorite Panamanian escorted the visiting Rhode Island friends to the airport on Wednesday and remained in David to spend some time with her mom. She’ll return on Monday so we can prep for our next group of visitors. We both realized yesterday that meant that we would be apart today, which just so happens to be our 44^th wedding anniversary. There were several times while I was in the Army that I was deployed during this date, so it isn’t a new experience. I told her that I think of it as giving her a valuable anniversary gift by having her there with her beloved mom. There’s always time to properly celebrate which we plan on when we’re together again.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 44 years since I stood in that David church with a few of my Army buddies and all of my Favorite Panamanian’s family waiting for her to walk down the aisle with a hairdo she still complains about. I still haven’t lived down the stigma within my own family of not telling anyone in time for them to travel to Panama for the wedding, but things were much more difficult then to travel. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. It’s been a fast 44 years as we’ve crisscrossed the world together both in the Army and after. My Army career meant she was spent long periods of time, some stretching to just short of a year, being a single mother in a culture where she spoke a second language. Yes, as I look back, I can now properly appreciate how much courage that required of her.

She would deny that, but it’s one of those pesky self-evident truths. The greatest testimony to her success is our children, both of whom have grown into highly successful adults, parents, and just flat nice people. I don’t think many of the people attending that wedding 44 years ago gave us much of a chance. I had proposed 3 days after we met and she had foolishly accepted. Four months after that she walked down that aisle. It’s not a scenario that I would recommend for anyone in their right mind, but it seems to be working out. I’ve never been the husband she deserves but it’s been fun trying.

One of her Favorite Roles - Abuela

Reaching for the Moon after Going Away Dinner for Rhode Island Friends

It’s weird not to have visitors. This is the first time since January that we’ve been without. I’ve spent some of my alone time preparing the condo for the next set of visitors. None other than Keene Friends 1 and 2 as well as the Cantankerous One arrive next Tuesday and I’m really excited to show them life at Playa Las Lajas. I’m feeling a lot less sentimental about the granddaughter hand prints I referenced in a recent post. Based on the height I think it was BR3 who placed complete handprints laced with sun block on the balcony door windows. The tropical sun then baked it each day until I finally got around to cleaning it today. Yep, a lot less sentimental. Next year, it comes off the day they leave.

Yesterday's Sunset

With the Stalwart Upstairs Neighbors

I’ve knocked out a couple of movies recently. The first was Marty Supreme which isn’t in my usual viewing parameters. It was nominated for a bunch of Oscars, so I decided to check it out. It’s a strange movie in that Chalamet plays a character that is truly unlikable, but you end up rooting for him as he bumbles through the 1950s as a great ping pong player. The hijinks he encounters and generates are at times both cringeworthy and hilarious. All credit to Chalamet who, chameleonlike, submerges himself into the persona of the title character. It’s all credit to him and his undeniable charisma that this movie works with such an offensive lead character.

Shelter is another in the continuing line of Jason Statham vehicles where he plays a loner working up a serious body count of people stupid enough to cross him. He’s a retired assassin living on a remote Scottish island when events require him to protect a young girl, cue the explosions. Statham is a better actor than he is usually required to be and here he’s allowed some time to flesh out his character. The action isn’t as non-stop as we usually get but it makes for a better movie. I really liked 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

Adjustments and Overdue Justice

I believe I’ve finally recovered from the departure of my “kids” and the granddaughters. It was not easy. There are constant reminders. I walked down to the beach on Sunday and found three sets of pink flip flops they were supposed to take home with them. Gathering their wide flung assortment of accoutrement was a major task for their parents so it is understandable they missed some. We’ll bring them home with us as they probably won’t have much use for them back in the snowy Northeast until that time anyways. I also found a toothpaste encrusted sink in the guest bathroom that had me misty eyed, remembering the chaos of bedtime when all three had to brush teeth while being herded towards bed. The biggest reminder, however, is the door to the balcony which is liberally festooned with finger marks (at granddaughter levels). I’ll have to clean them off soon but I’m reluctant because, well, you understand.

