Paradising Again

After several very hectic days, I find myself typing this while looking out on my favorite paradise in the world, Playa Las Lajas, Panama. The rainy season has decided to hang around longer than is socially acceptable but even that can’t dent the satisfaction of being back on the beach. Hectic doesn’t begin to describe the lead up to our trip south. Our luggage weighing device failed at the crucial moment. I had to run out to secure batteries for another one Great Aunt had gifted us to save the day. My Favorite Panamanian has a well-developed sense of cleanliness, despite her forty + year association with this conformed slob. That meant we spent a long day on Friday putting the final touches on closing the house up for the house sitter to look after for the next few months. I felt it was a major indignity to my sensibilities to spend the First Friday of the Week devoted to cleaning. I only get 49% of the vote though. Happy wife does equal happy life.

Dinner at El Fogon, Photo by Everardo

We finished up around midnight and I collapsed into bed, since we had a 2:30am wakeup to catch the airport van. I was dozing off when I noticed my wife kept coming out of the closet to check out a different outfit in the big mirror. It seems, with all the cleaning, she hadn’t properly decided on what she was going to wear for the trip. The lady is nothing if not focused. The flights went well, I’m becoming a big fan of the new international terminal at Logan. We had a bit of a surprise in Panama City as we walked towards where we thought the domestic flight terminal was. A guy came charging out of a door to inform us they had moved it into the main terminal.

Christmas Lights in Central David

We found that and were quickly onto the short flight to David, where my wife’s family formed an awesome welcoming party, including her 92-year-old mom. After lugging all the suitcases into my mother-in-law’s home, we adjourned to my favorite restaurant in David, El Fogon. I was greeted like a returning hero by my friend/waiter Everardo who soon provided the first Atlas of the trip. The post-arrival dinner has turned into a tradition, and I look forward to it, despite being so tired. Tia Loca, my wife’s twin sister, her mom, her brother, and his new partner formed a very fun group. Tia Loca and her brother spent the whole time sniping at each other, which is another family tradition. I felt a real sense of family which is what life can be all about. After dinner, Tia Loca drove us around central David to see the central square’s Christmas decorations. I wish the granddaughters had been with us to see the spectacular light display.

We hit the sack as soon as we returned home which is the earliest I’ve been to bed on a Saturday night in recorded history. We ended up sleeping for more than ten hours, which was so needed. When we eventually did get up, we faced the task of obtaining supplies and moving our act to the beach. As always, my wife’s family was instrumental in making that happen. Tia Loca was dispatched to buy vegetables (my input was not requested). My wife and I set out for the grocery stores. We hit up the big box store for a large load, getting into the car amid all the rain was fun. We then stopped by our favorite supermarket to complete the task. My mother-in-law had a fantastic lunch waiting for us when we returned. My brother-in-law had once again volunteered to transport our luggage which would not have fit in our car, overladen with a lot of groceries.

We arrived in Las Lajas and, blessedly, the elevator was working (unlike last year). My wife’s sisters and her mom came with us and were a big help, along with her brother and his partner, on getting everything up into the condo’s fridge. Once that was accomplished it was generally agreed that food was in order. We decided to head back into the village and hit Sunset Pizza, our go to Friday night haunt. The owner was very happy to see us return, although greeted us with the sad news that one of her small dogs, that the granddaughters fell in love with, had passed away. In additional stray pet news, the famous cat Chow Mein had been adopted by locals, after giving birth to a litter of four. While the rest of her family returned to their homes, my wife and I went back to the condo for another really long, and great, night of sleep.

