Frostless

I was wandering about the back yard this morning, as I am wont to do. I love this time of year with the crisp mornings which I miss during my tropical winter sojourn (okay just a little bit). Anyways, it was a beautiful morning, and I glanced over at Deckzilla and realized something was off. We have less than two days of October left and my Favorite Panamanian’s vast garden complex on Deckzilla was still in bloom. Usually, by this time of the year, heavy frost has descended and rendered the deck flowerpots into a wasteland. That hasn’t happened this year, despite some reasonably chill, autumnal weather.

Deckzilla Still in Bloom

I’m happy it hasn’t happened yet because how much work she puts into transforming the deck into a magical place and a little bit on how much it costs to do so. I’ll let you guess where the priorities lie with each of us. I think it’s cool that the flowers have held out so long. I also realize, now that I have mentioned this, their lifespan can be measured in minutes. I can count on Mother Nature, realizing she’s behind the power curve on frost introduction, to lower the hammer. At least they won’t go without having been recognized one last time.

Date night had us at the movies (I know, of all places!) where we saw Springsteen, Deliver me from Nowhere. I’m a huge fan of the boss so I wasn’t going to miss this flick but it still managed to surprise me. I figured it was going to be another in the long line of biopics we’ve seen over the past few years about rock stars. It isn’t. It’s a fascinating look at a snippet of the life of Springsteen just before he achieves super-stardom as he struggles with his past and his future that resulted in the Nebraska album. It offers an insightful look into depression that can afflict even the most gifted. Jeremy Allen White, who can do anything, is mesmerizing as Springsteen. White was the emotional core of the Gallagher clan as Lip in Shameless and he continues here with a screen presence that’s undeniable.

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Taken 3 – Bryan Mills takes his special set of skills home to L.A.; Takers – underrated crime flick with great action; The Tailor of Panama – love this because of all Panama City sights and then there’s Jamie Lee at her height; Talladega Nights, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby – love this insanely inappropriate comedy about NASCAR; Tears of the Sun – outstanding military actin movie highlighting ethnic cleansing in Africa; Ted – moronic but lovable with foul mouthed Teddy bear spewing comedic genius one-liners, and, of course, Flash Gordon!!!!

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

Date Duty

It’s not often you get a blinding flash of the obvious, especially after more than 42 years of marriage, but it happened yesterday. My Favorite Panamanian’s vertigo has improved significantly but she didn’t feel comfortable driving yesterday. Since I seem to be in one of those infrequent “dutiful husband” modes, I volunteered to drive her around to what she claimed were vital errands. The blinding flash, you might ask. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with her for the entire afternoon as her designated chauffeur. It was one of those Saturday afternoons where she usually disappears into the ether while I enjoy college football in the Man Cave. In that respect, I gained intel on what these mysterious Saturdays involve for my Favorite Panamanian.

With my Cute Lunch Date

If you guessed, visits to shopping venues you will be precisely on target. She took pity on me by insisting she was fine to be left to her own while in Macy’s while I retreated to the car to read. So, that resulted in two happy campers, her shopping and me reading. Just as I finished my latest read, she emerged and declared it was time for lunch. We set out for one of our regular restaurants when we noticed an Outback Steakhouse. This resulted in an approved (by the wife) U-turn. This was the highlight of the afternoon as we had a genuine time together to converse. While there are lots of opportunities for this in our lives, we usually don’t take advantage of them in the face of other requirements on our time.

Nanook of the North in her Garden

It didn’t hurt that there was a ferociously large piece of prime rib available. We had a Latino waiter who, after overhearing us speaking Spanish to each other, became a new friend. He asked if I was Hispanic which caused both my wife and I to break out in laughter. He said it was rare to find a gringo willing to speak Spanish. My Favorite Panamanian, my Spanish teacher, beamed in pride. After a couple more stops, we returned home just before dark. My Favorite Panamanian didn’t buy into my theory that our consumption of dead animal flesh had helped address her vertigo. She felt well enough to address some issues in her vast garden complex, trimming some flowers ahead of a predicted frost. She also didn’t appreciate my comments on the midwinter attire she felt was needed. So, an unexpectedly fun day, despite spending it with each other. It seems we’re still friends, go figure.

