Weekend Prepalooza

I am really looking forward to the upcoming weekend (no surprise there), but my Favorite Panamanian is even more so. Our plan involves setting out tomorrow with my wife dropping me off at my son’s house near Portsmouth while she continues north to link up with the Maine Musquetera for the weekend. Therein lies the nearly contagious excitement my Favorite Panamanian is experiencing. The Musqueteras are truly sisters and they don’t get together enough, so I am very pleased this opportunity presented itself. My son and I also have plans as we’ll hang out over the weekend and on Saturday watch all three Lord of the Rings (extended versions) movies in a row. We’ve done this a couple of times in the past but with the advent of grandchildren this has not been possible. My son has an amazing home theater where the characters will be life sized, so I am moderately to excessively psyched!

KHS '73 Dominating Elm City

It's possible now, even with the BRS and BR3 on station, because those two worthies accompanied the ABFA on a trip to California this week to visit some of her family there. The ABFA exercised some true courage to make a transcontinental trip while shepherding her two daughters, who have been known to present challenges (at times) From the photos we’re seeing online, everyone is having a good time. The BRS quickly adjusted to the time difference but, predictably, BR3 has not, especially at bedtime (which may be her latest technique to avoid same).

California Girls

Meanwhile in New Jersey, and here I am relying on social media posts, because the FBR is moving about too quickly to deign to Facetime with us, the FBR surprised her mother in a big way. We all know the FBR is a true water bug, inveigling her mom to accompany her to the community pool as much as humanly possible. While at the pool this past weekend, my daughter looked up from her reading and noticed the FBR had mounted the 3-meter diving platform (without prior coordination with her parental unit) and while she watched the FBR jumped off the platform, flawlessly. This was followed the next with a trip into the big city where the FBR cavorted in some Central Park fountains. The latest reports have her leading Gangnam style dance groups with her friends; as stated above, a fast mover.

FBR Atop the Platform

Making the Jump

Central Park Fountaining

In preparation for the upcoming weekend we were fortunate enough to be blessed with a serious training event today. The monthly luncheon for the greatest high school class (KHS ’73), ever, took place back in my hometown. This required the trip north this morning to link up with Keene Friend and then proceed to the luncheon. After several months at the same location, the group decided to move to the Elm City Brewery for today’s. This was a return to some of my old hunting grounds as Keene Friend and I used to haunt the bar there regularly when I first retired from the Army. It was the usual very rewarding afternoon hanging out with my classmates.

Pour House Gang

Unfocused Keene Freind Who Tried Dodging out of Photo Above

This was, as required, followed by a sojourn at the Pour House with a select crew of the luncheoneers. This august group included Keene Friend, the CRC (who says he needs a new name since he sold his boat), the Cantankerous Friend, and his female bike riding buddy. We ticked off another of the requite training events by making a call to the PCR, who, as usual, was just departing the golf course (so he’s feeling and sounding better). Since we had to leave earlier than usual, the Favorite Panamanian promised to cut her usual shopping foray shorter. It was a fun time reminiscing with these old friends, catching up on what each of us knew about others that hadn’t been showing up recently. In a major surprise, my wife my wife actually pried herself away from TJ Maxx at the allotted time. She called to say she was outside waiting for me but when Keene Friend and I went out into the rain, she was nowhere to be seen. We finally located her on the other side of the square where she started to claim she was right where she had left us off (geography is not her strong suit). In another major surprise, she finally admitted that she was wrong (a rare occurrence). I consider myself now fully prepared for the outstanding weekend, thanks to the most excellent people I got to hang out with today.

Five movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: (Note – I know the last few have been out of alphabetical order – we’re into the shelves my granddaughters can reach and they take an absurd amount of pleasure at rearranging my library) Robin Hood (2010) – Russel Crowe in an updated story on the Sherwood dude; Robinson Crusoe on Mars – one of favorite films from my youth, still a great story despite advances in knowledge of Mars which makes it kind of silly; The Rock – Connery and Cage in the usual Bay over the top action – love it; The Rocketeer – great Disney action period piece and O.M.G. the young Jennifer Connelly, yikes!; RocknRolla – underrated Guy Ritchie gangster flick with a powerhouse cast.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Resolve Failure

I’m back in the Man Cave after a prolonged sojourn with my son’s remarkable family. One of my last posts recounted the time spent at their beach house along with my daughter. Last Wednesday we returned to the beach to hang out with the NH bunch again in preparation for my son’s actual birthday on Saturday. We brought with us the infamous cake #1 along with Bonecrusher. It was an idyllic few days enjoying their company as well as the ABFA’s parents. The granddaughters were their usual bundle of joy and exasperation (the exasperation part being mostly for their parents at bedtime).

