And Then Some

I haven’t been able to write on Frail Deeds lately because the annual Grampa-Abuela Summer Camp for the granddaughters is in full swing. I only have time now because it’s raining outside and the girls are conducting some sort of make-believe fashion show exercise involving a queen and two princesses (the granddaughters) assisted by their “stylist” (my Favorite Panamanian). It’s been a fun filled, if exhausting, camp so far and last night included a moment I’ll cherish forever. Before we get to that, I plan on making up for lost time away from prose by trying to capture what’s transpired so far. Luckily there’ll be a lot of photos to compensate for my limitations as a scribe.

My Water Bugs at Canobie Lake Water Park

My daughter, Wingman, and the FBR arrived Friday evening to begin the celebration. We planned a “welcome to the lunacy” party for Saturday on Deckzilla. The ABFA’s parents and the Keene Friend joined us as well to welcome my son, the ABFA, the BRS, and BR3. Great Aunt and the Cantankerous Friend were invited to come but she contracted Covid for seemingly the 27^th time and he was out cavorting on his bike for extended distances. We had a perfect day for the party and it was soul gratifying to have this bunch all together again. It’s the first time since Christmas. We were thinking about doing our annual family fantasy football draft but we have to find one more player since Great Aunt has bailed on us. The draft wasn’t missed because there was too much fun going on.

The House is Full

The FBR is Taller Again!

Abuela's Shoes Seized Agin

Wingman and Daughter

Saturday Party Time

I got to wear my garish new Army veteran shirt for the first time. I received it free from some internet company trying to interest me in a bunch of veteran themed clothing and other paraphernalia. The granddaughters also received their summer camp t-shirts from their abuela who labored for several days to create them. She endeavored to follow a Pinterest suggestion of having the girls create some art and then using saran wrap and an iron to fasten them to the shirts. The Neighborhood Mafioso was also having a party across the street for their granddaughter’s 21^st birthday, so my wife and I took turns sneaking away from our party to briefly celebrate with them

Keene Freind and my Tacky Shirt

Camp T-Shirts

Sibling Rivalry

Celebrated Both Recent Anniversaries

With Bonecrusher and FBR Photobomb

Ice Cream Cake

After the kids went down Saturday night, we had another one of those nights sitting around the table with family that cannot be underestimated when it comes to sheer joy. Wingman was up to his old tricks of exposing us to new games and the night slid away much too quickly. The girls were up early on Sunday morning and have lost nothing off their trademark “Let’s Avalanche on top of Grampa and Abuela to wake them up” move. In fact, since they’re all growing at an exponential rate, if anything, the move is more effective with their increased weight.

Sunday Mass, BR3 Got to Carry Holy Book Again

Sunday Breakfast

Front Yard Tree Infested

With Granddaughters

BR3 Hanging Out

Riggins Got Some Extra Attention

One Very Lucky Grampa

Once the parents departed for home, the granddaughters had us at their complete mercy. We responded by setting out for a friend’s pool, one of the only proven techniques to quell their insanity as they are all water bugs. They are the only individuals capable of getting me (and my tropically tainted blood) into a New England pool. The Czech Friends were there and we teamed up to help teach the FBR how to dive. She finally accomplished one to the general acclaim of all gathered. As usual, the BRS was immune to the cold water as the temperatures dipped a little bit. She must have Eskimo blood somewhere in her gene pool.

BR3b Jump into the Pool

Czech Assisted Diving Lessons

Success!

Wife with Our Fabulous Host

BR3 with Rare Chill Moment

FBR and BRS Floating

I made the tactical error of driving by a well-remembered (by the grandkids) playground on our way home. We ended Sunday with an extended stay at that location as they all demonstrated a remarkable level of upper body strength and balance (not sure where they get that from). Despite this increase in ability, they all insisted their grandfather was required to push them for extended time on the swings (their grandpa did not mind it in the least). They were appropriately exhausted at the end of the day and only put up token resistance at bedtime.