Five movies fell in the A-Z watch, four keepers: Sweet Sugar – Seeing Dan Tanna’s assistant in her all together in this Filipino soft porn has lost its luster, eject; Swiss Family Robinson – one of best family movies ever made, holds up well; Swordfish – Halle Berry balcony scene, say no more; Taken – awesome action flick, unique set of skills on display; Taken 2 – Brian Mills on the loose in Istanbul versus those pesky Albanians, great action.

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

More Dizziness and That Class Again!!!!

It’s been an up and down week with Thursday standing out as absolutely fantastic while the rest, at least from Tuesday onwards was a challenge. I’ll get the challenge out of the way first. My Favorite Panamanian came down with another severe case of vertigo on Tuesday. It didn’t go away, despite my amateurish efforts at inner ear crystal manipulation, so I took her into see the doctor on Wednesday. More professional efforts there helped, but only a little bit. They provided a referral to physical therapist which is usually the best result. Our next-door neighbor recommended a young guy who solved a similar problem for her and we went to see him today. He was great and she felt better immediately afterwards. She’ll need some more sessions next week but is definitely in better shape than earlier.

Keene Friend and I Yesterday in Front of Monadnock

Now to the more enjoyable part of the week, the definite “up”. Yesterday my Favorite Panamanian was feeling fit enough to let me attend the monthly luncheon for my high school classmates. She said I needed a break from her. I may have been guilty of hovering as I saw her weaving her way around the house. She usually attends these with me and I was forcefully reminded of earlier times, when serving in the military. We would go to social situations and the first question I was usually asked is “Where is your wife?” She’s a genuinely nice person and people seem to gravitate towards her (I know I did). She apparently made quite an impression on my classmates with many coming up and inquiring why she wasn’t there. When I told them why, a large percentage revealed they too had suffered from vertigo. (I’m thinking it may have something to do with our age)

Great Turnout

The lunch was held at a golf course restaurant in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. I was wondering why, but it turned out to be a great location with stunning views (especially in the autumn) of Mount Monadnock. In addition to the views, we had the freedom to mingle after eating, which wasn’t possible in more conventional restaurants we had been in up to this point. The Cantankerous Friend in arguing with people in South Carolina on his annual October sojourn there, so he wasn’t able to join us. I sat with Keene Friends 1 and 2 and had a great time, even if some time was spent fending off inquiries about my better half. One friend even stated that she only came because she thought my wife would be there. (talk about your tough acts to follow).

There were, however, some people that seemed content with my company. That included the former CRC who regaled me with stories of his latest window blinds conquest and a seventh grandchild. We coordinated the upcoming birthday pub crawl and made our annual attempts to remind one of our classmates who always claims he’s never informed (despite voluminous evidence to the contrary). We drafted his wife to take up the slack of reminding him about the crawl. This was certainly the best of the luncheons I’ve attended precisely because we were allowed this social time after lunch. KHS Class of 1973 is certainly unique in our continued fascination with each other. I hazard a guess that we are the most closely knit group of alumni for that fine institution.

I gave Keene Friend a ride back to Keene after we concluded business in Jaffrey. Somehow (and I’m still trying to figure this out) we ended up walking down to Main Street to identify some objectives for our upcoming reconnaissance mission for the pub crawl. I know. It happens. We finally checked out the newest bar in Keene, The Owl’s Perch. It’s in the location of a former bridal shop and pretty basic but definitely has the possibility of fitting into our crawl itinerary. We’ll check it out on November 1 for the recon and if it passes muster, then include it for the November 15^th pub crawl. The news from old stalwart, Penuche’s Ale House, was less promising. Construction continues but from what we could see it doesn’t look like it will be ready to assume its usual role as pub crawl launching point, we’ll miss the sticky floors.