My Son, Keene Freind and I on the Beach

The ABFA got to burnish her newly acquired paddleboard abilities but rarely by herself. Both of the granddaughters felt the only reason mom would go out on the paddleboard was to give them taxi rides along the beach. One of the true highlights of the week was the arrival Thursday morning of Keene Friend. My son had been exerting an immense amount of peer pressure on his favorite uncle to join us at the beach, lamenting that he would only turn 40 once and Keene Friend should be on hand to celebrate. It was very cool hanging out on the beach with these two characters, punctuated liberally with Keene Friend’s trademark dry sense of humor. We had a flyover of a small plane with a marriage proposal for Johanna which led to lively discussion of the possible outcomes. Whenever the plane flew over for the rest of the week, we predicted it would be Johanna’s answer. Both granddaughters have raised crab hunting to impressive levels of competency. They spent most of their time scouring the rock field for their elusive prey.

ABFA and her Paddleboard Crew

When the rest of the gang headed down the beach for ice cream, Keene Friend and I placed a call to the PCR, who still hasn’t resolved his recent health issue. He was very funny in describing his very unfunny situation, especially in a chemically altered voice. It was good hearing his voice, whatever shape it was in. Now, as to the title above; after the severe damage to my diet the prior weekend had done (compounded by the whole Czech chocolate chip cookie episode), I entered this new visit with an iron resolve to behave better. That resolve lasted until Keene Friend’s arrival when he unveiled two boxer of whoopie pies that I was literally incapable of resisting (that’s my story etc. etc.). He claims I approved this delicacy during my most recent visit to Keene. I probably did but, in my defense, beer was involved. The diet was irrevocably destroyed. I’m hoping to get back on track this week, but it comes with challenges.

Almost got the Johanna Banner

Keene Friend shocked us all by not only bowing to additional peer pressure to stay overnight with us but also not leaving at the crack of dawn before anyone else arose (his usual M.O.). He spent another morning on the beach Friday before departing for home. He was followed in short order by the arrival of two families of my son and the ABFA’s friends and their kids. Both the BRS and BR3 were in their elements charging around the beach and the house with the gang of friends. The ABFA had arranged the visit so we could continue to celebrate my son’s birthday. The friends were great company, and I could see why they form such a close knit group. One of life’s greatest pleasures is having good friends and I am so happy my son is liberally blessed.

Bonecrusher Approaches Cake #1

Cake Cleaved with Assistance of BRS and BR3

The Awesome Friday Crew

After a pizza dinner we unveiled cake #1 which my Favorite Panamanian had cast such aspersions against. She decided to go with cake #2 last week because she had doubts about this first cake she had created. We remembered to unsheathe Bonecrusher this time and with assistance of his daughters, my son expertly cleaved the cake. The cake, if anything, tasted even better than cake #2, which left my shattered resolved once again in tatters. It was an epic last full day on the beach.

BRS Minus her 2 Front Teeth

Saturday, my son’s actual birthday, was spent with a frenetic packing up of the beach house after two weeks of occupancy in order to meet the 10am departure time. It’s amazing how much “stuff” gets acquired when two young kids are involved. One of (actually two) things remaining behind were the BRS’ two front teeth, both of which fell out during the beach stay. She remains profoundly cute. BR3 stayed still long enough for her abuela to braid her hair as well. We made the 10am departure but only after some serious stair climbing, especially for the birthday boy. After the short drive to their home we had to do it all over again in reverse; a fairly tiring morning.