Playground Time

FBR

BRS

Obstacle Course

BR3

That was good thing, because Monday saw one of the big events of the camp – a trip to Canobie Lake Park. That turned out even better than I hoped. The last time I was there I accompanied my own kids when they were about the same age as their kids are now. I was astonished to see how much bigger the park is now. The parking lot is now the size of what the entire park used to be. The kids were in seventh heaven as soon as we walked in. There were height requirements for a lot of the rides which left BR3 off a bunch of them but the FBR and BRS were both in the zone, which meant I had to accompany them (not that I minded). One ride we could all ride involved a plunge down a huge incline into a pool that left everyone soaked. That became a theme for the day. Amazingly, my Favorite Panamanian, who professes to be allergic to all roller coaster type rides, joined us. She and I traded off for the day when the older girls had a ride BR3 couldn’t measure up for, we sought out one of the plentiful opportunities for the shorter one. She proved adept at mini-bumper cars, which is not a surprise given her proven chaos abilities.

Arriving at Canobie

The Wet Ride

Last Time They Were Dry

Abuela and BR3 on Kiddie Ride

Chaos Agent at the Wheel

You Gotta do the Merry Go Round

BR3 and I

FBR and BRS Hanging Out

Quick Break for Lunch

BR3 Back Behind the Wheel

The lines for the rides weren’t too bad, except for the traditional roller coaster. The scariest ride we went on involved a roller coaster with a completely vertical lead up to the inevitable fall, straight down, then a loop, and some twists that had us traveling completely upside down. I was trying to put on a brave face for the kids, but they didn’t need it. They were in their element and loved the excitement. I’m glad they inherited something from me. The BRS was especially courageous, as was her sister. I thought BR3 would be terrified on a certain ride we were on together when it started to twist and turn, but when I looked over she was giggling in delight.

Picture of Us on that Vertical Drop

Late in the afternoon, we transitioned to the water park side. My water bugs were certainly in their element. The FBR and BRS immediately launched onto the lazy river and disappeared around the corner. BR3 was a little reticent until her sister and cousin re-appeared and lovingly loaded her onto an inner tube and escorted her for a couple trips around the loop. The BRS was especially caring for her sister, which was nice to see. Both the FBR and BRS demonstrated an incredible improvement in their swimming. We were eventually timed out as they started to close the water park section. The FBR and BRS were so enamored of that early ride that created the huge splash, that they asked to stay in their bathing suits and hit it again. When we arrived there, we found no line and the two granddaughters ended up going through the ride four additional times. The two completely soaked participants eventually agreed it was time to leave. They first elicited a promise to return to Canobie Lake Park next year.

Girls in the Lazy River

Escorting BR3

Headed Back for the Splash Ride

In the Front Row

Can We Go Again?!

Back in The Front Row

Splash Down

Yesterday saw us journeying south to Rhode Island to spend the day in the pool of our good friends there. They had a passel of their own grandkids visiting so it was a very fun day. They also had a trampoline which saw some interesting gymnastic gyrations from our bunch. They had so much fun with each other that I successfully avoided being summoned into the pool until it was too late in the day. I considered this a minor win. A major win was the huge ice cream send-off our fantastic hosts inflicted on us.

R.I. Pool Time

Using Grandpa to Dry Off

Ice Cream Time

We had to leave early to get back to Worcester in time to get to our next event, a WooSox game. We originally planned on going to the game on Friday which comes with fireworks, but that game was sold out (no five seats together available). So, we shifted to Tuesday and this is where the aforementioned cherished moment took place. After we found our seats, before the game started, I was in hot pursuit of the three granddaughters who were off in search of dippin dots ice cream when a nice young lady stopped me. She worked PR for the WooSox and said she noticed that I was a veteran because of the hat I was wearing. She said she could walk along with me as I continued my pursuit. She said the WooSox always recognized a veteran after the 4^th inning and asked if I would participate. I asked if the granddaughters could accompany me and she quickly agreed to it.