Beloved Handprints on the Doors

The biggest adjustment I’ve faced is regaining a normal level of energy. I haven’t worked out each morning as I usually do since their arrival, you would think that would give me extra energy to spend. That is without knowing my granddaughters. I’ve called them “energy vampires” in the past because they somehow sap my energy while increasing their own to achieve a completely unfair imbalance of energy levels. I never fully recovered from the energy drain getting ready for my Favorite Panamanian’s birthday party and the granddaughters were not going to allow me any leeway in that regard. I would still trade my recovered vigor for a few more minutes with any of the departed family.

Forgotten Flip Flops

On the Beach This Morning
While I was Reading

It’s rare that I agree with our commander in chief, for obvious reasons. I also must admit to a huge blind spot when it comes to Iran. That was born out of the humiliation of the hostage crisis which the worst president of my lifetime allowed to happen (he should have stuck to growing peanuts or building houses). I had just joined the Army when that happened, and it has always stuck in my craw that this third-rate country felt empowered to hold our hostages. Subsequent presidents absorbed the almost continuous baiting, allowing Iranian UN diplomats to perform reconnaissance in the US for future terrorist attacks. So, I was more than a little pleased to see the bombs finally dropping on Tehran and taking out the medieval wickedness of the ayatollah. I always felt Iran would make a great parking lot.

Ayatollah's Scene of Final Justice

Iran created a death cult over the years since the hostage crisis where “Death to America” chants were part of the “culture”. They’ve exported radical Islam to all corners of the globe, empowering the likes of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. They’ve killed thousands of Americans over the years in Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They’ve oppressed their own citizenry, killing tens of thousands of Iranians that put the excesses of the shah in proper perspective. That’s all come home to roost now. They have sown the seeds of their own destruction. I genuinely hope the Iranian people can regain their status as one of the bright lights of an enlightened Islamic Middle East as they were for thousands of years instead of the quagmire of dark ages level repression. I only wish I was still wearing the uniform so I could contribute. I’m sure any member of the military from my generation would agree, Iran was the one target we all wanted.

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

Aftermath

I’m sitting here late on Saturday night marveling at how quiet the condo is. For the first time in a while I don’t have granddaughters flitting about making life interesting and, if nothing else, noisy. We drove back to Daivd to escort both my son’s and daughter’s family to the airport for their return home after an epic nine day stay with us. I’ve already covered their arrival and the massively successful 70th birthday party for my Favorite Panamanian. As with that earlier post, I’ll do most of the explaining through the accompanying photos because I am incapable of capturing the sheer joy and exhaustion that was injected into my life over those nine days.

Airport Goodbye Hugs Today

My daughter’s family is currently awaiting their final flight home after a ten hour airport sojourn. Their flight from David to Panama City was delayed enough that they missed their scheduled connecting flight home. That is something of a theme for the party guests, as they emptied the condo complex. The most egregious example were the Czech Friends. The Blizzard of 2026 canceled their flight to Boston and the next one they could get on would have been this coming Monday. They opted to fly to Orlando (the farthest north they could get) and then drove home over two days from there. Likewise, the Maine Musquetera took a full four days to make her way home because the same blizzard. I think, despite all the travel issues, all would agree the trip was more than worth it. Anyone suffering through the winter of 2026 in the northeast had to enjoy time spent on the tropical paradise that is Playa Las Lajas. Many are already talking about a return trip next year.

Czechs Arriving Home After 18 hour on the Road

The Shadow Realizing There's More Snow There Than Here

Wife, Sisters and Their Mom

BR3 With a Little Bedtime Reading

Granddaughters Became Shadow's New Target

BRS and ABFA Castle Building

Son Surrounded

After the party vibe died down, we followed our standard operating procedure of idyllic beach days interspersed with a day trip to mountains. The granddaughters were so much fun to have around. They quickly established themselves as accomplished boogie boarders but invented a new game they enjoyed much more. They stationed themselves in the waves halfway between the shore and the boogie board launching point. They then made it their objective to jump on whomever was trying to dodge through them on a boogie board. That was usually me and they were damnably efficient at interception operations. Once they jumped on me, the boogie board ride came to an abrupt halt with both of us laughing in excess of what was smart, given the surf still rolling in. The BRS is so light that she jumped onto my back once and I didn’t slow down at all, completing the run with her on my back. Again, way too funny.

