To Snark or Not to Snark

I learned yesterday, mid-thunder run, that I had accidently started a minor tempest of controversy with an off-hand remark in one of my posts last week. In that post I labeled some of Keene Friend’s remarks as “snarky”. It was not my intent to demonize my best friend, only to comment on his dry sense of humor, of which he is an acknowledged master. Keene Friend’s many allies came out in defense of his type of humor, ranging from the PCR, to my son, to (yikes!) the Cantankerous Friend. This led to a lively “discussion” yesterday at the Lab ‘n Lager as we tried to delve into the meaning of the word and whether it applied to Keene Friend. As usual this discussion (it involved the Cantankerous One after all), devolved into some very funny theories and some downright nonsense. With the benefit of less alcohol intake today, I went back to the dictionaries to investigate: Snarky: The adjective has been recorded in English since 1906. Its original meaning, “crotchety, snappish,” has largely been overtaken, however, by the far more frequently-encountered sense “sarcastic, impertinent or irreverent.”

At The Lab 'n Lager Yesterday

Taking that definition into account, Keene Friend has never been crotchety or snappish. He can be sarcastic, but in only the most subtle fashion. Impertinent, nah, and then we get to irreverent, to which I have to admit that is really more my bailiwick. Keene Friend remains one of the funniest people I know, think Steven Wright with a rewarding personality. Putting all this sober information together I have to conclude that I erred in branding Keene Friend as snarky, he is anything but. I hope this apology will keep his many fans from burning me at the next available stake, I really love the guy. I guess it’s an indication of how well thought of Keene Friend is that this “controversy” rose at all. He really is the nicest person I’ve ever met.

Wife's Checkout Line Photo Proof

Now, as to the question on how this obviously erudite delving into the English language originated; I was fortunate enough to have an unscheduled day and a Favorite Panamanian ready to shop. That combination is known to produce a thunder run back to my home town where I link up with high school friends to solve many of the world’s problems (such as the misuse of the word, “snarky”) usually in one of Keene’s many pubs while my better half engages in tax free shopping. Yesterday had us as the first costumers of the day at the Lab ‘n Lager (stop #2 on the annual pub crawl for those keeping score) after an entertaining walk around downtown with Keene Friend awaiting opening time.

Our Return Photo

The Cantankerous Friend was vectored in to join the assemblage and the aforementioned lexiconical discussions. I spilled my second beer all over the floor but, as this only the second, I could safely classify this as an accident. The Kindergarten Friend soon joined us so we had a quorum. He had to use a cane, of which he was sneakily proud, since he blew out one of his hamstrings while changing the linens on a bed. Yes. Getting old is not for the weak of heart. Luckily, we, his friends, were able to assist his recovery with some well-timed medicinal general anesthetic. After our lofty ponderings concluded, Kindergarten Friend departed for home while the rest of us walked across the street to Margarita’s in an effort to coax my Favorite Panamanian of her shopping. It was a team effort as she once again reported (as she is wont to do) that she was in the TJ Maxx checkout line. When this statement was met with doubt from the assembled worthies (that would be us), she sent a picture of the checkout line to prove it. We responded with a picture of the table awaiting her. I don’t think our return photo had the intended effect as she hit another store after leaving TJ Maxx.

She Did Eventually Join us

Earlier in the week, we had a big event take place in the family. The BRS lost her first tooth. She didn’t actually lose it but it fell out, nonetheless, She described it as “wiggly” this past weekend and woke up to discover it had fallen out overnight. She seems pleased with her effort. The FBR upon hearing this had happened, counseled her cousin to make sure she got the requisite under the pillow money for the transaction. I can’t believe how fast this bunch is growing up.

