2d Gen Hijinks

Both granddaughters were challenging their parents last night which somehow made being a grandparent a little more fun. Who thought that was even possible!?  Both the BRS and the FBR were presenting their parents with the frustrating (adorable to grandparents) challenges to parental authority that always comes with the territory. Remembering very well similar episodes three decades ago with the parents involved somehow made it even more heartwarming.

FBR in More Angelic Mode

The BRS was chattering away at the dinner table when we caught up with her after another day of sinking her teeth into the day care experience. She was half way through her ketchup laden (family trait) spinach cubes (yech!) when she staged a min-protest. Anytime my son approached with something she did not find acceptable she pursed her lips and emitted a loud raspberry sound. This resulted in small clouds of whatever was in her mouth at the time. It was highly entertaining for us grandparents, being a video screen away, as the green cloud emerging from the BRS wafted over the kitchen. The ABFA and my Favorite Son are old pro’s now and had that exasperated but loving acceptance looks on their faces. The BRS did deign to allow yogurt to sooth her savage beast impulses.

Modeling her new Backpack!

The FBR, now a fully functioning threenager, has upped her game to more intricate challenges. My daughter has had a very busy week at work so the FBR staged a 3:30am wakeup call Thursday morning because she needed (she really didn’t) help with her blanket. This was followed with a two hour serenade repeatedly calling out for her parents. She solemnly promised to be better last night during our call but I think this was only to score her nightly ration of whipped cream. Once she had it she started repeatedly hanging up the call we were on despite her mother’s stern admonitions. The looks my daughter directed at the FBR were every bit as exasperated as her brother’s but decidedly less accepting. When last seen the FBR was facing seizure of her remaining whipped cream. She may be a little on edge because she today is her last day in her current day care center which she loves. She starts a more structured classroom like phase next week which may have her a little antsy. She does have her fully glittered unicorn backpack to face that challenge though.

Finally I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the state of our news organizations (which must have them quaking). I know it’s strange for a military guy to groan about the descent of factual reporting but a truly successful and vibrant republic needs an active and responsible 4^th estate. I’ve bitched and moaned here before about the how myopic and irresponsible today’s news media has become. I’m a religious watcher of the nightly news but have become increasingly frustrated with what I’m seeing. America has long had a strong isolationist streak and watching our national news broadcast you would think the world ends on our respective coasts. I’ve taken to searching out the BBC online to find out what’s happening around the world which the American broadcasts don’t seem to care about except when something blows up. We have to figure out how to hold our news agencies more accountable to the vital role they play in our lives. Watch a nightly news show and see how much of it is “analysis” and sound bites versus straight reporting of what is happening. Tell us what is going on instead of what we should think about it, the thinking part is supposed to on our side of the equation.

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

RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; 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; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues