Focus Shift and Bathroom Handyman

We made an early morning drive into Boston today to start my mom-in-law’s redeployment to Panama after her two month stay with us. It was a lot of fun having her in the house and not only because of the very entertaining 90^th birthday party. Logan Airport was its usual confounding self as the traffic patterns changed again. I think there is some Beantown traffic engineer that changes things whenever he gets bored and he’s easily bored. At any rate, she is now half way back to Panama with her other children awaiting to insure she gets home safe. This redeployment comes with costs, though, mainly for me. This means my Favorite Panamanian can now shift her complete focus back onto me. I told you I enjoyed having my mother-in-law in the house, didn’t I? While the scrutiny isn’t unbearable, it isn’t always welcome. I’ve got 40 years of experience to fall back upon but that doesn’t always help.

At the Airport this Morning

We planned on taking my mother-in-law out to eat but she deferred. I’m learning for myself that food intake and the requisite download time period become an important planning factor for traveling when you get older. Since we had a free Saturday, I decided to take on a delayed bathroom project. The toilet in our new master bedroom had been doing one of those annoying leaks into the toilet bowl which caused it to go on and off all night (and day). I took a page out of the kids’ generation’s playbook and checked out the toilet model on line. Lo and behold they had the answer. An Amazon order later, I had the needed flapper liners (who knew that was even a thing). I will admit to a bit of primping for my Favorite Panamanian when it fixed the problem. It was a very basic repair but I felt pretty handy.

Four movies fell in my A-Z effort, three keepers and one, not so much, Burn After Reading (Coen dark comedy celebrating Washington inanity, Clooney and Pitt paying idiots, too funny), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (how do you say iconic? Newman Redford soar in one of the best westerns ever), Cabin Fever (may be the worst movie ever made, how the hell did I ever buy this!), and Cabin in the Woods (supremely funny send up of horror genre, love this movie). As you can see, I’m though the B’s and have knocked out four shelves (25 to go).

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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 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; 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

Tradition Devolution

One of my goals when I started writing Frail Deeds was to pass on what I was like as well as where I came from to (at the time) future grandchildren. At the rate that was happening back in 2011 I figured I would be into serious dotage before any of the next generation appeared, so they would need this guidebook to what their grandfather was like. As usual, my son and daughter overachieved and now I’m fairly confident the FBR, BRS, and BR3 will remember me, a little bit (mostly for being exceedingly silly). Of course, by the time they’re adults I should be in the aforementioned declination phase, if I’m still around at all. So, the premise is still valid. While I was swimming today my mind did its usual wandering (better than focusing on the omnipresent muscle pain) and I thought back to a tradition that I grew up with but also saw depart. The traditional Sunday, formal dinner.

This was a big deal in my early years, as it was for most families in the 1960s (and before I’m guessing). It was an actual event each Sunday where the biggest meal of the week was prepared and served in the dining room. Usually, the only meal we ate in that room, outside of holidays. Extended family members were invited. One of my earliest memories is of my paternal grandparents joining us for Sunday dinner. This was good news because gramma always came with spice cakes which probably explains my current absolute devotion to the similar Panamanian ginger bread. The 60s did a number on this tradition as it slowly became less important. The divorce of my parents killed it for good, at least within our family. The dining room evolved into a tv room over the years. I remember Sunday dinners fondly, despite the formality it sometimes called for, because it brought the family together and even if forced, that’s never a bad thing. Nowadays, the NFL has come to dominate the former time period these dinners took place and I don’t see that changing before the adult conversations I referenced above hopefully take place. Maybe someday it’ll come back. I think it’s a small part of why I love Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners so much.

Twelve Years of Frail Deeds

I realized a couple days ago when I sorted out the written versions of Frail Deeds that I’m printing out for those future adult grandchildren, that I’m now into my twelfth year writing this blog. I never anticipated being at it so long and I apologize for exposing you to my inane prose for so long. I’ve thought about stopping several times but the writing has some sort of mystical encumbrance on my mind. If I miss a couple days, I find myself missing it. I know my Favorite Panamanian wouldn’t mind if I stopped as she says all our friends know exactly what we’ve been up to which minimizes conversation topics. I counter with that she never seems to lack conversational content at any time. As I’ve demonstrated many times in similar marital situations, I’m not a smart man. So, I guess I’ll keep writing here, at least for a while. My sincere apologies.

Two movies fell in my A-Z effort, both keepers, Bullet Train (a recent addition, Pitt so funny seeking therapeutic resolution of multiple assassinations, all at 250 MPH) and Bumblebee (Hailee Steinfeld, has she done anything bad yet?)

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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 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; 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

Mortality and Bankable Stars

This year has certainly emphasized the concept of mortality for me. Life is something no one gets out of alive and while that sounds trite, it is profoundly accurate. I know this is so much tougher for Great Aunt but I can’t get Soxfather’s departure or more correctly his absence out of my every day thoughts (and don’t want to). Something will happen and I’ll want to share it with him or we’ll have a family event coming up and I’ll realize it will have to happen for the first time without Soxfather. Like I said, so much tougher for my big sister, whose life was inextricably intertwined with his. These grim ruminations bore to the front when another close friend called with the news that his younger brother has less than a week to live. No, I’m not going to tell you who, as his family deserves their peace in this most difficult of times. What this year long dip into departure has generated is a greater respect for the blessing that is life and the amount of gratitude that I and my loved ones are still north of the dirt line. Cherish the people in your life and the time you have with them.

Since it’s been a rainy week and there were finally a couple movies I wanted to see, you will not be surprised to hear that I was patronizing the local cinema. I saw two movies, neither of which blew me away, but were very watchable for the simple reason that they featured bankable stars. I think both would have gone straight to DVD if the Rock, Roberts, and Clooney weren’t featured. I guess that’s what makes them bankable, I’m willing to pay to see what they do. It’s always interesting to see if you can spot the next generation of bankable stars emerging with performances so notable you’re left asking, in the immortal words of Butch, “Who are those guys?”.

First up was Black Adam. I guess this has been a vanity project for the Rock for a number of years and he’s certainly up to the part of a thousands year old super hero awakened to face modern evil. They had a good, if unbelievable story, but they decided to include some obscure (to me) other superheroes who, with the exception of a former 007, were not up to the competition. There were some very funny allusions to other superheroes, such as “superheroes don’t kill people.” Which the Rock replies “I do”. They could have done a lot more with that but sacrificed it for a more somber dive into mayhem (as DC is wont to do). I still enjoyed the movie for what it was, a misplaced summer blockbuster. Suspend all belief, ye who enters here and the Rock is always a lot of fun.

Ticket to Paradise would probably have ended up on the accursed Hallmark Channel (sorry, Christmas movie season is rolling near) if not for the presence of George and Julia. They play against type as two very unlikable parents trying to break up the impending marriage of their daughter in Bali. The island scenes were appropriately idyllic and both of the major stars proved they can still carry a romantic comedy, even as supreme heels. It took maybe a tad to long for them to finally traverse to decent humans but the star power was enough to forgive the unforgivable acts. I’d keep an eye out for the young actor playing the besieged fiancé, Maxime Bouttier, definite screen presence, held his own with Clooney.

Three movies fell in my A-Z effort, all keepers, Bruce Almighty (still a little funny but what did we see in Carrey, seems more annoying than funny on a  re-watch), Bull Durham (Costner and baseball, always a wining combo), and Bullet to the Head (Walter Hill directed action and Stallone in an axe fight with Khal Drogo – great flick).

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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 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; 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

Soaring and Sleeping

The FBR, unencumbered by one of her front teeth, was soaring this weekend in the enclosed atmosphere of Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream in New Jersey. This place features a bunch of spine wrenching roller coasters and other rides. Wingman took her there to accustom her to the rides and, more importantly, the waiting in lines for the ride that we’ll run into on our Disneyworld trip next month. My Favorite Panamanian, who’s truly terrified of these type rides, was intensely worried while I thought this was great. Apparently the FBR shares her grandfather’s delight in getting the spine stretched (this may explain some of the arthritis back there, but I digress). She was all smiles afterwards although she admitted to Wingman she had been scared. That’s kind of the point.

FBR and Wingman, Ready to Soar

Wow!!

Which Ride First?

After Completing the Ride Behind Her

Scared Just a Little

Very Fun Day

The BRS on the other hand was a lot more earthbound. While her mom and dad spent an ABFA birthday weekend getaway in Boston, she and BR3 were cared for by the other set of grandparents. That meant a lot of activity for the BRS with Grandpa Rick, her dedicated acolyte. It must have taken a toll. In a very funny picture the ABFA sent us upon her return home, the BRS had fallen asleep in a laundry basket. It was beyond cute and a little surprising. Springing that BR3 hadn’t dive bombed her sister yet and let her sleep.

Sleeping Angel

Three movies fell in my A-Z effort, all keepers, Bridget Jones, The Edge of Reason (Zelwegger in the Thai jail, worth it), Broken Arrow (John Woo action and Travolta over acting), and The Brothers Grimsby (uncomfortably hilarious, elephant hideout).

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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 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; 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

Dance Drought

We were all set up for a Friday night of dancing. Some might say taking my 90-year-old mother-in-law out for dancing is irresponsible but she is Panamanian so it’s kind of expected. We drafted the Neighborhood Mafiosos to accompany us because it’s always more fun when they’re along. We planned on hitting the Auburn VFW club where we’ve always had a lot of luck with both food and dancing. The food was still awesome but instead of a band to dance to they had a single female folk singer. She didn’t have a bad voice but there was nothing she could present that would induce even the three Panamanian ladies to dance, which is an extremely low threshold.

At the VFW

After the ladies put their heads together, we decided to try Rascals in Worcester where we’ve also had a lot of luck in the past. We were initially encouraged when we pulled up and saw a lot of couples dancing through the window. That turned out to be the last class at the Arthur Murray Ballroom Dancing Class. Rascals was a little further back but boasted a huge dance floor that was packed when we checked it out. We hadn’t been sitting for long when we realized the evening was devoted to country line dancing lessons. I mean, c’mon, it’s Friday night and your club is devoted to classes. Worcester, I’m so disappointed in you. The Neighborhood Mafioso’s husband, being of irrepressible spirit was the only one that joined the lessons which may have had something to do with the scenery directly in front of him, spirit indeed!

Mafioso's Husband (Yellow Shirt) Venturing Out

I’d planned on a thunder run up to Keene on Saturday to continue my reconnaissance activities ahead of next month’s pub crawl. Unfortunately, my Favorite Panamanian and her mom have run out of shopping urges (I know – amazing – I’ve lived to see it). Since they were the designated driver crew and Keene Friend wasn’t available for an overnight, I was stranded in Worcester. It turned out to be a restful day and was so nice outside I voluntarily went out to pull out weeds from the lawn. I think Keene would have ben more fun. Luckily my Kindergarten Friend volunteered to conducted clandestine reconnaissance activities in my stead. A true friend.  

Fall Colors Popping in Back Yard

Three movies fell in my A-Z effort, all keepers, Bridesmaids (way, way too funny, when you knew McCarthy was headed for bigger things), A Bridge too Far (when heroism and sacrifice could still be celebrated), and Bridget Jones’ Diary (Zelwegger nails it, Grant proves he can be a great cad).

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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 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; 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

Athletic Prowess Recognition Day

Not for me, those days are so far behind as to question reality. No; today is the birthday of the Absolute Best Family Athlete, the incomparable ABFA. We had the opportunity to celebrate with her last weekend but her actual day of birth is today and it’s also the First Friday of the Week, so a big win win. She’s called the ABFA (not only) because to poke fun at my Favorite Son but because she is a great athlete in her own right. She still plays on a soccer team and in her miniscule free time, coaches youth soccer (4-year-olds - YIKES!)

The Birthday Girl!!!!

She is one of the most genuinely nice people I’ve ever met. She possesses that rare quality to connect with anyone she meets. She is a fabulous mom with two very challenging and completely lovable daughters. She’s also the perfect foil to my sometimes overly serious son. They make a great pair and have created a truly loving family that I’m so happy my two youngest granddaughters get to grow up in. The ABFA is also a dedicated lover of the canine species which will always go in along way in my book.

