895.

Hello good people.

I hope it's been a good day for y'all. Mine has been productive and fun in its own way. I'm thankful. 💗

So today in the Good News corner, we have several stories of Love, Hope, and Healing. For your leisurely perusal:

1. Dating in the Time of Pandemic: A Message on a Drone, a TikTok...
2. He Survived: 101-year Old Man Who Survived 1918 Flu...
3. There is Hope: How Blood from Coronavirus Survivors... 
4. There is Hope: New York Hospitals Are Using Vitamin C... 
5. Additional info (a webinar with a lot of technical info): Vitamin C for the Treatment of... 

My continued prayers for everyone's health and safety!  🙏🏾

894.

Hello everyone.

I hope you are all safe and managing well. 💕

It's been an interesting week for me. Lots of dreams. None I care to detail. Too much detail in the dreams as well as subject matter I don't care to get into here.

Moving on...

Several days ago I learned that an elderly neighbor died. Another neighbor and I were looking at his house and realizing we hadn't seen him in a while. We speculated on what the reasons might be.

Sadly, the next day we learned he'd been sick and in hospital for an extended period, likely a few weeks counting back from when we'd last seen him. Then he died and we didn't know. 💔

We were told there might be a memorial service but given no other details. I never knew his last name and haven't been able to find any information online.

He was a cool ole dude, a kind of devil-may-care guy, who I'm sure was a frisky one in his day. He certainly had quite a few eye-raising tales to share. My kinda guy. May he Rest In Peace. ❤️

He's mentioned here, in post 883, detailed in the lunch date.

🌸 🌸 🌸

Last night I learned that an ex suitor died last summer. This one: 714.

882.

Happy Thursday folks!

I hope you're all somewhere safe and doing well.

I'm gonna try to make this fast because I'm supposed to be sleeping. Also because I need to get it out before anything else noteworthy occurs. 😁

So this happened:

- A family member saved herself and her neighbors from literally being blown to bits a week ago. She had been smelling "a slight natural gas smell" before she left for vacation. Returned home and the odor was stronger. 😮

My relative called the gas company around 11p.m. Gas company rep arrived around midnight and said yep, gas leaking. He proceeded to knock on the door of the neighbor whose unit the smell seemed to be coming from.

No answer. Fire department was called to gain entry. Fire department showed up, opened the door. There was a sleeping occupant who needed reviving. 😱 An ambulance was called. The fire department used equipment to clear the gas fumes from the apartment. The paramedics/EMTs had to remove the occupant from a back door of the unit, started life-saving measures in the grass, then took the occupant to the hospital. 

The next day my relative learned that a faulty gas stove was the culprit and she was thanked for saving not only lives but property as well. Several people in the building smoke and sometimes folks use grills on their patios and thankfully an awful situation was averted.

The mystery: did anyone else smell the gas in all that time? If yes, did they not understand the seriousness of the situation? 😕

- A guy who used to be my neighbor was arrested recently for sexually assaulting several women during massages when he was employed with two local (reputable) massage places.

But he won't be tried for the accusations. He had to be released because of a technicality. 😑 I can't prove he did anything he's accused of. Indeed, my own interactions with him were all fine. However, before he moved, I began reading The Sociopath Next Door. A few chapters in and I realized that something almost undetectable in homeboy's personality did raise my hackles a few times. 😬

🌸 🌸 🌸

Back to Memorial Day weekend: it was fabuloso!

- I had a great time with my dad's family at the quinceañera. We ate, danced, laughed, took photos, tried to crash the wedding next door, and allowed some wedding guests to peek in on our party too.

My cousin truly looked like a princess in her dress. Her parents were so proud and happy. My aunt (grandmother of the princess) was proud and happy too.

We all were. 💓

- The time spent with my friend was fun, eye-opening, sad, nostalgic, cathartic, blissful.

We talked about a lot of things past and present. Things we needed to share with each other, reveal to each other. There was a lot of emotional rawness and intimacy.  (No, not that kind.)  There were tears, laughter, yelling. We looked at old photos I'd taken with me.

We had a cookout at his house on Memorial Day. Some of his family came over. It was good to see them. Sad too. 😶

Really just a good reunion.

(Side note: There was a summer storm one night and I had another "energy" episode similar to the one in post 535. I've also had a few episodes at home since that post, always during weather events. The "why" continues to elude me. 😐)

Our visit was a much-needed chapter in our ongoing dialogue and I'm thankful we were able to get to it.

My friend is on vacation now, with one of his homies. We talked about him swinging by to visit me on his way home but he called the other day to say it wasn't likely to work with his probable schedule.

Que sera, sera...

When we next have time, it will be good to see him again. I love him as much as our connection allows and he knows he's one of the few people who is welcome to knock on my door without invitation or explanation, knowing he'll be ushered in with joy.

Until we meet again, the beat goes on.

🌸 🌸 🌸

There has been more conversing with the Astronaut lately. (See posts 804, 811, 855, and 876.)

He's scheduled to go home for the 4th of July, for a family reunion. He said he wants me to join him, which I just might do.

I haven't seen his people (who are my people too, sort of; more on that later) in almost 35 years. 📅📅

The Astronaut and I met the summer I was 17/18. He lived several hours and several hundred miles away but his brother was married to the sister of a guy my cousin was dating and the Astronaut came with them for a visit to my hometown.

He and I were instantly attracted to each other. We were inseparable the whole time he was in town and thought ourselves in love by the time he was heading back home. (I don't recall how long the visit was. Maybe a few week, maybe a couple of weeks.)

We made plans for me to visit him.

In the interim, there were lots of phone calls and sometimes letters. ☎ 🖊📃 💌📬 ☎

By the time I visited, we were talking marriage. 💍 💒

I loved everything about him, I thought.

But did we even have anything in common? Not much, it seemed.

He was a country boy, muscular and virile, with an accent that tickled my ears. His parents were still together living in the family home, his momma was a good cook, and he had lots of siblings, things that made me feel secure with him. And jealous of him.

I was a city girl, raised by a single mother and her family (mostly women). Cute and bookish but urban and sparkly enough to catch his eye. Dumb as a tick when it came to establishing and sustaining a healthy romantic relationship, certainly not able to create and foster a viable marriage.

The photos from my visit south, to see him and meet his family, are still in my collection. Decades later, the trip is still a fond memory for me.

My recollection is that we were gonna marry and move me south. We were researching jobs for me and planned to move into an apartment next to his brother and sister-in-law. But something happened and we broke up. Not during my visit but some time after.

Maybe the tedium of being in a long distance relationship with a man I didn't really know became overwhelming. Or boring. Or something else.

I do remember being married to my first husband and having sporadic contact with the Astronaut, Nothing untoward, just a few phone calls and a few letters. I recall telling him how I'd had a dream about his mom and him telling me she'd died the week of my dream...

At some point we lost touch.

Fast forward to meeting, dating, and marrying Mr. Bliss and Bam!

Big planet with billions of people and wouldn't ya know it, the Astronaut and I are now related by marriage. 😵😂

When I reminded him that tongues would be wagging if we attend the family reunion together, his response: So? I knew you first.

Alrighty then. (See definition number 4.)

🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news, I have a date Friday. Stay tuned for more details. 😄

Sweet dreams y'all.


p.s  I just remembered that I must have visited the Astronaut at least twice, back in the day. The photos I mentioned are from a summer visit.