BRS, 1 Tooth Less

On Tuesday date night my Favorite Panamanian and I took in Furiosa, a Mad Max Saga. I had expertly coaxed her into watching Fury Road the night before so I didn’t spend half the movie explaining who was who. I really enjoyed this prequel of the amazing Fury Road. Anya Taylor-Jones is tone perfect as the iconic Furiosa. She is dynamite in the nearly non-stop action sequences which Miller does so well. My only problem was her lack of spoken lines. She only speaks occasionally while diving around her war rig, so it was hard to connect with her as a character. Chris Hemsworth speaks maybe a little too much as another in the long line of amazing Mad Max villains. This film tells the origin story of Imperator Furiosa and how she came to lose an arm and ended up hanging out with the war boys. It was always going to be tough to capture the magic of Fury Road and while they come close, they didn’t. Still, a very entertaining summer action movie worth seeing for Taylor-Jones and her duel with Hemsworth.

Today’s weigh-in, at 23 pounds lost towards 25-pound goal, surprising given yesterday’s activities.

In my A-Z watch, four fell since I last posted, all keepers: Jack Reacher, Never Go Back, Cruise still way too small to play Reacher, but acceptable, barely, in this; Jack Ryan, Shadow Recruit, attempted reboot with Pine being very good; Jack the Giant Slayer, I was sure I would can this movie but it’s actually sneakily charming; and Mad Max, Fury Road, watched out of order in prep for the prequel, this is one of best action movies ever, bar none.

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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; CRC - 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

There Went the Neighborhood

Yep. Another one of those weekends where friends and family conspire to subject me to altogether too much fun. The icing on the cake was the all too short visit by our Upstairs Neighbors from Las Lajas. They are making their way home to Arizona from Panama stopping by Connecticut for a family wedding. While we were all still in Panama, a calendar consultation revealed the opportunity to get together during their time in New England. So, 2/3 of the Seis Amigos were reunited yesterday. There was a lot less sand involved then the last time we were together.

2/3s of the Seis Amigos Reunited

The weekend got off to a thwarted start when our First Friday of the Week dancing plans went unfulfilled. We were getting ready to get in the car to travel to the legion post when we heard from the Neighborhood Mafioso from our destination. Apparently the band playing came with a large following because there were no seats or even space at the bar. Since dinner was part of the equation, that would not do. They went in search of an appropriate dining place and then vectored us in. It was a fantastic spring evening so we dined outside in nearby West Boylston and had the usual fantastic time with our best Worcester friends.

Friday Night with the Neighborhood Mafiosos

Saturday saw the arrival of my Favorite Son and his family to help welcome the Upstairs Neighbors on Sunday. They decided, due to the granddaughters’ early morning proclivities, that staying over Saturday night made more sense than Sunday. In other words, the BRS and BR3 awake very early and they are not quiet about it. This theory was validated on Sunday morning. Before that though, we had a fun Saturday afternoon with the New Hampshire bunch. The BRS and BR3 volunteered to help their abuela in her vast garden complex while the rest of us enjoyed yet another fabulous New England spring day on Deckzilla. This included our first, of hopefully many, dinners of the year on Deckzilla.

BRS and BR3 are in the House

Saturday Deckzilla Dinner

Granddaughters Assisting their Abuela in the Garden

My son and I took in the Celtics playoff game in the Man Cave Saturday night. This marked the first complete NBA game I’ve watched in years. I still groaned about the way the game is now officiated (allowing carries and traveling on virtually every possession) but I enjoyed watching the exciting game with my son. The Celtics epic comeback helped as well. Sunday morning saw the early morning wakeup although our son herded his daughters downstairs providing us a respite. He eventually allowed them upstairs to wake up their grandparents with chants demanding hojaldras. My Favorite Panamanian convinced her granddaughters that going to church with us would be a lot of fun (I seriously do not understand how she does that). They went with us and were perfectly behaved. They even took part in the children’s liturgy which meant they went downstairs without us. My wife beamed proudly.

Ready for Church

Heading Downstairs at Church

Posing After Church with us and our Son

Such a Beautiful Family

Around noon the additional guests we invited to celebrate the Upstairs Neighbors began to appear. My younger sister couldn’t make it due to a fever but Great Aunt arrived, along with Keene Friend, and the ABFA’s parents. We therefore had the entire team in place when the Upstairs Neighbors showed up. They had gone through a clearly benighted itinerary since leaving Panama. A delayed connecting flight meant they flew into New York instead of the planned Boston and only four hours of sleep before their Saturday wedding. As usual, they were still game to party with us on Sunday. They immediately melded into our group which evolved into a very fun afternoon.

