4th and Out

My Favorite Panamanian and I concluded our celebration of the 250^th birthday of our country by attending the annual 4^th of July party in Leicester held by our good friends and fellow members of the Latina Mafia on Saturday. We joined the Czech Friends who had already arrived and received a full report on the Czech Shadow’s latest adventures in employment as well as learning how to drive a car. Her father, the driving instructor, looked to have sprouted a few gray hairs because of that responsibility (I could be imagining that). It was a beautiful afternoon with the pool beckoning nearby.

Our 4th of July Attire

I was not to be fooled though. I knew the pool water would sport typical New England level temperatures which I am now firmly allergic to. The blame for that affliction lays rightfully at the feet of our Panamanian condo pool. Our hostess continued her years-long plea to get me to return to my roots. Anyone who grew up in Keene and used to swim at Camp Wakanda’s ice cold pool should be made of sufficient inner strength to handle it. In my dotage, however, I am comfortable being a complete wimp in this department. The same thing has happened with New England ocean beaches, which I also grew up with. Anyone who has joined me for a swim in the warm Pacific waters of Las Lajas will understand.

The Mafia Table with a Czech Interloper

The Party

The Czechs had to leave early which was a bit of a downer, but the Panamanian mafia took over a table and the banter never stopped. I assisted another member of the mafia at the grill and then ate way, way too many desserts. What can I say, I was caught up in the throes of celebrating America’s birth. I am honest enough with myself to realize it had more to do with the delicious cake available. The lady’s convocation eventually moved nearer to the pool but the only one who jumped in the pool was our hostess. The rest dipped their feet in and my Favorite Panamanian later admitted that was a trial, as she suffers the same affliction as I do with cold water. It was a great afternoon and early evening spent with great friends. They made noises about getting together later this week to cook something ethnic (I’ll be alright as Dominoes is only a call away).

The Mafia

Recon Party at the Pool

Eventually the Others Showed Up
But Only our Host was Brave Enough to Jump in

The BRS has been engaged with seacraft over the past few weeks at a summer camp. This photo shows her expertly skippering a ship on the high seas. She and BR3 along with their parental units spent the holiday weekend up at a family camp in the lakes region, where Riggins rediscovered himself in the water. He has no problem with cold water and my son said it was so good seeing him cavort again.

BRS at the Wheel!!

I recently checked out a reel on Facebook that announced the iconic Carousel of Progress at Disneyworld was closing as it will undergo a major upgrade to make it more timely. This ride has a sentimental hold on me for a number of reasons. I first saw it at the New York World’s Fair in 1965 on one of the last intact vacations my family took as my parents split up shortly thereafter. I’ve always loved the optimistic message of the ride as it follows progress from the turn of the 20^th century through to modern times. This is quintessential Walt Disney, who originated the ride, as it believes in people and in progress. Every time I go on Facebook now, since I watched that one reel, I’m greeted by several more showing the final day of rides. I can’t resist watching them even though I know the signature song, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” will be stuck in my head for hours afterwards. There are worse fates.

I'll Miss This Guy

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