Pacific Sun Swallowing

Clapping Because ITS HER BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

I don’t really need an excuse to celebrate, especially when I’m firmly ensconced in our beachfront condo during the best time of year in Panama with nary a cloud wandering by. However today is a truly auspicious date because it marks the very first birthday of the BRS, my incomparable granddaughter. We’ll be celebrating here (it also being the First Friday of the Week) but it’s with a certain bate to the breath since not only will the birthday girl and her parents be arriving here on Sunday but they’ll be joined by the BRS’ cousin in chief – the FBR.

T-Shirt Says It All

Just the thought of having these special young ladies and their adult entourages makes my heart swell. When my Favorite Panamanian and I started down the path to acquiring this place we always talked about a time when our kids and hopefully their children (since even the FBR wasn’t on site at that time) would come down to enjoy it with us. That day will finally arrive on Sunday and I find myself almost giddy with anticipation although I’m sure that isn’t very age appropriate for someone with my accumulation of years. I could not care less.

Also a Mommy's Girl

Today though marks the completion of the BRS’ first year on earth where she has delighted us form the moment of her arrival. She gave the ABFA quite a ride before finally deciding to make an appearance but she turned out to be more than worth the wait. My son, her father, has always taken me to task about my relationship with his sister. I always blithely answered that he couldn’t understand because it was a father-daughter thing. He’s now figuring it out for himself and the BRS has everything to do about that. I recently asked him if he understood what I meant all these years and he guiltily nodded.

The Conquest of Daddy is Complete

She’s already an accomplished clapper and nearly broke my heart last night during our Facetime call when she waved to me. She also accomplished an important task for her abuela who is renowned for being date-challenged, finding it hard to remember key dates. The BRS was born four days before her abuela’s birthday, much like the FBR being born four days before mine. Both granddaughters made it easy for us. This upcoming week will be something very special.

FBR Will Also be in the House er Condo

She Has Pronounced herself Ready

I spent my first full day at the condo yesterday waking up to the sound of Las Lajas’ incomparable surf since high tide was breaking about fifty yards from my bedroom. The morning was spent waiting for the air conditioning guy to show up. He eventually did and repaired the AC in the guest room which will be important for the upcoming week. I finished unpacking all the various items I was charged with bringing for my wife although the only thanks I got was remarks about the things I forgot (it happens).

We spent the entire afternoon out on the beach switching off on the boogie board. We had the entire beach, as far as we could see, to ourselves. After a session in the pool we set up shop under one of the bohios beachside to wait out the day reading and talking (that was mostly her). As hoped Las Lajas delivered one of its signature sunsets. The accompanying pictures don’t do it justice as the bright orange sun sank into the Pacific. I’d forgotten how fast it went once it reached the horizon but it approached breathtaking.

I spent a large part of the evening trying to tap into my inner Wingman. Without a millennial around to supervise me I was charged by my wife with installing an Amazon fire stick on the tv in the hopes of acquiring some needed programming. Right now we’re restricted to Netflix and YouTube which I don’t think is all that bad but apparently inadequate when I’m not around. Somehow, and against all odds I was successful. I even figured out how to load the local Boston news feed and watched Channel Five news. I’m sure there’s much more I can do with it but I sagely told my wife that Wingman and my son arrive on Sunday to offer more cogent advice. Yet another thing to dance about.

Just Turned to my Right and Snapped this - Paradise!

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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

Isthmus Landfall

Back with My Favorite Panamanian

Okay – so I woke up to this view (see below) this morning which made the charging around the last couple days more than worth it. Keene Friend gave me a lift into the airport on Tuesday morning just ahead of the Patriots’ Championship Parade celebration (that last bit was for the Steelers fans). This was the first trip I had scheduled flying first class by cashing in accumulated miles and it has everything to recommend it. I felt guilty dozing off because that meant  I wasn’t taking full advantage of the rare luxury if I was sleeping.

The only glitch was the connecting flight into David where the pilot did one of the old touch and goes. I thought we were going kind of fast and I glanced out the window to see the terminal passing by with no touch down yet which meant we were more than half way out of runway. Clenching of certain body parts was followed closely by the pilot gunning the engines to do a go around and the second landing was a little rough but safe.

A Little Goofy at El Fogon

It turns out the delay was needed because my bags were the first off the baggage claim wheel and I walked out into the terminal to a find a breathless Favorite Panamanian. She had literally just walked in the door after trying to accomplish too many errands before driving to the airport, Crisis time management is just her style. It was so good to see her and she proudly showed me our (really her) new car. This will save us thousands we used to spend on rental cars as we used the money we received for selling our land last year to acquire it. She might even let me drive it one of these days.

Alright Dear, I'll Settle Down for a Serious Picture

There was a whirlwind trip back to my mother in law’s house where we acquired the requisite family members and headed to my favorite David hangout – El Fogon. Our favorite waiter treated me like a returning family member and we settled in for a truly fun evening joined by my brother in law and his very fun spouse. Traveling though is nothing if not exhausting even though I did nothing but sit on my butt for most of the day.

Our Table at El Fogon

Unfortunately the dogs of the neighbors decided Tuesday night was their scheduled night for continuous barking. They put a serious dent in my love of the canine species.

We were up early since we were commuting to Panama City for the day. We caught an early morning flight back to the capitol because after everything was approved with my residency status I still had to get a “cedula” which is the ID card all Panamanians have to get and is the basis of just about everything. My wife’s uncle picked us up at the old Albrook AFB airfield and dropped us off at the Tribunal Electoral. This is a newly built, very impressive, huge structure right next to Ancon Hill smack dab in the middle of what used to be the Canal Zone.

The Tribunal

As with many of the Panamanian built structures I’m sure there was a message being sent that this is their land, now and forever. Can’t say as I don’t blame them. It was somewhat fitting that the process of this residency status really started 37 years ago when I married in a civil ceremony (that my wife didn’t recognize until we got to a church) just a block from this new building. We were sent to the Foreigner ID card section which after a few more bouts with the bureaucracy I sat down for the photo and fingerprinting. It will now be two weeks before it’s sent up to David where my wife will have to retrieve but it is finally done.

The Immense Ball Pit

We spent a fun afternoon afterwards with my wife’s uncle and his girlfriend. They took us back to the Alta Plaza mall for lunch. This is where I saw the 4D movie during my last visit. I had the best burger I’ve ever had in Panama (not a steep climb but it was good). I spent the rest of the time monitoring my wife as she sought out the well-hidden bargains. She’s become adept at drawing the “gift of a granddaughter card” whenever she has to convince me of the importance of a purchase. The center of the mall boasted an immense ball pit surrounding a large climbing tower. I imagined the FBR relishing the opportunity it offered every time I looked at it.

FBR is Goggle Ready

We returned to Albrook to catch our late afternoon flight back to David. We were both exhausted thanks to the neighbor’s dogs and slept most of the 40 minute flight. My wife’s sister picked us up and there followed a trip to two separate grocery stores where we shoehorned in food for coming week as well as my baggage and set out for Las Lajas. The condo building was deserted when we pulled in well after 10pm but that was a good thing since the elevator was all ours for the shuttling of supplies upwards.

Following a Long Line of English Pirates to Invade Panama

Now we have to get everything configured for the weekend arrival of both of our “kids” and their families. This has been a vacation several years in the planning and I can’t wait to initiate both the FBR and the BRS into the mystical beauty of Las Lajas and hopefully forge a lifelong bond with this magical place. I better stop writing because I’m getting the stink eye from a certain Panamanian which tells me there are some chores that I need to address.

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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

Super Six

ABFA and BRS Have a Right to Smile Today

I grew up with a Patriots team that was the laughing stock of the NFL. I say that now that they have evolved into the most dominant dynasty in the history of the league winning their sixth Super Bowl championship last night. They turned the clock back and delivered a defensive effort for the ages. In this time of freewheeling offenses they locked down and embarrassed a young quarterback who looked completely overwhelmed for the entire game. The defense was needed because the Rams were almost as good on their side limiting Sir Thomas to modest offensive gains as well.

The game was tied 3-3 going into the final quarter but I was eerily calm in my lonely Man Cave. When the Pats got the ball back and the crowd started chanting his name, the Greatest Quarterback of All Time delivered. Brady moved the team down for the game’s only touchdown which came, appropriately, on a running play where the Patriots’ blockers out physicalled their opponents and imposed their will.

In a sport where too many of the stars want to call attention to themselves both during and outside of games it was gratifying to see the Patriots teach the importance of a complete team effort; where the result of the group is more important than personal accolades. It warms my heart to think about how this win was received from the self-important Pittsburgh fans that treated Keene Friend and I so rudely a few years back. Karma can be a deathly cold bitch at times.

FBR is also Wearing a Pats Smile

Going back to my initial comment about where the Patriots have evolved from, there is hope for cities like Cleveland. It can be done (of course they fired Belichick). This was my loneliest Super Bowl ever which made the jumping up and cheering I did seem a little silly but thoroughly enjoyed otherwise. I ate way too much food after a trip to the grocery store provided enough to feed at least an infantry squad. I did get periodic check ins from my Favorite Panamanian who attended a Super Bowl party with her cousins. They were asking why there wasn’t more scoring. I didn’t have time or credentials to give them a block of instruction on the defensive excellence on display.

