Someone special.
Well, it’s been nearly a month since my last blog post — the longest gap between blog posts since I started blogging back in 2003. Why the delay? Well, I’ve found something else to take up my time. Or perhaps I should say someone else.
I danced barefoot with my new sweetie at the Ohme Gardens Wine Gala last week. My friend Kriss shot this photo of us.
Yes, it’s true. After three years of being single, with occasional time-wasting dates that really made me happy to be single, I began a serious relationship with someone I’ve known for about a year. His name is Kirk, he’s retired (early), and he lives on a 15-acre orchard/farm in nearby Peshastin. I ran into him at a Meetup event the Thursday before my birthday at the end of June, he invited me on a double date for dinner and dancing in Leavenworth the next evening, and things progressed rather quickly from there. He treated me to the best birthday I’ve had in more years than I like to admit — pardon me if I leave out the details. We now spend quite a bit of time together doing the kinds of things we both like to do: hiking, dancing, eating out, picking blueberries, cooking, flying, exploring swimming holes, you name it.
And yeah, that, too. I’ve done more of that in the past month than I had in the last three years of my marriage.
Kirk is smart, upbeat, and friendly. He’ll start a conversation with anyone and learn interesting things along the way. He’s confident and comfortable in his own skin. He knows how to make me feel good about myself and never belittles me or tries to embarrass me in front of friends. He obviously doesn’t feel threatened by either my intelligence or success. There doesn’t seem to be a mean bone in his body.
He doesn’t have any previous relationship baggage and isn’t a slave to a job or tied to high-maintenance offspring or parents. He says Yes far more often than No. He’s willing to try anything once and then do it again if he likes it. Better yet, he actually suggests fun things to do so I don’t have to.
He makes me happy. Very happy.
And he keeps me busy. So busy that I simply don’t have time to blog.
So if you don’t mind, I’ll need to cut things short here. He’s on his way for dinner tonight. I’ll grill up some chicken tenders and he’ll cook green beans from his garden. I’m hoping he’ll bring some rhubarb, too — I’m thinking of strawberry rhubarb topping on vanilla ice cream for dessert. Wine on the deck for sunset. Later, when it gets dark, we’ll take out the telescope and explore the heavens.
Still later, we’ll likely do some other things that I won’t detail here.
I’ll get back to blogging regularly one of these days. I hope you’ll keep checking in.
Discover more from An Eclectic Mind
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thumbs up Maria and Kirk!!
Thanks so much!
good to see a new blog……and a new spark in your life…all the best
Thanks, Rich. I’ll try to make time for new blog posts about other stuff, too.
Very pleased that you have found happiness together.
But don’t forget to tell him that if he wants rain blown off his cherries with the Robinson, you will still have to charge him for fuel!
Thanks! He only has one cherry tree, so I don’t think we’ll bother. ;-)
What a joy it was to read this post from you, Maria. Can’t get much more authentic than that! Congratulations on attracting such a positive influence into your life story! Sending more positive thoughts your way. You deserve to be this happy and more!
Thanks so much. I think the key to finding happiness after a difficult breakup is to avoid going with the first willing partner you find. I did a bunch of dating with guys who just weren’t right for me. As I told so many people, I’d rather be single than saddled with another bad partner. It took me three years to find the right guy because I wasn’t willing to settle for less. Kirk and I aren’t perfect together — is it even possible to find a “perfect” partner at our age? — but there’s enough that’s good and right to make a strong relationship that’s good for both of us.
Congratulations, although I don’t know you personaly I feel that I do through your blog so happy for you.
Thanks so much, Linda. I tend to get pretty personal here, so reading my blog is often enough for folks to think they do know me! Love the moral support I get from readers.
Best wishes for a happy future.
Thanks so much!
So happy for you; you deserve your happiness!
And relieved — I was so afraid you were fighting the Wenatchee fires that we hear about even back here in Jersey. I’m happy to excuse your lack of blogs; looking forward to whatever you can spare, but I understand your priorities. Enjoy!
Thanks, Susan. Yes, after the nonsense I’ve put up with over the past 5 or more years, I really believe I earned all the happiness I can get.
The Wenatchee fires were down in town, about 8-10 air miles away. I could see them from my home, but there was no danger of them getting close. Still, we’re at high fire alert this week with very dry and windy conditions. I’ve cleared a “defensible space” around my home and have the tools I need to protect it. The local fire department is very responsive. It was reassuring, for example, to see a fire truck speed down my road to the end and back after a lightning storm went through about a week ago. They’re proactively looking for fires and that’s a good thing.
Hope to get back to blogging at least a few times a week shortly.
Such great news. I’m so happy for you. You have earned and deserve only the BEST.
Thanks, Sharon! Hope to make it down to AZ with him this winter. I’ll be sure to visit with you.
So happy for you! I know the divorce took an awful toll on you – but you look more beautiful and happy now than you ever did during your married years (yes I have been reading this blog for awhile). Really thrilled for the both of you.
Thanks very much, Daphne. It’s so good to be able to put the divorce behind me. Starting a new relationship is the best way to keep moving forward.