Frail Deeds Dancing

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Evictions and Moaning

Today is an important date in the history of our republic as the House takes up an impeachment vote against the fomenter in chief. Trump’s apologists are reduced in ranks because of the heinous nature of his insurrection but there are still an obstinate few who fear electoral backlash if they don’t back Trump. These people are in serious need of backbone replacement surgery. I would think the opportunists amongst them would at least think a convicted Trump would remove him from the presidential contest in 2024 and leave them an opening. That would require strategic thinking which most of them are incapable of. Some news organization ran televised comments from the 2016 primary from some of Trump’s now biggest supporters – Cruz, Graham, etc., etc. It was hilarious because the comments were scathing and history has shown them to be remarkably accurate on how Trump conducted business. Politics is indeed a dirty business.

While the upcoming eviction at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave has most of our attention, there was also a notable expulsion up in New Hampshire recently. The ABFA and my Favorite Son were evicted form their bedroom by none other than BR3. I’ve written before about the sleep issues that arose (purposeful choice of words there) recently. BR3 still sleeps in the master bedroom because the planned move to her own room was delayed by the ongoing renovation. With her parents at their last vestige of reliable consciousness they decided they would move to the guest room and leave the master bedroom to BR3. Apparently, she’s been waking up in the middle of night repeatedly and sees her parents nearby as an opportunity. My son reports a couple nights of almost blissful sleep since the move. BR3 is also repeating back her abuela’s sing song melody from our last visit. I think it sounds more like a moan but I am not known for my musical acumen. The Day Care teacher told my son that BR3 was making a weird moaning sound and rocking back and forth – the power of the grandparent manifested!

Daughter and FBR Snapped a Selfie
To Capture the Rare Pee Wee Lap Time for FBR

FBR Reading to her Class

The FBR has had a rough week. She followed up a contentious Monday with a failure to improve Tuesday. That generated some written apology notes to her offended friends and a hope for an improvement today. I’ve mentioned before that since learning how to snap screen shots during our Facetime calls, the FBR has become sneakily proficient at this. My daughter sent this photo which she said represents only one of the “millions” of photos of us she found on her iPad. She may have been exaggerating. I hope.

Wife and I as Captured by FBR During FaceTime Call

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; 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; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; 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^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; 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; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn

Monday, January 11, 2021

Monday, Monday, Can’t Trust That Day

This past weekend saw the final acts of the 2020 holiday season come crashing down. That meant the collection of the vast outdoor decorations my Favorite Panamanian directed be installed. It was appropriately cold and desolate, to match the mood. Harken though, only 348 days til Christmas 2021, thanks to my new, handy, dandy desk calendar. The electrical cords were particularly uncooperative due to their frozen state. I assembled the entire pile near the bulkhead before evacuating it all down to the basement. Here’s where this year is different. My wife is usually basking in the tropical heat of Panama by this time but the pandemic will not allow that. She has always complained about my method of storing the decorations and she might have a point. I’ve always filled the available boxes regardless of organization and plan to figure it out next Christmas. This always leads to a stern lecture by my Favorite Panamanian about my failings in the packing effort. As I write it, it does sound like a very flawed technique.

Screen Shot from This Morning's Contest

At any rate she donned a warm coat and descended to the basement to impose order upon the chaos. I did my part by accidently knocking one decorative statue over and breaking it. Fortunately, for my health, super glue was able to restore the subsequent damage. By the end of the day everything was in an appropriate box and I was allowed to stack everything for the next eleven months. 2021 is already looking up, I won’t get my annual lecture next Christmas season when we unpack everything again! Of course, I have complete confidence there will be other transgressions I commit that will require spousal counseling.

The Pile Awaiting Storage

I didn’t do my annual roll up of the movies from the past year. There is a very good reason for that – I haven’t seen enough. That, in and of itself, is a startling statement. I haven’t been in a movie theater since last March. That’s a record for futility dating back at least sixty years and includes several very long military deployments. I always found a way to see movies. I have seen some movies at home (dozens actually) but most were from prior years. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what’s happening in Tennet and I figure the upcoming third watch will help with that.

The Final Destination

The FBR was in a particularly Monday kind of mood this morning. She called me during breakfast and then immediately turned around like she wasn’t going to talk to me. So, I hung up. This apparently shocked her thoroughly (it was a very un-grandfatherly kind of thing to do) and when she called back Wingman related that she had been in a mood all morning. I then explained to her that this was completely normal when confronted with a Monday morning. We were soon laughing together as fruit loops met their demise on her end. She invented a new game where I would try to take a screen shot of her with her eyes open. She conversely tried to keep them closed. The results are posted here. Some Mondays aren’t so bad.