BR3 Calls on Both Grandpas to Help with Tower Construction

Sunday Dinner on Deckzilla

BRS Performing 

I was subjected to inhaling the fragrance of sugar cookies placed directly in front of me and everyone had a lot of fun with that, knowing this was an acid test for my diet discipline. I passed, barely. I was successful in pawning off several to the grandkids of our next-door neighbors who were having their own celebration. We were entertained with an acapella singing performance by both granddaughters. The BRS was very fetching singing a couple songs, including a Taylor Swift one, that she had performed earlier in the week with her kindergarten class. BR3 followed her with a rendition of Take me Out to the Ballgame, complete with “root, root, root for the Red Sox” included that had everyone thinking of Soxfather. The afternoon wound down after passing by way too quickly as it is wont to do when that much fun is achieved.

Son and BR3

BRS Taking in Cheers

ABFA's Awesome Parents

We had a very nice chat with the Upstairs Neighbors after all the guests had left. They recounted their travel adventures as well as the interesting wedding they attended. They also caught us up on the doings at Las Lajas. The condo elevator is working again (of course) and some hopefully new neighbors are making progress on buying the condo right next to us. It was nice to hear about what was going on with our second home but their reports on the weather since our departure validated our decision to leave. They’d only had one visible sunset in the month and half since we left. It has rained a lot with a lot of thunder which meant the power had gone out repeatedly. Yep, good to be back in the land of reliable electricity.

The "Fun" Table

Great Aunt

BR3 and ABFA

Today’s weigh-in, at 22 pounds lost towards 25-pound goal. The slow progress can be laid at the feet of those sugar cookies sitting directly in front of me all afternoon yesterday. I didn’t eat any but inhaling them was sublime, almost erotic. Three pounds to go.

In my A-Z watch, five fell since I last posted, all keepers: Ivanhoe, one of favorite movies of my youth, young Liz Taylor was impossibly beautiful; The Jackal, excellent assassin thriller with Willis in rare villain role; Jackie Brown, underrated Tarantino movie, just love it; Jaws (misplaced alphabetically due to granddaughter intrusion), forgot what a great (and scary) movie this was; Jack Reacher, Cruise is way too small to play Reacher but he carries the movie with a Reacher attitude.

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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; CRC - 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

More Anticipation

Well, the New Hampshire seacoast survived the determined incursion of the Worcester Chapter of the Panamanian Mafia yesterday. I’m sneakily proud of my Favorite Panamanian for driving the whole way and only having to call me once when she got mildly misoriented. Since she allows me to track her cell phone location, I was able to pinpoint where she was and guide her towards the shopping. Wait. That means I just helped her shop, I must be getting old. They had a great day as the attached photos will attest. In typical New England weather, we had the heat on in the house as late as last week. Yesterday we hit the 90s with Panama level humidity which was not fun but the Man Cave remained comfortably cool, for those who were worried. As far as shopping, the wife pointedly remarked that the most expensive thing she bought yesterday was a salt shaker to replace the one in Panama that I broke. My only response was to ask of it was unbreakable. I’m glad they had the time they did.

The Mafia in Portsmouth

On The Hunt

A Very Fun Group

With my New England centric focus the last few postings, I have neglected to report on the moving target that is the FBR and my daughter’s family. Part of that is that the FBR is in another one of those phases where she is too cool to deign to speak with a mere grandfather. Luckily my daughter caught me up on their latest news. The biggest news being that Wingman and his business partner won a bid to establish their business in a nearby town. The whole family is excited about this, even the FBR, although she would never admit it. They spent last weekend up in Northern New York for their annual escape with the families of their neighbors that has become a tradition. My daughter ran across a cookie that was the spitting image of Mindy the Cat (her long deceased but well loved (by her)) cat/companion. That was kind of cool, the FBR was assigned the task of consuming it. They returned to New Jersey where the FBR, on Wednesday got her first hit in the baseball league she is playing in, big news, despite her laissez-faire attitude when I tried to congratulate her.

