Partings

All good times eventually have to come to an end and that descended into my world yesterday when we had to relinquish the company of my daughter and son in law – the last vestiges of the remarkable Mother’s Day weekend.  They got to stay an extra day and have some fun with their mother while I had to go back to work and what is rapidly becoming drama central

I started work on the next big series of changes coming up which is always a fun exercise.  I must have a weird virus on my computer because swing music started up at various times of the day without being summoned.  The IT geeks will deploy on Thursday to fix it.

My Wife's New Mantra

I snuck out of work early to spend some extra time with the kids before we headed back but I found that they had headed out with their mom to do some shopping(????!!!!).  My wife is still giddy over her I-Pad and they went to acquire some bells and whistles to hang on it with some of the gift cards she received.

Buddy appreciated the alone time with me this afforded.  He demonstrated his joy with some projectile vomiting at my feet. He looked up at me with an apologetic expression.  I was impressed with the sheer mass he deposited and I informed him he was going to assist in the cleanup.  He took the big chunks while cleaned up the edges and pulled out the grass stems.  He probably shouldn’t have eaten grass shortly after the lawn treatment but we got it all cleaned up before my wife returned.  I think Buddy felt better after helping with the clean up and he had a full stomach once again.

The trip down through Connecticut was again too easy.  I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop and find myself permanently entombed in some major traffic jam that Connecticut specializes in.  We had one more dose of my daughter’s musical selections and noted my wife had fallen asleep when there was no reactionary dancing in her seat when Gloria Estefan came on.

Unloading at Train Station and Saying Goodbye

It was so tough to say goodbye to this tornado loving (inside joke) pair.  They certainly left their mark this weekend:  we know how to open our glass hatchback now, the time is right on our car, my computer works again, and most of all our hearts were recharged knowing we are blessed with these two people in our lives (well except for the diet talk).

Another Miracle on Ice

We got back home and I hesitantly turned on the TV to see how the Bruins were doing in their Game 7 match with Toronto.  My worst fears were realized when I found them trailing by two goals late in the game.  In the span of a few minutes I witnessed hockey history as the Bruins pulled their goalie, scored two goals to tie the game an then win it in overtime.  The Boston garden (I still call it that) was rocking and I really wish I could have been there to experience what I’m sure was a serious case of euphoria that is always better shared with like minded people.  This helped take a little edge off the depressingly empty house (except, of course, for a very spry Panamanian and gastro-challenged black lab). 

Bittersweet Mother’s Day

My Wife With All Three of Her Kids

For the first time in a couple years my wife had the gift that she cherishes most for Mother’s Day – both of her kids home for the day.  My son came home on Saturday night from the MEG’s graduation celebration so he could spend the entire day with his mother.

We were dogged all day by the unfolding drama down in my wife’s hometown surrounding the very serious health crisis of her father.  My wife spent a good deal of time on the phone over the weekend trying to keep up with events down there.  She tried to put a brave face on it but I know it was killing her not to be down there helping her mother, brothers and sisters deal with the situation.  Her father was finally hospitalized late yesterday and hopefully will pull through.

Shopping Opportunity

We did try to make the day special for my wife.  She normally gets breakfast in bed but this year opted for breakfast at the nearby Cracker Barrel.  Of course several hundred other mothers made the same choice so I was not confident about getting a table.  The wait was only twenty minutes though and this time allowed for her to shop in the attached store – (aha- method to the madness).

After a great breakfast amidst the packed restaurant we arrived at church ten minutes early.  I joked with my wife that the church rafters might collapse with surprise to see her arriving early for mass – she didn’t seem to appreciate the humor.  My daughter bravely went up at the end of service along with the small children to get a flower for her mother when my son failed to rise to the occasion.  This was dutifully reported to the MEG later in the day.

Opening Presents - Daughter and Son Reliving Past Roles

We returned home for my wife to open her presents which really should be a spectator sport.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who genuinely and openly expresses sheer joy at opening presents as much as my wife – it’s so much fun to give her things.  My son and I conspired to give her an I-Pad which totally blew her away.

The I-Pad Reaction

My Wife With Her Haul

While my wife got on the phone to Panama the rest of us stormed the kitchen to execute the very carefully choreographed dinner.  My wife knew she wouldn’t be allowed to cook on Mother’s Day but she left very little to chance and spelled out very specific instructions for the us.  My daughter took on the tasks that required talent while the boys and I peeled and sliced potatoes.