But there was also a visit when we went to the county fair, an autumn event. I remember because he took a photo of me lounging in a wooden glider-type swing but it was suspended by rope from a huge tree.

I was wearing a cream colored v-neck sweater and a pair of baggy floral pants in rust and navy blue, a favorite outfit that season.

That photo might be floating around in the archives. I'll have to search for it.

876.

Good morning my dears. 

I hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy.

I'm... here. Thankful and I do believe fairly healthy.

So much has happened since my last post... But that's what passes for "normal" in my life, lots happening.

Would I have it any other way? I'm not sure.

Let's get the sad news out of the way first:

- The death toll has risen. My godmother's husband died. I think it's been a month. 💔

- There was a shooting at a university where a family member works. Sadly, two young men were murdered. Four others were shot and are hospitalized. Thankfully my family member wasn't on campus when it happened so was not harmed. 

My prayers for peace and healing for everyone affected by this horrific act.

🌸 🌸 🌸

Happy news:

- Baby Bliss will be celebrating her birthday soon and The Royal Court is gathering. One attendant has already arrived. The two of them are currently sleeping in Baby Bliss' room. The birthday dinner won't have as many celebrants as last year but the festivities will span several days.

- Miss L, a senior neighbor, invited me to a Mother's Day cookout via messenger (her brother). She and her brother are roommates and she and I met when I visited her brother to tell him that daddy had died. Miss L and I saw each other again at another neighbor's birthday cookout. 

I was told that she thought I was a very nice person and she wanted me to come enjoy the day with her family. A couple of other neighbors said Miss L's family cookouts are legendary so yes, I will be going and I'm thankful for the invite. (And the sweet compliment.)

- I'll be heading home for a long weekend soon, for a cousin's quinceañera. I'm excited for a number of reasons, one or two of which I've alluded to in previous posts. It will definitely be an interesting trip. Stay tuned for details.

🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news, the suitors have been ramping it up in the past few weeks. No one new because I'm not actively using my online dating profile. These are familiar suitors: the Athlete, the Astronaut, Mr. Skittish, and The Other Guy (who lives in the neighborhood and grew up with a neighbor I'm fairly close with).

- I actually had dinner with The Other Guy a week or so ago. He's... different. Dinner was... interesting. Our before and after interaction is/was... strange, even by my standards.

But it's all good. He's who he is and I'm who I am. I like him as a friend.

Maybe we'll hang out again. Maybe not. He did ask me out again, after that dinner. He'd also asked me out before. I accepted but changed my mind later. He never asked me why and I didn't bring it up. Then there was the dinner.

I think he lives in a different emotional/mental/psychological space than I do. Which is cool in a friend but a definite no-no for someone I might date.

We see each other in passing in the neighborhood. We speak. He texts me sometimes; I text back...

- The Athlete and I hadn't spoken in over a month. We had gotten to a stage in our relationship where we weren't dating but we would see each other and talk/text occasionally. In March he did something that let me know it was time to cut things off with him.

He didn't agree with my assessment of the situation, which was fine. I still get final say on who I cavort with. 

He texted me last week, joking about some things we'd done in the past. I was polite but unamused. When he asked to see me, I told him no.

It's possible that at some future date I might change my mind but let's not hold our collective breath folks.

- The Astronaut and I have been texting sporadically, pleasantries and an occasional photo.

- Mr. Skittish has called and texted a few times in the past week, checking on me and flirting. He said he might come to town one weekend soon. I told him to let me know when, so we can hang out if I'm in town.

Honestly, right now I'm in a holding pattern where real dating is concerned. There is something (someone) I want (I think...) and sometimes we have to give up something to get something. So I'm giving up real dating in the present to possibly get what I want in the future.

Time will reveal all to everyone, me included. 😆😘

And now, I must bid y'all a fond adieu. I've been awake almost 24 hours and it's not good. The dinner party is scheduled for pedicures this afternoon. If I lay down now, it's possible I'll get three hours of sleep.

Toodles! 

856.

Oh my gosh y'all!

I wrote this post on September 16 and forgot to publish it.

It seems reminding myself to "publish first, edit later" (lest I forget!) isn't working.

*sigh*

So here it is today, September 30. So much has happened before and since this post...

I promise to update as soon as possible folks.

As always, stay tuned!

🌸 🌸 🌸 

September 16, 2018

Hello, hello, hello and happy day folks!

I hope everyone is safe and content.

There was a hurricane swirling near me. Florence was her name. She is now tropical storm Florence.

I live over 200 miles from the coast so no storm surge here but we're getting wind and rain. Flash flooding is predicted. I'll be inside, for the duration.

This has been a weekend of putting the finishing touches on a Special Project. Saturday I had some help from The Athlete. He had said he would do a big part of the project for me but I wasn't too sure so I started yesterday and left the hard parts for him.

He kept his word, surprising and delighting me. Not only did he help me, but he also gave me something really nice. I can't say what it is because that would reveal the surprise I'll share some time next week.

Before he left, because I know he never has any food at his place (and definitely nothing in the way of emergency preparedness), I made a small Hurricane Care Package for him to take home: two cans of tuna, half a sleeve of crackers, a four pack of peaches, an apple, a package of graham crackers, two bottles of water, two floating candles, and several small boxes of matches.

🌸 🌸 🌸

So y'all have probably guessed that I've been super busy since I was last here.

There were two more dates with pale blond guy. We had fun. I really liked him and we seemed to get along well. But there was also this weird energy that I couldn't decipher. And he was dealing with some personal issues that don't mesh well with my current and soon-to-be lifestyle.

We just kinda let it drift. But he gave me a couple of things that he probably wants back and he should have them because they're his. Howevva, he hasn't said anything and neither have I. My schedule is gonna change drastically pretty soon so he's gonna have to figure out a way to get his stuff that doesn't involve us meeting face-to-face. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I also had a long and fun date with a guy I met at a party this past winter. Lots of fun but we both knew it was a one-shot deal because my new schedule likely won't allow me to see him again.

He knows about my upcoming schedule changes and has actually been sending me encouraging messages as I move toward my new life.

This change will be major and I'm thankful for all the motivation I can get. 💓

Stay tuned for more folks!

855.

Good day and happy happy Wednesday folks!

My apologies for not getting swiftly to my Mercury retrograde escapades but my acknowledgement of the death of our Queen Aretha took precedence.

She reminded me so much of my godmother...

My prayers for her family and friends, as they begin their journey of life without her. 😔

🌸 🌸 🌸

Et maintenant, let's get to it!

Mercury has gone direct, thank you gods!

The most recent Mercury retrograde (roughly July 25 - August 15, depending on who you ask) was a whirlwind of hot ass messiness for me.

Yes, yes, yes, I heard from the "exes": the Astronaut (a call and a few texts), the Man-in-Waiting (a call), a guy who has no nickname (texts), and the guy I had the date with on Sunday, August 12 (a few calls and several texts).

All calls went directly to voicemail. Y'all know why.

The messy part concerned the two "exes" with no nicknames. One I had a date with and one I never did meet but we'd e-mailed, texted, and talked for a week or so.

They both tried to gaslight me, unaware that I have zero tolerance for b.s. of that nature.

One of them (the one I did not meet and had told buh-bye a month prior) tried to out-reason, out-talk, out-rationalize me. Via text.

