I
know. Here it comes. Again. I was back up in my home town hanging out with some
of my high school classmates, again. It is at this point I usually begin to wax
philosophic about the truly fine individuals I was blessed to graduate high
school from, egad, 49 years ago. Yep. That’s what happened and I’m not
apologizing because these redundant efforts to stay connected with my home town
and these splendid people is one of the things that has made post-military life
so much fun. Yesterday’s event germinated with the annual northern pilgrimage
of the Pittsburgh College Roommate and his wife. They blew into Keene on the
eve of their return home and decreed a barbecue at Keene’s Friend’s house was
in order.
 |
| (l-r)Keene Friend, Me, Cantankerous & Pittsburgh C. R. |
 |
| Most of the Gang |
It
wasn’t so much a decree as a planned event, as nearly a month ago, Keene Friend
announced the plan during our last afternoon sojourn at Penuche’s Ale House. I’m
glad he and I talk a lot because I was reminded a couple times. The
Kindergarten Friend and the Connecticut River Boat Captain both failed to transfer
that short term memory. An afternoon a Penuche’s will do that. I arrived in
town yesterday and started receiving texts from the River Boat Captain asking
if there was a get together. When the event started, I texted Kindergarten Friend
to ask why he wasn’t there. He professed complete ignorance. Both made it to the
party to add their particular spice.
 |
| Pittsburgh Out Golfing with Other Classmates |
 |
| Downing Shots for Birdies |
I
arrived in Keene and had to drop off the chairs the Cantankerous One lent me
for last week’s party. He had me deliver the potato salad he created for yesterday’s
party. Both my wife and the Pittsburgh College Roommate’s wife roundly
questioned me why the salad was in two bowls when one would have sufficed. I
replied that I was handed two bowls and didn’t bother to question the level of contents.
They were both mystified and came up with a bunch of theories as to the origin
of the two bowls. It must be a gal thing.
 |
| The Gathering |
We
arrived at Keene Friend’s house early to help set up. I should say I was
jettisoned there so my Favorite Panamanian and her mom could go shopping. The Pittsburgh
College Roommate was absent, out playing golf and downing shots with a couple
of other classmates. I helped his wife and Keene Friend set up in the driveway
and await the incoming. It was the first truly autumnal day we’ve had, which was
fine as long as the sun was shining. The temperatures dipped 20 degrees when the
sun went away (which it has a tendency to do late in the day) which made for a
fairly brisk gathering.
 |
| The Grillmiester |
It
was the usual very nice collection of friends along with some who rarely show
up. The Pittsburgh crew, renowned tailgaters, set up their portable barbecue
and everyone brought a dish to contribute, including the mysterious two bowl potato
salad. Keene Friend was in his usual peerless host mode and it could not have
been more fun. Yes, I know that I say that each and every time I am fortunate enough
to hang out with this crew but it still the truth . There is nothing wrong with
an inevitable truth.
 |
| Keene Friend 2 with Pittsburgh C.R. |
The
Panamanians eventually returned as the sun set from shopping but quickly moved
inside considering the temperatures. They made a couple strafing runs on the
food table before setting up in Keene Friend’s living room for the duration.
I’m sure Keene Friend’s neighbors, all college
kids, were more than a little amused at the assembly of gray-haired friends
holding a block party but the class of ’73 plans on doing this into our 90s.
That’s the plan at least. Next event, Keene birthday pub crawl on November 19, because
I know a lot of short term memories from yesterday’s event may have been compromised
by the cooler’s contents.
 |
| Missed Out on First Friday Facetime with These Ladies |
One
movie fell in my A-Z effort, a keeper, Behind Enemy Lines (jingoistic with a
non-goofy Owen Wilson but great special effects).
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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; 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; 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 3rd 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; Pittsburgh
College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in
Pittsburgh; Riggins - also known as
the Grandpuppy, son's dog; Soxfather
- my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my
son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s
mom, of course
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