When East Meets West

I live out in the country on a relatively quiet road surrounded by an organic vineyard on three sides and Douglas fir trees everywhere else. A familial vortex has sucked me in to be here and take care of my aging mother and her aging husband.

I have a few neighbors, and we do neighborly things like shoot the shit at my gate where mailboxes are gathered.

The internet has been a source of mental stimulation for me the last few years, as it is boundless and always there, ready to amaze and placate, challenge me and bore me to sleep.

I have learned to type with three fingers from BOTH hands using the internet, and for that, I suppose, I am grateful.

The day after tomorrow I am going on a date because of the internet. A woman of intrigue and silliness has caught my attention, and apparently, I have caught hers. Many a nights I would hear her riffling through my archives, reading stories of mine that I wrote last year. I wondered “who could that be?” and I set out to find out.

As these things go, attractions come from out of nowhere and friendships (and, well, slamma jamma-ships) suddenly become possibilities.

One minute, you are not thinking about impressing a member of the opposite sex, and the next minute, you are seeing how long you can hold your tummy in without your face going purple.

Thursday, a female blogger compatriot is flying out to spend six days with me.

Eek!

We are going to head to the coast and brave an incoming winter storm, and then, hopefully (if storm permits) drive up to Seattle and share beer and pretzels (or coffee and a Danish) with a few Seattle bloggers and bloggerettes.

Her identity is not a secret but it is more fun not to say.

Teehee.

Scotty’s got a date…