Weathering the Whatever

The adventure that is our annual Grandpa and Abuela Summer Camp proceeds apace with the only participant so far, the FBR, thoroughly dominating. The few days past have involved, in my honest opinion, way too much shopping (but I would say that about any amount of shopping). My Favorite Panamanian has finally found a kindred soul when it comes to shopping in our oldest granddaughter. Neither of our kids, growing up, would willingly submit to shopping with their mother (something I learned almost immediately upon marrying her – it involves an intense level of commitment). The FBR has fully embraced the experience, much to her abuela’s contentment.

At the Food Court

Last Friday my wife employed the FBR as an agent to get me to drive them both to the Natick Mall. She knew if she had asked me, I would have reminded her that she had made the drive many times, but she also knows I can deny a granddaughter nothing. So, there I was in the food court, reading my latest book while the two shopping soulmates crushed their time in the huge mall. It is kind of cool that this mall has survived when so many others have gone extinct. I had the advantage of a hard departure time since we had the cable guy coming late in the afternoon. To their credit, they made the cut off time without a single complaint.

On the Way to the Mall
Don't Know How she Can Sleep in this Position

The cable guy turned out to be quite a little adventure. My kids still laugh at me for having cable but I love the convenience and get a bunch of streaming channels for free because of it. Recently, nearly half the channels were disappearing and forcing me to re-boot the boxes which was a pain in the posterior. The guy showed up and found water had seeped into the underground cable pipe. He decided we needed to replace all the cables from the street into the house. That meant two separate efforts. I helped with each but in each case the connection he made between the old cable which he used to draw the new cable in broke.

In the Shoe Section
Which Neither Can Just Walk Through

That meant some field expedient measures, especially in the Man Cave, getting the new cable into the junction box. I shudder to think of the indignities my poor cave had to endure. This all took a couple hours, with both my Favorite Panamanian and the FBR cut off from the internet in the interim (that was not a pretty sight). I think the guy felt a little guilty for all the problems encountered. He decided to replace all four of my cable boxes with new versions which seriously improved the picture quality, so a win after a long day.

Saturday Party

Saturday had the FBR back in a pool. At least that was the stated plan. One of the Latina Mafia was hosting a birthday party where the FBR would be joined by the Czech Shadow. There was something approaching breathless anticipation when the FBR learned that. While the party was the usual great assembly including the Neighborhood Mafiosos and the Czerch Friends, New England’s weather was not cooperating. A fine mist along with the occasional shower fell all afternoon along with cooler temperatures. The FBR was not pleased.

Czech Friend and Shadow Surrounding the FBR

She saw the pool sitting unappreciated from our covered picnic area and decided this would not do. She made the decision to get into the pool but required company. She knew better than approach me, so the Czech Shadow was targeted. Despite some initial resistance, the Shadow fell to the FBR’s entreaties (I know how that feels). They spent about ten minutes in the pool before retreating to the picnic area and complaining about the cool weather. Since we were dealing with Latinas as a healthy percentage of the crowd, dancing broke out under the picnic area cover. It was a very fun, if moist, afternoon spent with good friends. The FBR and Czech Shadow ended up huddled under a quilt inside the host’s house.

FBR Working on the Shadow to Go Swimming

Her Abuela Certainly Wouldn't

Success!!!

With the Too Kind Shadow

Sunday was supposed to be a day spent in Boston but that was rained out, so it became the at rarest of all events, a quiet day at home. Well, I’d qualify the level of quiet since the FBR was involved. Unfortunately she felt a cold coming on, so we postposed the Boston trip until today. She didn’t feel up to it this morning, so she and her abuela headed out for, you guessed it, some more shopping. Thankfully more local this time so I was freed up. Once they left, I got the lawn mowed, the oil and gas drained form my soon to be ex-snowblower, and collected a bunch of clothes that’ll be donated on Wednesday morning. I had just settled into the Man Cave to relax when I received a call from the shoppers.

Great Party Crowd

Some Sort of Peruvian Napkin Dance

The FBR was experiencing a lot of pain in one of her ears that would require a visit to the urgent care clinic. My daughter sent the medical insurance cards and off we went when they arrived. The FBR was most concerned that this issue would prevent her from swimming for the rest of her visit. The pain was enough that she overcame the apprehension of that possibility to agree with seeking medical advice. It turned out she has an inner ear infection which we scored the antibiotics for. I was truly impressed with how mature the FBR was at the doctor’s office, quickly and eloquently explaining what she was experiencing. The best news is that she can still swim later this week, which brought the radiant smile back out.

