Weekending

I believe I can say without chance of argument (except from the Cantankerous Friend, of course) that I had a completely superior weekend. It started out well with the First Friday of the Week Family Facetime call. There was a rare occurrence with both my “kids” and Great Aunt participating. Since we all leave fairly complicated lives (more so them, what with the small children), usually one or the other has to beg off. This was a real treat. At least until my son had to head out to deliver BR3 to a birthday party and then my daughter had to chase down the FBR. It was fun while it lasted.

Namesake Nephew's Daughter Conquering Me

The fun continued Saturday when we journeyed down to Rhode Island to officially christen Great Aunt’s new deck with a McShawn’s Night. The gathering had the requisite number of Soxfather’s incredible family as well as Namesake Nephew and his. Great Aunt’s youngest granddaughter was the star of the show. She spends most of the week with Great Aunt and we can clearly trace Great Aunt’s return to us, spirit wise, to her arrival on the scene. I can understand that now as Namesake Nephew’s daughter is a real charmer. Remy, Great Aunt’s gregarious (aren’t they all) lab was a particular target.

Remy Under Attack

I failed in my post-retirement mission in life to capture, with my unique photographic skills, the timeless presence of Soxfather’s sister, despite her objectionable opinions as to those skills. She departed soon after we arrived to attend her 50^th high school reunion. I was able to glean the required photo when she appeared on my Facebook feed with the attached photo, so mission complete. It was a very entertaining interlude on the amazing new deck, complete with a covered pergola which kept the sun and prying eyes of wandering Cranstonian teenagers off our gathering.

Obligatory Soxfather Sister Photo

Namesake Nephew did a credible job at the grill and there was way, way too much food in play. That included a well received, but certainly not needed, whoopie pie. I didn’t think I could manage that after all the barbecue and beer that had been sent down range, but we’re talking whoopie pies here, so you know I rose to the occasion. There may have also been some chocolate chip cookies placed too close to my seat but enough of that. In the win department, I was able, thanks to the whoopie pie, to decline that surpassing Rhode Island delicacy, a donut cake.

Saturday Gathering Under the Pergola

Namesake Nephew’s daughter also experienced her first baptism of fire that is my Favorite Panamanian’s signature move with youngsters. That includes the vigorous nuzzling at the back of the neck complete with continuous statements about how she is going to eat them. Both of my children and their children, as well as any toddle unwise enough to wander too close to her, have experienced this. This newest recipient was thoroughly pleased, which is the usual reaction. One of the funniest reactions ever though belongs (typically) to BR3 who, while undergoing the process, reached out for a green pepper and said, “No abuela, eat this instead!”.

Wife Prepping her Attack

It Begins

The Usual Reaction

From Both

Soxfather was certainly there with us. I felt his presence all day long, imbued with the special people gathered there. While the pain associated with missing him so much will never leave, it’s times like these, which he loved so much, that brings him closer to us. Great Aunt gifted me with a new T-shirt from the recently concluded golf tournament named after Soxfather which is an annual event aimed at replenishing the scholarship fund in his honor. It brought back those happier times when he attended in person.

FBR Ready to Rock

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the FBR was astonishing the crowd attending her dance recital. Her mom had expertly prepared her makeup and she looked like a polished professional dancer. My daughter also surreptitiously videoed the entire performance and I can state without fear of contradiction that the FBR was the best dancer in her troupe. I’m always amazed when she steps out of her “teenager in waiting” personae and wows this way. I may be a little biased but if you saw the video you would agree, she was amazing.

Amazing

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