Slightly Lively

Driving down the road through the lovely town of Springville, Utah.
I see a sign that makes my heart flutter.
An author whose wife I love, is coming to town.
Unbelievable.
I can’t believe he’s coming.
He’s coming!!
Ted Hughes.
To Springville?? That’s odd…
I’m shaking.
OMG.

Then my brain kicks in and says: Al…, yes, it’s odd because Ted Hughes is dead. He died in ‘98. Seamus Heaney spoke at his funeral.

I turn the car around.
The sign says DEAN Hughes.

Never have I been so disappointed.

I wasn’t trying to find myself.
I wasn’t out playing games.
I wasn’t looking for answers.

I guess it’s true what they say about finding the most amazing things, when you’re not hoping for anything at all.

I’m going to introduce you to somebody and I can honestly say I don’t know for how long he’ll walk with me. Since I wasn’t looking for anybody to walk with, he came as quite a surprise. A very pleasant, wonderful surprise.

Like I said on the chocolate and flowers post, he’s a bit intimidated by my many readers (the whole dozen of you), so I’m gonna give him a nickname.
Do you remember, by chance, that movie with Matthew Broderick, WarGames?
Do you remember this quote? (Thanks, imdb)

Nigan: He does fit the profile perfectly. He’s intelligent, but an under-achiever; alienated from his parents; has few friends. Classic case for recruitment by the Soviets.
Arthur Cabot: Now what does this say about the state of our country, hmm? I mean have you got any insight as to why a bright boy like this would jeopardize the lives of millions.
[the General rolls his eyes]
Nigan: No sir. He says he does this sort of thing for fun.
Arthur Cabot: What!

So let’s call him WarGames.
I suppose I should tell you some things about him…WarGames started college at 14. His shelves are full of coding books and he doesn’t really read fiction. He’s 6′2″, works too much, loves sushi, is unpredictable, kindhearted and cooks marvelous toast. He also seems to fancy me.
I’m ok with all of that so…we’re just friends for now. I’m not in a hurry for anything and neither is he, so we’re taking it one day at a time, being happy.
Here are some of the things we have done and seen:

This is our half eaten sushi.

i call this one “Girl running after her kitty".

And this one “Hello”

These snow pea crisps are sooo gross! Don’t ever buy them.
Definitely buy everything on the above picture. The mango mousse was to die for.

When I arrived home today from work, I found these at my door.
Flowers and chocolates.
I don’t think I’ve ever received flowers AND chocolates before.
The note read: You make me smile whenever I think of you. I hope these help remind you of me and make you smile too.
The note was mysteriously unsigned.
Because the florist forgot.

I know who they are from now.
I have asked if I may blog about him, but he’s very shy and would rather not appear in a blog that millions of people read. So Dooce won’t mention him. And heck, if she won’t, neither will I.
For now.

I’ll say that he makes me laugh and loves numbers to the point that, when talking about books on amazon.com, he’ll refer to them by their ISBN number instead of their title.
I guess I should be really thankful the note wasn’t written in binary code.

As I sit here stuffing my face with chocolates and smelling my flowers, I can’t help to think this life is really funny.
How does that saying go? When God closes a 10 year marriage, he opens a window? OR When God closes a door, you get flowers and chocolates delivered?
Whatever it is, I like that saying, specially the bright, yellow, happy part.

Oh, also, I’ll be in New York next week.
I’ll bring you stories from the Big Glamorous Apple, and possibly, souvenirs.

Lovely Jenna invited me to a 4th of July BBQ on Friday, but I couldn’t get myself to go.
It was great talking to Zoey on the phone, though. She told me stories and made me laugh.
I’m glad to have all those little girls ( and boy!) in my life.

On Saturday I went shopping and when I came back to the house… I really thought it was gonna take longer for me to go on a “date", but when he knocked on my door and asked me if I was interested in going to touch snakes with him, I couldn’t say no.

He told me I had to be ready at 4. I was feeling like a rock star already, so I put on this t-shirt and painted my toe nails with “Goldilocks Rocks!”

I was out the door at 4.
He said he really liked my t-shirt.
I said thank you, because I know how to take compliments.

His parents, his sister, his brother, he and I, drove to the event.

In the next few hours we saw a 14 foot snake, thicker than I, and we handled several smaller ones. I even got a teeny python around my neck but, of course, I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures of any of this. Sorry about that.

Anyway, we drove back home and his parents invited me to dinner and to play scrabble.
During dinner he tried to impress me by shoving a whole thing of broccoli in his mouth, and by blowing bubbles through a straw into his drink.

While his parents and I played scrabble, he made this drawing of me.

As you can see, it’s really accurate. Except for my name. He got creative there with the spelling.

A few days ago, Becky was asking what we considered to be an acceptable age difference when you’re gonna date someone.
Well, Becky, my last “date” was 4 years old. I helped him cross the street, I told him to stop blowing bubbles or he’d get in trouble. As a date, he really sucked, so I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone. I’d say 15 years difference is acceptable since it seems to be working for Demi and Ashton.

As something fun to do, going out with children and re-discovering the world with them is absolutely fantastic.
I had forgotten how fun it is to play scrabble. And to touch snakes. And to have fun with friends who have no ulterior motives.
Here’s to new friends, to a new life.
I’m ready to begin, with freaky- scary heart-shaped eyes, teeth and nose.

There is placidness in being alone.

Simplicity, in the tacit lines of a cup of tea.
Clemency, in hushed hours caressing the arm of a couch.
Complicity, between books and hands.

Stillness, in the dust, on everything.
Contentment, in my oven.
Composure, in the pantry shelves.

Peace, in the garden’s dirt under my nails.
Benevolence, in the sun toasting my naked arms.
Hope, in a milky tub full of warm water.

Repose, in my bed, between my toes.
Harmony, in my phone waking me up.
Serenity, in my face on the mirror.

P.S. My cat is really big.