Geo-Batching Again

My Favorite Panamanian has abandoned me once again, leaving me to my own devices here on the beach while she spends a few days back in David with her mom and sisters. I consider the timing fortuitous as the NFL playoffs are in full swing this weekend. I’m not saying she’s not an avid football fan (you can read between the lines, right?) but unless I’m watching the Patriots she considers me a valid target to service when it comes to the “Honey Do” list. I won’t pat myself on the back too vigorously as, after 44 years of marriage, she can sense from a distance if I am seriously underemployed.

On the Loose!

What’s this 44-year claim, you might ask. Well, it seems I had a marriage anniversary this past week. You’ll notice I didn’t call it a wedding anniversary. This past Wednesday marked the 44^th anniversary of when my Favorite Panamanian and I were married in a civil ceremony. We did this to get on the base housing list and I tried everything in my arsenal to convince her that we were, in fact ,married. She patiently pointed out she wouldn’t consider herself married until a Catholic priest performed the service. Turns out that wasn’t the last argument I’ve lost in the past 44 years. Keene Friend is the only other one that remembers each year and offered his congratulations. It still surprises my wife every time as she still considers the March 6 church wedding as our “official” anniversary date.

Sunset Crew Last Night

It was another fun week at the condo as our Upstairs Neighbors and we were the only occupants.  The sunset didn’t always cooperate, but our determined sunset crew was on station each night. Clouds were the culprit, but Las Lajas rallied with a couple of very picturesque views. Even the challenged sunsets are extraordinary, it’s what this place does. The very best part of the sunsets remains the comradery of socializing with the Upstairs Neighbors.

Last Couple of Cloudy Sunsets

Best Sunset Crew

We made our obligatory journey to the village for First Friday of the Week pizza at our favorite place. Sunset Pizza in Las Lajas has the best pizza dough I’ve ever tasted. They also serve gelato which always culminates our Friday visits there. My Favorite Panamanian discovered a new flavor when she was halfway through consuming her first cone. This led to the very funny situation of her double-fisting ice cream cones.

Pizza Time

Wife with her First Cone

Double Fisting

We had an abbreviated First Friday Family Facetime call yesterday. With improved internet service I’ve taken to making the call from the beach. One would almost think I am rubbing it in to my frozen family back in the States. You would be partially correct. I also want to energize their desire to join us here. My son and ABFA had a date night, and the babysitter showed up a couple minutes into the call so they had to leave. My daughter answered the call while in her car driving the FBR to another women’s professional hockey league game and likewise had to leave the call almost immediately. I did have the opportunity to show all three granddaughters a view of the beach before they signed off (mission accomplished). It was Hispanic Heritage night at the hockey game. My daughter and the FBR proudly claimed their Panamanian heritage, as evidenced by the accompanying photos, the FBR with a Panamanian flag painted on her face. My Favorite Panamanian choked up seeing this. The FBR continued her streak of jumbotron appearances, not once but twice during the game.

FbR with her Colors

Jumbotron Time

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Upstairs Neighbors – American couple and great friends who live in condo above us in Panama; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course