The Birthday Girl with a Completely Awesome 
Ice Cream Cake Created by the Mafioso

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

Momentous Moment and Cross-state Adventure

An event took place in Hampton, NH a couple days ago that shocked me to my very core. Since I’m on a beach vacation, I haven’t been following the news, but this incident qualified in every respect as earth shattering, breathtaking news. I hope you are sitting down to experience this  report because it has the ability to rob you of your equilibrium due to the level of surprise involved. If you’re sure you ready, here it is, my Favorite Panamanian voluntarily entered the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. I know! Completely and unabridged shock! For the entirety of our marriage, she has steadfastly refused to even consider placing a foot into the cold New England ocean waters.

Wife Entering the Water with BRS embraced for Body Heat

Making Sure I saw Her

Paddle Board Duty

Having been exposed to the sultry and decidedly warm ocean waters of her native Panama, I understand and completely ascribe to her point of view. What could have caused her to abandon her long-held determination, you should rightly ask. The answer, predictably, is our granddaughters. We were sitting on the beach a couple days ago when the FBR and BRS began to campaign for her to join them in the waves. They wanted her to assist in their navigation of the ABFA’s paddle board. I was in my usual semi-conscious state, while enjoying the beach views, when I saw them approaching the surf line. This caused the predictable shock to my system to see the unthinkable unfolding before me.

It is certainly testament to the love she has for the granddaughters. She timidly approached the water and then grabbed the BRS to provide some shared body heat. I was taking as much video as possible of this, because this was of historical significance. Eventually she released the BRS and began her task of dragging the paddle board back and forth while the BRS and FBR cavorted on the board. At a certain point, she got a little cocky and tripped. This caused her to fully submerge in the water. Up to that point she had only gotten her legs wet. I forgot to continue videoing at this point because I was laughing so hard. She was trooper though and emerged triumphant. This could serve as something both the FBR and BRS can put on their future resumes, the ability to convince someone to do what they themselves considered impossible.

Our beach sojourn was interrupted by a couple days of rain. This isn’t a big deal, unless you happen to have three young granddaughters who begin bouncing off walls if not allowed to expel their high levels of natural energy. When my wife heard about the impending rain she stopped off at Michaels and bought some art supplies. I’m still not sure how she convinced them but they spent an afternoon decorating the small rocks they collected off the beach that morning to create some very nice beach mementoes. My son and I finally drove a stake in the heart of the latest, difficult puzzle, as we are both less artfully gifted.

Can't Keep Them off the Rocks

BR3 and I created a Fort

Abuela Art Session

The Results

ABFA Caught me Working on the Puzzle from Outside

Rainy Day Girls
What Did we do Before iPads?

Escape to one of Hampton's Arcades Like BR3

And the FBR and BRS

We had a couple late nights this week and not just because the Sox are on the west coast. Each year for my son’s birthday we accompany him to see a couple movies, usually on his actual birthday. It’s the one day of the year he can escape the usual movie fare he experiences escorting his daughters to the cinema. Because his birthday fell on Sunday this year we had to change plans and see the movies on consecutive nights, after all the granddaughters were safely in bed. That meant 9 o’clock movies, which is fine for me but challenging for my son’s earlier usual bedtimes. This was exacerbated on Wednesday night when we saw the three hour Christopher Nolan movie, The Odyssey. My Favorite Panamanian joined us for that one but Tuesday night’s The Evil Dead Burn was a guy’s night out (not hard to figure that out).

Monthly Luncheon

My son and wife headed back to the cinema on a rainy Thursday escorting the granddaughters to see the latest Disney film. I, in a stroke of unforeseen luck, was on the road headed west. I planned on blowing off the monthly luncheon for my high school classmates since it would mean leaving the beach and granddaughters. Last week I learned that the PCR was inbound and would attend which caused me to alter my plans since this would be the PCR’s only New England visit of the year. Since it got me out of the Disneyfest, I considered this just part of the win. The luncheon was the usual gathering of old friends liberally laced with funny bouts of nostalgia and sharing the latest health news/remedies.

At the Lab

Tres Amigos Outside the Nest

Later at the Lab

We followed this up with the usual afternoon social hour(s) in Keene. We started off at the Owl’s Nest so the PCR and his Mrs. could see the transformations wrought by the change in ownership to the venerable Penuche’s. We then journeyed down Main Street to the usual haunt the Lab ‘n Lager. Since we had the attraction of the PCR in residence, we assembled a memorable crew to mark the afternoon. The Kindergarten Friend, the Cantankerous Friend, as well as the CRC, joined us along with Keene Friend and his lady. It was a very fun afternoon. I was on my best behavior since my usual designated driver was a hundred miles away “enjoying” Moana. She is not without her assts though. She had subverted the Keene Friend’s lady into her agent. That agent documented my mid-afternoon switch to coca cola instead of beer. The lengthy drive back to the coast last evening made for a very long day but more than worth it since I got to share it with some very important, to me, people, some of the best currently drawing oxygen.

The Evil Dead Burn was everything you would expect from an Evil Dead movie. Nonstop mayhem liberally lubricated with the appropriate level of blood and guts. This serves as a direct sequel as those pesky deadites continue to infect and dismember at will. The vast majority of the family at risk in this outing were very unlikable which made their sequential demises a sneaky bit of fun. You can’t take this seriously and it is what it is, another scary outing in the series made famous by the incomparable Bruce Campbell (Hail to the King Baby!).

The Odyssey is very dark, but that’s appropriate given the source material. The journey of Odysseus has always been very bleak as he loses his entire army and his mind for a number of years. Nolan confirms his status as a master story teller as he makes this classic story a great watch despite bowing to modern sensibilities in some respect. This may be Damon’s best film ever as he radiates charisma as the conflicted king of Ithaca trying to get home. Back in Ithacan Ann Hathaway captures the frustration and bone deep loyalty Penelope always embodies. I was worried Nolan would get too creative with the story but he’s true to the important aspects and makes this one of the best films of the year.

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

Date Night Surprise

For those of you with excessively dirty minds (guilty), no, I’m referring to a completely innocent experience. It was with my Favorite Panamanian, but was completely above board and in public, so there. We executed our usual date night. My wife was so pre-occupied with texting on her cell phone during the ride to the cinema that she didn’t ask what we were seeing until we were sitting in the theater. That’s when I broke the news to her that we were seeing Young Washington, the biopic about George’s early years. She gave me one of those wifely looks that said, rather eloquently, “I’m not going to like this and how did you get me here?”. As with most wives, she conveniently forgot that she never inquired.

The surprise. She loved it, as did I, see review below. We rolled into the theater on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, and the parking lot was strangely full. I figured that, it being summer and raining, that parents were escaping the hell that is young kids trapped inside with a trip to see the latest Hollywood attempt to extract money from them. I think this week’s effort involved minions, whatever the hell they are. While I’m sure that was part of the crowd I was surprised to see the Tuesday matinee showing of Young Washington was absolutely packed, with both young and old (again, guilty). Another surprise, at the end of the movie, the large crowd actually started clapping. I know this is standard in California, home of the movie industry, but this was the first time I’d ever seen it happen in New England.

That got me to thinking (yes, I know, dangerous territory). The crowd and its reaction was a comment on Americans. There’s a burgeoning majority of us that are still very proud of our country, despite the efforts of the far left (Democrat Party) and their enablers, the news media, to damage that. I think that’s why they failed so miserably in 2024 elections. The Democrats mistakenly believed we, as a country, were ashamed of ourselves, but that couldn’t be further from the truth and for the very obvious reasons that life in our country provides daily for those open enough to see it. They and the Russian and Iranian internet bots will never be able to address the deep-seated love most Americans feel for their country, despite all its obvious warts. They continue down the same path today embracing socialism which has failed so spectacularly in so many places. The most obvious evidence of how wrong they were/are is the fact we actually elected who we did as president. Again, maybe I read too much into it, but it warmed my heart to hear that unexpected applause.

Finished Another 1000 Piece Puzzle

My Favorite Panamanian, a naturalized American citizen claimed the movie made her proud of “her” country, ‘nuff said. She certainly has not forgotten her own roots though. As is wont to happen whenever the Panamanian Mafia gets together, like last Saturday, they have so much fun together that they plan another follow-on event. This Saturday they’re getting together on Deckzilla with each bringing a Panamanian dish and creating more when they arrive. I should probably warn the neighbors that at some point Saturday evening, dancing will break out on Deckzilla. This should be fun.

FBR(r) with her Curbside Cousins

Speaking of fun (I was wasn’t I?), the FBR recently attended a get together of Curbside cousins (see picture). I was so glad to see that and that those incredible Curbside girls are passing on their deep friendship to the next generation. One of the things I’ve re-learned since returning to New England is how important the friends I made as a kid are to me. The Cantankerous Friend and Keene Friends are the most obvious examples but there’s been so many I’ve reconnected with since my return that has made all the difference for me. I’ve heard rumors that the PCR will be returning for the monthly KHS 73 luncheon in July and I may have to abandon a day at the beach to properly welcome him home. More on that in the coming weeks. Also, a shout out to the Cantankerous Friend who will be riding his bike (no surprise there) in the annual Northern New Hampshire Prouty bike ride, for which he has raised $12,000 for cancer research. He’s not always arguing.

Young Washington was a huge surprise for me. I knew Washington’s history of his early years but this film expertly portrays them for what they were, exciting. Washington is nearly always portrayed in his later years, leading the Continental Army in a powdered wig, but here we see him as a vibrant young man being forged into the leader who was so instrumental in establishing our country. It shows his failures as well as his successes and his early over weening ambition. It’s telling that the class system so endemic to the British (still is) was dismissive of him despite his early support of the royal government. We see him rising above the petty class snobbery to embody what the country is about, hard work combined with courage. The message isn’t over the top and lets Washington’s actions speak for themselves which is why I found them so effective. I’m sure the elitist professional film critics won’t like it, but when the movie ended, the entire audience stood and clapped in appreciation. That was as eloquent a statement of the quality of the movie than I can think of.

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

Classmating Again

I was at it again yesterday. I used to do thunder runs back to my hometown for my mental health (what little I possess). In the last couple years I’ve been given a welcome addition to my list of excuses to run home – the monthly luncheon for the stalwart class of KHS 1973. These worthies gather in commendable numbers each month for no other reason than it is fun to hang out with each other. It helps that the vast majority of us are now retired. One of my heartfelt goals upon retiring from the military was to find my way home. While I eventually discovered this meant being around friends and family and not tied to a geographic location; this monthly event combines the two.

Table One Yesterday

I always love returning to my hometown, if for no other reason than to torture my kids with another picture of Wheelock School to remind them I went to kindergarten there. I think at some point in the future they are going to block my number when they hear I’m going to be in Keene. Yesterday’s gathering was representative of the shared pleasure of the classmates. We met a week earlier than usual because we had a classmate who defected to Alabama and was visiting for just this week. This opportunity to see her brought in a few other classmates who haven’t been able to join us previously. The time together slides by really quickly, which is another firm indicator that a good time is being had.

The Rest of the Very Cute Gathering

Since this is always a good time and I am nothing if not predictable when it comes to socializing, we’ve added a corollary event to the monthly luncheon. That would be the usual thunder run back to Keene, with aspects of reconnaissance for the annual November pub crawl (that’s my story and etc. etc). It gets expensive because my Favorite Panamanian uses this opportunity to shop but more than worth it for the pleasure involved (for both of us). You simply cannot put a price on the time spent hanging out with lifelong friends. I’m not saying my wife doesn’t make a gallant effort at that, but, still, a win. Keene Friend and the Cantankerous One joined me in walking over to what is now called the Owl’s Nest but will always be know in fame and not a small bit of infamy as Penuche’s.

Still Penuche's

We solved most of the world’s problems there before moving down the street to the Lab ‘n Lager. We were joined in short order by the Kindergarten Friend who gave up his wrestling match with a pool filter to join us. We made the obligatory well lubricated call to the PCR who was more gracious than usual, even without the mollifying influence of his better half beside him (or maybe she was). Keene Friend 2 also showed up after a failed umpiring gig. We decided it was dinner time and made the customary trek across the street to Margarita’s. It is at this point we usually try to coax my Favorite Panamanian away from her pillaging. She replied, because of earlier flower buying stops, that she had had only forty five minutes with old friend TJ Maxx and that was nowhere near enough. She claimed not to be hungry either which I doubted but, again, I only get 49% of the vote.

Keene Friend and Cantankerous With me in the Nest

While the kindergarten friend had to depart, we were joined by another classmate, who has been hanging out with Keene Friend 1 recently. She added a much-needed touch of elegance to our scruffy lot and provided some hilarious stories about her time as security at the local theater. In the funniest event of the day the wait staff at Margarita’s rose to the occasion to punk the Cantankerous Friend. Last month they made an error in bringing him tacos instead of his requested enchiladas. As he is wont to do, he made a big deal about that when ordering this time claiming aggrieved status for the prior month’s error. I whispered to our very cute waitress who nodded sagely and arranged the moment. When the orders came, she flourished a plate of tacos in front of him which had the seemingly impossible effect of making him quiet. Not only that, but the waitress from the prior month’s error was also on hand to twist the sword, clearly remembering this customer. The entire table descended into laughter and the Cantankerous One got his enchiladas. A very fun time.

Lab 'n Lager with Kindergarten Friend 

I’ve got to learn to keep my mouth shut when it comes to complaining about New England weather. Last week I commented on Frail Deeds about how cold May had been. Earlier this week New England dropped the hammer on me for my impudence. We had three days of record setting heat, along with some tropical levels of humidity. It’s the first time in my life I can remember having both the heat and the air conditioning  on during the same week. New England 1 - Frail Deeds Dancer 0. I expect a little freedom this weekend as the Maine Musquetera is scheduled to arrive and I’m sure shopping will be involved. Since I wouldn’t dare intrude on that activity unless a firearm was pointed at my head and even then I’d have to think hard I’m a free agent.

Saying Goodbye to Keene as we Shuffled Home

For date night this week my Favorite Panamanian and I saw In the Grey. This is Guy Ritchie’s latest action flick with some of his usual collaborators in Eiza González and Henry Cavill with the welcome addition of Jake Gyllenhaal. Ritchie does action proud each time out and this is no exception. I also liked that Gonzalez isn’t just a pretty face (she certainly still has that going for her) but the mastermind behind a plot to recover a billion dollars from the villain. The villain employs one of the GOT wildings in underused fashion. Cavill and Gyllenhaal share great chemistry as they carry out Gonzalez’ plans. Beautifully shot, I’m surprised I have heard more about this, a great little movie.

The A-Z watch continued with five movies, all keepers: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice – new addition to the library, all the fun of the original; The Wild Geese – love this 1970s action flick with Richard Burton about mercenaries in Africa; Wild Things – film noir updated with some really steamy scenes, Denise Richards in her prime and altogether (Yikes!); Willow – really great fantasy epic with Val Kilmer at his best; Wind River – kind of depressing but ultimately very strong drama in Wyoming winter, makes you feel cold watching, pre-Yellowstone Tyler Sheridan.

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

Granite State Birthdaying

We were back up in New Hampshire this past weekend to help celebrate the 6^th birthday of the youngest granddaughter, BR3. My son and the ABFA spared the grandparents from attendance at Friday’s birthday celebration at a local kids hot spot. They certified it contained the expected amount of chaos as a dozen or so classmates of BR3 joined in the mayhem. He sent us a photo of the gang which included the BR3 demonstrating her signature mad scientist photo face. That allowed us to remain home and receive the new washing machine and put it through an acid test with the mountain of dirty clothes that awaited its arrival.

The Special People I was Lucky Enough to Spend Weekend With

The Friday Party

The BR3 Look

New, Already Overworked, Washing Machine

My Favorite Panamanian had created another one of her granddaughter special birthday cakes. This one was Zootopia themed at the request of the birthday girl. Despite a couple high speed zigs and zags on I-495 on our way up, the cake survived to be admired before ultimately inhaled. We reached our destination and were joined shortly after by the ABFA’s parents which always adds to the fun. Especially since the other grandfather is prone to fully engage with granddaughter antics, freeing the other three grandparents from that requirement. I’m still amazed and somewhat mystified on where he summons the requisite energy.