She Won This Round

In addition to my morning granddaughter chat, the House of Representatives presented an impeachment charge against our soon to be treasonous ex-president today.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Weekender

I have discovered an important fact about myself and the aging process. This was discovered through an appropriate level of artistic and medical inquiry. Apparently, at my advanced age, three sequential Happy Hours are my limit. This past First Friday I participated in three virtual happy hours in a row starting with a work one, followed by the family Facetime, and ending with one with my Favorite Panamanian’s family. They were all a lot of fun as I got to break in my brand new First Friday glass – a gift from my daughter’s family.

The Sleep Queen - BR3

New First Friday Glass

It was a certainly a week where most of America needed a good stiff drink after the Wednesday foolishness of the Trumpuster’s legions. It’s been kind of fun to watch the news as the most public of the idiots are tracked down and arrested. They seem a lot less arrogant on their booking photos than they did on Wednesday. These bozos should do serious jail time for their part in desecrating our Capitol. I could care less (not really) about the idiots that work there but that building is a symbol of what it is to be an American (Norte Americano for my Latino friends).

BRS Sporting a New Doo Courtesy of her Dad

Luckily the NFL provided a prefect recovery zone on Saturday with three playoff games and I explored the efficacy of seeing the first game through closed eyelids. To be perfectly honest – not very effective, but an excellent method to re-charge expended batteries. Speaking of expended batteries, my Favorite Son and the ABFA are going through a phase all parents endure. They were even more in need of sleep than I was because BR3 has decided to abandon her heretofore very successful nocturnal sleep patterns. On Saturday she even refused to nap, both of her parents looked like I felt which was not a good thing. Of course, BR3 still wields her dazzling smile and radiant personality which mitigates any ill will generated by her wakefulness.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

Friday, January 8, 2021

Moving On

I’m still incensed by the actions of Trump and his allies leading to the insurrection on Wednesday. It would seem some form of reality is finally seeping into the president’s head as he belatedly conceded this morning that he lost the election. This means he has been knowingly and effectively lying to his supporters since November. Those of us outside that group have realized that since the beginning and I hope some of those supporters appreciate they’ve been taken advantage of again and hopefully are not some of those who donated money which was nothing less than a cash grab by Trump. I fervently hope he is fully investigated for where those millions of dollars from duped supporters end up. Today he also pledged an orderly transfer of power (2 months late) and that he would not attend the inauguration, so win, win.

BR3 Celebrating her Work

The Artiste at Work

Hope springs eternal and I have no less than three virtual happy hours scheduled for today. This has been a week calling for a beer or three and it just so happens to be the First Friday of the Week! I completed the latest puzzle using my new puzzle table (who even knew that was a thing!). Out of the six puzzles I received for Christmas there as no doubt which one was going down first. I’m now trying to figure out how to glue it together so I’ll have an FBR poster. Santa surprised the FBR with a last item from her Christmas list finally arriving yesterday. It’s a pixie drone that actually flies so the cat could be in trouble.

The Latest Puzzle

FBR Celebrating her Newest Drone with Wingman

We also heard from my Favorite Son and his gang. BR3 now responds to my Favorite Panamanian when she starts singing, repeating the sequence back. BR3 is also embarking on her artistic career which has been limited to foot painting until yesterday, so, a breakthrough! We noticed the FBR and BR3’s eyes are almost identical. Cousins! Today is also the birthday of my Namesake Nephew who unfortunately I will not be able to down some cerveza with, another reason to damn the pandemic. On the upside we have committed to righting this wrong as soon as inoculations permit. I’m so proud of the man he has grown into being as a cracker jack mechanic, owning his own home, and understanding the importance of family. Love you nephew!!

Birthday Boy!

Wife Snapped this Pic Yesterday
Scandalized the Neighbors would see my Pandemic Outfit
My Trek to Become a Fashion Icon Continues
Who said you Can't match Plaids?!

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

Thursday, January 7, 2021

National Disgrace Day

I hate to be predictable but I think everyone knows where I’ll be going today. What happened yesterday at the US Capitol was a national disgrace. It can laid directly at the feet of the narcissistic scumbag who has occupied the White House for the past four years. This is the type of action you only see in third world countries without the rule of law. In fact, I received messages from friends in some of those countries who were even more dismayed (if that is even possible) than I was in what was being broadcast all over the world. I know it sounds pretentious but despite all our misadventures most of the rest of the world still looks upon us as a beacon. I also have to believe that Vladimir Putin was chuckling in glee at what he was seeing as this might have been his plan in action.

I have a deep abiding love of this country. I proudly raise my US flag each morning. I served this country for twenty-seven years in uniform and I believe in its future. The acts of Trump’s supporters and Trump himself were treasonous. He organized the demonstration and then encouraged them to march on the Capitol, claiming he would be with them. Like most cowards though, he nestled into his safe haven to watch the havoc he incited transpire. His hair melting lawyer Giuliani and Trump junior should be charged with sedition for their words at the rally yesterday. Trump delayed responding to the insurrection until his aides could pound into his head of the dangers he had fomented.