Favorite Pizza Place Last Night

Today was spent putting everything away and unpacking all the household goods that had been wrapped up to sustain them over the eight months in tropical heat. That always leads to some surprises but my last-minute idea to apply a healthy dose of insecticide on both doorways kept the critter count very low. The sun was back out for most of the day as I labored to put together a new grill we bought for the balcony. I think I spent more time unpacking the damned thing than actually assembling it. Our work in the condo kept me off the beach for most of the day but I wasn’t going to miss our first sunset. I dove into the pool and then, armed with a couple Atlases, took up my post on the beach. Unfortunately, those clouds that have haunted us since arrival, obscured the sunset but it was still fun being back in our assigned positions at sunset. Two more of the Seis Amigos arrive this week which will make those sunsets sojourns even better. In today’s, Only in Panama, moment, I went to a shower in the common area and when I turned on the lights, I was greeted by a large flying creature. It ducked into one of the stalls and I thought it was just a big bug (which Panama has more than their fair share of). As I was leaving a few minutes later, I glanced into the stall and saw that it was a bat, and it was hanging from the overhead lamp. Kind of cool. Even cooler: my wife’s family returns tomorrow to celebrate the New Year!

One Very Happy Camper This Morning

Grill Assembly Operations

The A-Z watch will go on hiatus until my April return home, no room in the luggage for a couple hundred or so movies. There are better things to do here.

Cloudy Sunset

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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 (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Well, That Was Pretty Cool

I sit here, typing, basking in the glory of the past week. That is not hyperbole. The Christmas holiday was that much fun and was even white (though barely) for the first time in years. Everyone whom I owe a well-defined hug of gratitude have returned home leaving me sneaking down to type this while the house is a whirlwind of cleaning activity ahead of tomorrow’s early morning departure for our annual tropical sojourn on the beach for the next three months (yes, you can expect the Pacific Ocean sunsets again). The aforementioned whirlwind is, of course, my Favorite Panamanian. She feels it absolutely required that we leave the house in pristine condition. I told her I didn’t think the house sitter would notice but she’s adamant. She would know and therein lies the rub. This is an annual argument.

And it Was!

Christmas Eve

My son and his family showed up late Sunday and the FBR was soon immersed in cousinhood, forgetting the adults even existed. All three granddaughters were very excited about the imminence of Santa Claus. Sadly, I believe this is the last year they all believe in St Nick with the FBR showing signs of aging out. That happened quickly! My son, daughter, and the ABFA all had to work remotely Monday, so, in the interest of sanity and a quiet work environment, my wife and I volunteered to take the granddaughters out for lunch and a movie. The girls were fantastically well behaved and even received a compliment at the restaurant from another patron who marveled at how well they comported themselves. If she only knew! We accomplished our mission though as all three were sound asleep during the short ride back home. The ABFA posted the picture of them sleeping with the caption, Grandparents – 1, Granddaughters – 0.

Grandparents Win!

Together Again!

Movie Time

Red Robin Lunch

BRS, Every Time I rolled Out Workout Mat

Late in the day Monday Wingman arrived heralding the beginning of what became a weeklong theme, games. We played the tried-and-true ones like Uno, R-L-C, and Flip 7 along with a number of exotic games gleaned from the internet by my Favorite Panamanian, the ABFA, and my daughter. Dozens of marshmallows were sacrificed in this effort over the week. The end result always seemed to be someone (usually everybody) laughing. For Christmas Eve, my wife prepared a fabulous pork roast, a tradition in her native land. After dinner the granddaughters were allowed to open their one gift, hoping mightily it wouldn’t be clothes. They all scored with a couple makeup kits involved that eventually saw my beard painted red and green.

Screen Time

House Under Construction

Wingman Arrives!

In Christmas Attire

So Cute!

While the adults adjourned to the Man Cave for the annual viewing of Love Actually, the kids eventually (and reluctantly) fell asleep full of anticipatory glee. After the movie the Christmas tree was fully stocked and my son and I prepped the turkey for it’s early morning trip to the oven. As usual, all the granddaughters were awake well before the adults but exhibited more discipline that I would have credited them with by following instructions not to descend to the first floor until everyone was awake and ready to go down with them. I went down first to turn on the lights and Christmas music. I always love their expressions when they see the fully stocked tree for the first time.

