Marian Escape

How did it get to be the end of September already? It seems mildly unethical as far as to how time is speeding up. Anyways, that’s my last “I’m an aging curmudgeon” observation for the day.  I have a lot to be excited about. I just watched the Red Sox steal game one from the Evil Empire. I purposely haven’t written about the Sox this year because, as with any self-respecting Sox fan, I am superstitious. I figured if I was too expansive, good or bad, it could derail the season. This was a fun team to watch as their youngsters finally starting to make an impact. Today’s game was a perfect example. I’m so glad Aaron Boone is the Yankee’s manager and didn’t put a fast guy on third with the bases loaded in the ninth. My blood pressure was all over the pace in the ninth. My Favorite Panamanian couldn’t stand the pressure and walked out of the room until she heard me yelling in triumph. I then had to re-wind the game so she could see the final out. It’s probably a good thing I won’t be able to see any more games over the next ten days.

Yeah Baby!!

In way of explanation, I’m heading across the Atlantic again for a tour of Portugal, Spain, and France. I guess I’m technically qualified as a pilgrim as the purpose of our trip is to visit the Marian shrines in Fatima, Portugal and Lourdes, France. There’ll be a bunch of other places we’ll see but those are the two biggest destinations. This trip is, of course, aimed squarely at the true Catholic in the family, which we all know isn’t me. She’s tried all marriage long to make me a better Catholic, which has led to friction at times. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a Catholic priest in Virginia some years back. He counseled my Favorite Panamanian that it wasn’t up to her to make me a better Catholic and it might have the opposite effect. Smart man. Life has been a lot more bearable in that area ever since.

One of Our Destinations

The last couple days have involved getting everything organized for our multi-day absence. The house sitter is in play and my wife’s vast garden complex is set up. She’s been packed for the better part of two weeks but that doesn’t mean the packing isn’t still going on as I write this. I truly think she enjoys packing. I’m not overly excited about the trip. The same cannot be said for my wife who is realizing a lifelong dream. For that reason, I’m excited for her, to see her so happy. So, I have a very good reason not to have my blood pressure elevated over the next couple weeks by baseball. I’ll be doing a lot of praying over those weeks and some of them might be headed the Red Sox to have them still playing when I get back. Shhh, don’t tell my wife. You as a reader of Frail Deeds have an additional benefit. You will be spared from my fractured prose for the time I am overseas. I’m sure I’ll be too busy praying to write. Enjoy.

Before we head overseas I coaxed my Favorite Panamanian away from the suitcases long enough to take in a movie this afternoon, One Battle After Another. I’m not a huge fan of Paul Anderson but he certainly delivers here with some amazing acting performances from the talented cast. Sean Penn stands out as the personification of evil and Benicio Del Toro is up to his usual stealing of every scene he’s in. DiCaprio plays against type as a bumbling, drug addicted ex-revolutionary trying to protect his daughter from Penn. While there are some laugh out loud moments, the movie is more of a showcase of come of the finest actors around, telling a memorable story with style. A great film.

Five movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers and all new additions to the library: Fight or Flight – Harnett channeling his inner John Wick onboard a trans-Pacific flight; The Accountant 2 – perfect role for Affleck, liked this much better on second viewing;  Novacaine – hilarious action/comedy as pain free action hero slowly dissolves while pursuing his lady love; Thunderbolts – a welcome return to Marvel standard for superhero action, Pugh is dynamite; Den of Thieves Pantera – Butler rules in action flicks

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

Family Deck

In the early years of Frail Deeds, I wrote each year about the family Thanksgiving gathering I happily attended. This tradition dated back to the 1940s in my father’s family. The tradition continued with the location migrating, due to aging generations, over the years from Keene, NH to Palmer, MA, to Belchertown, MA, and finally to Hancock, NH. A couple years ago the tradition came to an end mainly because the next generation weren’t completely onboard. Some of the most cherished memories of my youth involve this holiday assembly of my Father’s Family. This happened because the newest generations didn’t, as I did, grow up with the original aunts and uncles (including my dad) who made the get-together a seminal event. The last of that magnificent set of brothers and sisters passed away within the last ten years and we kept it going as long as they were around, although attendance dwindled.

Cousins on Deck

Since then, my generation of cousins set about establishing our own Thanksgiving traditions. This is a long-winded introduction to explain how I spent my Saturday. Last year, the final host, whom I refer to as the Cousin-in-Chief, decided to call for an assembly of cousins in late September in Hancock. It was a huge success as we were able to enjoy ourselves out on the deck that was usually unused for the cold November gatherings. We decided that we would continue the September gathering in lieu of the former Thanksgiving one because this would not compete with internal family holiday plans. We were summoned for last Saturday and were blessed with perfect weather. The drive up from Worcester was additionally consecrated by the foliage which grew more colorful as we made our way north. This has always been my favorite time of year in New England and I’m a little miffed that we have our European trip later this week which will cause us to miss some of it. Sacrifices must be made.

View on the Drive Up

Attendance was down a little this year as a couple health related issues arose in the last couple days before Saturday. One cousin had to be medevac’d to Boston along with her slice of the family. Others had unplanned work creep up as well as grandchild babysitting summons. That still left a fun group to hang out on the deck. We spent the afternoon remembering those departed aunts and uncles along with various events involving them and our mutual grandparents. I learned some new information about those grandparents. I never knew my grandmother had beautiful blonde hair. For the twelve years I knew her, it was completely silver. This explains the blonde hair my son had and his kids possess. I had always wondered where it came from. I got to hang out with my favorite cousin when I was growing up as we were of an age together. He spends a lot of time in Florida now so it was special hanging with him for the afternoon. As it was for all those gathered on that deck, a very special afternoon.

My Cousin and I

Speaking of those towheaded granddaughters, the BRS and BR3 had their school pictures delivered this week. The BRS looked amazing, as she usually does. BR3 couldn’t help from demonstrating what we call her “maniacal look”, but it appears she tried hard to cover it up. Back at the Worcester homestead, my Favorite Panamanian has performed her usual magic in seasonal decorating. She had me cut down a flowering tree that had taken over a section of her vast garden complex in front of the house. She replaced it with an autumnal display involving hay bales, pumpkins and a lot of mums. When our upstairs neighbors were driving in earlier in the week they immediately identified our house by this display (they know my wife well).  

BRS

BR3

Seasonal Front Yard

Seven movies fell in the A-Z watch, six keepers: The Long Kiss Goodnight – this is a repeat as I upgraded to 4K, awesome action/comedy. Shane Black written, when you knew Samuel L. would be a star; Stardust – one of my favorite movies of all time, Deniro as a gay sky pirate still has me falling down laughing; Stargate – love this sci fi classic; Starman – Bridges dominates as alien in a human body; Starship Troopers – family favorite, son and I bond over this; Starship Troopers 3, Marauder – awful, just awful, disgrace to original film, eject; Starsky and Hutch – hilarious ode to iconic 70s TV show.

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

Neighboring

It was a soggy, miserable kind of day in Worcester yesterday and today, yet I received a clear indicator about what makes our time in Panama so special. Our upstairs neighbors from our Panamanian condo complex few into Boston from yet another European adventure and we were lucky enough to host them overnight. Yes, I know the soggy weather could also serve as motivation for sunbaked Las Lajas. However, what makes Panama so special is not the glorious weather, it’s the people. Two of the best of those people are those upstairs neighbors. We’ve really clicked since we first ran into them as they sought information on buying a condo in our complex five years ago.

Dinner Last Night

What makes them special is despite just being five years, it’s as if we’ve known each other for decades. It helps they are, despite Arizona residence, Red Sox fans, as most displaced former New Englanders are. They recently celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary by walking the Portuguese Camino, a historical pilgrimage route leading to the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. They set out from Porto in Portugal and walked for sixteen days to Santiago. Impressive; again, for their fiftieth anniversary! They decompressed after the walk with a couple weeks touring around Spain. They flew into Boston to attend a family wedding this weekend in Maine.

The Rest of the Seis at the Gym

When they arrived last night, we took then out to dinner to one of our favorites, Val’s in Holden. After their month-long sojourn in Europe, they were a little surprised at the size of their dinners. I had to remind them they were back in the States, which, of course, the size of the meals had already done. When we got home, we tried to make a call to the other two members of the Seis Amigos but they were at the gym and provided a photo to prove it. By the time they were free to talk, the upstairs neighbors were sound asleep, having been up for nearly twenty hours. We’ll have to make up for that call as soon as we’re all back to home base.

Lunch Today

The ladies treated themselves to a spa morning today while the guys remained home and caught up on some much-needed laundry (okay that was mostly the other guy and not me). As we waited for the ladies to call and report their readiness for lunch, I noticed that, in a newsworthy event, my Favorite Panamanian had left her call phone at home. This is memorable because she never allows herself to be separated from that device. We eventually decided to descend upon them at the beauty shop. We finally located them inserting their fingers into some sort of nail baking device. The building also hosts Pepe’s where we were going to lunch. We set up there to await the final baking phase to conclude. The lunch that followed was every bit as much fun as the weekly dinners we enjoy together down in Panama. They set out for Maine from the restaurant and the soggy day became immediately mushier with their absence. The light at the end of that dampness is we are now just about three months from seeing them daily in much sunnier climes.

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, five keepers: Spotlight – an important movie and one of the best I’ve ever seen, should be mandatory viewing for the commentary on the real world abuse of power and privilege and the importance of a free press to expose it; Spring Breakers – hate this movie, despite focus on spring break, not a redeemable character in the entire movie, eject from the collection; Spy – hilarious send up of espionage, especially with Statham satirizing himself; Spy Game – taut, fascinating spy drama with now poignant Redford starring; The Spy Who Dumped Me – an inch deep but comedic gold, especially with Kate McKinnon fully unleashed; A Star is Born – so well acted with a timeless love story, Cooper and GaGa are magical together.

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

Early Birthday Bashing

We got back late last night from our New Jersey foray after Connecticut threw one of its patented “Let’s close down the entire interstate” ploys at us. My Favorite Panamanian kids me at times because I actually enjoy exploring places I’ve never been before. Last night was an exception. After a very full weekend trying to keep up with the FBR, we were looking for a quiet ride back to Worcester. It was not to be. It would have been a lot worse without my very good friend, Waze. We were at a dead stop on I-84 when Waze suggested I exit onto a very dark country road and since movement is better than watching the big rigs idle along, I gave it a shot. I was a little nervous when the road kept reducing in size but it popped out onto a progressively bigger roads until we were past the highway closure. The normal 3.5-hour drive from New Jersey still lasted a full hour longer than that, but it would have been much worse without Waze.

So, This Happens When I sit Next to the FBR Too Long

Now, as to that weekend. We began on Friday with a much more pleasant drive south through Connecticut. We arrived in New Jersey in time to accompany our daughter as she went to pick up the FBR from school. She gave one of her signature squeals of delight upon seeing us and jumped in for grandparent hugging procedures. Since it was Friday, pizza was called for. They have a favorite pizza place just down the street. We walked there while the FBR zoomed around on her roller blades. Since it was a semi-perfect late summer day, we ate the pizza outside while the FBR continued her zooming.

FBR Spots Us Coming Out of School

Abuela Hugs

FBR Escorting Grampa to Pizza

Friday night is also movie night for the FBR and she convinced her mother to finally let her watch the original Jaws. The FBR became fascinated with sharks over the past year and regaled us with information about real sharks she had gleaned from her studies as we watched the movie. She claimed it wasn’t scary but, since she was sitting next to me, I personally suffered the consequences of her jumping and screaming at certain points. I told her not to worry, that when I saw the movie when it first came out, I was afraid to go into swimming pools, much less the ocean. She watched it a couple more times over the weekend.

Wife Loved the Pizza

Zooming Time

Saturday was a fun day as we hit our favorite diner in Maplewood after the FBR’s dance class. The weekend’s primary mission was to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, even though it isn’t until next weekend. As one of my daughter’s birthday presents, we gifted her a spa treatment. The FBR asserted that she should receive the same treatment and who were we to argue. I, for reasons obvious to anyone who knows me, begged off from accompanying them on this adventure. I had noticed that Wingman had lost control of a garden next to their driveway which was hugely overgrown. He’s balancing his business which recently opened a second location along with his band duties. I’ve written before that I think I was a peasant in my former lives because I truly enjoy hacking away at undergrowth. By the time they returned, the overgrowth was gone. That evening I had what I considered the best time of the weekend when I got to hang out one on one with my daughter. Their great neighborhood recently had a new brewery open, which we all know, was a ripe target for certain blog writers. I thoroughly enjoyed the time just talking with her there and realized, once again, how rare and sublime these opportunities are. 

Daughter Hangs

My Favorite Panamanian made another one of her fabulous birthday cakes (seriously, she’s reaching artist levels here) over the past week. My daughter nicknamed herself “Heart” when she was just a little younger than the FBR is now. It was a personal term of affection between herself and my mother (they were incredibly close). My wife therefore created a heart shaped cake with a feathery icing. I’d been smelling the damned thing all week long as she made it and I’m here to tell you that when I finally got to taste it, wow. Bonecrusher had traveled south with us and was put to good use cleaving the heart in two.