Great Seats

FBR Commandeered my Sweatshirt

Watching 4th Inning From Dugout

Great View

She asked a bunch of questions about my time in the military and then told me to meet her after the third inning. The girls, especially the FBR, were excited about the opportunity to walk out onto the field and kept a close watch on the game, asking me after each out if it was the end of the third yet. We eventually got there and walked up the spot. When the young lady wasn’t there, the FBR asked me if I thought it was a scam, and they had only been kidding me. Luckily the gal showed up before I came up with an appropriate response. She escorted us down to field level where we got to watch the 4^th inning right next to the home dugout.

Walking onto the Field

On the Huge Scoreboard

Struggling to Control Emotions

The time came and we were escorted onto the field and told to turn around, face a camera, and wave. I was expecting a tepid response and a quick exit so the game could continue. As the announcer introduced us, I was thoroughly stunned when the crowd delivered a massive standing ovation. I think how cute the granddaughters were was part of it but I know Massachusetts, despite its left leaning politics, is sneakily very patriotic. I actually choked up as the recipient of this attention and proud my granddaughters were there to experience it with me. I think I earned some cool points with them. They were all born well after my military service ended and have never seen me in uniform. I don’t like to make a big deal about my military service and I know the applause was aimed at all veterans, but I was the lucky one on the receiving end last night. I felt incredibly honored and was very moved.

Rewarded with Cotton Candy

Tackling Woofster

Getting Baseball Autographed

And High Fives

While we were away, my Favorite Panamanian fielded a foul ball as a souvenir which impressed the granddaughters even more than my ceremony. They swarmed the WooSox mascot when he ventured too close and got him to sign the baseball. I promised to get a case for it and permanently store it in their room at our house. BR3 is becoming justifiably famous for her one-liners. She demonstrated that again late in the game. She had crawled into my lap to watch the final couple of innings. During a break in the action, she loudly proclaimed, “You know grandpa, I really should be in bed by now”. The entire crowd around us erupted in laughter. BR3 reveled in her newly acquired notoriety. She rewarded herself by being carried to the car. I was volunteered to do the carrying. A fantastic night I’ll remember forever, especially since I got to share with my wife and three granddaughters.

FBR Trying to Keep Legs Warm as we Walked Out

Two movies fell in the A-Z watch (see above – been busy), both keepers: Say Anything – Gen X super rom-com, gotta love the boom box; Scarface – bad at times but almost hypnotically evil  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Thunder Prep

I’m about to descend into the two week long, end of summer madness that surrounds our annual Grampa and Abuela Summer Camp for the three granddaughters. I couldn’t be happier. My scheduling could have been sharper a couple weeks ago when I informed my Favorite Panamanian that I was going up to my hometown yesterday to initiate coordination on the November birthday pub crawl. A properly conducted crawl is all about the reconnaissance phase. This year it is important because two of the iconic stops have closed and a couple new ones are scheduled to open at some undefined point in time. All this begs the question as to how I escaped the clutches of my wife’s house preparation effort. Whenever we have guests, she takes the cleanliness level from its usual pristine to something approaching surgical sanitary.

The Initial Lab Group, Great T-Shirt!

I must have been behaving because she graciously allowed me the time with my high school friends. She had only one iron clad rule. I was to spend the night at Keene Friend’s house because she didn’t want me attempting to drive home after my usual well-lubricated time in my hometown. I felt guilty, for about five minutes, but assured her I would follow the rule (all the time planning on evading it). By late Thursday afternoon, Keene Friend and I arrived at the Lab ‘n Lager where we found my Kindergarten Friend already steadfastly established at a bar stool. We adjourned to a nearby table to commence coordination. My Kindergarten Friend is an acknowledged expert on the Keene pub scene, and we delved into his encyclopedic knowledge to lay out a two-month reconnaissance plan prior to November. Keene Friend was volunteered to monitor the now shuttered Penuche’s Ale House to ascertain if there was any chance of that important starting point re-opening.

