Thunder Lunch

I’m just back from yet another thunder run back to my hometown for the monthly luncheon for the incomparable KHS class of 1973.  Since I’ll be driving down to New Jersey tomorrow for an FBR related weekend I figured I should knock out this post to capture a truly entertaining day spent with some more than excellent people. The luncheon, because of those people, extended all the way through dinner. Let me explain. We gathered at the Pub for the luncheon, which was well attended, encompassing three full tables. Our table included both Keene Friends as the Cantankerous Friend and my Favorite Panamanian.

Our Table

The Other Tables

I believe she was curious when I was so effusive in my praise for the April luncheon (my first) which she had decided shopping took priority over. Since the bathroom remodel is almost complete, she determined she had enough time to accompany us to the lunch. I know I shouldn’t be surprised after so many similar occurrences, but my classmates seemed more happy to see her than me. So it goes. After lunch a stalwart sampling of the group headed to the Pour House, the only pub open that early, while my Favorite Panamanian succumbed to the pull of TJ Maxx. A very fun time ensued with the CRC and the rest of the crew socialized as Central Square traffic buzzed by.

Pour House

The Lab

Margarita's'

We eventually decided that since it was now after three we should relocate to that preferred location of the Lab ‘n Lager. We lost a couple classmates but gained my Kindergarten Friend who’s afternoon nap had been successfully negotiated. Our pontifications continued and we made the obligatory well lubricated call to the PCR. He was more gracious than usual either because the long suffering PCR+1 was seated next to him or grandfatherhood has mellowed him out. Keene Friend is headed to Pittsburgh next week to investigate. Eventually my Favorite Panamanian got hungry enough to abandon her shopping foray to join us at the Lab and then the short walk up Main Street for dinner at Margarita’s’. As stated numerous times in prior Frail Deeds posts, hanging out with these people is integral to the recipe for a happy life. I am blessed.

Pre-School Grad

In less lubricated news, BR3 graduated from pre-school which resulted in these photos which are almost too sweet to bear. She’s been in the same pre-school since shortly after she was born so the photos captured her first and last day in the school. She heads to kindergarten this fall. I will once again lodge my standing complaint that the granddaughters are growing up decidedly too fast.

Zero movies fell in the A-Z watch because I was too busy (see above):

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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