The Cake

Bonecrusher Deployed

Imminent Cleaving

Wingman arrived home just in time for the cake ceremony. He had been in Minneapolis for a week plus as his band debuted their first album in over ten years. This included a couple of well received concerts as well. The FBR proudly pointed out that the Minnesota Twins play her dad’s group’s music between innings.  It was good to have him home and part of the festivities. He and I watched a very bad Netflix horror movie, Malevolent, late that night (at least it was set in Scotland and had Florence Pugh).  

Wingman Assisting

Sunday was a very long day and not just because of our late-night Connecticut shenanigans. Our daughter was off to New York City to spend the day with friends at a book fair followed by a concert. Wingman had to go into to work to see how his businesses had fared during his absence. This left us with the job of hanging out with the FBR. This is usually a recipe for a great day. It turned out to be anything but. The FBR is apparently practicing to be a teenager because she was in a mood for the entire day. It was the first time in our experience that we genuinely felt unwelcome in her presence. It could have been our decision to make sure she did her homework and take a shower as instructed by her parents. It turns out a nine-year-old can make a day very long if she so chooses. We eventually acquiesced to her constant demand/whining to go play with her neighborhood friends (after the shower and homework).

FBR Demonstrating Some of her Dance Moves

She was therefore in a better mood later in the day when we set out to join Wingman and Wingmom for dinner at a local favorite restaurant. We were joined by Wingman’s business partner and his folks which made for a lively table. The only thing missing was our daughter, but we had it on very good authority that she was properly celebrating the day with her friends in the Big Apple. We set out for Worcester right after dinner as described above. We got home around midnight, the same time my daughter made it home as well. I think she got her birthday celebrations off to a very good start and we were so happy to be included (although Sunday afternoon FBR might disagree). I only hit my head four times (without any loss of blood) on the very low door way in their guest room over the weekend which I also considered a win. A great weekend, despite Connecticut’s ardent attempt to subvert it.

Very Fun Sunday Dinner Crowd
Note the FBR Face

Three movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Spawn – interesting sci fi/horror/superhero at dawn of CGI; Species – really liked this monster vs. detective squad and Natasha Henstridge YIKES!!!; Speed – awesome action when Johnny Utah became Keanu – a true action star.

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

Senior Moment Baseball

It’s been a low-key week, which led to increased time in the Man Cave resulting in the fairly impressive A-Z haul below. This rest was needed as we’re heading into a weekend trip to New Jersey to help celebrate our daughter’s early birthday and spend time with the always energetic FBR. I’m firmly convinced that the FBR, as well as her cousins, have the ability to syphon energy out of me. They always seem to get more energy while mine rapidly depletes in their presence. Things that make you go, “hmmm”.  The FBR recently employed her vast energy fields to teach herself how to ride a bicycle. Their street was hosting a block party and my daughter looked up to see the FBR zooming around on a bike, something she’d never done before. Go figure.

At the Game Last Night with my Date

FBR Zooming Last Weekend

My Favorite Panamanian has spent the last few days preparing one of her signature birthday cakes for our eldest child. I’ve got to remember to bring Bonecrusher with us. Memory is an interesting phenomena. I don’t believe you really appreciate it enough until you get to be my advanced age. Take for instance the date night I lined up for my Favorite Panamanian and myself last week. The Worcester Red Sox season is dwindling down and I thought I would surprise her with tickets to last Wednesday’s game. We really enjoy going to these games but haven’t been able to hit as many as we would have liked this year. Anyways. She was excited last Wednesday when we pulled up to our usual parking spot to find it almost deserted. I started to wonder. That wonder became reality when we walked around the corner to find Polar Park all locked up and empty. A quick glance at the tickets confirmed that I’d bought admission to Wednesday’s game, but a week later.

Great Seats

To be honest, I had begun to suspect something earlier that morning when a WooSox player made Sportscenter top 10 plays and the play was obviously at a different location than Polar Park. A smart man, at that point, would have checked the tickets. The wife was a good sport, and it gave us something to look forward to, specifically last night when that date night finally happened. We had great seats and the WooSox won the game. We got to see one of their future superstars return from a year long absence by striking out the side. The best part was just hanging out with my Favorite Panamanian. All too often we get carried away with social activities involving other people, that I take for granted how much fun there is to be had just hanging out with the lady I’m married to. That I remember, but it was nice to get a reminder.

Eleven movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Soldier – underappreciated sci fi classic with Russell as lead; Something’s Gotta Give – awesome romcom with Keaton and Nicholson chewing up the scenery; Somewhere in Time – sappy but effective romcom with time travel; Sons of Katie Elder – classic John Wayne western; The Shootist – the Duke’s heartfelt farewell film; The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Cage is superb in this Disney fantasy; The Sound of Music – classic filmmaking with Andrews at her peak; Source Code – very interesting sci fi groundhog day on a train about to be bombed; Soylent Green – hasn’t aged well but still like this 70s era sci fi; Spacehunter, Adventures in the Forbidden Zone – better than it was received, Strauss miscast as a Han Solo wannabe; Spartacus – one of best epics ever made, still astounded by the scope of the battle scenes.

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

Czech Bashing Recon

No, I’m not bashing any Czechs. I love all the Czechs I know. The title is my less than clever way of combining the last three days of adventure. A night of Czechs, a birthday bash, and pub crawl reconnaissance activities. So. There. First to those Czechs, my Favorite Panamanian had conspired with her Czech counterpart to identify a date we could get together. After comparing two very competitive social calendars, they realized Thursday night was the only one where both groups were available. They were joined by their Leicester neighbors of summer pool party and dahlia fame.

Very Fun Birthday Bash Table

It was a very fun evening, which I’ve come to expect, and hope am not taking for granted. My Czech Shadow regaled us with tales of her first couple weeks of being a high school junior. They also brought a very cool tradition with them. They came with a dessert and after dinner revealed that the plate came to them for another friend and was meant to be passed on after being signed by the giving friend. The only rule is it can’t be gifted back to a former plate holder. So, we have that to look forward to and now have yet a reason to host and/or attend another dinner party. Yes, we all have burdens to bear. I’ve written so many times here on Frail Deeds concerning how blessed my wife and I are with friends. Thursday night was yet another sterling example of that truth. It was followed by even more demonstrations of the same over the weekend.

Thursday Night Dinner

Czech Friend Passing Plate to my Wife

One of those aforementioned crowded social calendars included a very busy weekend that started with a trip back to my hometown on Friday morning. The inimitable KHS Class of 1973 held another well-planned and executed gathering. Someone noted the fact that everyone in the class was turning seventy this year which called for a celebration, because, well, that’s how we roll. We rented the Keene State College camp on Wilson Pond near the airport. This was also the scene of a couple of earlier reunions and was a perfect location for Friday’s party. A pair ladies from the class planned the event and New England provided an absolutely perfect late summer day.

Keene Friend 2 and the PCR Arriving

The Dinner Line at the Reunion

Table of Kryptonite

Ladies Manning the Entry Table

Great Turnout

PCR Holding Court Outside

One of Fabulous Organizers Delivering Cupcake Warning

She is Not Pointing at Me

None other than that Pittsburgh worthy, the PCR, left his Gibsonia mountain stronghold to grace us with his and his wife’s presence. The other usual suspects were also on hand, both Keene Friends, the Cantankerous Friend, the former CRC, the Kindergarten Friend, as well as all the girls I had crushes on from elementary school through high school. That assemblage of superstars more than guaranteed a special day. We spent most of our time in the shade at the picnic tables catching up with each other and recounting the latest adventures and, of course, given our age, health situations. I was especially glad to spend some time with the PCR given some recent heath news. He looked fit and had his usual collection of entertaining stories.

With Keene Friend and the Cantankerous One

Our Great Table, Again

A Spectacular Way to Spend the Afternoon

I had such a great time that I cleanly forgot it was Friday (felt so much like a Saturday). Great Aunt texted me an hour after the time of our usual First Friday Facetime call. I pled guilty to not informing the family about my absence. Although the maximum effect range of an excuse is zero meters, I had some reasons for my forgetfulness. Not only was there an ample supply of beer but the organizers had cleverly arranged a table full of cupcakes (a personal kryptonite). They made an announcement that there was a one cupcake limit for everyone. I was already about five cupcakes deep when that announcement was made. I was not alone in my excess. My Favorite Panamanian was taking a bite out of each delicacy I smuggled to the table. I felt better at the end of the event as there were plenty of leftover cupcakes left, well, at least there was until my friends and I noticed.

With my Fellow Lincoln School Elementary School Alumni

Wife Found the One Spot with Cell Phone Reception

Wife Assaulting Keene Friend

Being the KHS class of ’73, we were not ready to conclude the fun with the end of the birthday party. A healthy percentage of us gathered at Margarita’s, which for the first time in a while, was up to the challenge of hosting us. It was a fantastic evening where we put the much younger patrons to shame, at least when it came to partying. There was a rumor that a couple of us were even shut off by the bar staff. I’m happy to report that I was not. We eventually had to accept that aren’t in our twenties anymore and called it a night, after a few memorable goodbye hugs.

Lively Margarita's Table

The fun wasn’t anywhere near over though. My Favorite Panamanian and I spent the night at Keene Friend’s house where his neighboring college kids didn’t hold one of their newsworthy all-night parties for a change. The good night’s sleep was needed. We joined the Pittsburgh duo for a Pub breakfast where Keene Friend invented a new breakfast delicacy, combining his ice coffee with bacon. Following breakfast, the PCR had a golf game while the two spouses went shopping. Left at loose ends, Keene Friend and I set out on a reconnaissance for the November pub crawl. There was a lot to be covered with a rapidly evolving Keene pub scene (that was our story at least). After making certain both my kids were reminded of where I went to kindergarten (inside joke), we passed by the shuttered Penuche’s Ale House. We saw some signs of life as the dumpster out front was full and we saw a crew inside working on something. I hold out hope it will be back in operation as our launching point by mid-November.

Hope Springs for Penuche's

New Mural in Keene Commemorating Jumanji Filming There

We set up shop in the Lab ‘n Lager where we were joined for a spell by Keene Friend 2. If Penuche’s remains out of play the Lab is more than ready to stand up as the kickoff point. After Keene Friend 2 left to referee youth hockey games (don’t know where he finds the energy), we wandered down Main Street, past the now defunct (and not lamented) Modestman Brewery, to check out hopefully a new addition to the lineup, the Owl’s Perch. We noticed it open on Friday night but it was closed when we walked up to it. There was a sign saying the “super soft opening” we saw Friday night would be followed with a solid opening late in September. So, more reconnaissance is needed to confirm it qualifies as a crawl stop.

With Keene Friend in Kilkenny's

The License Plate Ceiling

We ended up in Kilkenny’s Pub, which has not lost any of its dive bar ambience. I convinced myself that the license plates adorning the ceiling were a new addition, but the bedridden Kindergarten Friend assured me they were not. We decided to pass by Madame Sherri’s given that it was Gay Pride recognition weekend in Keene. I spotted a new place on the square with the name “Tavern”. This set my pulse to tapping a bit but it turned out to be a bit of an upscale place and not appropriate for a pub crawl stop. We then passed by another, yet to open, place on nearby Court Street where an old church is being refurbished as a beer garden. Less information was available on that so, again, more reconnaissance needed. We took the results of our foray to the Pour House to compare notes.

The Owl Perch Possibility

And the Church Garden

Pour House Rally Point

We were joined there by the PCR and the former CRC, fresh from their golf game as well as the PCR’s wife. She is a less dedicated shopper than the lady I’m married to. We were eventually able to convince my Favorite Panamanian to abandon TJ Maxx hunting grounds. We decided to check out that tavern I noticed earlier, the Tavern on the Square. That turned out to be a very nice place for what, in effect, was a goodbye dinner. We were leaving for Worcester after the meal and the Pittsburgh duo were scheduled to depart first thing in the morning. The former CRC conducted an informal briefing on what to do and not to do when hanging blinds. There was hope his travels will bring him to western Pennsylvania in the future to address some issues there. It was a great night hanging out with old friends and there is not a substitute for that. I feel lonely today after the events of the past three days, but there is the red zone.

Farewell Dinner

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Sleepy Hollow – Depp is in his weird mode but Walken and Ricci save the interesting take on the old legend; Slumdog Millionaire – poignant love story told amidst crushing poverty and strength of human spirit; Smokin Aces – all concerns thrown to wind in this balls out darkest of comedies; Snatch – Guy Ritchie doing Guy Ritchie kinds of things with incomprehensible Pitt stealing the story of crime and punishment; Sneakers – Redford heading an all-star security team at the advent of the information age; S.O.B. – my favorite Blake Edwards flick as he skewers Hollywood pomposity with a red hot poker, love all the scenes Holden, Webber, and Preston are in together.

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