Paul and Patt: some catch up photos and a little from goings on in the neighborhood

Clinton and Patt discussing which of the toys shall be tossed to the side next — or will Clinton topple to the side not propped by the pillow. Learning to sit is a full time serious job, apparently more difficult than smiling back at me.

He of many expressions — in the morning - and Patt and I are early risers and meet Clinton in the morning and have a very good time talking over the day's plans.

Patt has a very serious food prep partner. A participant in every sense of the word, usually running a monolog, agreeing with most of Patt's comments with a "yep Grandmama". Patt, too, is most patient. Raleigh is a very fortunate little boy (so am I, though no longer quite so little).

"playing the blocks" remains the hands-down winner of all activities. I thought at one time it was generic for "play with me" but now I am moving towards believing it means play with the large legos. And from the Orient to the tropics, I can build a garage, bridge and car park with large legos.

In the neighborhood at Parque Uraca we came upon a Little League type ball game. The pitcher, just standing there as a spectator, had just given up what was to be a three-run triple to deep left field. Note action on the field. (Double click the picture and you can even see the ball if you wish).

And the home team Bella Vista was behind by three, with no outs, to the visitors when Patt and I went on our way. True to form, this being Panama, and December, the game was rained out before we got home. Bella Vista is the neighborhood in which Stephen and Jen live.

On another day, we were privileged to have a sky box view from the apartment of the much anticipated Disney On Ice Parade - and all along the 3-4? mile or so strip that we could see of Avenida Balboa next to the Cinta Costera was packed with people. They had come to see floats, bands and a few horse groups. Here is the famous ice skater, Lightning McQueen. Well if not ice skater, at least a crowd pleaser I am sure.

Of those in our sky box, only one ventured out into the heat to check out the action along the route - me. The umbrellas were not for the rain. The sky was blue, the sun was hot, food was plentiful, and people were crowded. I stepped up onto the embankment of the ramp to the overhead bridge for this photo.

In front of a billboard announcing the pending arrival of Disney On Ice parents were lining up to take photos of their kids with characters not quite identifiable with the climate - but identifiable none-the-less.