Mindy the Cookie

FBR About to Send it Downrange

Now, as what the anticipation thing is about. Our revered Upstairs Neighbors from Panama are returning to the States today. As luck would have it, they are attending a wedding in nearby Connecticut this weekend. We planned a visit from them on Sunday while we were still down in Panama and this weekend it happens. So. There you. Anticipation. We’re hosting a barbecue to celebrate them on Sunday with my sisters and Keene Friend along with the Favorite Son’s family. Very cool, indeed. I just got back from acquiring new tires for my wife’s car. She thanked me for buying it “new shoes” and I got a pointed look when I commented on the financial impact of keeping both of them in shoes. My theory about not buying from the dealership was validated again as I saved more than $700 on their quote plus with longer lasting tires. Grand total on the week, saved more than a $1000 getting the same work done.

FBFR with Pregame Homework

Getting that First Hit

Today’s weigh-in, at 21 pounds lost towards 25-pound goal.

In my A-Z watch, three fell since I last posted, all keepers: The Italian Job, remake of a classic that is better than the original, great action and cast; It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, has practically every 1960s comedy star in it along with, oddly, Spencer Tracy, still laughs although I wanted to murder Ethel Merman; It’s a Wonderful Life, timeless classic, weird to watch it in summer like weather.

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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; CRC - 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Mafia Unleashed

I feel a little guilty towards the residents of the Southeastern New Hampshire today. An entire posse of the Panamanian Mafia descended on the seacoast area today to shop. Led by those shopping savants, my Favorite Panamanian and the Neighborhood Mafioso. My wife has always cast yearning looks at downtown Exeter whenever we drive through when visiting my Favorite Son. Due to her usual companion, yours truly, on these drives, shopping is not on the menu. She recruited the Mafioso as well as several other members of the Panamanian Mafia and off they went this morning. I’m watching the evening news and there are no alerts about out-of-control Latinas in the area so we could be safe. Seriously, I hope they’re having fun; I know a lot of laughing in going on. I count it as a win because, well, I’m not there.

It’s been an interesting week as we continue to catch up on all the requirements put on back burners during our tropical sojourn. We paid a visit to AAA about a potential overseas trip about which I am very excited. More to follow on this when I’m released from a spousal gag order (I may be shading that here). I also got the Highlander in for a factory recall and as usual the dealership told me I needed their help with other issues, new brakes and tires. They offered to make it all happen for a couple thousand dollars. I’m keyed to their technique now and declined the work and took the car up the street for the brakes, since that was the car my Favorite Panamanian is driving today. The brakes needed replacing and I got it down there for $300 less than the dealership quote. I’ll get the tires tomorrow. I’m amazed the dealerships aren’t more competitive. I didn’t have to pay for the recall but saw the charges. It only involved installing a couple screws and brackets, 5 minutes work, and the invoice was $126 for labor. They must have been long screws. I was bemoaning the reduced chances to read since our return but yesterday I got more than I bargained for as I drained my kindle waiting in two car repair waiting rooms. Why is that so tiring?

While my Favorite Panamanian is out scavenging tax free shopping, I snuck out the theater to see If. The previews for this fooled me. I thought it would be a straight comedy fantasy with Ryan Reynolds’ quick wit. Nope. It’s a straight family movie aimed unerringly at the heart. Reynolds plays a mentor to imaginary friends who’ve been forgotten by their kids. There is an Oscar worthy cast of voice actors which made it fun trying to guess which prominent actor was voicing the CGI characters. The young lead actress is very impressive as she more than holds her own with both Reynolds and John Krasinski, who directed this. I liked it but felt a little deceived. The big twist is easy to predict. You can’t really dislike this though. It’s too well done.

Today’s weigh-in, at 19 pounds lost towards 25-pound goal.

In my A-Z watch, three fell since I last posted, all keepers: It, the 1990 miniseries, kind of comical compared to latest movies but Curry nails Pennywise; It, Chapter 1, interesting update using CGI, great kid actors; It, Chapter 2, very satisfying conclusion as the adult version of the characters take on the clown.