BRS and BR3 Communing in Front Yard
Don't Know Where the Purple Hair Came From

Wife with her Creation

ABFA's Dad Pulling Grandpa Duty

We finally had a nice day to celebrate with warm temps and gentle breezes. I always love this time when New Englanders finally break free of cold temperatures and explode out of their houses. It was especially noteworthy in college when sundresses started appearing, but I digress. A representative group of friends and neighbors joined us for a short lived pinata before we descended on the birthday cake. After the appropriate oohs and awws when it was revealed, my son assisted BR3 with the cleaving accomplished with the family sword, Bonecrusher. It seems almost illegal that a cake that looks that cool is also delicious, but she accomplished it.

BR3 Ready to Roll

Pinata Time

Wife Next to Tree we Gifted Them Last Year

Time for Cake

The fun was not over as my son and the ABFA also planned a backyard fire. Any reader of Frail Deeds knows that made a certain pyromaniac very happy. Since the ABFA was involved, S’mores were part of the event as well. I’ve said this before and will continue to spout off about how sitting around a fire with friends and family touches something welcome deep in our genetic code since our ancestors did this every night, mainly to keep the sabretooth tigers at bay, but still. It was a lot of fun. Riggins, the blind but beloved dog, was fighting to get outside and join the fun. He staged a sit-down strike when my son tried to bring him back inside since a fire and a blind dog is not a good combination. The BRS stood up for Riggins and volunteered to keep him from wandering into the fire.

Bonecrusher Deployed

After this very fun day I didn’t expect to have trouble falling asleep but there I was, wandering downstairs after midnight. I think it was just one of those days I didn’t want to end and my brain was sending conflicting messages to the rest of the body.  In a big surprise, my son was likewise afflicted, and we ended up watching TV together well into the wee hours. While I hate it when insomnia strikes, at least I got to spend it with one of my favorite people in the world. I eventually made it to sleep around 3am while he didn’t get any sleep at all, pulling an all-nighter. He filled me in on what happened in the TV show we had binge watched together during breakfast.

Fuego Time

Birthday Girl and her Grandpa

BRS Prepping her S'more

The granddaughters, of course, don’t recognize a moratorium on grandparents’ wakeup times, especially when combined with short sleep hours. That seems to only whet the appetite. BR3 performed the duties Sunday. For some reason, any other call to wake up after such a short night would be painful but granddaughters have achieved a breakthrough by making it fun. We were joined by the ABFA’s parents for church where we ran into a couple people from last year’s European trip to the Marian shrines.

BRS Protecting Riggins

After lunch we all bundled into cars to drive to BR3’s final gymnastics meet of the year. I’m including way too many photos from that event, but what can I say, I’m a proud grandpa and she was amazing. She was particularly remarkable when it came to climbing both a cargo net and a rope to the top of a very high ceiling. This was lot more fun to watch than the dreaded dance recitals because a lot more action was involved. BR3 doesn’t like to receive the applause and recognition she earns but she was forced to endure a bunch of it yesterday. We all departed for respective homes after the meet. I had no trouble falling asleep last night. Go figure.

BR3 on the Right Climbing Cargo Net

Uneven Bars

Balance Beam

Fam in the Stands

Floor Exercise

Scary Rope Climb

Medal Ceremony

Looking for a Way Out

Fellow Grandparents With the Gymnast

Proud Parents

Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, Namesake Nephew further enhanced Great Aunt’s new deck by building a pergola for her and assembling a new table and chairs. He reported it wasn’t hard, or in his own words, “nothing a 30 rack can’t build!”. A boy after my own heart. I’m sure a McShawn’s Night is in the offing with Soxfather’s family to properly christen the new deck. Wingman attained hero status for the day with my daughter down in New Jersey. He’s currently on tour with his band but after performing in a show in Pennsylvania he drove home late at night to walk the FBR to her school bus stop in the morning and then mowed the lawn before boarding a plane for the band’s next performance in England.

New Pergola

 Table and Chairs

New Jersey Hero Work

The A-Z watch continued with four movies, all keepers: While You Were Sleeping – one of my favorite romcoms of all time, fall in love with Sandra Bullock every time I watch it;  White House Down – almost comical level action as the poor White House takes another beating; The Whole Nine Yards – semi-sad to watch, knowing what happened to stars Perry and Willis, but still lots of fun, with Amanda Peet stealing every scene she’s in; Widows – such a good movie, amazing cast with a heartfelt crime drama.

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