The "Angelic" BR3

The birthday celebration was rescued Saturday afternoon when we followed what has become my son’s birthday tradition. He chooses two movies in the theater and his mother and I take him to the movies. This arose because he’s a serious cinephile (don’t know where he gets it from) but, with two young girls, his movie going experience usually involves Disney or some other animated fare. We’ve always enjoying watching movies together and there were two massive summer hits available (see below). It was a great afternoon in the very posh cinema. My Favorite Panamanian slept for a good portion of the second movie because of those awesome reclining seats. We returned to their home where the ABFA had survived the afternoon with the granddaughters, although she commented that everything went fine except for an almost uncontrollable urge to murder BR3. It’s an eloquent comment on how challenging that little imp must have been when the ABFA, one of the gentlest souls I’ve ever met, would make that comment. We came home Sunday through some rain which emptied Maine out early enough to make the drive particularly offensive. Still, I had those past few days to fall back upon to assuage the frustration.

The new Superman movie is just flat awesome. There have been so many versions that I was skeptical about this one. I was totally blown away by the sheer entertainment this new sally forth of the man of steel. The cast delivers, especially the central couple of the title character and Lois Lane. I loved Mrs. Meisel so I wasn’t surprised she was so good in this, but David Corenswet is a revelation as Superman. He was everything you could hope for, injecting more personality than I’ve seen since Reeves. Nicholas Hoult, likewise, was the best Lex Luther ever. He played evil effortlessly along with a ferocious drive to best Superman. James Gunn injected a lot of his signature humor (most of it at the expense of the Green Lantern) which made this a very fun ride. There was a little too much at times, like saving a squirrel when buildings are falling all around but the levity was needed with the earth-endangered plot spinning along. A true summer epic and one of the best movies of the year.

They finally got the Fantastic Four right. Although I liked the Jessica Alba version, this newest outing was, well, fantastic. They set up the four in one of Marvels’ endless alternate earths with a 1960’s flavor which didn’t distract but added to to the story. The extremely strong cast was tone perfect; they faced a seemingly impossible task of beating a world eating alien bent on devouring earth. Pedro Pascal can do anything and Vanessa Kirby is more than his match as his wife. The other two of the four were both excellent as well. Marvel seems to have gotten back on track with this latest outing, once again creating characters we can invest in. Another great summer epic.

Three movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: (Note – I know the last few have been out of alphabetical order – we’re into the shelves my granddaughters can reach and they take an absurd amount of pleasure at rearranging my library) Road to Perdition – Hanks in one of his few dark roles but he carries it off; Robocop (1987 version) – one of my favorite movies to watch with my son when he was young; Robocop  (2014 version) – doesn’t hold a candle to original but still a serviceable action flick.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Good Turn and Czeching In

After all of my Favorite Panamanian’s hard work last week in preparation for the fabulous weekend with both of our kids, I needed to do her a favor to in some small, infinitesimal way to balance the cosmic scales. The perfect opportunity presented itself. She and the Neighborhood Mafioso were out shopping last week (strange but it happened😊). They went to Frugal Fanny’s, which I only knew through their second most annoying commercials on TV (nothing beats those Jardiance commercials with diabetic dance numbers). My wife had accidentally purchased the wrong size in a couple dresses and needed to exchange them. The only problem being Fanny’s was not a place she felt comfortable driving to, hence the needed favor.

Great Dinner Crowd Last Night

I told her I would take her there yesterday and as we prepared to leave she noticed I was carrying my book along to read. She said I wouldn’t need it since she was just going to walk in, make the exchange and we would leave. This is not my first rodeo with my Favorite Panamanian and shopping, so the book went along with us. I was surprised at how dingy the place turned out to be, I guess all their money goes into those terrible commercials. I enjoyed the time to read as she spent an hour in making the exchange and then couldn’t pass up a couple bargains she walked by (you know the drill). We had lunch at a cool little bar and grill in Norwood that she and her partner in crime (shopping) discovered last week.

Latina Mafia Couple

We returned home to prepare for the big event of the day, dinner with our Czech friends in Leicester. That had originally been scheduled for this past weekend but got trumped out by the aforementioned children’s visit. Our hostess’ mom was visiting from the Czech Republic. We met her last year and were excited to see her again. As usual a fabulous dinner was prepared, including the schnitzel that I crave. Our hosts were amazing, especially since they're on a long road trip today to Burlington, Vermont. We're so happy they made time for us.

My Shadow and her Diabolical Concoction

My Czech Shadow also followed in her dad’s footsteps by baking a bunch of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had. This is my kryptonite and coming off a weekend of overindulgence I should have avoided them (as if that was possible!). It was a great night talking with friends and sharing the superb meal. I’m going to have to really buckle down now that so many of those cookies were sent downrange and we’re leaving for the beach again shortly. l know, my life is so difficult.  Hey, someone’s gotta do it.

