Granddaughter Bingo

BRS Mid-Bellow

I had a very funny interface with both of my granddaughters last night. Each night I have a FaceTime call with them, something that has become a true highlight of my day, especially since the house is so lonely to return to after work in my wife’s absence. She has been a lot busier than I on the social side and had missed out on a number of opportunities. She would always bemoan missing out but usually wasn’t available until both granddaughters were in slumber mode, which is of course sacrosanct for their parents, rightfully so.

FBR Domination of  some Pink Boots

Last night the FBR called in early and was ready to talk for the first time in a while. My daughter was a little challenged since she was trying to get dinner ready at the same time the Wi-Fi kept cutting out for our call. The FBR related her latest adventures while inspecting the damage on my face from the latest Mohs surgery. We were getting ready for another game of hide and seek where she takes off with the IPad and hides it. She then acts like she can’t remember where she put the device while my part consists of taunting her for that inability. It’s great fun for her at least.

Meanwhile - Somewhere in Central America

We were just getting warmed up when they noticed that my wife was trying to connect from Panama so I ceded the electronic spectral floor to my Favorite Panamanian. I then called my son who said he had literally just off the phone with his mother so there was a bit of granddaughter bingo going on. Luckily both sets of parents are supportive of grandparent need to connect with their daughters.

BRS Bonding with Riggins

The BRS was having some fun with her own parents as they tried to feed her. She was bellowing in full Viking mode again. It turns out that I speak fluent BRS because we engaged in a series of grunts back and forth which had me laughing uncontrollably. The BRS seems to have finally accepted me as worthy of recognition, something that has my wife concerned after the bond I formed with the FBR.

My social situation will improve this weekend as the Cantankerous One will be journeying south to experience First Friday with us and reacquaint himself with Worcester on Saturday. He attended Worcester Poli-Tech for a while back in the 1970s and hasn’t been back for a true visit since, so this could be fun. Soxfather and Great Aunt are also joining us Saturday night for a viewing of Bohemian Rhapsody so, in the edited words of General Maximus Decimus Meridius, “I shall be entertained!”.

Tuesday night I wasn’t so fortunate as I went to see Isn’t it Romantic. I’m a huge fan of Rebel Wilson so I was surprised she wasn’t more effective in the lead role. I got the impression she was prevented from making her trademark side comments which I’m sure are adlibbed. She plays an underappreciated NYC architect who hates room-com movies only to find herself transported into one after a head injury. She spends way too much time fighting against the scenario which became frustrating. There were some very clever images, such as birds flying in heart shaped formations, inserted by the filmmakers as they tried to transform NYC into a rom-com fantasy environment. That transformation was the funniest part of the movie but wasn’t mined as well as it could have been. So a surprising disappointment for the hilarious Ms. Wilson who may be a better counter-puncher from a supporting role than being called upon to carry an entire movie.

Wife and Sisters Visiting a Favorite Ailing Uncle

More Pics from her Costa Rica Adventure

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; 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; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Treinte y Siete

So, today’s the day annually I celebrate my very good fortune a few decades ago when a young Panamanian gal with amazing brown eyes took a chance on a lumbering gringo. As of today we’ve been married for 37 years. She agreed to marry me three days after we’d met and I’m sure just about everybody on both sides of the family were sure that it wouldn’t last. I guess I’m a bit of a contrarian because we’ve proved them all wrong.

Most if not all of the credit goes to the owner of those flashing eyes. I haven’t always been the best partner but she never gave up on me or more importantly on us. It takes a marriage to endure as long as ours have to fully appreciate the sense of completion that is possible to find in another person. I haven’t always been right about some of my decisions in life but this one, the most important, I absolutely nailed.

She is still the spice in my life which these winter absences make me understand fully. While most people my age are seeking the nearest couch she still drags me out to dancing and is always on the cusp of planning the next get together or party. I love that she doesn’t allow me to be complacent because I’m always trying to find ways to make her as happy as she’s made me.

She has a boundless well of love and compassion. A few years ago when she retired from work she immediately began delivering meals on wheels to the elderly and was a customer favorite in record time. You will be her friend if she spend five minutes talking with you, so be warned. She is the glue that holds both sides of our family together but she’s also got a core of solid iron. She would brook nothing in life that would harm one of her children or grandchildren. Despite her small stature she can be a formidable presence.

I’m a very lucky gringo. Happy anniversary mujercita!

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; 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; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Vista Fail

Wife and Fam with Winning View

My wife and I compared notes this morning on our respective views – or “Vistas”. My Favorite Panamanian won in a runaway decision. She, her sister, and a collection of cousins are up in Costa Rica for the weekend and the stunning beach views she provided defeated mine ruthlessly. Mine were composed of the ten inches of snow that fell overnight as Winter finally remembered to provide New England with a real snow storm.

My Losing View - Deckzilla This Morning

My wife kept apologizing for the contrasting weather situations but I told her at least one of us was enjoying themselves which was better than none. I did kind of sneakily enjoy finally getting the machine out to throw some significant snow around since it’s been a paltry winter so far. I did appreciate the decision they all made down in Costa Rica to make sure I was with them next year when they hope to repeat the trip. I didn’t enjoy the snow blowing that much.