There is serious talk now about invoking the 25^th amendment to remove Trump from power before he can cause even more damage in his remaining two weeks. I know there are some very good people, people I consider friends, who have supported this demonic entity. I ask you to look into your souls after the events of yesterday. Trump is ever the provocateur which is fine when you’re a second-rate reality TV star. It is dangerous when you’re the president. Look into your soul, can you still support this creature? This was an assault on the very foundation of our way of life, provoked by the ego of a man who cannot accept he lost an election. There is also a very good chance he is, in the worst case, taking direction, in the best case, at least suggestions, from a hostile foreign power. Look into your soul and move on from this insanity. You can still support his concepts but Trump himself is irredeemable.

I’ve gladly proclaimed myself a conservative which my time in the military only deepened. That happens when you see some of the harsh realities that exist outside the haven of our borders. This is a time for the country to come together and to put the nightmare of Trump behind us. We are always at our best when we are challenged. I was heartened to see Congress convene into the wee hours of this morning to complete their interrupted work of confirming Biden’s election. Listen, I know our system is flawed and open for severe improvement, but look around, look at the alternatives. Don’t give into hate, believe in our country, and show this psychotic clown the door. His day is past, we are better than this.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Larcenous Coalition Exposed

As they say in some bad movies, “The mystery, she is a solved!”. I wrote yesterday about the enigmatic disappearance of one of my bird feeders. I was appointed lead investigator by none other than the FBR, complete with authorization to use a magnifying glass and binoculars (they learn different things from Disney these days). I eventually located the downed bird feeder. It had been dragged nearly the entire length of Deckzilla and was completely emptied. It looks like it was knocked down by squirrels but then dragged to other end of the deck by the rabbits that live under it. The squirrels would have just left it where it ha fallen but the location I found it was right where I’ve seen the rabbits emerging from. I’m not sure how this unholy collation of pests evolved.

Super-sleuth Granddaughter making Exotic Soaps

Some of her Soaps

This was one of the leading theories proposed by the FBR. She said the rabbits and squirrels might have gotten together to abscond with my feeder. She forwarded this theory based on the fact I like to scare the squirrels away and they must have sought out an alliance with the rabbits. She admonished me to be nicer to the squirrels. She was exceedingly pleased to hear the results of our investigation. I didn’t promise to be nicer mostly because I was laughing too hard.

Crime Scene Photo of Where I found the Feeder

Things are getting more exotic at my physical therapy sessions. Today I was standing on one leg while throwing a ball into a trampoline and then catching it. There was also a session where I had to bounce on another, very large ball while maintaining balance and raising my arms repeatedly. Weird stuff but I can tell the difference she is making, especially with my bad knee which she says lays at the base of some of my problems. In a sad note the Christmas tree departed the realm (or at least our living room) in yet another sign that the Christmas holidays are drawing to a close. 353 days until Christmas 2021.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Mystery Girl

I had a really fun interaction with the FBR this morning over our breakfast FaceTime call. While we were talking I noticed that one of my bird feeders was missing. I went out onto Deckzilla and it was not where it would be if it had simply fallen. The FBR then appointed me with special investigatory powers after I declared it to be a profound mystery. She’s been watching a Disney program where a young gal investigates mysteries. She empowered me to use a magnifying glass in my search. We then went through a variety of possible scenarios to determine the investigation’s scope and direction. Her theory was the benighted squirrels who haunt the bird feeder carried it back into the wood line to protect it from the rain. More to follow as I look into this mystery.

My Detective Adviser

I’ve started putting some of my Christmas gifts to use. Love the daily calendar which shows how many days we have left until Christmas 2021 (it’s 354 today). I also employed my new swim goggles which are disturbingly clear underwater. I say troubling because my fellow swimmers are all fellow senior citizens and well, some sights are better left fuzzy. I also started a new puzzle on a special table my Favorite Son gave me. It has drawers to separate the pieces out into groups, I love it, despite how much of a geek it makes me look like.

The New Table

As I said above, now that I am free of holiday isolation protocols, I was back in the pool yesterday. It was not a pretty thing and I’m not talking just about my underwater views. It’s been three weeks and I thought I could pick up right where I left off but my body reminded me this was not the case. I got through the workout but struggled to keep my eyes open for the rest of the day. Apparently serial Christmas cookie eating is not conducive to a healthy body, who knew? First thing yesterday morning I was back at the physical therapist who ramped up my workout there, so I was facing that additional to the swimming. She had me walking backwards on a treadmill and I now have an daily workout of squats and half squats to add to the deadlifts. I can already tell she’s making a difference and I can now Kegel on command, so I’ve got that going for me.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS

RECURRING CHARACTERS

BR3 - Granddaughter #3; 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; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (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 the real thing; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latin 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; 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