The FBR in Full Prep Mode for the Camp

We were joined in short order by the Cantankerous Friend who had just returned from Connecticut where he travels every couple of months to get his cat groomed (I am not kidding). He tried, but failed, to make us understand how this made sense. We had had lively crowd in the bar and after laying out a preliminary reconnaissance plan, we enjoyed the companionship. This included the obligatory call to the PCR who had been hooking and jabbing with Keene Friend about the upcoming KHS class of ’73 70^th birthday bash music list. The PCR volunteered to make up the list and ran a draft by the Keene Friend (who take his music very seriously). I came down on the PCR’s side when he revealed Dylan’s Lay Lady Lay was included (I consider this epic tune the soundtrack for the convivial times we had in the 1970s at a place called Tower Pizza). Keene Friend rousted a very attractive lady from another table as a mystery guest on the phone call. It turned out she was the PCR’s co-worker at a long defunct grocery store. The PCR has lost nothing off his fastball and immediately remembered her. It probably helped that the PCR’s wife was in the shower and didn’t witness the alacrity of the identification.

We were joined later by the former CRC (got come up with a new name for him) who brought along a neighbor. He turned out to be a good dude and quickly joined in the fun despite being seated next to the Cantankerous One. It was a great afternoon spent with good friends. Since we were “batching” it, we ate dinner at the Lab, great burgers! We adjourned to Keene Friend’s house for a post-prandial movie. The Cantankerous Friend joined us where we exposed him to the exquisite insanity that is Copshop. I had slowed my roll at the Lab and after the movie felt more than capable of driving home. I take drinking and driving very seriously, due to my father’s demise, and wouldn’t have attempted it if I was at any risk. I was anticipating a spousal butt-chewing when I got home because I had violated her guidance. I was heartened that no secret boyfriend was jumping out of a window when the garage door opened and genuinely shocked when she was incredibly glad to see me. We’re a genuine old couple who are not used to being apart, despite all the early training the Army gave her, where I would be gone for months running around with well-armed friends. A great day, with anticipation at seeing the granddaughters and their parental units this weekend peaking.

Earlier in the week we went to the theater for date night. My Favorite Panamanian did not want to see a horror movie and I felt even more so disinclined to see Freakier Friday. We solved it by each seeing our own movie. I think I won because Weapons was awesome. This has a spooky premise of 17 elementary school classmates all disappearing on the same night, scarily all running with arms extended behind them towards an unknown location. The director takes an interesting route by exploring the disappearance from the viewpoints of several different characters including the teacher of the class where all but one student disappeared and also the parent of a missing child. The tension slowly builds as we learn more about the situation and it culminates with the final twenty minutes of absolute mayhem as the source of evil is revealed. It was a satisfying climax as all the loose threads were answered in a satisfying manner. There were also some needed light moments; the best being when Josh Brolin wakes from a scary dream and says the line every audience member is thinking. I’m usually not brave enough to see a horror movie by myself (pointed out to me by my son) but I’m glad I did, because Weapons is excellent.

Eight movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Sahara – bit of a silly premise but the great cast carries it off; The Saint – Kilmer was such a great action guy, should have done more; Salt – thought this would be  candidate for removal but Jolie credibly handles action as super spy; San Andreas – amazing CGI destruction of both L.A. and San Fran with the Rock his usual hero, also features the most well-endowed mother/daughter tandem in movie history; The Sand Pebbles – McQueen was such a star, lifts this plodding historical drama above the mundane; The Santa Claus – I’m a Christmas nut so this was going to stay; Santa Claus 2 – Allen repeats magic of first film, could have done without the mechanical Santa though; Saturn 3 – a really bad sci fi flick but an aged Kirk Douglas and Fawcett in her primes salvage it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Obsessed Inspired Effort