Wife and I

! Gift Christmas Eve

Fully Stocked Tree With Santa's Additions

We then descended into the maelstrom of gift opening. The BRS went to each person who gave her a gift to thank them before she opened it. It was beyond charming. After the gifts came the traditional Christmas morning breakfast with mimosas, fried dough, and hojaldras. The granddaughters were pried away from the new toys long enough to partake. In a welcome change this year, my Keene Friend showed up mid-morning instead of his usual nocturnal arrival. This turned out to be a great development because he got to enjoy the day long craziness of the house on Christmas day before leaving for his usual Christmas dinner with another friend.

Waiting to Come Down Christmas Morn

Anticipation Building

Their First View

Gift Opening

Nearby Supply of Cookies

He was followed in short order by Great Aunt who arrived with a car fully packed with additional gifts which set off the opening frenzy again. I love how close the three granddaughters are getting with my sister. They were all very excited when she came in and it wasn’t just because of the gifts. The final addition to the crowd were the ABFA’s parents, always a most welcome addition, along with Riggins. While all this was going on someone noticed a coyote had set up in clear view on our back hill. He looked kind of sad with a raging case of mange and the look of a poor hunter (skinny). We christened a new tradition, the Christmas Coyote. Both my son and Wingman assisted greatly with the preparation of our Christmas dinner. I noticed this year that I’m slowing down and relied more on their help than previously. Rumor has it that I’m getting old.

Christmas Morning, BR3 with her Dad

Daughter and Wingman

Keene Freind is in the House!

He Gave me this T-Shirt with a Favorite Movie Quote

ABFA's Parents

Great Aunt and I

The dinner came out great and when it was over I eased over to the living room couch to enjoy some tryptophan induced napping. The granddaughters soon noticed and I had all three of them sitting on me shortly thereafter. Something about a sleeping grandparents seems to offend their senses on some level. We were soon engaged in more games, including my extending my lifelong losing streak in right, left, center. Great Aunt and the ABFA’s parents departed in the early evening. After some very tired grandchildren succumbed to bedtime, we set up for some more card games at the kitchen table. I noticed this year that we spent a lot less time in the Man Cave parked in front of the tv which was a welcome development as it led directly to more laughter.

The Christmas Coyote

Great Aunt gets her Hair Done

Game Time

Keen Friend with the Girls

Trying to Lie Down After Dinner

The day after Christmas saw the frenzied cleaning start to prepare for our weekend departure. By noon time the tree was down and out of the house and I’d picked up all the outside decorations. Inside the house the kids and their spouses assisted in undecorating the house which was a major effort considering everything my Favorite Panamanian had accomplished in that arena. This effort was welcome because it allowed us to partake of yet another Christmas tradition that evening when we journeyed north to New Hampshire for the day after Christmas party at Keene Friend’s house. The grandkids merged with the friends I’d grown up with including the recently retired Keene Friend 2 and the Cantankerous One. Once enough adult beverages were consumed we made the obligatory call to the PCR to get his Christmas reflections. A great night.

And More Games

Riggins was Tired Too

My Painted Beard

The Makeup Artists

Wingman left earlier in the day as he has the sad duty to visit his dad who entered hospice this week in Maryland. My son and his family left for home following the Keene party while my daughter and the FBR returned to Worcester with my wife and I. This gave us one more night together which we put to good use as I re-watched a few episodes of the Black Doves that my daughter hadn’t seen yet. Even more funny on a second watch although I think that had a lot to do with the company I was keeping. They departed this morning and my Favorite Panamanian and I have gone all out since their departure getting ready for the early morning flight to Panama. I can still bask though, in the contentment generated over the past week for which I have to thank my incredible family and friends. I have already started looking forward to Christmas 2025!

Girls at Keene Friend's House with Cantankerous

Day After Party

FBR Heading Home

Some More Random Photos from the Week

Christmas Eve Dinner

Card Games

House Construction

Karaoke Time

So Good in Church

Carving the Pork Roast

BRS, the Hojaldra Queen

With Great Aunt

Christmas Dinner Cleanup Crew, Daughter and ABFA

Two movies fell in the A-Z watch, both keepers: Nowhere to Run, Van Damme at his height and Rosanna Arquette, like, wow!; Now You See Me, fun magic caper with a very cool ending.

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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 her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); 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 (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course