2 be Bliss, as I dance along the road to Nirvana...

Hello people. I hope everyone has stayed safe and comfortable over the past several days. It's been hot here. Scorching. We're doing what we can to stay cool which usually involves running the central air all day. I turn it off in the evening, as soon as it's cool enough to do so. However it's usually back on by 8 or 9 a.m. because it starts to warm up in here a few hours after sunrise. Although I don't like my electric bill to be "sky high" (as my grandma says), it's the one bill I rarely squawk about paying. Hot flashes will do that to a girl. Moving along... Baby Bliss and I attended the wedding last Saturday evening. The ceremony was beautiful to both my eyes and my spirit. I began crying as soon as the groom appeared, grinning as if he was privy to some exquisite secret the rest of us hadn't caught on to yet. The reception was a blast. The meal was tasty enough. There were two meat options, several veggies to choose from. I h...

Happy Saturday y'all! Just a quick update: There were two more dates with the new dude, one Thursday and one last night. Both were fun and interesting. Thursday was a long date. Several hours of blissful fun. Friday night was a short one: a political fundraiser. We might be on for tonight but it's doubtful. Baby Bliss and I are attending an evening wedding. I'm probably gonna want to get home and stay there after it's done. It's been a busy week and I'm already beat. It was almost noon when I left my bed today. I dozed off around 2 a.m. but sleeping that long usually only occurs when I'm running on fumes, which happens to be my current situation. Maybe we'll see each other tomorrow. Any who, it's my turn for the shower. I'm outta here folks!

Tuesday's date went well. In fact, lots of things went well Tuesday. Really well. Unexpectedly well. From traffic to the lines in stores, I sailed through my outside activities. Yesterday the paramour and I had ice cream after work. Waffle cones. (Dipped in chocolate which I didn't like but those were the only waffle cones left.) My ice cream was orange dreamsicle with french vanilla (side by side, not mixed); he had mixed mint and dark chocolate. We sat in a small park area between the ice cream shop and another store. Good ice cream, good conversation, and yes, some good kisses. Before we knew it, dusk was settling around us, nudging us towards departure time. At dark he walked me to my car where there was more smooching. The hormones were just running amok... Today we have a date scheduled to start mid-afternoon which is why I should be asleep. (It's after 4 a.m.) Silly ole me is still awake but drifting off, as I should be. I'll be flipping th...

Hey folks! It's "Tickle My Fancy Tuesday" chez Bliss. Everything is just rosy and I've been giggling like a school girl at random intervals. How's the vibe at your place? Last night my new paramour and I shared a good (voice) conversation. We talked about the weather, the kids, each other, our next date. We agreed on Thursday then decided possibly Friday and Saturday too, Saturday being a "maybe" because I have a previous engagement for that evening. But if it ends at a decent hour, we agreed to meet up. We texted off and on throughout the evening until bedtime. In between, I had to get Baby Bliss from work. She and I stopped for a bite on the way home. Once again my suitor texted me about an hour after he'd gone to sleep, to say he was thinking of me. He's plucking my heart strings, this guy. Have I mentioned that my sleep schedule has gotten really wacky again? At least several nights of every week in the past few, I'v...

On a much more upbeat note, I've had two additional dates this weekend with the Friday night guy. Saturday we went to a movie at a local theater. We held hands and snuck in a few kisses while we watched. The movie was okay. Lots of action. Not too original re the plot. (Independence Day: Resurgence.) Later we held hands as we walked. We sat to talk; snuck in a few more kisses. Great conversation, great company. Close to parting time, he asked if I wanted to continue going out. I said yes. Sunday morning he asked me via text if I wanted to have dinner with him Sunday evening. Of course I did. We ate at a popular local restaurant, one I'd been there many times in the years we lived in the Big City. Maybe once or twice since we moved away but it had been a while. The food was still good and the ambience remained inviting. We talked, laughed, ate, held hands, and made goo goo eyes at each other the whole time. After dinner there was more hand-holding, walking,...

How-do y'all! I hope everyone has lived to tell about the weekend. Literally. You never know with the world's many crises... In light of all that's been happening in America lately, as a woman who self-identifies as African-American, I wonder when those who oppose the existence of anyone who looks like me (dark skin, Negroid features, etc.) will understand that we really are all in this sh*t together. It's frightening that our destinies are intertwined in ways that can't be imagined by the predators who just can't imagine that possibility. It leaves us vulnerable to those who prey upon us. Those hunters fear "different" and "other" so much that they use any means at their disposal to eradicate "different" and "other" without thought of how said action activates an exponentially expanding ripple that eventually engulfs us all. Black lives matter. So does every life. I get that. I also know that black l...

Does anyone remember this post: 542 ? Well, we haven't made it to Europe yet. But y'all know that from reading the blog. And it turns out there's no discernable Scottish ancestry anywhere in my double helix. However, I am approximately five (5) percent Irish. And one (1) percent Scandinavian. I'm also (approximately) four (4) percent West Asian. Hysterical, right? I was thinking about this because I was at a local mall today and what I saw surprised me and filled me with joy. There were so many people at the mall, of many nationalities, speaking many languages, and wearing garb that I took to be representative of many religions. Everyone was co-existing peacefully and it was beautiful. If the world was like this everywhere and every day... It brings me to tears to think about it. Maybe one day. Amen.

Well that was a cool first date. I think the band was supposed to play outside but it rained and they had to set up inside. So the music started late but it didn't matter because the conversation was good. When the date ended, he walked me to my car. We hugged good night and he asked if I would like to go out again. I said yes and gave him a peck on the lips. (Insert girlish giggle here.) I texted him shortly after I got home, to tell him I enjoyed the date and I'm looking forward to more good conversations. He said he enjoyed it too and he's looking forward to getting to know me better. He also said my pictures don't do me justice. Now aren't those just the nicest things to say to a lady after a first date? I guess the fairy dust did its job tonight. And now I'll bid you all a fond good night. I'm tired. Not going to bed yet but I need to unwind. Sweet dreams everyone. Back with more soon...

There was no swimming yesterday. It began to rain before I could find my bikini top. Then along came thunder and lightening. Ah well, we'll swim another day. In other news, barring any unforeseen circumstance(s), my Friday night date shall commence at 7:30. I'm a bit excited about this one. He's not the kind of guy I usually date so it's a toss up as to how it will go. I think I'm just happy to have plans to see live music again so soon. (Fingers crossed that the musicians are good.) I've shampooed my hair, given myself a pedicure, and taken my shower. The venue is close by so I should be on time. (Which I'll try very hard to do because I saw in his dating profile that he's averse to late arrivals. *sigh*) However we did have a brief conversation about it and he said something like he's getting over being a stickler about it. Still, I'm planning to arrive early. No sense starting off badly. Well y'all, it's now 6:...

Before I forget, there was the possibility for a "first date" this past Saturday. But I had other plans (Steely Dan and Steve Winwood with the daughter) so the date has been postponed. There is a date scheduled for tomorrow night, with a different guy. Live music at a local venue. Should be fun. I'm debating whether or not I'll do a Saturday date with the first guy. We've been talking and texting for a few weeks and it's past time to get the first date out of the way or I'll definitely lose interest in meeting him. But I have been busy. There's also the fact that he's a bit "young" for me. We were born the same year, he seems like a nice guy, and we have a lot in common but to put it politely without divulging any of his personal business, he's very green. I also suspect he might be a virgin. (Gasp!) A long time ago I would have gobbled him up like a slice of key lime pie. These days I need a lot more to hold my interest....

Flashback! (Who's that?) Those who know me, know me well...  *chuckle*

My dearly departed Mr. Bliss would be 56 soon, if he were still here with us. He held me in his arms many times as we danced to this song. This one's for you darling. Happy birthday! I miss you...

Bon dia y'all! We are still celebrating my birthday chez Bliss. Tonight's fête will take place at the Steely Dan and Steve Winwood concert down in the Big City. My life wouldn't be a life without music and seeing my favorites artists perform live transports me to a realm of ecstasy so intense, words just can't explain... It's been decades since I've been to a Steely Dan concert; this will be my first time seeing Steve Winwood live. Baby Bliss is attending with me. We're getting all dolled up for this one. I am so excited. Happy birthday to me!

Bon dia y'all! We are still celebrating my birthday chez Bliss. Tonight's fête will take place at the Steely Dan and Steve Winwood concert down in the Big City. My life wouldn't be a life without music and seeing my favorites artists perform live transports me to a realm of ecstasy so intense, words just can't explain. It's been decades since I've been to a Steely Dan concert; this will be my first time seeing Steve Winwood live. Baby Bliss is attending with me. We're getting all dolled up for this one. I am so excited. Happy birthday to me! 🎂