Favorite Son and BRS at Game time

I also checked in after the game with both kids. My Favorite Son was up much later than he’s used to but was extremely psyched. The FBR had departed the realm for slumber before the game, which is still a complete mystery to her, concluded. Her parents are raising her correctly as her garb displays. The same is going on down in New Jersey although the FBR will face a steeper slope since she’s growing up just a few miles from the home stadium of the Jets. She still proudly wears her Brady gear and can deliver a “Go Pats!” with the best of them.

FBR Imposing Chaos

Her parents arranged for a group of friends and their children to watch the game and I fondly remembered the absolute chaos of the first playoff games I watched down there in similar circumstances just a few weeks ago. I caught up with them after the game and they admitted to being the only Patriots’ fans in the room which must have made it sweet. The chaos level appeared evident from the debris strewn about the room from the FBR and her cohorts who could only stay up for the first half. I was impressed at the level of destruction achieved in that short time span.

Mini-Brady Lady

It’ll be a few days before I write here again because I’m off on my own southern escape early tomorrow morning. I have a couple errands to run on Wednesday but should be firmly ensconced in our condo by Thursday awaiting the arrival of the entire gang for a memorable vacation together. We now have something else to celebrate, not that we needed any additional motivation.

While waiting for the game to start I snuck down to the cinema to see Miss Bala. I’m a huge fan of Gina Rodriguez and I felt frustrated that she was given this as a vehicle. She plays an L.A. makeup artist who’d drawn into Tijuana drug wars when she visits a friend there. A drug lord uses her first as a drug mule, then a beauty queen, and finally as an assassin. I know the filmmakers were trying to tap into the female empowerment vibe but this didn’t work. It was a hard to imagine a more inept drug cartel as well as the other power brokers supposedly tugging our heroine in multiple directions. Rodriguez gamely tries to make it all work but she’s eventually overwhelmed by the inanity. She deserves better.

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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

Time Out

FBR Getting her Pedicure

I made a really rare decision yesterday, one totally out of character. I decided to stay in on a Saturday night when I had no less than two extremely attractive social invitations, one of which promised serial beer consumption. I’m still fighting some sort of stomach virus that is taking no prisoners. I usually decide to just fight through it but this might be an acknowledgement that I’m snot as young as I once was (but who is?). I’d hoped to be recovered enough to drive down to join Great Aunt and Soxfather for one of their legendary McShawn’s nights.

BRS Preparing to Launch onto her Dad

I cherish the opportunity to hang out with Soxfather’s singularly outstanding family at a Rhode Island Irish pub. Given my isolated living conditions this was just what the doctor ordered. My other invitation was to join my Favorite Son and his gang at the ABFA’s parents’ house for dinner. I figured I shouldn’t be chancing the sharing of whatever the hell I have with the BRS.

FBR Hard at Work

The biggest reason for my hiding out was my impending trip to Panama. The last thing you want in the tropic’s is a cold, especially given the attendant reunion with my Favorite Panamanian. I fly out on Tuesday and there is no way I am still going to be dealing with this thing, at least if I have anything to say about it.

I used the time for an extended Man Cave session. I cleaned out the DVR backlog as well as completed watching the Peter Sellers’ Pink Panther movies (not sure why I went there). I also explored Amazon prime where I binge watched a complete season based on one of my favorite literary heroes – Bosch. I’m not convinced Titus Wellever truly captured Harry’s essence but it was cool to see all the familiar characters brought to life. I also caught a Netflix movie – Polar, which had old Hannibal friend Mads Mikkelsen in full John Wick mode.

The FBR was engaged in her usual frenetic weekend pace with gymnastics and a pedicure after an early morning dance off with Wingman. She followed that up today with some sort of construction project. The BRS was subjecting my son to a series of body slams when I caught up with them. She would rear back and launch herself onto his chest as he tried to talk with me. I’m so stoked that I’ll be with this entire gang in exactly one week as the condo finally fulfills its destiny.

Wife in her Cursed Shirt

FBR Toes

But Can Still Pitch in on a  Construction Site

Oh and there’s the small matter of a certain football game today. My wife has been wearing her Patriots shirt all week long but I specifically forbid her from wearing it today since the Pats have lost each time she’s worn it on game day. GO PATS!!!!!

