Then What

I think one of the most interesting questions to come out of the current crisis is what the world will look like after we get through these toughest of times. Social distancing will have to become part of all of our lives until an effective countermeasure is developed. It will be fascinating to see how countries on the other side of their crisis – China and South Korea handle the adjustment. Of course, Americans are a much different animal than our Asian brothers. Have we really seen the last “high five” for a while? I don’t know if I can exist without the hugs of families and friends.

The BRS Seems in Better Shape than her Dad :)

There is an intrinsic human need to reach out to fellow homo sapiens that probably dates back to hunter gatherer days. There are the inevitable challenges, like the group of idiots who gather each day across from my office to play handball with each other. They’re young and apparently very dumb. I can only hope their feelings of indestructibility are warranted otherwise Darwin can be a harsh master. The vast majority of folks seem to be following the appropriate measures but certain aspects of what was considered normal will have to change in the wake of this adventure. My biggest concern (not really) is what happens to my annual birthday pub crawl! We’re in a terrible time right now but I’m confident we have what it takes to re-define ourselves based on this experience, at least those of us not out playing handball.

Even Statues Are Getting with the Program

With the better weather yesterday the granddaughters were out and about. The FBR went to the ocean with Wingman. They spent about three hours there building sand castles and running near the waves. The FBR wanted to jump into the weaves but since her only other ocean experience was the tropical waters of Panama she would have been in for a rude shock at the temperatures of the North Atlantic. She’s out wandering again today as she and her dad seek out escapes from home confinement while sill avoiding other people, not so easy in a saturated state like New Jersey.

FBR on the Beach

Today on the Trail

Hug Worthy

Trail Blazing

The BRS was also on the move yesterday taking her Anna doll on a scenic tour of the neighborhood. She’s a lot quicker but my son can still run her down which is certainly needed on occasion. While we were talking last night the BRS took off around the house and got visibly angry with her dad for following her. The nearly eight months pregnant ABFA was still up to the task and eventually convinced the BRS to return to the back deck. Looking at the picture above I think the BRS is handling the enforced confinement better than her dad. Like so many parents he’s discovering how underpaid teachers and day care workers are.

BRS Planning her Next Escape

Squiring Anna Around the Yard

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; 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); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; 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; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn