Finally Some Good News

In my dedicated fight to maintain my hard-won weight loss I’ve lost more territory than the Russians have recently in Ukraine. I blame it completely on my Favorite Panamanian as I feel like I put on two pounds every time I walk through the kitchen with the air heavily laden with Christmas cookie baking odor. On top of that I hold the cherished position of cookie taster, which according to the FBR in a recent discussion, is an important, almost sacred, position. We had so much fun discussing this the other night. It just means a few extra laps in the pool and a few more miles on the bicycle, but more than worth it.

FBR During our Discussion

Part of Today's Challenge

Red Sox nation is in turmoil with the loss of Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres. I’m very sad to see him go but I’m glad the Sox didn’t mortgage their future by matching the 11-year deal he got. He was the heart of the team but, saying that, last year’s team didn’t show a lot of fight. He’s a great player and ambassador of the game but he outpriced his value to the Sox.  All too often, before this golden age of Boston sports, the local teams would hang onto beloved figures well behind their expiration dates. Their last offer to Bogaerts was for six years which would have been fine. They know they already have their shortstop of the future, Marcelo Mayer, busting his way through the minors and they needed the financial flexibility to sign Devers next year. If they fail there, I’m out.

Bye Bye Bogie

Oh yeah, as to the title, as you may have heard I operate under strict orders from Great Aunt to keep her informed about my health conditions. She doesn’t feel I have either the intellect or maturity (you choose) to make informed decisions on same. Today was my two-year follow-up for my prostate removal and it truly was all good news. My PSA count is still undetectable, totally cancer free at this point, and my next visit in June will be the last follow-up. So, all good news although I temper my joy, knowing others aren’t as lucky. Still a reason to celebrate, oh, and it just so happens to be the First Friday of the Week!! Let the games begin!

Saw this Online Today and Laughed
FBR Loves the Mandalorian

Two movies fell in my A-Z effort, both keepers, Constantine (May just be Keanu’s best role and it has Rachel W) and Contraband (passable action flick with scenes from Panama)

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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 him 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; 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; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course