The Great Jaffrey Scenery

We finished our downtown sojourn with a stop at old reliable, the Lab ‘n Lager, which will adequately fill the role Penuche’s has abandoned. It was fairly lively for a Thursday afternoon, which is always a good sign of pub health. It was so noisy that we waited to make our usual call to the PCR until we returned to Keene Friend’s house. It was good to hear his voice after undergoing a medical procedure last week. He was as lively as ever but claimed the procedure affected his ability to talk. We opined that this probably meant that his sainted wife would possibly and finally get a word in edgewise with him. (doubtful, but one can hope). After completely plundering Keene Friend’s supply of whoopie pies, I made my way home to resume my role as vertigo nurse.

We’ve taken in a couple movies this week. Good Fortune is a very fun watch. You expect Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari to be funny, and they certainly were. What I didn’t expect was John Wick stealing every scene he’s in and being even funnier than the others. He is hilarious as a guardian angel who tries to show Ansari’s character that his problems wouldn’t be solved by assuming the life of a rich acquaintance (Rogen). When he switches their lives, all of Ansari’s problems are seemingly solved. Go figure. The very funny premise is thoroughly explored as Rogen deals with being poor and Ansari the opposite.

The Roses was a lot more watchable than the original Michael Douglas vehicle. Coleman and Cumberbatch are at the top of their game in this dark comedy. They play a highly intelligent married couple who’s respective successes drive a wedge into their relationship. The banter between the two is worth the price of admission. I’m a fan of British humor and these two could give Deadpool a run for his money with off the cuff remarks, way, way too funny. As usual, Kate McKinnon, in a supporting role is hilarious. I wasn’t prepared to like this movie as much as I did, all hail this amazing cast. The ending was fantastic and totally appropriate after seeing these two go at each other.

Eight(!) movies fell in the A-Z watch, seven keepers: Sucker Punch – love the special effects laden dream sequences; Sum of All Fears – a bit dated but Affleck makes a credible young Ryan; Summer of ’42 – Osky and Hermie on the beach, fell in love with Jennifer O’Neill all over again; Super 8 – way better than I remembered, great story and young actors; Superbad – back before we knew them well, great buddy/loser comedy; Supernova – always wondered why this didn’t do better, great sci fi mystery; S.W.A.T. – credible remarketing of the tv show with Samuel L. chewing up scenery; Sweet Kill – also known as the Arousers and infamously amongst high school buddies as The Grousers, ‘50s icon Tab Hunter in a Roger Corman breast-a-fest – can’t keep it in the library in good conscience – so bad.

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

Pumpkin Redux and Birthday Deception

I’m in full recovery mode from an energetic weekend. Yes. That means I got to hang out with granddaughters, so the energy spent (and required) was substantial. My Favorite Panamanian and I were pulled into a full-blown conspiracy aimed at the ABFA. I realize some explanation may be required at this point. Tomorrow is the ABFA’s fortieth birthday, surely a milestone event. My son wanted to properly recognize this and here’s where we became co-conspirators. He told the ABFA we were coming up to babysit for the BRS and BR3 for the weekend. This would permit a romantic weekend away for them to celebrate her birthday. In reality, he had secretly arranged for a bunch of her friends to surprise her for a “goddess weekend” in coastal Maine.

Pumpkinfest With Demonhunters

We dutifully showed up on schedule on Friday and guiltily listened as the ABFA listed everything we needed to know about the granddaughters’ and Riggins’ weekend requirements. She is such a sweetheart that both my Favorite Panamanian and I felt ashamed of our requisite dishonesty. We did not breach security and sent the couple on their supposed happy way. We remained behind and it fell to us to explain to the granddaughters, when we picked them up from school, what the plan was. They both admitted it was the right course of action not to tell them ahead of time as they are acknowledged security risks. Th BRS is sharp though. Later that evening, when they talked with their mom on the phone, she asked her if she was more excited about spending time with her friends than the romantic weekend with her dad. That had all of us laughing and my son a little irked, if confident. Kids ask the most interesting questions.