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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

Micro Dreams

Nothing much to report from this end. I haven’t been able to connect with my Favorite Son for the past few days and the FBR is in one of her less than communicative zones right now. I plan on remedying both situations next week when I fly to Panama to await their arrival a few days later. I’m still fighting off whatever bug this is but it’s taking longer than usual. The polar vortex certainly doesn’t help.

I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since my Favorite Panamanian flew south and that’s not helping. It’s kind of pathetic that I’ve reached a point in my life where the absence of the minuscule weight on the other side of the bed interferes with sleep. I’m sleeping in one hour increments and awakening thinking it’s time to get up for the day. Last night I was up (and out of the bed) at 12:45am, 1:52am, and 2:35am. I finally decided to start checking the clock before I got up so the 3:15am, 4:40am., and 5:20am wakeups simply involved turning over. The weirdest thing is I do experience deep sleep in these short spans involving some pretty flamboyant dreams, some of which I carry over between the breaks. I am one weird dude.

I went back to the movies the other night to see The Kid Who Would be King. This was the Goonies updated and inserted into the Arthurian legend. There was no way this should have been as entertaining and enjoyable for an old fart like me but it certainly was. I think it’s every kid’s dream to find Excalibur sticking out of a stone and being the only one able to pull it out before setting out on an adventure fighting the forces of resurgent ancient evil. If not, it should be. This film grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t lose its grip until the slightly overdone finale. The young actors deserve all the credit as Gollum’s kid proves to be an able actor in his own right and the multi-cultural group of friends form a very real seeming dynamic. A nice little surprise of a movie that works.

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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

Deep Blue

The New Garb

I had a weird day yesterday that was mildly concerning. I’ve been blessed with general good health – except for the whole basal skin cancer situation. Yesterday afternoon something hit me that drained me of energy and inserted a general state of malaise that was, as I said, concerning. My usual tactic in these type situations is to ignore it and drive on; believing anything else would be tantamount to being a wimp.

Shower Finally Finished

This was hard to ignore however. I was dealing with it when I received a call from our long lost plumber who said he was finally available to come in and mount the shower bracket – literally the last thing remaining on the big remodeling project. I’ve been trying to acquire his services for the past two weeks with a number of broken promises on his end. He came in and knocked out the requirement and I then immediately got into bed.

At the Condo Yesterday

My View this Morning - Wife Wins

I was knocked out for about two hours and when I got up I was shivering almost uncontrollably. This was definitely weird. I thought the nap was going to solve all my problems but that turned out to be a pipe dream. I finished the last round of chemotherapy cream for my back on Sunday and thought this might be a reaction to that, as farfetched as that might sound. I surmised that I may have poisoned myself with my lunch meal, refusing to believe it could be anything serious. I may have to be a little more prudent when it comes to food preparation. We’ll see because I’ve got food from the same batch for lunch today.

Favorite Panamanian with Newly Painted Walls

I made the mistake of telling my wife during our evening phone call. My kids know this is a recipe for intense over-reaction. She was insisting I go to the doctor immediately and failing that she was going to call the neighborhood Mafioso to come over and take my blood pressure. That was enough to snap me out of the doldrums as I told her in no uncertain terms that I did not want that and would not open the door if she arranged it. She grudgingly accepted this but was not happy. There is no medical situation she’s not prepared to react excessively to – I surprised not to hear a Medflight helicopter hovering over the house after we finished the call. She had been busy all day painting the walls of our condo. I’m not sure it was needed but I only get 49% of that vote.

Dark Blue it is

The FBR was in fine fettle when I caught up with her. She modeled her brand new gymnastics leotard along with showing me some of her more exotic, frog based exercises. Dark blue has become her favorite color and she was excited to obtain her new garb in that hue. When she heard about the upcoming birthday party in Panama she requested my wife order a birthday cake with the flavor of dark blue. We’ll have to see about that. She was just back from reconning a new day care option, more of a structured pre-school situation than her current setting.

I thought the best therapy for my condition was a movie on dateless date night and went to see Serenity. The most surprising thing about this was the sheer challenge to make a bad movie that stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane, Jason Clarke, and Djimon Hounsou. The director was up to the challenge. There’s a huge plot twist that explains some of the more nonsensical issues from the first half of the movie. Instead of using that twist to elevate the plot it just contributes to the downward spiral. McConaughey plays a fishing boat skipper on an idyllic island who’s obsessed with an overlarge tuna and no, I’m not kidding. There were extensive McConaughey skinny dipping scenes aimed squarely at the ladies I’m sure. The biggest disappointment for me was the lack of chagrin I felt should have been evident from these fine actors for this trash. Oh and the complete underuse of Diane Lane, that rises to criminal level failure.

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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