Four movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: RIPD – this doesn’t get a lot of love but I liked it, Bridges is hilarious; Road House – the ultimate guys movie, gotta love it; Road Trip – feel like I should apologize for liking this but I do; Robin William Live on Broadway – strange to watch this after he’s gone, makes you realize what a genius he was

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Weekend Bliss

Okay, here I am again, wallowing in self-pity because I’m back home and no longer enjoying the company I had for the weekend. That’s what happens when you get to spend time with excellent people. There just isn’t enough of it. The time, I mean. My Favorite Panamanian stopped cooking last week long enough to welcome our daughter and the FBR on Friday. They made the trek up from New Jersey to join us for a weekend at Hampton Beach with my son’s family. Since we were on the way, they stopped here for the night. My wife’s respite from cooking was short lived as she had to finish a second birthday cake. Yep.

Part of the Great Crowd I got to Hang With 
Cake #2 in Front

You’ll remember that last week I remarked about the painstaking process she used to create a fantastic birthday cake for our son. On Friday morning, after finishing the cake, she decided it didn’t meet her lofty standards and went about creating an whole new one. I kid you not. The first cake went into the freezer and will be used later this week when we return for my son’s actual birthday. I was left in awe, once again, at her determination. I shouldn’t be. Anything she does for one of our kids or grandkids must be bordering on perfect. The cake was sublime (as I’m sure the first one will be).  It was a beautiful summer evening and we celebrated with pizza on Deckzilla.

Friday Evening on Deckzilla

I promised my son an early departure Saturday to join him. He laughed, knowing the obstacles (his mother) I faced making that happen. She wanted to take the new car which caused me to laugh when I confronted her with the amount of “Stuff” we were taking, which barely fit in the much larger Highlander. We actually didn’t do too badly and were in Hampton by 10am. My son and the ABFA rent the same posh beachside house each year, along with the ABFA’s most excellent parents (see note above about the quality of company this past weekend entailed).

Greeted by BR3 Upon Arrival

Wife and I Just After Arrival

Granddaughters Opening the Spoils of their Abuela's Latest Shopping Forays

The BRS and BR3 knew we were coming but had no idea their aunt and cousin were as well. BR3, as she is wont to do, was keeping an eagle eye out for our arrival and reporting to her dad every five minutes that we hadn’t. She was therefore a little confused when my daughter drove up first. She ran to her dad and said we hadn’t arrived, but her Tia was in the driveway. We drove up a few minutes later to find serial hugs and excited cousins jumping all over each other. This was a prelude to the weekend as the three cousins were inseparable for the entire time. There is something special about cousins (a well know family maxim).

Granddaughters on the Beach

Granddaughters Selfie from Captured Phone

Saturday was a perfect beach day, and we soon found ourselves ensconced on my son’s saved spot. The granddaughters were in high voice and constant motion, dipping into the ocean, exploring the rock field for crabs, or climbing the huge rock breakwater. The FBR immediately learned the ocean in New Hampshire is dramatically colder than what she was used to in her visits to us in Panama. We were joined shortly thereafter by the best man from my son’s wedding and his family, which made for a very entertaining day. The beach was packed. My Favorite Panamanian remarked that a really well-endowed Brazilian lady with a barely there bikini should be ashamed of herself. I shifted my sun glassed view in the indicated direction and acted like this was the first time I had noticed her and mildly, but carefully, disagreed. Escaping with only one of her wifely expressions of exasperation, I survived.

ABFA Paddle Board Rides

The ABFA has a new paddle board which she offered rides to each of the kids. She was so patient with them all weekend as she was a frequent target for another ride. The FBR learned just how cold the water was when she tumbled off the side. All three granddaughters decided to show me their boogie boarding skills. I was pleased at how well they did in the small waves, demonstrating their prowess which was born in the much larger waves of Las Lajas. BR3 decided she wanted personal lessons from her other grandpa while the older girls rode the waves. My son’s best man decided this looked like fun and grabbed a very small boogie board. His efforts had us all laughing so hard I wasn’t able to take a picture. Ther kids all scored shave ice cones from a very heads up vendor who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The parents spent most of their time rinsing the sand off the ice cones when each was dropped, several times each. It was a very fun day.

