Amigos

In danger of being labeled a broken record (an alliteration only someone of my generation will now understand), I am going to once again send genuine thanks to Whomever may be in charge upstairs. The reason for my gratitude, you might ask. That would be the friends I have been blessed with, through no genuine effort on my part. I was wondering when I left the Army (more than 20 years ago now!!!!) how I would adjust to returning to New England. It has been everything and more than I could have hoped for. A large percentage of the blame for that sentiment can be laid at the feet of those friends.

Classmate Luncheon

This past few days provides a sterling example. On Thursday we journeyed once more into the wilds of southwestern New Hampshire to link up with high school classmates for our monthly luncheon. A telling example of just what fine people I graduated with is the fact that my Favorite Panamanian loves these luncheons as much as I do. Most spouses would beg off, believing these are your friends, not mine. They have been so welcoming that I’m sure some are more excited to see her than me (that’s a situation I’ve come to expect in most social situations).

Cantankerous Friend's Table at the Lab

The luncheon was moved up this month so one of the classmates who recently underwent major heart surgery could attend and prove to us he was in full recovery. After lunch we made our way to Keene for an afternoon of shopping (the wife) and socializing (that would be me). Keene Friend 1 and I started out at Penuche’s, but they are digging up Marlboro Street outside which seemed to have added a significant gnat population within the bar. Before the recent renovation, this wouldn’t have been commented on, much less noticed, but there it was. Keene Friend 2 joined us just in time to walk up to Main Street and the Lab ‘n Lager. The Cantankerous Friend eventually arrived after blowing off the luncheon. That was explained by his guest. A lady friend from Arizona who he chose to ride bikes with instead. They were joined in turn by another classmate and her husband which set up a fairly lively crowd. We made the obligatory lubricated call to the PCR but it was so loud in the bar that it was hard to hear. I don’t think he minded when it was cut off short.

And Our Table

The local radio station also arrived and set up to do a Red Sox promotion in the bar which had the whole place going. Again, something I love about being back in New England, even when the Red Sox are atrocious (which they are this year) New Englanders still support them. For my generation this is nothing new, we grew up with atrocity, but these younger guys are now dealing with it with full aplomb. It was a great afternoon there before we pulled up stakes to move across the street for dinner with my Favorite Panamanian and Keene Friend’s lady friend. A great day.

At The Greek Festival
And Yes, The Mafioso is Once Again Smiling in a Photo
Who Knew that was Even Possible!!!

Back in Worcester on Friday, I was minding my own business in the Man Cave when my Favorite Panamanian returned very late from church. She had stopped off at the Neighborhood Mafioso and those two ladies decided we would attend the Greek Festival Friday afternoon. One of the great things about Worcester is the almost constant march of different ethnic festivals. Those who know me will understand just how excited I was to sample foreign cuisine but the opportunity to hang with friends overcame my culinary reticence. We were joined there by another couple who we hadn’t seen in a long time, which made the afternoon even more fun. We spent most of our time in the huge food tent. They had the US Men’s World Cup match playing on a huge screen, so that was a lot of fun. I sampled some Greek meatballs and chocolate cake so I can now officially be commended for my gastronomic adventurousness.

The Post Sangria Walk

My wife and the Mafioso decided to test the sangria being served. If you have read Frail Deeds in the past you will undoubtedly remember that my Favorite Panamanian has a very checkered history with that concoction. By the end of the game, she was even more talkative than usual (who knew that was even possible!). As we made our way out, the two ladies were offering each other moral and physical support. Another great day spent with another set of friends I am indeed blessed with.

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