I’m finishing up a weekend full of yard chores I’ve been putting off for a long time. Before I can delve into my sloth I must take a moment to recognize that while this weekend was not a lot of fun, I was buoyed by the memories that these dates in August are rife with. That’s because Friday marked the 16^th anniversary of my daughter and Wingman while Saturday was my Favorite Son and the ABFA’s 11^th anniversary. In other words, this weekend delivered the completely awesome recollections of those two weddings and the times surrounding them, first in Charlton and then in Nashua. The nicest remembrances is reflecting on the two families both couples have created in the ensuing years. I could not be prouder of all four superstars. I know I proclaim to be blessed in life, a large percentage of that consecration comes from my association with them, and, of course, the granddaughters. Happy Anniversary you crazy kids and thanks for the inspiration.

Best Weekend Ever #1 and #2

Now, as to that obsession inspired effort. When I latch on to a task, I tend to get obsessed with finishing it. I blame the Army, which kind of insisted on accomplishing missions. A couple years ago, I decided it was time to watch my entire library of movies, in alphabetical order, the “heroic” A-Z watch chronicled at the bottom of my blog posts for those past few years. Since, as a retired individual, every day is a weekend, I’ve thrown myself into the task this year (the titular obsession), at the expense of other duties, sleep, and a burgeoning honey-do list furnished by my Favorite Panamanian.

The Refurbished Fireplace

Since old folks, such as myself, occasionally lapse into self-examination, I realized I needed to address some of the postponed work. I decided this weekend would see to that since it was one of the rare weekends without events and the last of the summer I would have free with the imminent arrival of the granddaughters next weekend. The first mission was pouring cement footings for three of the stairs on the back hill that provide access to my wife’s vast garden complex. While I had the cement mixing, I also wanted to spruce up my style challenged fireplace. I use the word “cement” just to piss off my son. I know it’s really concrete but I like to see his head explode with exasperation when he hears me call it cement (father of the year kind of stuff). He’s a very serious construction engineer who doesn’t brook such obvious failures in terminology. The fireplace has been suffering the indignity as a platform for one of my wife's large flower pots, so it needed some love. 

Two of the Newly Footed Stairs

That consumed a large percentage of Saturday, and I rewarded myself with some Man Cave time that evening, along with a movie or two. After church today, I informed my Favorite Panamanian that  I would be clearing out the garage and, if she could manage it, not to come out and offer her expertise. I’m fortunate enough to be married to a woman who considers herself an expert in whatever mission I have in front of me. I think I’m not alone in this type of situation as it seems to be a characteristic that is bestowed upon most women once they walk down the aisle. Somehow, I managed to get the garage cleaned and power washed before she decided to check up on me. Since this involved cleaning, I was given wide latitude. I did the monthly checkup on the snow blower (making sure it starts) while it was out on the driveway. A good friend drove by and helpfully informed me that it was too early in the year to be out there snow blowing. So, I wasn’t without comic relief.

There’s a strange sense of accomplishment when you finally get to long delayed chores. I felt really industrious and somehow, freed from the movie instilled obsession. I’ll still continue with that; I’m into the S’s, but I’ve resigned myself that I won’t finish until my return from Panama next year. I’m hesitant to bad mouth the watch because I’m genuinely enjoying it. It’s a lot like visits from old friends. I’m also getting rid of the stinkers which will provide additional space for future additions to the library, non-stinkers only.

Six movies fell in the A-Z watch, all keepers: Rush Hour – strange but effective chemistry between Tucker and Chan; Rush Hour 2 – Tucker starts to grate on your nerves after watching these together but Roselyn Sánchez, Yikes!!!; Sabrina – thought I would kick this one but it’s a highly entertaining rom-com; Safe – Statham being, well, Statham, so enjoyable; Safe House – thrilling spy drama with Reynolds holding his own with Denzel; Safety Not Guaranteed – just love this movie, my daughter put me on to it and it’s a non-stop quirky pleasure, if you haven’t seen it, check it out. I especially love the climatic scene.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

Aged Reality

Trust me. I’ve heard it all about getting old, especially once I finally admitted to myself that I was. Getting old. One of the symptoms of advancing age is reflection. Reflection that is amplified by the social media stream aimed squarely at our demographic. You get that feeling when you watch the evening news (yes some of us still do that) and all the commercials are pharmaceutical related. My “kids” just smile good naturedly when I start circling the television around 6pm. They get their news instantly from the electromagnetic spectrum but I think we’ve lost something in that transition since now it’s a race to get the story up on the net before it can be verified. Journalistic integrity, for what it ever was, seems to be a vanishing, if not eradicated, characteristic.

I find myself almost pummeled by scam artists who must have a conduit to ascertain who is a senior citizen. Of course, it could be as simple as anyone who (guilty) still has a land line telephone must be old. One of our most frequent callers on that landline is a guy called “Spam Risk”. Never heard of him, so we don’t answer those calls. On both my Favorite Panamanian’s and my email accounts receive no less than twenty targeted emails daily for products aimed at the aged. I’ve finally convinced her not to open anything with an attachment. It was not an easy fight, especially for garden or religious oriented products (curse those algorithms).

I can understand our attractiveness to the scammers. With the kids out of the house for many years and the grandkids so far away that my wife almost isn’t shopping for them every day, we find ourselves more financially secure than at any other point in our lives. We can afford a lot of the junk these hucksters are trying to purvey into our lives. I am the proud owner of a new placard with our house number on it. I’m still trying to figure out how I made that purchase (Amazon can be very devious) but it looks good. I’ve added a new front door and gutters to the house this year, not so much that they were needed but that I could afford it and why not. I’m not sure I could have if the grandkids lived any closer.

We had a very busy day yesterday. My Favorite Panamanian volunteered to cook a meal for a family in our church whose son is going through a serious health crisis. That’s who she is. She prepared the meal around her yoga class and supervising my efforts to water her vast garden complex. I just realized. I am one of those old guys you drive by on your way to work who is out watering the lawn! Guess I’ll have to own it. We took in a movie yesterday as well (special senior citizen Wednesday discount!) for date night and saw Police Squad. Liam Neeson is perfectly cast as the new Frank Drebbin (offspring of the hilarious Mr. Nielson). His seriousness is exactly what is needed for the over-the-top silliness required. This was a new take on the rampant absurdity of the original and it missed some of the truly hysterical bits of the first generation plied by the Airplane guys. Of course this was the first time a cinematic threesome with a snowman is attempted, so there’s that. It turns out Pamela Anderson can act, who knew, and she’s a great foil as the love interest. This is a movie I’ll see again to pick out all the subtle jokes I missed because I was laughing so hard. A nice, senseless comedy when you need a good laugh.

Five movies fell in the A-Z watch, four keepers: Rollerball (2002 version) – you know a movie is bad if it contains a lot of nudity and violence and I’m still kicking it out; Ronin – just a great spy movie, so well done; Rudy – sappy but still heartfelt sports story; Run All Night – awesome NYC crime story with Neeson and Harris just chewing up the scenery; The Rundown – early Rock action film that plays well.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course

To Rule Them All

While I find it hard to credit that it is already August, at least I got the month off to a rousing start in a very sedentary manner. As I stated in my last post, the NH granddaughters were whisked off to California by the ABFA to visit some of her family out there. That left my Favorite Son with a free weekend since he had to remain at home. He came up with the idea of re-energizing an old tradition that we did not have the opportunity to pursue in more than ten years. The Lord of the Rings is the favorite movie, which, in reality, is three movies for both of us. On two prior occasions we spent an entire day watching all three extended versions of the movies in a row, but we have since that time upgraded to the 4K versions.