They Love to Climb Rocks

Beach Time

Ladies Recovering the Paddle Board for the ABFA

BR3 Showing her Tia Some Captured Crabs

The fun continued back at the house where the first of my Favorite Panamanian’s dinners was unveiled. She prepared dinners for both days we were there earlier in the week and unfroze them just prior to serving. The ribs were amazing. I’m glad her hard work resulted in so many happy faces and full bellies. Even the grandkids eschewed their usual resistance to eating what was put in front of them for a meal. The dinner was followed by the birthday cake (cake #2).  I made a major faux pau by forgetting to bring out Bonecrusher. The sword made the trip but remained in our bedroom, just feet from the cake it should have been sundering. It’ll get another crack later this week when Cake #1 is delivered. (I know. Confusing.).

Granddaughters Dressed Me Up

Kids Wanted to Eat on the Deck

Very Fun Dinner Crowd

For some reason, my wife thinks her son looks exactly like the actor Chris Evans, who famously played Captain America. She therefore themed the cake with “Our Captain America” which was hilarious when his sister (who may have been a bit of a bully to her younger brother while growing up) took up the call to needle him about it. It was entirely too funny to witness. Cake #2 was fabulous. My son’s best man, who doesn’t even like cake, usually, had two servings. After the kids went to bed, we gathered around the dining room table and had a lively game of Flip 7 which brought with it the usual amount of dry humor. A very long day but one of the best I’ve ever experienced. That was all due to the people I got to spend it with.

Cake is Unveiled

Cake #2

Son and His Fam

Wife and ABFA's Parents Enjoying Evening in Front of House

Sunday was supposed to be a washout with two periods of rain, but we lucked out. The morning downpour never materialized and we had another fun day at the beach. The ABFA was once again dragooned into serial paddle board rides from her admiring daughters and niece. The day culminated with the second of the meals my Favorite Panamanian had prepared ahead of time. The second line of thunderstorms appeared after dinner but blessed us with an immense rainbow that sat perfectly positioned in the living room’s huge picture window. I spent a lot of time this weekend near that window because my son was pursuing one of our shared fascinations, jigsaw puzzles.

Boogie Boarding Time

So Proud of My Girls

FBR Rides into Shore

BR3 Demands Personal Lessons from ABFA's Dad

He was just about finished with one when we arrived and I quickly finished it off, although I did him the honor of handing the last piece for him to place, since he’d done most of the work prior to our arrival. We started up another one which drew in my daughter was well. There’s just something about doing jigsaw puzzles during a beach sojourn that makes sense. The FBR, who treats going to sleep at bedtime the same as her mother did at her age, wheedled her way into “helping” her mom with the puzzle after saying she couldn’t sleep. It worked and I enjoyed seeing the two of them hunched over the table (must be a family affliction).

Inseparable

Rainbow Time

Abuela Captured Them

Post Bedtime Puzzle Time

We all celebrated the “Ballena Panamanea” (Panamanian Whale), much to my wife’s consternation. Last year she excitedly claimed there was a whale just offshore from the house. It fell to me to explain what she was seeing was a shelf of rocks being exposed by the retreating tide. She takes the ribbing in stride as whenever someone walked by the window and proclaimed her “whale” was back. We got to spend an extra night there as my daughter was able to have her Monday morning business meeting via zoom while the cousins once again explored the rocks near the beach and coerced the ABFA into more paddle board rides. This also allowed us to miss the usual Sunday traffic returning inland.

The Panamanian Whale Surfacing

Not Sure What was Going on Here

ABFA Leading One Last Trip to Beach

The photos tell the story of how much fun this weekend was much better than my poor efforts here. You’ll have to take my word about how life affirming it is to have had the opportunity to be part of this special family over the past couple days. Whether it was watching the Sox games together, laughing on the beach, playing card games, eating fabulous meals, enjoying the spectacular views, etc. etc. I just feel incredibly fortunate, yes, blessed is not too strong a term. There is something so powerful about having these special times with family.

Three movies fell in the A-Z watch, two keepers and one ejection: The Ring – still scares me, made the mistake of watching at night; The Ring 2 – so bad, you forgive a lot for sequels and horror movies but couldn’t get past just how bad this weas – bye bye; and Rio Bravo – the first of the two identical movies the Duke made, this one with Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, young Angie Dickinson was hot!, movie stands up well.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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