My Daughter and I Hard At Work

The Potato Squad

The MEG and her most excellent parents joined us shortly thereafter to celebrate the day with us.  The MEG presented my wife with an actual bound book of photos from her January visit to Panama.  I could tell my wife was really touched and was overcome with emotion when she saw pictures of her father. 

MEG With Her Book of Photos

MEG and Her Most Excellent Parents

The clouds parted which allowed some quality time out on the deck on a fantastic spring afternoon.  The bocce balls came out and my son in law dominated in his usual, understated way.  He somehow kicks your ass and makes you feel good about it. 

Time Out on the Deck

Celebrating Another Son in Law Win

I Wasn't As Active

Buddy enjoyed not being cooped up again and roamed the back yard with abandon around his two stints in solitary for counter climbing and an episode of selective deafness when he wandered too far afield. He and I got in a couple of wrestling matches as well. He also demonstrated his newest talent, casually knocking over beers and then enthusiastically assisting with the cleanup.

Buddy and I Wrestling

Buddy With His Prey

The best part of the afternoon for me was tossing a whiffleball around with my son.  I was definitely feeling it in my knee but the benefit certainly weighed the price.  He even yelled at me when I tried to run after a ball.  I’m guessing his mother had been talking with him.  This is going to be tough.

Enjoying the Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

The dinner and subsequent dessert sitting were outstanding.  The guys were even complimented on the potatoes.  I think I’m going to have to ban my son in law because of his championing his very effective diet which garnered the all too rapt attention of my wife.  Nothing however could detract from the joy of the day being surrounded by some of the greatest people in the world.

My son and the MEG detachment had to leave in the early evening and the house certainly felt diminished a bit.  Luckily my daughter and (now probationary) son in law more than filled up the vacuum.  My son in law spent a couple hours teaching my wife how to set up and operate her new I-Pad.  Judging from the delighted squeaks of amazement he was a complete success at this much safer activity.  In a couple of ours she was video chatting with one of her friends in Virginia which helped her more than anything dealing with the feelings of frustration about her father.

Son In Law I-Pad Instruction Sessions

The time she spent doing that allowed the rest of us to watch the weekly Game of Thrones episode together which was a real treat. This is the rare opportunity to see something together that we always talk about on the phone although I had to be careful because my son in law hasn’t read the books and I couldn’t reveal too much.  I had so much fun sharing this with them.

At the end of the day as I talked with my wife she seemed in a much better place.  She said she didn’t know how she could have gotten through the day without the loving support she received from everybody but most especially from her kids.  It sometimes takes a serious situation to realize how loved you really are.

Mother and Daughter - She More than Anything Got My Wife Through the Day

Most Excellent Graduation

Late with the blog today because it is Mother’s Day and my time is appropriately not my own. 

A lot of fun yesterday as we journeyed up to the granite state to attend the graduation ceremony for my son’s Most Excellent Girlfriend.  She had earned her MBA in the midst of the ten thousand other things she somehow accomplishes on an almost daily basis.  My daughter and son in law accompanied us as far as the MEG’s hometown where we joined our son and the MEG, as well as the MEG’s parents. 

Son in Law, Daughter, Son, and Wife Linking Up at Meg's House

Since tickets to the graduation were limited my daughter and her significant other took in a movie while the rest of us journeyed up to Manchester for the graduation ceremony.  This turned out to be a real win for them as they found a movie theater with fully reclining seats and enjoyed some alone time with each other.

In Our Seats With MEG's Parents

The graduation ceremony promised to be a long affair when I saw the thousands of seats lying in wait for the graduates.  We obtained some seats in the upper level directly overlooking the stage but this was still pretty far up.  I was steeling myself for a long time when the ceremony started with of all things – A BAGPIPE BAND!!!!!  Anyone who’s read this blog knows that this was a very big thing and pleasant surprise for me.

The Band!!!!!

The keynote speaker was Bob Ryan, an accomplished Boston sportswriter, who gave a very entertaining and down to earth speech.  The reading of the graduates names took as long as expected but I took a lot of pleasure watching the different groups of family and friends react when their graduate’s name was read.  After the ceremony we linked up with the MEG for pictures outside the arena and dodged a huge group of Saudis dancing to celebrate the graduation of some of their sons and daughters.  It was interesting to see how nervous this made the people watching.

The Graduates - Every One of Their Names Was Called

The MEG Proudly Showing Off her Prize

The MEG’s parents had dropped her graduation card on the walk to the arena so we kept an eye out for it on our way back.  Just short of the car we found it lying on the street.  Obviously someone had found it and opened it and when there was no money included rapidly discarded it.  The card was reunited with its envelope and properly conveyed to the MEG.