Son and I as the Credits Role on the Last Movie

Needless to say, our spouses, while understanding, are not huge fans of this activity, since it involves so much sloth on our part. With the ABFA on the left coast, I had to find a way to distract my Favorite Panamanian. The Maine Musquetera offered a perfect solution since my son’s house is on the way to hers. We drove up to my son’s house on Friday where my wife dropped me off and set off with her eyes glued to the GPS for the additional two-hour drive in our new car. This freed me up to enjoy a true guy’s weekend with my son. We started off with a trip to a local tavern for Friday night dinner. We both remarked that it had been a long time since either of us had been in a bar on Friday night. I consider that a crime against nature (mine). We ended the night back on the couch watching the Happy Gilmore sequel which had both of us laughing. I also received a notification from the LoJack system in the new car that it had exceeded 89 MPH (my wife feigned ignorance on the subject when asked).

So, It Begins

Saturday was the chosen day for the epic watch. The compelling reason to make this happen at my son’s house is his home theater, which features a 108” screen (not kidding). Since each of the three movies is four hours long, we had to get an early start and were seated in our usual transfixed state just after 8am as the forces of the last alliance of men and elves faced off against Sauron on the slopes of Mt Doom (still one of my favorite scenes of all time). Riggins, though blind, decided he was one of the guys and joined us for the entire watch. The movies, and most certainly the company, were so good, the day flew by. We came up for air to grab some lunch, dinner, and catch a bit of the Red Sox game. By 10pm we finished sitting through all ten endings (we counted) of The Return of the King. Since we had been at it for nearly 14 hours, the theater’s equipment had heated the room up significantly but I still count it as time so well spent. We ended the night watching a horror movie in the much cooler, air-conditioned spaces above. Sunday was another day of hanging out, watching the Red Sox win again, while we waited for my Favorite Panamanian to make her way down from Maine. That didn’t happen until after dinner, which is understandable because when two of the Musqueteras get together, its likely to require an act of congress to pry them apart. So, a total success for the weekend. I’m so blessed that I’ve got a son who still likes to hang out with his old man.

The Dragonflies Liked BR3 Also

BRS with her Newest Pet

BR3 in Pool

BR3 Demonstrating her Excess Personality

We received serial updates from the ABFA about their California adventures. The granddaughters spent most of their time in the pool when they weren’t challenging their mom about bedtime (okay, that was mostly BR3). The BRS be-friended a dragonfly which would land on her extended finger on command, so cool. The BRS also loved the day they spent cliff climbing. The kid is an athlete (no surprise considering her parentage). On Sunday they took a trip to Lake Tahoe. They’ll all return home on Thursday. I know, for a fact, that their dad/husband really misses them. Meanwhile in New Jersey the FBR finally reached the point where she can change out her pierced earrings for the first time. I have to make a correction from my last post where I was bragging about her jumping off the 3 meter diving platform. Her mom, my daughter, archly reminded me that it wasn’t a mere 3-meter but the 7-meter platform (Yikes!).

Missing Teeth No Obstacle

Jet Lag Girl

Out of Pool Long Enough o Eat

2 Characters

BRS, This Just Hurts Watching

FBR Updated Earrings

The Happy Gilmore sequel was a lot of nostalgic fun. With Sandler, you forgive a lot, and it was laugh out loud funny throughout as we caught up with the most unlikely golfer of all time. All the original characters, even some that had passed on, were back. There was also a huge collection of new cameos that made the movie a pop culture quiz. Gilmore, now a raging alcoholic, has to rescue golf from an abusive billionaire with the assistance, kind of, from old nemesis, Shooter McGavin. You don’t expect deep thoughts from Happy Gilmore but he made this return to his world a lot of fun with some deep belly laughs.

Two movies fell in the A-Z watch, both keepers: Rocky Balboa – well done ending for Rocky the fighter; and Role Models – that one where Paul Ruud is dislikable (only time).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course