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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; CRC - 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

The Fourth was with Us

Sometimes it’s good to be right about an upcoming weekend. I wrote on Friday that the weekend was shaping up for epic status. If anything, it surpassed that and then some. As usual I have to lay the blame for the heroic level of fun achieved at the feet of my family and friends. They are such overachievers when it comes to bestowing special times. It started on Friday with, of all things, a church dance. While I love dancing on Fridays, something of a staple in our marriage, this is the first time I met that goal at a place of worship. In way of explanation, my Favorite Panamanian has a determined goal of volunteering as much as she can. She was a member of the church volunteers (OMG, I just realized I’m married to a “Church Lady”, in my defense, she’s much better looking than Dana Carvey) that organized the dance as a fundraiser.

Church Dance with the Neighborhood Mafiosos

This provided an interesting quirk in our usual dance portfolio. Heretofore I’ve always enjoyed at least a couple beers before venturing out onto the dance floor. Being the church, none was being served. Turns out I can dance without the evils of demon alcohol. It helped a lot that our good friends, the Neighborhood Mafiosos, accompanied us. We were the first two couple out on the dance floor except for some energetic pre-teens. There was something called a walk off that I diplomatically angled away from. Both the Panamanian ladies did us proud though. They’ve figured out the whole, looking elegant while walking trick while the only thing I could think of was close order drill; which meant it was a good thing I didn’t participate. Still an unexpectedly fun night out with friends, although I ended up washing dishes after it was over (as part of my wife volunteering, apparently, an unknown codicil).

Wife on the Walk Off

And the Mafioso, Teens Blocked Earlier Attempts

We were supposed to leave early Saturday morning for New Hampshire to help with set up for BR3’s birthday party. They had scheduled a bounce house which required an adult present for set up. Since both my son and the ABFA were squiring the BRS and BR3 to their usual accumulated Saturday morning sports and activities, we volunteered (again, the V word). My son texted early on to say the bounce house company called to cancel since it was supposed to rain most of the day (good call). We still set off in time to arrive before noon driving through some tough rain which predictably stopped ten miles short of New Hampshire.

The Birthday Girl

Telling Abuela how the Day Would Go

Keene Friend Showed Up!

BR3 was very excited to see us but even more so about the impending party. She was a little tentative last year but she was all in this time out. She marveled at the fabulous birthday cake my Favorite Panamanian had created to her specifications. BR3 is a huge fan of a Spidey cartoon series featuring a female spider girl, named Ghost (I think I go that right). Insuring the cake arrived intact was a huge undertaking involving a cut out box, carefully positioned seats, and constant reminders from my wife to drive carefully. Since the rain we’d driven through was a sure indicator of future precipitation, we helped clean out the garage for the inevitable piñata destruction ceremony. The ABFA’s parents, Keene Friend and Great Aunt arrived early to help with the preparations which was fun in itself. There was way, way too many sweets on display. It was truly an acid test for the diet but I didn’t partake of any of it. Still, just inhaling all the sweet fragrance probably added a couple of pounds when I wasn’t looking.

Wife Also Made "Ghost" Sugar Cookies

Then There as the Cake!

With its Creator

BR3 Spots an Arriving Guest

And Heads out to Greet Them

As we got close to game time, BR3 took up position at the front door to spot arriving party guests. She and Riggins, would then bolt outside to greet her guests halfway up the driveway. It was fun to see her so excited about friends. Shortly after they had all arrived, she had somehow gotten all of them outfitted in Disney princess dresses which became something of a theme for the weekend. Although her parents had fervently hoped for better weather to keep the party outside that was not to be the case but their house more than adequately served as party central. With kids careening around the house while parents socialized. That’s something I’ve noticed and it was remarked upon. Back in the day (when I was young) our parents just dropped us off at birthday parties and inquired when we’d be ready for pickup. Now the parents hang around and socialize. I like this new system much better. It helped that their friends were a lot of fun themselves.

Disney Princess Time

Pizza!!

ABFA and Son Guarding the Cake

With Great Aunt and Keene Friend

I, of course, had ulterior motives, since this also afforded me time to hang out with Great Aunt and Keene Friend. Great Aunt became problematic though when she allied with my Favorite Panamanian in a discussion about my scalp wound. Other than that, it was great afternoon. Pizza arrived for the kids and BR3’s parents provided a catered lunch for the adults. We then retired to the garage for the piñata. My son bravely took up the challenge of manning the rope. Courage was required since the pole the kids were swinging was way too long and they only choked up their hold on the first swing, after that chaos reigned. I’m still semi-amazed someone didn’t emerge with a head wound. The kids gave it their best shot but the piñata put up its typical tough fight. Little did it realize we had a ringer in the crowd. My Favorite Panamanian stepped up to bat and candy was soon strewn about the floor covered in a blanket of anxious four years olds.

Ready for the Pinata

BR3 Takes her Swings

The BRS As Well

The Candy Scrum

Next up was the cake and I have to take a moment to expound on it. As usual my Favorite Panamanian had labored long and hard to create something special for a granddaughter. The photos do not do it justice. She hand made all the buildings and decorations except the figurine. She doesn’t like to receive praise but it was unavoidable on Saturday as everyone marveled at the professional level of birthday cake on display. Of course, it was soon to fall victim to Bonecrusher. I think a couple of the attending parents were a little shocked when the sword came out for BR3 to wield in cutting her cake as part of the family tradition. It was at this point they realized they had fallen in with barbarians. BR3 was very excited about the sword and my son had to carefully monitor her stroke.

BR3 With her Gatherings

Abuela and ABFA Handle Candy Disputes

The Party Guests

Keene Friend Explaining How he Would have Done It

It was a great birthday party despite the absent bounce house and miserable weather. BR3 was ecstatic about her birthday celebration and the BRS was the perfect (well, almost perfect) big sister about it. After the last of the guests departed, the survivors, except for the BRS and the birthday girl, collapsed on the couch in fatigue. I enjoyed the quiet evening hanging out with my son watching an old movie and catching up. I’d left permission for the granddaughters to wake us up in the morning but the ABFA took pity and took the early morning bullet. I came down after a great night’s sleep to find her fully immersed in her daughters’’ early morning excitement.

Time for Cake with Mom and Dad

BR3 with Bonecrusher

Wife did Get her Head out of the Way in Time

Dad, I don't Need your Help

Yes, You Do

Son and Keene Friend

Following the requisite hojaldra breakfast we coaxed BR3 out in the garage to receive our gift. She was a little mystified by the garbage bag wrapping but was soon very excited about the unveiled bicycle which turned out to be an exact twin to her big sister’s bike, way too cool. We returned from church to find virtually every Disney princess dress every created strewn about the entry hallway. The ABFA related that she had just been treated to a fashion show by her daughters. My Favorite Panamanian may have been a little too generous in her praise for this because we found ourselves in short order directed to seats on the couch so we could undergo a similar fate, whoops, I mean treat.

Sunday Gift Time

Very Happy

I still don’t know how they did it but they had become quick change artists. In less than ten minutes they had donned and paraded in front of us all of the aforementioned princess dresses. Parade is the wrong word. They would rush into the room and proceed to jump and turn in the air as fast as they could. It made photos very difficult as I only captured a fraction of their performance but it was epic (there’s that word again). The BRS was a little disconsolate when the last dress was displayed and she was informed it was lunchtime. As you now realize, that could describe the entire weekend with our friends, meeting our son’s and the ABFA’s friends, BR3’s friends, with our own old friends spiced in as well. Epic probably falls short of encapsulating the level of fun achieved.

The Fashion Show

BRS a Little Peeved the Show Must End

Today’s weigh-in, still at 18 pounds lost towards 25-pound goal. Which is acceptable since no exercise except for chasing granddaughters this past weekend and having to inhale the odor of all those sweets, including the magnificent birthday cake.

In my A-Z watch, only one fell since I last posted, a definite keeper: The Island, great sci fi action flick that reminded me of all-time favorite Logan’s Run, Scarlett at her peak.

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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; CRC - 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; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course