More from Costa Rica

Yesterday definitely qualified as a recovery day from having way too much fun on Saturday up in my home town with my all too excellent high school friends. I snuck out of Keene early because of the pre-work week laundry list of chores awaiting me – including laundry. I’ve got it pretty much down to a drill now and have even keyed into when the grocery store puts out the fresh fried chicken. I was so far ahead of the game that  I snuck out for a movie before the snow started to fall and then deployed the jigsaw puzzle table in the Man Cave for the first time in a very long time. Does this mean that life is finally slowing down for me? Hope doth spring eternal.

In the granddaughter report my daughter, back from Texas, is dealing with a mini-version of herself in the strong willed FBR. During the FBR’s recent illness she was allowed to watch television much more than usual. She’s completely fine now but tried to cajole her mother into allowing an afternoon camped in front of the TV. When that failed she staged a mini-strike which I caught the middle of when I called. I couldn’t help but laugh because this is exactly the same type of behavior our daughter had engaged in when she didn’t get her way as a three year old. Karma. The BRS on the other hand was in full motor status. My son now has the cold but the BRS was keeping him busy as she moved ceaselessly. She also took exception when her dad focused on the phone call instead of paying an appropriate level of attention to her. I’m going to hazard a guess here that both of these young ladies are going to be strong willed so – win.

The movie I went to see was Happy Death Day 2U, a follow up to the surprisingly good first movie. I was once again more than pleasantly surprised at how good this second effort was and most, if not all, of the credit goes to Jessica Rothe, the lead actress. Although the concept was virtually the same – Groundhog Day meets Jason Vorhees – the writers took the plot in a slightly different direction which sustained the quirky fun level of the first. As strange as it may seem with the heroine dying multiple times this is really more of a comedy. Again this is a tribute to Miss Rothe who is funny, sexy, smart, and totally engaging as she carried the entire movie effortlessly. I’m guessing we’re going to be hearing a lot more from this talented young lady.  

Celebrating the Win

Crazy Sister Stole the phone

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; 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; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Home Cooked

A Selfie Yesterday with my All Too Excellent Crew

I received the relief from the incipient loneliness with the sure fire cure that always presents itself whenever I get the chance to return to my home town and hang out with high school classmates. After cleaning up from a morning snow storm I headed north to Keene in the mid-afternoon and shortly thereafter found myself safely seated at Scores which has become the go to place for these type gatherings. Keene Friend and I were shortly joined by the Cantankerous Friend and, after his weekly Penuche’s reconnaissance mission, my Kindergarten Buddy.

FBR With her Newest Friend

We settled in for a session of memory gleaning and catching up which has the aforementioned almost medicinal effect. I made the tactical error of changing from my usual light beer to the weekly beer special which was tasty but a lot more potent than my usual fare. Later in the day Keene Friend 2 fit in an appearance with us between high school hockey games. The crew was completed in the later afternoon with the arrival of the Connecticut River Sea Captain who gave us the epic river cruise when my mother in law visited last summer.

New Jersey Snow Play

I sent him a text telling him we had gathered and his answer was a terse – “15 minutes”. The potent beer kept the party rolling although that was more attributable to the excellence of the company. It was a perfect sized group that was small enough that everyone could take part in the conversation. In the night’s most stunning development the Cantankerous Friend admitted he might have a sarcastic sense of humor. Once we all picked ourselves off the floor from the sheer shock of this revelation the evening continued.

My Granddaughter - The Fashionista

The potency of the beer finally reached a point where a retreat to Keene Friend’s house was in order. Thankfully he volunteered to drive because I was in no shape to accomplish that task. Cantankerous Friend joined us there for some Athens Pizza. The after effects of the powerful beer meant I had to relearn the importance of waiting for freshly delivered pizza to cool down before eating it. I awoke this morning to a very tender mouth roof.

The FBR was back in stride down in New Jersey and having some fun with the residue of the same storm I spent the morning cleaning up from. I think she had more fun with it than I did. So we both had a very good day yesterday. I count the re-establishment of the friendships with my high school classmates as the best unexpected benefit of my retirement back to New England following my time in the Army. It turns out I graduated with some of the finest people I’ve ever encountered in my worldwide wandering.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                            

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; 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; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues

Stepping Out

The New Walker With her Best Buddy

I received some big news during my nightly call to the New Hampshire contingent. The BRS has taken her first steps! She seemed fairly nonplussed with her accomplishment as she utilized her new found mobility to approach and try to stick her fingers into electrical plugs. My Favorite Son did an admirable job of blocking the plugs while simultaneously holding onto his phone. The BRS realized his predicament, moved to another nearby plug and when blocked there began moving back and forth waiting for a breach to occur. She is nothing if not determined.

She's Also Artistic

My daughter has winged off to Texas with her FBR donated cold. The FBR herself seemed fully recovered although she tried to deny it during our call last night. She could not avoid the evidence that she was back to full, frenetic energy levels. Wingman was in the process of being buried on the couch as she transferred toys from her many caches and piled them on top of him. This was in preparation for some sort of party, the origins of which seemed somewhat murky. He sent along this video which proves dancing has returned to New Jersey.

My Favorite Panamanian reported in from the beach where she’s spent the entire week with a high school friend. Last night was their last night as they return to David today in preparation for the annual Carnivale which kicks off this last weekend before Lent. As I look back on what I’ve just written I’m the only one in the family with nothing to report which makes me the family’s Mr. Mundane for the day. I hope to fix that with a thunder run up to my hometown tomorrow to lock philosophical horns with the Cantankerous One, decidedly unmundane.

That is All

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; 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; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues