Beach Landing

You’re right. I haven’t written in a few days (you are most welcome). I find myself back on Hampton Beach for a week, cohabitating with my son’s family in their annual beach front rental. In prior years, we’ve spent just a couple days here with them. Those have been so much fun that we took the plunge and decided on an entire week this year. Keeping in mind my recent dermatological adventures, I’ve reduced the number of hours I spend on the beach. The house they rent is more than enough of a pleasure in itself that the reduced thong watch opportunities are worth it. As I’m working on this, I’m looking out over the rocky shore of the Atlantic towards the Isles of Shoals. I’m reminded of my winter sojourn at the condo looking out at the Pacific while I type.

Beach Bunch Yesterday

Since my daughter and especially the FBR had such a great time last year, they also re-enlisted for another trip. They joined us late on Friday before we drove over on Saturday. The three granddaughters were reunited which is always fun to watch. They immediately took up where they left off last year, exploring the rocky tidal pools directly in front of the house. The local crab population is quaking and high alert with their return since they compose the most readily available quarry for the ladies.. My Favorite Panamanian had spent most of last week preparing a series of meals (favorites of both “kids”) and then freezing them (the meals not the kids) so she wouldn’t have to spend time cooking at the beach. The ABFA’s parents are also part of the mix which further enhances the fun.

Granddaughters in Search of Crabs in the Tidal Pool

Wife ad ABFA's Mom on the Deck

Granddaughters on the Hunt

Granddaughters Seized Control of ABFA's Surf Board

Wife and I

Sunday was my son’s birthday which was celebrated with the appropriate amount of pomp and circumstance. I got to watch the entire Red Sox game with him. A rare opportunity with his daughters in residence. Since it was his birthday, they were forbidden from complaining about the lack of cartoons on the screen. Luckily, they had a nearby beach and those tidal pools Likewise, my Favorite Panamanian was subjected to a series of indignities as her son repeatedly placed a cold drink can against her exposed leg leading to an appropriate levels of shrieks. I kept having to remind her that she couldn’t engage in her planned retaliation because it was his birthday. I also reminded my son that he was living extremely dangerously as I (better than anyone) know that she doesn’t forget and what she is capable of.

Successful Hunt

Birthday Boy

BR3 with her Abuela

Wife and I, Again

My son and the BRS have been bonding over the past year watching the old TV series, Supernatural. My wife therefore created one of her signature cakes with that theme, fake blood seeping over the edge of the cake (I know, we’re weird). The BRS and BR3 found an old lobster hat in the basement which they decided their dad had to wear for the cake ceremony. He took it in good humor, a girls’ dad to the core. Once the younger generation had retired for the night, we engaged in a lively game of Uno Flip around a table. The ladies, somehow, figured out a way to manipulate the game so only they won. It was still a lot of fun, as is any time when you get to hang around a table laughing with those you hold most dear. We were only missing Wingman for the complete set.

BRS and BR3 Helping Dad with Sword

Bonecrusher About to Descend

With the ABFA

With his Sister, mom, and Dad

On Monday, Keene Friend and his lady arrived to spend the day with us. They fit in immediately with the crowd, especially the ABFA (could have been the chocolates they brought with them). It was a great, leisurely day spent on the beach. I’m hoping my dermatologist is not tracking my activities too closely (my Favorite Panamanian is an acknowledged agent). Fortunately, that agent spent most of the afternoon scouring the rock field for shells because we’re supposed to be getting some rainy days ahead and she wants a craft activity of the granddaughters. It’s been a very un-July like brisk out of the sun but we still managed a very fun post-beach gathering on the deck liberally laced with Beachboy music courtesy of my daughter and her trusty portable speaker.

Trouble Brewing

FBR Posing on Beach

Joined by Cousins

Keene Friend and his Lady

The Daughter Waving

I’m away from my stationary bike and did not want to spend another week without working out after the week following surgery required it. There is also the inordinate amount of celebration I’m called upon to engage in (more than willingly I should add). That being the case, I’ve started taking long morning walks. It’s easy since the terrain is so flat, unlike my hilltop home. It has brought back how much I miss being able to jog, which was such a staple of my life for so many years (the whole Army thing about staying in shape). It’s been over ten years since I had to give it up due to balky knee. The walks reminded me of that lost activity, only much slower. Kind of like my whole life at this point, much slower but still so much fun. The fault of that can be laid at my incredible family’s feet, of course.

Watermelon Break

Deck Social Hour

Daughter Getting Hugs before Leaving This Morning

My View While Typing This

Daughter and FBR on their Way to New England

The Bloody Cake

BR3 Stalked by the Shadow

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

Sub-Culturing

I was out and about today getting my wife’s car serviced and then mine inspected. These two efforts were sandwiched around a stop by the grocery store as my wife ramps up her cooking efforts with the grandkids on the agenda for next week. I’ll be looking to rent space in available freezers as she kicks that effort into high gear. I mention the errands because, as I was wandering around greater Worcester today, I realized I am now part of a sub-culture. It took me a while to realize I’m old, a bona fide senior citizen. The Cantankerous Friend was instrumental in making me come to grips with that reality when I claimed to be middle aged. Anyway, the sub-culture I’m talking about is senior citizenry.

Since I’m retired, I accomplished those errands in the middle of what used to be a work day. As I was going about, I noticed that most of the other people on the road, at the inspection station, grocery store, and the service center were all senior citizens as well (judging by the abundance of white hair in evidence). While this makes driving a bit more of an adventure than I would prefer, it brought home to me that a younger guy passing by would think the same thing about me.

While getting old comes with an abundance of issues (mostly health and memory related) there is an upside (who knew!). I can perform these errands at my leisure and avoid the crush of people when all the working stiffs get out of work. As my voyage of self-discovery continued, I realized I don’t even try to go to Home Depot on weekends any more and my obsession with the movies is addressed by weekday matinees. It turns out, between 10AM and 3PM, the seniors dominate the world. I could just be looking for an upside but what the hell, why not. Getting old is not all that bad and to once again quote my Cantankerous Friend – it certainly beats the alternative. I finished another puzzle, because, as a senior, I have the time for such mundane pleasures. Faux philosophy session ends.

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

Panama Invasion

That may be an unfortunate title, given past geopolitical indiscretions, but it accurately expresses what I’ve happily undergone since last Friday. The Panamanian Mafia met last week at the 4^th of July party and decided they missed some of their usual dishes and resolved to get together to prepare them together. They, as it inevitably happens with Panamanians, decided to turn it into a full blown Deckzilla Party on Saturday. My Favorite Panamanian volunteered to lead the effort and was ably assisted by the rest of the mafia. Their lead elements assembled on Friday night to prepare some of the dishes.

Wife with the Food Table and her Mounted Gown Behind Her

I sought sanctuary in the Man Cave as the decibel level rapidly rose in the kitchen as more and more arrived. I was summoned only to mount the grain mill to the counter so they could grind up some corn. I expected to be called upon to perform said grinding since this is usually my lone task in such events. I am trusted to turn the crank while the more enlightened Panamanian women feed the hopper. As I was watching the Red Sox in the cave, I heard the cranking start up and was not in the least bit upset that someone had taken over for me. I went upstairs to check on progress to find the Neighborhood Mafioso was ably manning the device.

Friday Night Prep

Mafioso Manning the Mill

Saturday morning was pre-party prep which my children will acknowledge turns their mother into a fairly strident taskmaster. It helps that she’s also fairly cute. I was charged with preparing Deckzilla which included a full washing and then assisting the CinC with decorations. This meant taking down the swing so there would be room for the food and dancing (because with Panamanians, there’s always dancing). In addition to the Panamanian flag, I assisted my wife in mounting her beautiful folklorico dancing gown as the centerpiece.

Deckzilla Prepped for Party

As the crowd started showing up, I was charging around arranging additional extension cords as several heating plates were deployed at the far end of Deckzilla. As the party was starting to crank up, I had to sit down because I felt uncomfortably tired. I self-diagnosed that I was dehydrated (part of the whole getting old scenario), so I downed a couple bottles of water before I continued with Coors Lite. This produced a remarkable turnaround. It was a very fun crowd with the mafia and the Czech Friends (at this point honorary Panamanians). I am under strict orders from the Czech Shadow to give her appropriate credit for most the photos that accompany this post.  

Gang Starts to Assemble Czech Friend with Mafia Husband

My Incredible Frail Deeds Photographer The Czech Shadow

I was "Required" to Wear this Hat
No one Mistook me for a Panamanian

Very Fun Crowd

Mafia husbands and a Syrian(c)

The food kept coming and I was impressed with the sheer amount that made its way to the Deckzilla tables. We needed more than a couple to handle the load which is testament to the ladies involved. This is a short list of most of what was presented: Empanada de maíz con carne, empanada de harina con carne, enyucado de carne, yuca frita, tasajo, hojaldre, chicharrón, almohabano, plátano a la tentación, chicha de piña, chicheme, pinolillo. Those of you who know me are probably pondering what I would end up eating as most, if not all, of that list is way too exotic for my simple tastes. The Czechs came to my rescue by showing up with a healthy plate of schnitzels, so my requirement for dead animal flesh was sated.

Some of the Food

The World Cup game was important to most of the guests (if not their host). I kept the game on in the kitchen and decided to root for England since all the ladies were enamored of some ponytailed Norwegian guy they were playing against. We checked in on this game as well as the follow on one involving Argentina which had most of the Panamanians rooting for their fellow Latinos. That game seemed to turn on a play where a Swiss guy obviously took a dive to try and draw a foul which is one of the reasons I don’t enjoy watching these games, with their almost WWE level of acting. At least they caught this guy and he was kicked out, crippling his team.

The Extra Hot Plates

Exotic Beverages As Well

Best Part Were the People

Star of the Show

With her Husband

The Panamanian Mafia

Honorary Panamanians

Mafia Husbands

All the Ladies

It was a great party with the usually festive Panamanians. Once the food was sent downrange, the dancing started up since we had a lot of excess consumption to work out. We added Ghana to crowd when my wife’s newest acolyte, the other next door neighbor’s daughter, wandered over. She was immediately sucked into the vortex of dancing. At one point a series of folklorico music came on and my Favorite Panamanian, an accomplished folklorico dancer, performed a series of dances to demonstrate she’s still got it. I got a little misty eyed watching her and remembering seeing her perform the same dance in the dress hanging on the wall over forty years ago. I was so touched that I sent the video (below) to her kids just after she finished.

Wife Starts the Dancing

Guys Did Get out There Eventually

We decided to spare the neighbors the continued loud music as the night wore on. This meant a game of left-right-center was bound to break out. I’d like to say that I was able to break my life-long losing streak in that benighted game but it was not to be. It didn’t help that the Czech Friend won and happily reported this was the third time she had won in the last couple years. Despite this debacle, nothing could take the shine off a very well spent Saturday night on Deckzilla with those incredible Panamanians, one of which I am lucky enough to be married to.

Ending with a Game of R-L-C

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