ABFA with Goddess Time

With her Fabulous Friends

Saturday was a full day which started out with watching both granddaughters play soccer games. Each scored a goal in their respective games and were loudly serenaded by their abuela with her trademark decibel-laden cheering from the sideline. The rest of the parents were Anglo-Saxon quiet while my Latina was in her usual high voice cheering on her granddaughters. My son, remembering what it was like having her at his games while growing up, joked with one of the coaches that they were lucky she hadn’t brought a pot to bang on, as she had for his games. The coach said she loved it and that she was the same way at her son’s games. The granddaughters survived having their names constantly called out with the trademark, “Get that ball!”.

BR3 Celebrating her Goal

High Fives From Abuela and Dad

BRS in Action

Celebrating with Teammates

Soccer Stars

After soccer we set out for Keene to take in the reborn Keene Pumpkinfest. This used to be one of the landmark events of the year for us until the idiotic Keene State College students decided a riot would be a nice addition to the annual gathering. It’s restarted on a much smaller scale which is good because it had become too large for the small-town center. The granddaughters attended last year and were enthralled by the sights and, decidedly, the opportunity to do some early trick or treating along Main Street businesses. Keene Friend served as our host and, as usual, bent over backwards to make everyone feel welcome, especially the granddaughters.  They showed up fully costumed as a character from something called Demonhunters (children’s’ programming has changed since my day). Their characters were well known as they received a number of compliments from both adults and other kids as we moved through the crowds on Main Street (closed for the event).

Keene Friend with my Wife at Pumpkinfest Start

Obligatory Photo in Front of Main Stand

Large but Manageable Crowd

Demonhunter

Trick or Treating

It was a very fun day and brought back memories of the many Pumpkinfests from the past and very cool to be able to share it with the new generation. The BRS showed that she could point her toes together and challenged her grandparents to copy her. This led to a discussion on the reduced flexibility seventy years entails. We scored some Athens pizza on our way back to Keene Friend’s house which the granddaughters were soon careening through (sugar high). My initial plan was to return to Worcester Saturday night but we were having so much fun we decided to return to Stratham for additional time with son and granddaughters. This had the corollary benefit of being able to watch the Patriots’ game together on his massive theater television and to greet the ABFA on her return from goddess time.

Wife Taking in the Sights

Keene Friend and I

BR3 in a Fire Truck

BRS Toe Pointing

BR3 revealed she had learned to ride her bicycle without training wheels and zoomed around the traffic circle to demonstrate. The ladies have taken over that traffic circle as their personal playground. On Sunday morning I asked my son where the girls were, and he said outside playing. When I looked out the front door, they had set up a picnic in the road. While there isn’t much traffic in their cul de sac, there is some. That was the fastest I’ve seen my son move in a while as the ladies moved their feast onto the grass. Staying over Saturday night meant we could go to church in Exeter on Sunday and reunite with some of our news friends from our recent European trip. My son thought we had disappeared when we were over an hour late returning from church because my Favorite Panamanian was in her element talking with the new friends after mass.

BR3 Zooming without Training Wheels

Riggins, Though Blind now, Still gets Frisky with my Son

Girls Setting up in the Street

Probably not the Best Spot

I really enjoyed watching the game with my son, especially with the Patriots finally playing competitive football again. It’s amazing what a new coach can do in the way of attitude. The ABFA returned just before game time. She was a little tired but related that it had been a magical weekend. This seemed to mollify the BRS who once again launched on her questions about priorities. Her return also allowed us to sample the birthday cake my Favorite Panamanian had created for the ABFA. The ABFA is a renowned chocaholic, so it was a brownie cake and was fabulous. Having such a huge dessert sitting my stomach probably wasn’t the smartest idea just before the drive back to Worcester, but the cake was that good. So, a very busy weekend spent crisscrossing New Hampshire and taking part in the deception plan to honor the most extraordinary daughter-in-law. Time well spent.

The Brownie Cake

ABFA Getting Some Cake Advice 

And Assistance with Candles

Four movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Straw Dogs – fell in love with Susan George all over again, love final battle at the house with bagpipe music blaring; Stripes – shot in the same place shortly after I went to basic training there, so funny; The Stunt Man - underrated dramedy with O’Toole at the height of his powers; Saint Vincent – Murray perfectly cast as curmudgeon with heart of gold, well hidden.

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