*blank stare*

He was blissfully unaware of a Gemini's dexterity with the written word.

I enlightened him and he took it badly. I offered to introduce him to a family member who is a member of law enforcement.

Seriously.

How (and why) the hell does a self-proclaimed business owner, who is all over social media claiming to be living his best life, get his panties in a bunch because I caught him lying and subsequently denied him further access to my time?

God knows I don't bother folk because I'm trying to live my best life.

Guys like him are why I have had to ghost folk and get a gun permit. My time and safety are of the utmost importance.

The second guy with no nickname was slow enough 🐢 with his lies to make it to a first date. See details here: Post 853.

To continue, he called and texted after a couple of days of going missing. I was polite in my two-word responses to his texts and told him I'd call him when I got home. 🏡 🏘

A bit petty and passive-aggressive, yes. But I got feeling a bit snippish every time I saw a text from him.

I'm pretty sure he wasn't sitting around waiting for my call those three days. 😐🙉

🌸 🌸 🌸

I also heard from a family member I no longer engage with.

😶

On to more pleasant topics. 😃

🌸 🌸 🌸

I had two dates last weekend, one on Saturday afternoon and one Sunday evening.

The men were nothing alike.

They both seemed like cool guys "on paper" (the online dating site).

One was 11 years younger than me. The other is seven years older.

Saturday's lunch (with the older guy) lasted three hours. Prior to meeting, we exchanged e-mail on the dating site, had two or three phone conversations, then decided to meet.

We live an hour apart so we agreed to meet roughly half way, at a little Mexican spot. We were both a few minutes late but he arrived first. He brought me gifts. 💕 Very thoughtful and totally unexpected.

He's maybe an inch taller than me, blond, pale skin. Self-employed in a very interesting career and an artist as well.

The food was yummy, our conversation was superb. Overall, a dynamite vibe. We've e-mailed, talked, and texted since then. The plan is to see each other this weekend. Twice. (More on that later.)

🍗 🍗 🍗

Sunday's dinner (with the younger guy) was interesting.

We were both late and actually arrived simultaneously. He parked right next to me. Didn't even open my car door. (Strike one.) He did open the restaurant door and held out my chair at the table. (Half a gold star.)

He was a few inches taller than me, dark hair, brown skin. Employed with the same corporation for over a decade and transferred to this area close to a year ago.

Casual sports bar environment. Food was good. Conversation was cool. It was also bi-lingual. (More so him than me. I'm always "practicing" my French. Shouldn't have stopped with high school.)

Things seemed to be going well but about halfway through, I began to feel like he'd lied about something(s) that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

No big deal. I made a mental note to figure it out later.

An hour and a half later, we said our good byes with a hug and a cheek peck at my car.

I got home and logged into the dating site, to refer back to his profile and our old messages for something to refresh my memory.

And there it was: His profile said he was childless. During dinner I brought up children and he said he had two, a teenager and a preteen.

We had also messaged about the area of town he lived in because of a suggestion he made for an outing. It came up during dinner that he lives in a totally different county and not at all near where he said he lived.

Dude. 😒

He wanted to meet for a movie the next day. I bowed out gracefully.

Honestly, I have no problem with the occasional smudging of a few details here and there with strangers regarding things we think are private.

But telling me you don't have children and outright lying about the whole county you live in? Naw.

I don't date men with minor children. Specifically because I'm done raising mine. Also, I believe men should spend as much time with (and money on) their minor children as possible and necessary.

I don't want to take away from that money or that time. Nor do I want the children's time and/or money to be a reason for why we can't do xyz in our relationship or used to lie about where he was last weekend.

Been there, done that so I'll have to pass the baton to a sista who's willing.

We'll see what the future holds for the other dudes.

Ciao folks!

853.

Happy happy Tuesday y'all!

I hope everyone is somewhere safe and that everyone has enough.

There's a cricket somewhere near. It's loud. But I can't tell if it's inside or out. I'm hoping it's out because bugs inside are a no-no.

My living room windows are open and I'm sitting on the floor in front of the sofa, enjoying the breeze. I can also hear the sound of hundreds of gallons of water being wasted because my neighbor forgot to turn the spigot off after she used her hose. 😩

I texted her but it's late and dark. Maybe she'll turn it off tomorrow.

🌸 🌸 🌸

Sunday's date was fun, despite a few red flags. We met at a place I've had many dates, one of my favorite restaurants down in the big city.

We shared calamari appetizers, had a few drinks (my favorite non-alcoholic beverage for me). After we finished our respective main courses, we headed out for a walk.

Back story: We'd met online a week or so earlier and talked by phone for a few days before agreeing to meet.

I already knew it wouldn't be a love match. But he really wanted to meet me so I agreed. I was already heading to the Big City for another event so we agreed to meet at the location I was already headed to.

Unless one is psychic, which is always the exception to any and all rules, one can't possibly know if a romantic relationship will be successful long-term just by talking to the other person on the phone. ☎

This guy was just too gung ho about our future together, before we met. 😕

It felt like it was the future he'd been planning for himself for a long time; he just needed a woman -- maybe any woman -- to plug into the empty space.

A turn-off. (I was glad he was planning a future but I happen to prefer discussing life goals then making plans as a couple, if we get to that stage. 👫)

But back to the date...

The food was good and there was lots of laughter and good conversation, three things I love on a date. But he also tried to get me to commit to agreeing to do something I'd previously told him I don't do. (Nothing illegal or immoral, just something I have zero interest in doing.)

Another turn off. No means no, regardless of the topic or reason.

It was a four-hour date and while I enjoyed hanging out with him, there won't be a second date.

He did ask to see me again before we parted and I said yes. However he seemed to have lost some of his original enthusiasm at some point on Monday.

We talked a few times while he was at work. We also talked a couple of times after he got off work, as he was (allegedly) heading to eat dinner before going home. The last two calls were short. Before we ended the last call, he said he he'd call when he got home.

I guess he never made it home but I did receive two cryptic texts from him. I responded generically to the first and the second shall remain unanswered.

As I wasn't counting on a white picket fence with dude, I'm good with letting things drift into the ether.

Here's to good dates. 🥂

May they always end with a smile. 😀

Be sure to read post 854 to hear my current Mercury retrograde tidbits and more. 🎺🎻😁

Correction: Should be post 855.

852.

Happy, happy Sunday folks!

As always, I hope everyone is somewhere safe and doing well.

There has been so much going on in my life...

First, I'm having issues with figuring out how to convert the audios to some type of video format because Blogger (a.k.a. Google) doesn't allow me to just straight up embed the audio files here.

Are y'all asking why the heck not? So am I.

But let's move on, shall we? 💁🏽

I'll go back and work my way to "now", but full disclosure: I have a date in a few hours so I might be speed writing. If anything sounds weird, don't worry. I'll return later to smooth it all out.

🌸 🌸 🌸

After thinking I might put a little more time between visits to daddy, fate intervened in a way I probably would have seen coming if I had been using my rational mind. 

When I returned home from my June visit, my father's wife was living in the nursing home along with daddy. Well, one fine day, her warden (a.k.a. her daughter) came and snatched her out. The grapevine told me that my stepmother's daughter made an ugly scene (something the daughter excels at), cursing at her mom and saying it was time for her mom to get back home where she belonged.

So she left, to hell with my daddy. Daddy said she tried to cajole him into leaving with her but he stood his ground and did not go. (Good for you daddy!👍🏾)

A few days later I was on the road 🚙 to go see about my daddy. I felt he needed a morale boost, to know that I had not abandoned him, and he was still loved and cared for. 

We had a fantastic week-long visit. Daddy is doing exceptionally well. He asked to start physical therapy again in June and he has transitioned from the wheelchair to a walker. Even his doctors are amazed. 

If there is a genetic component to being resilient, I get it from both sides. Maybe a bit more from daddy... He has had several heart attacks -- three that I know of -- and a stroke, colon cancer, two surgeries for stent-placement and one for an implanted defibrillator. He has beat several addictions, a direct hit to the face by a flying pressure cooker lid that broke some of his front teeth in his late teens, being hit by a car as a youth...

My daddy is a survivor! 🙌🏽 👍🏽

And I want to thank you all for your prayers, positive thoughts, and positive energy for daddy's health and healing. I believe it all helps and so does daddy, who extends his gratitude through me.

🌸 🌸 🌸

I bought a new sofa folks. It's a small futon sofa, which will hopefully never get used as a futon. It's cute. Gray fabric and black legs, two colors I never thought I would have in my living room but the futon was only $90 and I needed to get that old sofa (love seat, really) outta here. (Thanks Habitat for Humanity!)

The sofa was on sale at Aldi the week of July 18. 

It looks nicer than I imagined it would, when I saw it in the picture. 😌

834.

Happy Thursday y'all. I hope everyone is safe and happy.

This will be a long melancholy post. 😔 So much has happened in a few days' time...

So I met the Man-in-Waiting earlier this week. We had a 48-hour visit.

Unfortunately, the experience was a huge let down.  💔

In the years that I've been dating as a widow, I have come across a lot of men who self-medicate in various ways and for a number of reasons. It always saddens me.

We are all souls evolving at our own pace, sometimes stuck in holding patterns because of past pain and trauma that we haven't yet learned to process in healthy ways.

People who self-medicate are attempting to run from that pain by any means necessary. Regardless of how they present, they can not be relied upon because they are ultimately controlled by the
"medications".

People who self-medicate while on prescription meds... Well, that's what I consider a whole nother something. It's is a sign of ugly things to come. Accidental overdose, driving mishaps, money mishaps, relationship drama...

I know what it's like to live with the residue of dependency/addiction. I had two husbands who overcame their dependence on self-medicating (both before I met them). I also have many family members who have done the same.

The behaviors that go with the practice, that allowed the practice to continue, need to be overcome as well. Those behaviors do have a tendency to linger...

Both those husbands struggled with those behaviors daily, mostly successfully but sometimes not.

A person living with active dependence/addiction needs help.

One drink here and there, a joint every other weekend or so... Those are occasional excursions. But for addicts, there is no "occasional". They are either in or out, all or nothing.

Weekend warriors who stay sober all week then binge from Friday to Sunday. The every day indulger who can't sleep without the aid of a bottle of something every night.

Some of these people manage to function "normally" in public. We work with them, worship alongside them, send our kids to be taught by them, encounter them as public servants.

If the "secret" becomes known, the addict has a choice: get help or continue their behaviors and practices until they "hit bottom". (See here for what "hitting bottom" means in this context.)

Getting help to end the dependence on self-medicating, comes with great effort. Daily, conscious effort. It's a lifelong commitment to a lifestyle sans mood-altering substances and it can be difficult for some.

If there exists a genetic predisposition for becoming dependent, it exists in my family on both sides and I've seen it from beginning to (sometimes ugly) end up close. I thank God that I did not inherit that trait, that my life remains clean and sober.

So back to the Man-in-Waiting...

In the process of extricating myself from my time with him, the woman who introduced us got involved. I considered her to be one of my best friends and it was at her recommendation that I even entertained the idea of the Man-in-Waiting.

Y'all know where this is going right?  👀

If you said she and I are no longer friends, you're right. When I vented to her about the situation, she turned on me.

There's a saying about friends who do things like that. I don't know what it is off hand but I do know the depths of friendships are revealed in situations like this. Ours had evidently grown shallow enough for wading.

If one of her daughters had told her the same things about a man that I told her about The-Man-in-Waiting, she would have told her child to get away from him as fast as she could and forget about him.

Why was I, a person she proclaimed to be her best friend, not afforded the same latitude?

Aside: So in the past several months, two long-term friends (over 15 years each) are gone from my life.

One (Former Friend #1, or FF1) was mentioned briefly in post 822. I finally stopped responding to her calls and texts, which were usually filled with nasty comments about people she didn't like and the same years-long complaints of disrespectful interactions with her significant other. And she always had snarky things to say about my life and the lives of her other "close" friends.

All these months later, I have not once missed interacting with FF1. There was a brief void but I filled it with other things: reading, crocheting, dating, and eventually meeting new sista-friends. (Thanks Meetup.com!)

To return to the current topic:

I admit that this most recent departure wasn't shocking. Full disclosure: the Man-in-Waiting and my most recent former friend (FF2) are related. So part of me knew going in that if I had to say no to the Man-in-Waiting for any reason, my friendship with FF2 might end. I think I was already prepared for it.

For the past 10 years or so, FF2 has been dealing with both serious medical issues as well as the loss of many close family members. It has all been devastating for her and so she navigates her life with the assistance of medical professionals and prescription meds (some of them psychotropic).

For the most part, she is a kind-hearted, salt-of-the-earth person and I loved her fiercely. I would have walked through a literal fire for her and despite her issues, I would have trusted her with my life. In the past several years she has been inconsistent with communication and some other things but it was never a problem. She was always there when I needed her and I was always available when she needed me. 💕

Although I was the object of her anger in this situation, I think what really angered her is the situation itself.

I see two main scenarios here:

- She was shocked by what I revealed to her about someone she thought she knew, things that she couldn't or didn't want to face about that person. And now that she's been made aware, she has a decision to make: either do something or do nothing.

Tough choice because each comes with its own perils.

Mixing alcohol with prescription meds is an absolute no-no. Doing nothing could be deadly for the family member.

Saying something to the family member could cause alienation. My former friend has already lost a lot of family members and this choice might feel painful.

It's a catch-22. I can only imagine the emotions she's feeling, knowing that the outcome for either choice could be sad for her.

Which I understand. It can be painful to learn that someone you held in high esteem is not the person you thought they were, especially when it involves touchy subjects.

I have had those experiences and they can and do hurt. Learning to accept people for who they really are can be difficult but it goes hand-in-hand with letting go of what no longer serves me, processes I am still learning and will have to implement for the rest of my life, if I am to live my best life.

- Is it also possible that she did know (or suspect) and she was hoping he could hold himself together long enough to make a presentation good enough to hook me and I could help him with the rest? Perhaps she is angry with me, because she thought my insertion into the situation could save this man and it didn't play out as she'd hoped.

I don't know...

What I do know is that FF2 knows I am a healer, a nurturer, loving, and loyal. What she didn't understand is that I would never knowingly involve myself in the chaos I saw in that 48-hour visit with her family member.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Ah well...

Life being what it is, the whole truth about FF2 et al. could be something I have no clue about and/or a combination of a number of things.

Part of me is sad. 💔

He and I seemed to have a lot of promise. We shared a lot of important beliefs and interests. And we spoke the same love language (article here 5LL *), which earned him a gold star.

For a brief moment, I was so razzle-dazzled that I was willing to overlook the self-medication. But when I saw the prescription meds added to that mix I was shaken back to reality. 😱

It was like a decades-long relationship had started and fast-forwarded to the end in 48 hours. It would make a great Lifetime movie: boy meets girl, girl learns boy has addictions, boy loses girl. Everyone cries. 😞

Another one added to the "everything that glitters ain't gold" pile... 😩

Hopeless romantic that I am, I am thankful that I remain a realist as well. An optimistic realist. 😄

I know a true friend would not be upset with me for looking out for my own best interests but "friendship" is subjective and as the old saying goes, "Blood is thicker than mud".

My prayer for the Man-in-Waiting is that he face the pain from his past hurts head on and get the assistance that will help him move into health and healing.

My prayer for FF2 is that what she is doing to further her own healing will touch and improve all areas of her life.

My prayer for myself and the rest of the world: that we all move into health and healing for any areas of our lives that need work.

In that vein, I am currently reading "How to Raise Your Vibration" online. It is one of many tools I believe can help us as we travel the path.

🌸 🌸 🌸

On another note, when the heck is the next Mercury retrograde? In the past week, I have heard from two people from my past. One a former sista-friend; the other, this guy: post 794, post 759, post 627 (Fun Young Guy), and post 540.

Why have I blogged about him so often, you ask? Because he remains the most persistent. I'm still not sure why. We met in 2013. It's five years later and I still get calls and texts from him. Most recently, two days ago. 😐

A call and a text. And per his usual, no voicemail. The call and the text were both ignored. Honestly, I just cannot believe he still thinks about me.

Okay, that's not true. At my best I am the Goddess of Love and Light, 💃🏾💞🌟 irresistible to mortal men.  😉 So yes, I shall remain in his thoughts and dreams for eternity.

However, at some point he should have moved on. If not mentally, at least in the real world. We met five years ago and yes, there was a bit of back and forth for a year. Maybe two. Mea culpa.

But the last time we actually communicated, I made it clear that I have zero interest in him. I told him verbally and by text to stop calling and texting me.

Not because I was being mean or nasty. It was because some of our past history involves behavior on his part that was manipulative at times.

*sigh*

Maybe I'm not the only woman from his past that he pesters. I just wish he would stop it. It's gotten tedious.

On that note, it's time to do laundry.

Ciao folks!



* I didn't link to the website because I'm not affiliated with the author or his works. I'm just sharing info that I found useful. I hope it's useful to someone else as well. 😀

831.

Bonsoir y'all.

So I'm done with the latest suitor. We had several conversations today (Thursday) then he invited me for a face-to-face that was all about some foolishness and b.s.

I won't go into all the details because I was more than a bit perturbed at yet another lie (and possibly lies) on his part.

I know I have my own issues to work on but I admit them so I can work on them.

But I can't do the lies.

Yes, I know that sometimes it's not a lie. However, over-analyzer that I am, if it smells like a lie and there's no proof that it isn't, I'm gonna have to go with, "It's a lie".

I try hard to be fair and I often give more chances than I should because I know my tendency to jump to all kinds of conclusions when my thoughts run wild. (Is that a common trait of writers? Geminis? Zodiac signs ruled by Mercury? 😕😀)

Giving a person the benefit of the doubt while allowing her/him to present me with evidence in the form of documents, witnesses, etc. that will allow her/him to prove the case is more than fair, in light of the previous paragraph, yes?

Because when it gets to that point, the handwriting is (usually) on the wall.

If there is no proof or what is presented as proof looks sketchy, I have to go with my own common sense and ditch the effort(s).

And there's just something sad about adults who swear they don't lie when it's known that they do. 😑😶

It's like a thief that says, "I don't steal".

We know you steal. Just like we know you lie.  😏

Probably because you got caught.

Just admit it so folk know not to leave their valuables around you and not to believe what you say. Because that's where things stand any way. And some of y'all know how that is... Some folk are gonna assume that you lie and/or steal all the time.

Any who, que sera, sera... 😇😉

Time for some shut-eye!

Good night y'all.  😴

830.

Hello and Happy Thursday folks! 🌞

I hope everyone is well and safe. How is your late spring going? Mine is going... 😉

So much to tell y'all... This is gonna be a long one folks.

My mom and I attended the funeral services for my sista-friend's mom.

As an empath, funerals are overwhelming for me. The grief of everyone around me settles into my psyche and the feelings are overpowering.

This funeral was no exception.

I was able to hold my tears until the choir sang a song that broke me. As I rushed from my seat headed for the bathroom, I felt like my heart would burst from my chest.

I won't get into all the details because I can't and so much has happened since then...

🌸 🌸 🌸 

Remember when I said I might skip daddy's June visit? Well, I didn't. I was there with him for a week and went to two doctor's appointments with him. He is doing remarkably well y'all. His nephrologist said daddy was a smidgen away from going on dialysis about a year ago. Literally, Stage  5 kidney disease. Daddy rebounded and is currently holding at Stage 3.

Incredible.

So my lucky daddy has seen his favorite daughter on four separate weekends in the past month. (The third visit was Memorial Day weekend, which I mention below.)

🌸 🌸 🌸

The guy I've been seeing off and on (but exclusively) since March -- let's call him The Athlete --  asked me to go to a church event with him for Memorial Day weekend. It was in my hometown. So, my third trip up the road in the month of May...

I drove because he drives every day for a living and I wanted him to be able to relax.

Our first (last?) trip together was mostly a good one. There were a few snafus but that's been the pattern with me and this guy. We are on two opposite ends of a very wide spectrum and I'm not sure what to do with this knowledge. It doesn't bother him (and I'm not sure he fully understands it)  and maybe it shouldn't bother me (and sometimes it doesn't) but...

I am still learning to live in the moment but as a Gemini, overanalyzing things is part of my makeup.

We had a two-week break after I showed him the not-so-nice Gemini twin who resides in me. To his credit, although he was thoroughly lambasted by my tongue (whose power was unleashed with the hormonal madness that can be peri-menopause with a side of aunt-Flo-is-knocking), he never said anything mean or nasty in return.

Honestly, if I had been in my right mind, I could have said those things nicely and with some refinement. But I wasn't. And it started because I felt he'd lied to me about something trivial. He felt he was being truthful.

(Aside: Whenever I feel like a person has lied to me and tried to re-word the scenario to their advantage, I always wonder if s/he would do the same with his/her mother, minister, etc.)

Eventually, I did apologize for being mean and for my funky attitude but I meant everything I said to him. It wasn't kind but it was necessary. It was also true. Shame on me for not biting my tongue instead of hurting his feelings.

He called me this morning (two weeks later) to tell me how he felt about it all. He said he's forgiven me, he still loves me, and he would do anything for me. He said he had held me in such high esteem, and how he'd "shed a few tears" about the incident and us, how my actions had made him feel like I didn't appreciate anything he'd ever done for me...

I told him that I still loved him too and reminded him of how vastly different we are, especially our views on what we think of as love and how to co-exist in a relationship...

It only took me a few weeks into dating him to see exactly how different he and I are, which caused me to break up with him several times over the course of our acquaintance. He won me back because for the most part, he is a sweetheart. But he's also some things I don't like in a man. Or in human beings in general.

He was talking about marriage... The church he attends... I told him they won't let him marry me and asked if he just wanted to date until one or the other of us found a more suitable match. He said no (of course he did) because he didn't think that was fair. I told him I thought it was more than fair, as long as we were honest about it and not sneaking around with other people.

For the most part, we have fun together. But I can't be serious about him for a number of reasons. Number one being he's not my idea of a "responsible adult".

In some ways, the late Mr. Bliss wasn't either. But I'm no longer the young woman who fell in love with Mr. Bliss. Although Mr. B and I had a strong and magical bond, I now have different requirements when thoughts of long-term commitment and marriage ping around in my head.

Not to say that he didn't mature as time passed, just that the me I am today probably wouldn't have stayed around as long or been as serious when he showed his "youth".

🌸 🌸 🌸

The past several weeks have been messy for me, both physically and emotionally.

I had another upper respiratory crisis, brought on (I believe) by sleeping in so many places in the past month. (Some people don't know the signs of mold infestation in their living space and some don't seem to know how often to change the filters in their HVAC systems. I am super prone to URIs and both the aforementioned situations will wreak havoc on my health.

Thank God for Kyolic garlic and quercetin with bromelain. I believe both of those supplements brought me back to "healthier" and saved me from another full-on sinus infection. 😷

It hasn't yet been a week since I've gotten back from my June visit with daddy. So maybe I'll skip the July and August visits. Daddy's wife is there with him at the nursing home and he has no doctor's appointments scheduled until early fall.

My birthday is coming and I need a vacation. I really really really want to head to a nice warm Caribbean beach but that last time I flew, I thought my head would explode from the pain of the descent. (Possibly caused by some "residue" of that bad sinus infection I had a few years ago.)

So it looks like I'm gonna take off for a week in the mountains to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, shopping, and of course, delicious food.  😊

Emotionally I've been awash in tears, tears, tears for the past week or so. Everything and nothing is making me cry. 😧 I know it's the hormones but it's driving me crazy! This menopause crap is for the worms, may they take it and bury it in a hole. 🙏🏾

That's all for now folks. I'm headed to the park to sit by the lake with a book, a hook, and some yarn. My weather app says the "RealFeel" weather is 98 degrees so it might be a short outing. 😁

Ciao for now y'all! 👋🏾

828.

Hey folks!

It's been a while, yes?

My apologies but I have been super busy.

Among other things, I have been burning up the road every month since December to visit daddy in the nursing home. I stay a week, minimum.

I've also been dating, which has become challenging with my travel schedule.

This month has been particularly busy.

I visited daddy then had to hightail it home for Baby Bliss's birthday celebrations as well as the Mother's Day festivities.

Mother's Day night I got word that a dear friend had lost her mom earlier in the day.

So Thursday I got on the road to get home for the funeral.

I'll be here another few days, as the funeral is taking place a few days later than I thought. But no worries. I've been able to spend time with other good friends and I am staying at an Airbnb accommodation with a beautiful family.

God continues to bless me and I'm thankful. (Though exhausted!)

I'm thinking about skipping my June visit to daddy or perhaps delaying it by a week or two because his wife is now in the nursing home with him.

He seemed content when I stopped in for a short visit Thursday morning. She did too.

Amen.

Kisses to you all!

More later...

824.

I should be sleeping but my brain is spinning and grinding.

Here are my musings:

After much thought, I realized that I'm not as dismissive with the exes as I previously thought. Though the percentage still remains low in terms of who I still keep in touch with, it came to me that not all of them got the boot.

Mr. Skittish and I are still friends and he's been a constant listening ear in the past month as well as a good resource for information when I was first dealing with my dad's situation at the beginning of December.

There is also another guy who I had a couple of dates with that I'm still friendly with. We're linked on social media and we also exchange jokes and such in e-mail from time to time.

So that adds two to the very small number of guys who remain in the "Cool Dudes" column.

Of those two, I can't say either would get me anywhere near an altar but that would depend on what the terms were.

Honestly, at my age, a man has to bring considerably more to the table than his declaration of love everlasting. No gold digging in my past or future because if I can't like a man enough to love him, nothing else he offers will suffice. However, anyone who comes with his pockets turned out would be a liability.

There needs to be balance.

Hmmm... The longer I think about the exes, the more names flit through my head.

Right now I'm thinking about Chuck and how we can add him to that short column. (More about Chuck here: 691.)

He and I are still friendly. We no longer text every day and we never talk. We text periodically, keeping each other in the loop with family issues and any other stuff we think the other wants to know.

If I had my druthers (as my momma used to say), the returning ex would be Chuck and he would be here to stay. It would require working out a whole lotta logistics but I'm confident he's the man for the job. He's an engineer! 😉

Seriously, he is now my current Fantasy Guy. Hopefully, one of the good things in store for me in 2018 includes seeing Chuck again.

Now that I've shared, it's time for sleep. I am tired as all get out.

More later y'all. 💋

822.

O' happy Sunday everyone!

I hope you all brought in the new year safely and in good spirits.

I was home alone, a bit maudlin but tis the season and all.

Cooking has never been my forte but I did quite a bit of it this past week. A pot of bean soup (cannellini beans, carrots, kale, chicken, cumin, Himalayan salt) and a pan of cornbread that fed me for several days. 

For my New Year's Eve dinner, I ate barbecue ribs, kale, and a slab of the cornbread. I also made a cake and topped it with a simple homemade icing.

Martha Stewart won't be asking me to pop by but it was all tasty enough for me. 😋

Now let's get to today's business, shall we?

This is the "What's New for 2018?" edition.  🎊 🎊 🎊

It has come to my attention that I will need to take a few steps back in order to move forward. Also that I'll have to give up something or someone from my past.

Well alrighty then.

Although I am a firm believer in omens and portends like rainbows and falling stars (both of which I saw during my drive home from visiting daddy), I don't believe in signs in what I think of as a willy-nilly fashion. 

In other words, I need to see what I think of as Real Proof. 

Does that sound crazy, expecting the tangible from things that seem to have no basis in fact?

Maybe, but as I've heard a time or two (and I like to quote it when it's appropriate): I'm from Missouri.  (For those of you who don't know what that means, go here: Missouri.)

As for this back-and-forth-to-the-future forecast, it has seemed to be a theme in the past week.

Not only has it been the theme of more than a few tv shows/movies I've seen in the past week, I also did a few of those silly Facebook quizzes that promised to tell me what my 2018 would look like based on my responses to the questions.

I actually did a few of them on New Year's Eve. I find the options and outcomes fun and funny enough to distract me when I need it so I made them part of my festive evening. 

One of those outcomes predicted romance in the new year with someone from my past. 😐

Now y'all know how I feel about the exes.  😐 (An "ex" being anyone I've ever talked to on one of the dating sites, had at least one date with, or been married to.)

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say I've been on hundreds of dates and talked to hundreds more online. 

From that humongous group, there exists a minuscule percentage who can expect a response to a phone call or text. One of those is an ex-husband. At this moment, I can't think of anyone else who belongs on that list of one. 😄

(Ooops, wait! There is another guy. We never dated but there was once a very subtle flirtation. By "once" I mean it was an isolated incident that went absolutely nowhere and many many years later, we're still friends.)

While I'm not gonna attempt to bribe my crystal ball for a name, I do wonder who this someone might be.

A screenshot of the predictive pronouncement:

So will this person from my past be He-Who-I-Must-Disgard? Or will it be someone (or something) else?

Along those lines, there is a friend who I've been feeling ambivalent about for over a year. She has a few habits that are lately wearing my patience thinner by the day. Sadly, it's gotten to the point of me not wanting to respond to her calls or texts.

It dawned on me that she's one of the few people I currently think of as a close friend, which is kind of suck-y because she is no longer the type of person I want to be friends with.

*sigh*

Probably it is her that needs to be let go because it would certainly create space in my life for a sunnier disposition to come along.

The decision isn't a difficult one but I've been dragging my feet about it because of the length of our friendship. Really, the hesitation lies in how to sever the ties.

With other people I've felt okay with what some might call ghosting, which for me it comes down to not wanting the drama of trying to explain to people how they have crossed the line with me (for the last time).

(Because I know humans make mistakes so I'll give a few chances but truly, if they understood my boundaries they wouldn't have continued to cross the line. Unless they understood and just didn't care. Either way, I've learned there's no need to waste my energy with an explanation.)

A few examples:

After Mr. Bliss and I were married, I had one friend who kept calling me in the wee hours. Granted I've always been a night owl, which my friends know. However, I told homegirl it wasn't cool to continue the late-night calls because my husband had to get up early for work every day. But she thought it was okay and kept at it.  *snip, snip, snip*

Another friend decided about a year after Mr. Bliss died that it was okay to ask me how much money I got when he died. Très gauche honey! There is only one friend I discuss my finances with and that chick was not the one. In almost two decades of friendship she and I had never discussed money. At least not my money. She talked freely about hers and why she never had any. When she inquired about my "inheritance" (as she called it), I was inclined to think that at some point in the future she would be angling for a loan. That and the fact that I thought she was incredibly rude for asking me the question: *snip, snip, snip*

My friends are important to me and are usually considered family. Some of them I do miss talking with but having boundaries is a good practice and for me, letting people cross them indiscriminately is the same as having none.

Moving on...

Today's Lotus Tarot, titled "Tough Decisions, featured the Hanged Man. It's is a continuation of the "Back to the Future" plot that began with the quizzes. Looks like I'm gonna need more lavender essential oil, lots of pens and paper, and lots of Epsom salt.

See screenshot below:

(The screenshot is the last part of the Lotus Tarot e-mail, which in its entirety was too long and I believe the last bit is most pertinent for this post.)

There is also a wedding in the forecast featuring me as the blushing bride. 💕💍💏 😜 (Definitely not marrying the guy in the graphic!)

There will also be money! (Shhhh! Y'all aren't supposed to see this because I do not discuss money with friends so don't tell anyone. 😄)

Finally, there should be travel! Specifically, to Argentina. (If anyone cares to join me, please drop me a line. 😀)

It looks like my 2018 will be super busy and exciting folks. My passport is ready but I might need new shoes! 💃

821.

Hello folks. I see it's been over a month since I've checked in with you fine people.

First, I'd like to wish all who celebrate anything this time of year, Happy Merry Joyful celebration to you! 🎉🎉🎉

Now let's get to the business of telling all.

Well, some.

So here's the latest:


- I'm here visiting daddy. He was in hospital for a week, about two weeks ago. I came running like the faithful loving daughter I am. My visit ruffled a lot of feathers. I learned (more) ugly things about my father's wife and her family. I also learned some ugly things about my father's "aide", a man who has been my father's "friend" for a number of years.

I won't go into details here because it's serious and I had to notify a few government agencies as well as law enforcement.

Daddy has been at the local rehabilitation facility for a few weeks and has transitioned into long-term care there. Sadly (but not surprisingly), the usual suspects are attempting to lure him home with whispered lies.

My prayer is that daddy continues to understand how it's in his best interest to remain at the facility, where he can get his meals and medications in a consistent manner.

Amen.

🌸 🌸 🌸

In the romance arena, Mr. Quince and I managed to work out our differences by parting ways. We are just too different in ways that are very important to me.

I won't go into too much detail about this either but I will say this: social grace matters to me.

Some of the folks I grew up with think that means a person has to be fake or phony around people they don't like. I disagree. I believe that one aspect of social grace entails knowing how to comport oneself in social settings, a skill that can open doors that can facilitate opportunities for positive change in a person's life.

My life attests to that.

I don't know if we're born with the skill and we hone it (or not) as we mature but I'm inclined to think it's more nurture than nature.

Fortunately, I am blessed with a mother who worked and socialized with a wide variety of people from the time I was very young.

My privilege has been to observe and often mingle with those folks on many occasions. Somehow it all helped me with what I feel are appropriate interactions with others.

That's not to say I don't occasionally make a mis-step but I don't believe that's a regular occurrence. Lucky me.

On a more serious note, I remain thankful for all I've learned over the years no matter the source.

That's just one tiny inkling of why Mr. Quince and I couldn't go the distance. Some of the other issues are very serious and are absolute deal-breakers.

🌸 🌸 🌸

And that's all for now folks. 

It's time to head out for what will be my last visit with daddy in 2017. (I've been in town for a week.) After he finishes lunch, I'm heading back to warmer climes.

As always, I've saved some for later so stay tuned.

Be safe, be blessed, be a blessing!

Amen.

819.

Good Monday to you fine folks.

I hope everyone has been well since we last met here.

I've been many things since then: overjoyed, frazzled, peaceful, optimistic, disheartened, overwhelmed, and more. Sometimes all in the same day. Literally.

The emotional life of a peri-menopausal woman is rich with feeling.

And so much has happened since my last post.

- Daddy has been home, back to the hospital, back to rehab, and back home again. He's had good days and some not-so-good days. As of our last phone call he sounded really well, like his pre-stroke self.

But that was a week ago. We're having communication issues, me and daddy. His cell phone seems to have gone missing so I can't reach him on that number. No one answers the house phone when I call so I can't talk to him that way. I can talk to him when he's in hospital or rehab or when his wife calls me from her cell phone.

The last time she did, she put us on speaker. Her reason: the earpiece wasn't working well. Funny that it was working well when she called me to say my dad wanted to talk to me.

As my faithful readers know, this isn't the first time there've been communication issues between my dad and I due to his wife's interference. I'm not sure if she knows she's hurting my dad with her behavior but I know.

🌸 🌸 🌸

In other news, I've been in my hometown since Friday. I drove up for a cousin's engagement party and to attend an event with my momma.

Both those events were fun.

The not-so-fun but oh-so-exciting event came later.

Mr. Quince has been in hospital since Thursday evening, when he was admitted via emergency room visit.

I stayed overnight with him Saturday night and I'm here with him tonight. I truly wish I could stay longer but I must return home tomorrow because I have business down south that needs handling.

It's possible I'll return before December but not a certainty. Once the temps drop below 40 degrees (day or night), there's no long distance driving for me.

🌸 🌸 🌸

On that note, I'm gonna bid y'all bonne nuit. 😙 It's at least a six-hour drive to where I'm headed and with the way I drive, it might take eight or nine.

811.

Happy Sunday folks.

The past two weeks (give or take a few days) have been long chez Bliss. For one, I'm still in recovery mode after being away from home for two weeks. Another reason is the hormones. I've been weepy, overjoyed, hot and sweaty, exhausted, ecstatic, forgetful... You name it.

Such is life these days.  🤷🏾‍♀️

So, I was skimming over several of my previous posts and it looks like I failed to mention the "disappearance" of the Astronaut.

Here's what happened: after we talked and texted for a week or so, I realized we were so very different and not in complimentary ways. I tried to explain it to him but he seemed to think it didn't matter. I knew from experience that it did. 😐

And then came the beach and Mr. Quince... 💕💕💕

Then came my dad's situation and Mr. Quince was there for me. Supportive emotionally and literally there at the hospital with me. 💕

I chose the man my heart told me to choose. Maybe the playing field was a bit uneven, with Mr. Quince having the home field advantage. But it wasn't anything within my control. It's just the way things turned out.

Sometimes a glimpse of things past is all we need...

End of story.  🔕

As for Mr. Quince and I, we're managing well in our time apart. A megaton of daily phone calls and texts about everything and anything.

I'm still adjusting to calling him "baby", "sweetie", "darling"... Which I'm absolutely digging but it's strange after years of calling him the name his momma gave him.

We're currently making plans for him to visit in a couple of weeks. It's not definite for a few reasons and it's likely we won't know until a few days before he's due to arrive. I'm optimistic that the odds will be in our favor.

We've both been feeling stressed lately; I want our time together to be as low-key as possible.

There will be no planned agenda but i would like to take him to my favorite park, show him my beautiful neighborhood, introduce him to a few treasured neighbors. (Baby Bliss too of course. She met him once but it was many years ago, when he and I were just friends and former schoolmates. I know she doesn't remember him because he was one of dozens of people she met that day.)

810.

Happy Friday everyone.

I hope everyone is doing well.

First, thank you all for the prayers, well wishes, positive energy, and positive thoughts for my dad's health and healing.

I am happy to say he came through his surgery much better than his doctors expected. After a week in the hospital, he was moved to a rehabilitation facility and is doing well. 🎊🎈🎊🎈🎊🎈

As for me, I am recovering from a lot of time on the road. I'm also experiencing withdrawal symptoms after spending a few weeks with my new suitor. (Let's call him Mr. Quince.)

My dad lives about an hour from my hometown so in between visits with him, I had the opportunity to spend some much-needed quality time with Mr. Quince at his place.

Making the transition from being friends with someone to being in a romantic relationship with that person is exhilarating. It's fun and frustrating, messy and miraculous, amazing and anxiety-inducing.

We're both excited about the current situation as well as future possibilities. 😍😍😍

If he and I didn't already have a real connection (growing up in the same neighborhood, similar childhood experiences, friends in common, and an already-established friendship), the long distance aspect of this relationship would be difficult if not impossible for me.

But I'm okay with it for now. For now. If anything changes, Mr. Quince will be notified with the quickness. (As we would say back home.)

He's making plans to visit me as soon as he can get here. Although he is formally retired, he takes on special projects for friends and family that keep him busy enough. His current project is daunting but he's about halfway through it and he said he wouldn't take on anything new unless it's related to him relocating to my area.

Que sera, sera...

Life is so unpredictable. I'm definitely looking forward to more time shared with Mr. Quince but open to how it happens. I do have family living near him and with my dad's health being what it is, it's entirely possible that I'll have to head that way again any day.

The extended driving, the packing and unpacking... It's all exhausting but I'm thankful my schedule allows me to do so when necessary.

In the in between, I'm relaxing as much as possible. 😊

Amen.

808.

🎶 🎶 🎶 Good morning, good morning folks! 🎶 🎶 🎶


Yes, I feel like singing. But not right now because I also feel like I need to find a pile of pillows and dive right in.

I am tired as all get out and some body parts are achy too.

There is lots of good news to share but it will have to wait for a subsequent post.

What I'll leave you wonderful people with is this: I have a new suitor.

He's someone I grew up with and I've had a crush on him for as long as I can remember but I kept it a secret. (Who wants to ruin a good friendship with romance? Not me.)

And yes it happened at the beach.

Totally unexpected and totally cool.

We've been friends for years without even a hint of romance, previously sharing more of a sibling-type relationship. However, the time we spent together at the beach allowed us to see each other differently.

 He's smitten. 💕 Me too. 💕

He lives in my hometown but he's retired so we're gonna see how we can work it out. 💃

That's all for now good people. My eyeballs are begging for darkness.

Nitey-nite folks. 💋💋

804.

Howdy folks and Happy Thursday! 😊

I hope everyone reading is doing well.

I sure am. 😀

Despite the monotony of performing mundane chores like laundry, vacuuming, and washing dishes, Wednesday was an intriguing day chez Bliss.

My down time was spent talking and texting with a man I dated briefly when I was in my late teens.

Let's call him the Astronaut.

Brief though our acquaintance was, I was absolutely besotted with the Astronaut. And so he has always had a home in my heart and my thoughts.

About 50 percent of our conversation was him expressing his awe at our virtual reunion. We also talked about a face-to-face reunion, to likely take place in a few weeks, when I go visit my dad.

Ole pack rat that I am, I knew I still had pictures of one never-forgotten weekend we spent together back in 1986. After I scanned in the photos, I uploaded them, then texted them to him.

Although I've seen the photos many times over the intervening years, it had been a long time since I'd last looked at them. Viewing them again brought back a bunch of sweet memories for me, bittersweet memories for him once he saw them. (Via text.)

His mom, who is now deceased, was alive when he and I dated. She was a kind and beautiful woman and I loved her from the moment I met her. He said she felt the same about me. Many years ago, she came to me in a dream as she was dying. Her warm smile and welcoming spirit are lodged in my heart forever.

Sadly, there were no photos of his mom from that weekend but we both know she was there and I think that made it sadder for him. He told me how much he missed her, told me how much she liked me and wanted him to marry me.

Wow.

On a more upbeat note, the Astronaut told me I was his first love. He also said he stills loves me and has been looking for me for decades.

The last part isn't surprising because I've looked for him many times over the years too. Not to rekindle, but because I'd always wondered where he was, how his life had turned out after his mom died. There was also something I needed to tell him.

Shortly after we rang off the first time, he texted me to say his sister would be calling me. She did and we had a brief, pleasant conversation about her brother. During our chat, she said he'd told her "I found my wife".

Well then...

Long distance dating...

He and I currently live several hours from each other. He has a job and a part-time job but he doesn't work on weekends. My schedule is as flexible as it can be so I have more time to go back and forth. But he did say he would fly down to see me as often as possible.

Folks, stay tuned for what ever is coming next. With my life being what it is, one never knows. 😉

A big "thank you" to Facebook for facilitating the re-connection. 👍🏾

p.s. Today's date has been cancelled. 🔕

No, not because of the re-connect with my teen-age sweetheart.

One, I realized early Wednesday evening that I wasn't in the mood to make the extended drive to meet the guy. Two, I realized late Wednesday evening that I hadn't heard from the guy all day. Three, I might be heading for a weekend at the beach later today.

I sent dude a text cancelling the date. I texted well before midnight so while it was late notice, I don't consider it last-minute notice. Yes, calling him probably would have been better. But I'm pretty sure he'll be okay with it. He seems to be that kinda guy.

Time for bed.

G'night y'all.