My Very Lucky Son

She Also Attended a Very Prestigious School

Riggins is also a Very Lucky Boy

While her picture would appear next to the definition of “nice” in the dictionary there is some iron beneath that surface, requisite in any good mom. An indication of that and her strength of intellect is her rapid rise through the ranks of her company at the same time she produced the two aforementioned granddaughters. Finally, she’s just fun to be around and I consider myself blessed that my son found this treasure and was smart enough to marry her. I know my daughter is also happy she finally has a sister, something of a lifelong grudge she had against her brother. So happy birthday ABFA and thanks for being who you are!

Two movies fell in my A-Z effort, both keepers, Braveheart (great memory of seeing this with my son when it came out) and Brick Mansions (released after Paul Walker’s death, some French guy parkouring around Detroit – am now deeply in love with Catalina Denis)

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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 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; 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

Tooth Subtraction

One of those major events of a young child’s life happened during our Facetime call with the FBR last night. The loss of her first front tooth. She started complaining about how hard it was to eat with the very loose tooth. That went on for a couple minutes until it popped off in her hand – to her and certainly our surprise/delight. The photo below was taken seconds after the event. There were no more complaints about eating and she delved into making designs with her newly acquired gap when it came to an ice cream sandwich.

Just After it Came Out

More Elegantly Posed

Still Impossibly Cute

The BRS and BR3 were garbed in Crazy Wednesday outfits for their pre-school and the BRS seemed to really take it to heart. BR3 is always walking the edge of craziness so it probably wasn’t a big jump for her. They both looked fantastic. My son finally had the electrician show up so his Man Cave theater nears completion. I envision some football and scary movies being watched together down there in future years. Yesterday also marked one month until my annual birthday pub crawl. I’m going to have to figure out a way to get up to Keene for a final route reconnaissance.

BRS in her Crazed Outfit

Looks Natural on BR3

Another sure sign of the changing seasons occurred yesterday when I assisted my Favorite Panamanian in the annual fall cutting in her vast garden complex. Once her perennials start showing the autumn induced yellow tinge the clippers come out. Three wheelbarrow loads of debris were carted up the hill (I did say vast, didn’t I?). Other than that it’s been a fairly quiet week after the past two weeks of granddaughter exposure. I finished off the latest John Sandford book featuring old favorites Lucas Davenport and Virgil F---ing Flowers. When I closed that book on my kindle I was delighted to find that Nelson DeMille had published another John Corey novel which was waiting for me to download. Good times for an autumnal read.

Three movies fell in my A-Z effort, all keepers, Borat (Undeniably yet so uncomfortably funny), Bottle Rocket (Owen Wilson as Dignan – when you knew he was going to be a star) and Bowfinger (first DVD I ever owned, came with player, Murphy & Martin, comedy dream team)

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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 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; 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

Remembered Treasure

Yesterday saw the change in the execution of plans. It was going to be a very difficult day for my big sister since she should have been celebrating her 41^st anniversary with Soxfather. Our original plan would have had us hosting her for a day away from Cranston. She called late last week to change things up. She wanted to stay at home and asked if I would come down to help her with a couple of home projects. That was, of course, an easy request to honor. It allowed me the opportunity to once again familiarize myself with an old nemesis – Chinese assembly instruction writers.

With Great Aunt Yesterday

One of the tasks she had for me was to assemble a large storage chest for her deck. It was fairly simple but my old buddies in China sent assembly instructions that merely had pictures along with some fractured English. Luckily Great Aunt has a lot more patience than I do and was able to translate the more difficult parts. I truly enjoyed the time with my sis as I knocked out a bunch of small jobs she had stored up for me. It kept both of us very busy. She’s created a laundry room off her kitchen and I had to move some of the larger objects from its prior incarnation as Soxfather’s sports watching station.

The Assembled Box

This included disconnecting and then reestablishing cable connections. I’ve seen the cable guys do this on so many of our household moves that I felt fairly confident I knew what I was doing. I still breathed a definitive sigh of relief when she turned the TV back on and everything came up. We were surrounded by memories of Soxfather with his prodigious collection of Boston oriented sports memorabilia. Great Aunt encouraged me to take a couple things so I now have “Let’s Go” Red Sox and Bruins lights in the Man Cave. Soxfather also had dozens of DVDs, mostly sports related but there was a healthy section of Hogan’s Heroes, the West Wing, and the Three Stooges.

Soxfather Bequeathed Treasures

She allowed me to take a few with me since she doesn’t watch DVDs any more (jeez, even my older sister, I really am a dinosaur). It will surprise no one who knows me that I chose a few celebrating the magical 2004 Red Sox, to include a set with all playoff games from that subline October. Great Aunt took me out for a steak lunch which was the best part of the day as we got to truly talk which I think helped both of us a lot. It was a day spent with Soxfather as well as his indelible presence in our collective memory remains an enduring true treasure.

This past weekend, assisted by my Favorite Son, I took in the last, hopefully, Halloween movie, Halloween Ends. I’d heard really bad things about this movie but this was supposedly the last featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and her evil brother, Michael, so there was no way I was gong to miss it. It turns out the naysayers were right. It was a sad farewell to these iconic characters. Michael had none of his implacable omnipresence that made earlier movies so frightening. He’s just along for the ride and even Jamie Lee seemed a little embarrassed for him. There were some cute homages to prior movies but this could have used more Jamie Lee and her benighted brother as the film stagnates with a poor story and underwhelming supporting actors whenever they are not on screen. A clear miss.

Two movies fell in my A-Z effort, both keepers, The Boondock Saints (a personal favorite, just love this movie, Rocco and the Cat, best feline scene in movie history) and Boondock Saints II, All Saints Day (doesn’t live up to original but still a lot of fun, Julie Benz as you’ve never seen her).

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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 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; 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

Final Day of Rummaging Photos & Northern Trek

I’ve just returned from a very fun weekend up in New Hampshire at the home of my Favorite Son and the ABFA. There was everything in the world to recommend it. We arrived around mid-day on Saturday to find the BRS and BR3 waiting and primed for grandparent time. A welcome addition to the crowd that greeted us was another golden retriever, Riley, who they were dog sitting for. I settled in to watch some college football while my son and his two miniature assistants made a birthday cake for the ABFA. Her birthday is this coming Friday but this was the last chance for us and her parents to join them for a celebration.

We Almost Got BR3 to Smile

Talking with their Great Grandmother

ABFA's Awesome Parents joined Us

A Very Happy Abuela

Decorating the cake was turned over to my Favorite Panamanian so my son and I got to enjoy watching the college football together, including an incredibly entertaining game between Alabama and Tennessee that ended up 52-49 in regulation time. I say we watched football together but in reality we were also dodging repeated dive bombing attacks from the granddaughters. The BRS and I created a game where she would high five me and I would act as if she had seriously injured my hand with her vast strength. She thought this was very funny and only asked to do it again several hundred times.

Birthday Cake for the ABFA

BR3 Always Knows Where the Camera Is

Fun Times at the Thirsty Moose

While this was going on the ABFA was creating a fabulous steak dinner (one of the best steaks I’ve had in a while). The ABFA’s parents also showed up which took a lot of granddaughter pressure off the football watchers as the ABFA’s dad immediately formed his usual gang of three with the BRS and BR3 and headed outside. Since I hadn’t known about the birthday cake I had not brought Bonecrusher so we had to cut the cake with a mere knife. It was too much fun hanging with these fabulous people again and celebrating the ABFA. After the cake, the ABFA’s parents left for home but our hosts had another treat in store for us.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the FBR Was Modeling Jeans for her Abuela

They arranged for their neighborhood babysitter to come over and they took us out for cocktails at the Thirsty Moose in nearby Exeter. I thought I’d gone back in time to the many times at Scores when I saw all the televisions tuned to virtually every sporting event then going on around the world. While it proved nearly impossible to ignore everything that was taking place on those screens, what made the night so special was sitting around the table and really talking with my son and the ABFA. Since the arrival of the BSR and BR3 these times are few and far between since the kids usually dominate our time together (it’s what granddaughters do). Special, as I said above, is a very apt term to describe the evening. Progeny and their chosen spouses is an area I am extremely blessed in.

Coach ABFA at Work with her Team

Scrimmage Starting

BRS Contemplating the Action

Fall Colors Still Vibrant

The evening was even extended a bit when we had to execute a u-turn so the ABFA could return to the ATM machine so she could pay the babysitter, despite talking about it before mounting the car (she was driving). I told her I was going to chronicle this here on Frail Deeds (she makes so few mistakes I have to savor them). After an holjaldra breakfast, I joined the host family as we journeyed to a nearby soccer field. The ABFA has chosen to pass on her nearly divine level of athletic prowess to the next generation by volunteering to coach the BRS’ soccer team.

BRS Being Prepped

Proud 1/4 Panamanian

Arranged by her Abuela

Impossibly Cute

Next Stage, Learning the Steps

I think there is a special place in heaven for the coaches of youth athletic teams, especially for four year olds. It was fun watching the chaos unfold while my son and I also tried to entertain a thoroughly bored BR3. The practice ended with a scrimmage against another team which was more high comedy than athletic pursuit but so much fun to watch. The BRS showed some natural quickness and speed when she chose to participate. Unfortunately she was in a mood for most of the time and simply stood and watched as the action swirled around her. What can I say, she’s four.  

Less Success Posing BR3

Eventually got her Garbed Up

Disturbingly Angelic

Ready to Dance

Very Proud Bis-Abuela

The afternoon was devoted to two things, watching the Patriots game and my Favorite Panamanian garbing up the granddaughters in traditional folklorico dresses. The BRS was completely on board as my wife spent a long time placing the ornamental jewels in her hair. BR3 was less enthusiastic about the effort and had to be cajoled into at least trying. The BRS looked amazingly cute as she posed on the front lawn under the adoring gaze of her abuela, so glad her granddaughter was embracing her Panamanian heritage. BR3 was simultaneously charging around the lawn with only half the outfit on. Later in the afternoon she finally agreed to let my wife place the remainder of the costume on her and take a couple very quick photos. Too much fun to watch and the Patriots dominated again, so win win.

Great Way to Watch a Football Game, The Best!

Let’s plunge into the final continuation the memory rummaging with photos mined from the basement storage bins:

FAVORITE DAUGHTER

With her 1st Grade Buddies, 1991, Cranston, RI

Visiting me at Work, Schofield Barracks, HI 1994

Talking with her Grandma, Annandale, VA 1985

10 Years Later at Disney World

Mid-80s Annandale, VA

Back Yard of our Home in Mililani, HI 1991

Prom Time, Ft Campbell, KY 1997

Partying with our Cranston, RI Friends 1991

Awkward School Photo Hawaii Early 90s

FAVORITE SON

The Famous Salute

Chow Time in Annandale, VA Late 80s

His Daughters Now Play with Same Bear

Loving some Cake 1988

Christmas 1989

Birthday 1990, Cranston, RI

2 Years Old

Visiting me When I was General's Aide, Ft McNair
Washington, DC 1988

Inevitable Cowlick

Unfortunate Early Cowboys Fandom, Ft Leavenworth, 1996

Baseball Career, Ft Campbell, KY 1997

Stretching to Run with Dad, 1991, Cranston, RI

Leaning on Our Home in Cranston

In the DC Cherry Blossoms, Late 80s

Spaghetti Dinner Aftermath, Annandale, VA Late 80s

One of my Favorite Photos of him, Haunted Home, Ft McNair
Washington, DC 1988

Soccer Pose, Ft Leavenworth, KS 1996

1995 Birthday, Leavenworth, KS

After Running a 5K with me, Ft Campbell, KY
Week of the Eagles Outside our Home 1999

Hawaii School Photo Early 90s

SON AND DAUGHTER TOGETHER

Rare Peaceful Moment Together, Annandale Late 80s

Same Time, Place, Helping me Work Out

Disneyworld 1995

Christmas at Grandma's Keene, NH 1980s

Grandma's Backyard

Toasting Marshmallows, Cranston RI Home 1991

3rd Ft Leavenworth Home 1997

Christmas in Hawaii 1994

Easter Finest Outside our Haunted Home
Ft McNair, Washington, DC 1989

Dining Alfresco, Annandale, VA late 80s

Decked out with Mom, in Front of Annandale, VA home late 80s

Front Seat, Splash Mountain, Disneyworld 1995

Took this Photo With me Every Time I Deployed

Two movies fell in my A-Z effort, both keepers, The Bodyguard (pure schmaltz but that voice, that voice) and Bohemian Rhapsody (fascinating behind the scenes of so many well remembered hits - rock and roll baby).

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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 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; 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