Son and MEG After the Ceremony

MEG Cat Suffering From My Son's Attentions

A quick journey back to the MEG’s hometown saw us reunited with my daughter and we enjoyed a quick snack while being entertained by a pair of very large cats.  My son has appointed himself as chief torturer of said felines with a favorite weapon being a laser pointer.

The Stonehedge Inn - Great Place

The MEG’s parent’s treated us all to a celebration dinner at a very exclusive restaurant – The Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. The waiter was very entertaining if a bit condescending.  He did provide tremendous service and the food was fantastic.  Everything paled to the excellence of the company as we enjoyed a truly fabulous time celebrating the MEG’s accomplishment.  It’s so cool to find great friends so late in life – the MEG’s parents seem like lifelong friends although we’ve known them for only a year.

Seated in the Stonehedge

Myself, Daughter, and Son in Law

With our reluctant parting we now faced the task of returning home a few hours later than we planned.  There was a certain black lab whose planned seven hour stay in the cage had been extended to 13 hours.  We hurried inside prepared for a disaster but found him calmly stretching from a long nap, more importantly in a completely dry cage.  I let him out to relieve what must have been some pretty severe pressure but he immediately noted the presence of my son and decided greeting him was more important.  I eventually convinced him that he probably should take care of nature’s call (Buddy not my son).  Such a great day.

My Beautiful Date and I

Policing Up Happiness

Yesterday was a long but ultimately rewarding day even though I had to spend three hours of it driving through my least favorite state, Connecticut.  Once again the reward for the drive was my favorite daughter and son in law.  However before that was accomplished we had a bit of excitement at work.

The State police K-9 unit periodically comes to our facility to train their beautiful dogs.  A huge state policeman showed up at my door yesterday morning and asked if they could do that.  They had four new dogs they were putting through the paces.  One of them looked a lot like Buddy, only with a pair of balls (both literally and figuratively).  I love being around dogs and spent the morning listening to them sniffing around outside my office.  For some reason they seemed to alert repeatedly on my door – it could have been the lunch I was zapping in the microwave.

The Dog Alerting on my Office Door

Shortly after lunch the fire department showed up for a fire alarm that went off at the new building across town.  Since we were the only address they had for our company they showed up here.  Simultaneously the Worcester city cops showed up looking for one of our employees.  He was also across town and they headed off behind the fireman.  We shortly received word that he had been arrested.  That started up a whirlwind of a rumor mill.  The lobby lawyers were loudly proclaiming that the K-9 unit had alerted on the arrested employee’s car and that lead to his arrest.  That was absurdly untrue but truth is not something lobby lawyers feel constrained by.  I spent the better part of an hour meeting with the union and cajoling said lobby lawyers, inflicting the truth on them.  It made for an entertaining interlude.

The real entertainment lay ahead though.  I got home in plenty of time to make the drive down to Connecticut to meet the train my daughter guesstimated she would make.  My wife was likewise putting the final touches on re-cleaning her already spotless house when I received a text message from my daughter saying they caught an earlier train and that meant we had to leave immediately.  Pandemonium ensued as my wife hurriedly cleaned herself up and got dressed (proving once again that she can do it) and we headed out on the road to New Haven.  The traffic was steady but I think Connecticut is trying to lure me into a false sense of security because we made it down to New Haven in record time and pulled into the station just as my daughter’s train was.

Eyes Filling Up

One of the true joys in my life is seeing these two excellent people emerge from the doors of the train station.  It’s always a breath catching moment and for a couple of seconds I have trouble focusing my eyes as their arrival seems to be consistently preceded by some sort of pollen that causes my eyes to start filling up.  We were shortly all mounted in the car headed for Zorba’s and some much needed pizza.  My daughter demonstrated some truly Herculean patience by waiting nearly an hour before seizing control of the radio.

A Very Happy Mom

Zorba’s was Zorba’s, which meant we had a fabulous time.  The gorgeous waitress that I worship from afar stopped by for just a quick hello so I got that fix for the week.  The time spent with my daughter and son in law was priceless.  There never seems to be enough time and that which we do have seems to speed up when they’re around.  We left Zorba’s in just enough time to make “last call” at Ronne’s for some outstanding ice cream and then returned home.

Zorba's!!!!