I'm Approaching the Target Area

The Ambushers Strike

Another Successful Strike

I'm Under The Middle Granddaughter

Sunset Gymnastics

Our trip to the mountains started with a bang when a veritable troop of coatimundis showed up to greet the granddaughters above Boquete. All three are ardent animal lovers and we had to issue stern warnings that the curious and obviously hungry beasts should not be touched. It helped that they smelled so bad (the coatimundis not the granddaughters). They also proved once again their abuela’s shopping gene skipped a generation as they descended on the souvenir booths with an ardor completely reminiscent of my Favorite Panamanian. We had fun meals (as well as gelato) in Boquete and in David on our way back to the beach.

Boquete Lunch Place

Grampa and the Girls at the Waterfall

Son and His Family

Daughter and Hers

River Exploring with Grampa

Daughter Surrounded

Coatimundi Time

Above Boquete

BRS and ABFA With Adventure Drinks

Boquete Lunch

Shopping!

Son and ABFA at Fairgrounds

The Granddaughters

Gelato Time

On Thursday night we abducted the granddaughters to allow their parents to have a date night out together. While they went down the beach to the resort for dinner and drinks, we took the young ones to the village to get a non-pizza meal at Sunset Pizza. We learned their non-pizza offerings are every bit as good as their legendary pizza. The girls toasted us with their Shirley Temples before devouring some more gelato and sampling the village central playground. It was a great night for all.

Hunting Mini-Crabs

Sunset Wanderers

Heading Back to Condo

Surf Bunnies

BRS and ABFA

Planning their Next Attack

Spotting Something Out the Window of Our Condo

FBR Helping BR3 with Homework

Date Night at the Resort

Wingman has infected all of us with his ardor for games. He, my daughter, son, and the ABFA played different games well into each night in their condo. On Wednesday they spent some time in our condo after we put the granddaughters to sleep and we played a lively game of Flip 7 where the ABFA failed to dominate. While my own losing streak remained intact, I loved the joking and almost non-stop laughter that permeated the time around the table. I’m extremely blessed in the family department.

Wingman, Daughter, Son and ABFA

BRS and BR3

FBR with Parental Units

FBR and BR3 Exhausted From Attacking Grandpa

FBR Launched by Wingman

First Friday Sunset Gowns

With my Daughter

Volleyball in Front of Condo

BR3 Explaining Life to Me

Wife, Daughter and ABFA

Daughter and Wingman

Sunset Frolics

The First Friday of the Week also saw their last night in Panama so there was some emotion to seemingly everything that took place that day. Last boogie boarding sessions as well as the last sunset social hour had special significance for all involved. The granddaughters donned flowing dresses that Tia Loca provided and added a touch of elegance to the hour, at least until they broke away for a last chance to stick their toes in the Pacific. We ended the night, very predictably, back at Sunset Pizza for a momentous last night together. We had an early wakeup this morning. That is, early for the adults, but about the same time the granddaughters had been waking up to demand breakfast all week before escorting me to the beach each day. It’s, again, so quiet now. I miss the boundless energy the granddaughters provide and the steadfast love their parents deliver that brightens every room they inhabit. While I’m still “stuck” here in paradise, it’s lost a little luster with the departure of that special bunch. Those were tough hugs at the airport today. There must have been some excess dust in the air for the effect they had on my eyes.

Dinner at Terra's with Wife's Family

Beach Walk to the River with Their Moms

BRS at Sunset

ME, BR3 and Wife

Shirley Temple Time at Sunset Pizza

ABFA's Comment on Flip 7 Game

Sunset Non-Pizza Dinner

Friday Night Back at Same Table

Girls Had Their Own, Of Course

Great Sendoff

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