Return Fire - Some Very Happy People - My Wife and I

My daughter immediately launched into fixing whatever bugs seemed to be attacking my home computer that arrived with my wife’s novellas.  I was exhausted at the end of the day but the universe seemed a whole lot friendlier because of the company I was now keeping.  Today it gets even better. 

Storming the Home Front

It’s been so incredibly dry here for the last few weeks that we really needed some rain.  In typical New England fashion, Mother Nature tried to make up for that in a very compressed time period – much to the dismay of my favorite black lab – who’s terrified of thunder storms (amongst dozens of other things).

I started my new routine of early morning bike riding and it’s not that bad.  I’ve got a stationary bike set up in the basement and it allows me to read while exercising – never a bad thing.  Running always depended on the elements and finding time in my work day to get out. 

I Miss Doing This

One of the things I’ve missed about the military was the routine of morning physical training. For most of my military career the first thing I did in the morning (with a couple of hundred of my friends) was organized PT, before breakfast.  Part of the lifestyle of we do more before 9am than most people do all day(what were they thinking with that ad campaign).  So I guess this is a semi-silver lining from being banished from running.

The Roses

Yesterday was also about making amends for my boorish behavior of the night before, an early Mother’s Day double dose of roses helped.  I also volunteered to pick up some more dirt at Home Depot on my way home for the insatiable appetite of my wife’s gardens.

This is where old Mother Nature decided to make this even more painful (collusion?).  The dirt was located in an outdoor area so, of course, the deluge with accompanying lightning struck just as I pulled into the parking lot.  I parked my car conveniently close to the outdoor area to minimize exposure and headed for the dirt.

Approaching the Depot

That’s when I noticed Home Depot had wisely (for them) closed of the outside area due to the severe weather.  I hurried inside and waited for a break in the very tropical seeming rain (Panama sent?).  The rain slackened a little and I scurried out to acquire the dirt.  As I was hurriedly loading the cart my wife called to ask about appliance light bulbs.  I tried to be patient as I got steadily wetter (honest I did).  I then told her it probably wasn’t a good idea for me to be standing in a big puddle of an open space, holding a cell phone in the middle of a thunder storm.  She squawked and told me I was an idiot for letting her talk (I had a choice?) and ordered me under cover. 

After paying for the dirt (whatever happened to “dirt cheap” by the way?) I was now confronted with the long distance back to the car which while convenient to the closed outdoor area seemed to be in a different zip code from where I had to set out.  Loading muddy bags of dirt while standing in ankle deep water is a lot of fun but I was already soaked at that point so I just got it done.  It was like being back in the infantry (the part that I do not miss).

My Impending Trek Back to the Car - In the Distance Far Right
note the puddle the SUV is Driving Through

Arriving home Buddy had undergone his usual thunderstorm transformation into a puddle of quivering fear.  The cage was moved across the floor as he tried to burrow deeper into the corners to escape the storm – a true Pendejo.  Upstairs, the roses worked their usual magic and I even semi-volunteered to help my wife make homemade ice cream sandwiches.  She’s not allowed to work on Mother’s Day so she circumventing the prohibition by getting the work in early.  Who am I to argue – especially where the random spoonful of ice cream was not missed when her attention was elsewhere. 

The Ice Cream Sandwich Project
The Panamanian Chicken Looking On

We watched the Red Sox continue to implode.  Their early season success was based on strong pitching which seems to have deserted them recently.  They’re still an entertaining bunch to watch though, so unlike last year’s losers.

 

Speaking of losers, I forgot to unload the dirt from the back of the car last night so this morning’s drive into work was in a word – “fragrant”.   I am so looking forward to this weekend and getting to spend time with both of my kids and their significant others.  After the valleys of this past week that type of peak experience is welcome.

An Early Morning Guilty Pleasure - Bird Watching
This Morning A Large Dove Supervising a Cardinal and Small Yellow Bird

Kneedful Things

Wednesdays are fast becoming my favorite day of the week not just for getting over the hump of the work week.  This is the day I get to have lunch with a very stalwart son who works about 20 miles east of me.  Yesterday was no exception and I truly enjoyed the lunch as we conspired on how to make Mother’s Day special for his mom.

The Son Yesterday

That was the good part of the day.  I had to hurry back to Worcester for my appointment with the orthopedic doctor.  I injured my right knee back in 1992 when an overzealous young troop hit me too low during a game of combat soccer.  I had the meniscus trimmed in an operation at the time where they also discovered I tore the ACL.  I didn’t get that repaired until 2001 but it felt great after that – I even ran a marathon a year and a half later.  A couple weeks ago the right knee gave out on me a couple times and the left one felt like I was kneeling in broken glass.

I am very impressed with the professionalism and speed of the medical care I get at UMASS Memorial - just top notch.  I was whisked into the X-ray room upon arrival where I then had to perform some truly acrobatic poses for the X-rays wearing my two patient gowns (front and back).  I’m amazed at the progress of technology as the X-rays are now directly loaded onto the computer and sent to the doctor’s examining room. 

The New X-Ray System Showing my Knees

I just wish the news had been better when I got to that place.  Today the butcher’s bill came due.  Apparently all those years jumping out of airplanes and road marching with rucksacks were not conducive to knee health, who knew?  The doc reported that my right knee was bone on bone and drifting (yep – drifting).  That, combined with the attendant arthritis, was causing the discomfort and failure episodes.  He was even kind enough to demonstrate by manipulating my then pain free knee in a couple of weird positions until I literally yelled out in pain. 

I was kind of expecting some bad news but when he launched into telling me the steps I needed to take to push knee replacement surgery further down the road he had my undivided attention.  He offered options of steroid shots, gel injections, or leg strengthening exercises.  I, of course, took option #3 (which I’m sure was the point of the offer menu) as the pain is not constant or bad, yet.  The most devastating news was that I am no longer allowed to do my daily runs and must convert my exercise program to bike riding.  I’ve run regularly since joining the Army in 1978 and that news, more than anything else, shocked the hell out of me. 

The Offending Knee
Apparently the Ball Joint on the Right Should Have the Same Space Below it as That on the Left

I’ve come to really enjoy running and the contemplative solitude it offers.  To think that is permanently gone now and the piddling ass little run I took on Tuesday would be the last mile out of the tens of thousands I’ve journeyed left me feeling really down. 

The doctor also told me I shouldn’t dance anymore but I told him my marriage probably wouldn’t survive that injunction.  He told me that I should use extreme caution when I do dance (he doesn’t know my wife). 

So yesterday, despite the best efforts of my son, really sucked as a larger than expected portion of joy was excised out of my life.  I know it’s dumb but I feel diminished. I was surprised at the amount of angst this created.  I was in such a bad mood that I picked a fight with the wife when I got home and spent the evening watching an old movie and the Bruins win by myself.

Glad Someone Felt Like a Winner Last Night

Ironing Things Out

Yesterday saw another absolutely gorgeous spring day with temps in the low 80s.  Since it was so nice, I tried running for the second day in a row for the first time in a long time and got through it with no issues.  I’ve got an appointment with the orthopedic dude today so hopefully the knees are on the mend.

I received another parcel of movies from my latest Amazon browsing session.  I think I’m going to have to block that website to prevent temptation.  The mantle has been restocked with movies that I’ll have to figure out how to fit into the schedule.  Several are from way back in my youth including some horror movies so that schedule will not include my wife.  How do I recommend she watch some of her novellas upstairs without sounding like I’m trying to get rid of her?  Some finesse will be required (not my strong suit). 

My Out of Control Collection

My movie collection is truly out of control as it approaches 1000.  I guess at some point my life will slow down to the point I can actually go back and start watching some of them outside of when I first acquire them.  I’m not sure that would be a good thing or something I should look forward to (Busy = Good).

There was a good thing last night on date night and that was Ironman 3.  This was clearly the best movie of the three and that’s saying something since the first was excellent.  The director, Shane Black (former actor and member of Arnie’s gang from Predator but I digress), takes the story in a new direction.  While there are astonishing action scenes galore there’s a real attempt at exploring the personality and stress involved in being a superhero.  That may sound far fetched or just plain idiotic but somehow it works in this movie and that’s pretty amazing.  It works because Robert Downey Junior is just a simply remarkable actor.  I can’t think of another actor who could be supremely arrogant and still remain lovable but RDJ carries it off.  

Run, Do Not Walk to See this Movie

The size of my movie collection and my somewhat morbid fascination with all things cinematic will tell you that I’m kind of jaded in my film watching expectations.  It is so rare for a movie to really astonish me but I found my jaw actually dropping (no lie) and saying “Wow”.  This is a truly great movie.  As my favorite movie fanatic commented after seeing this movie, if this is an indication of what the summer blockbusters are going to be like – we’re in for a wild ride.  Again, wow!

The Hanging Pots Are Up - Another Sure Sign of Spring

Downhill Construction Continues