Courting A Good Wife!

Of course good women don’t just grow on trees… but a shared love of anything woodland related, for me, is always gonna help in building the new relationship! From the very beginning my new wife and I walked through woods and along forest trails, simply enjoying the things we’ve always enjoyed. We talked as we walked. A lot! Our life journey shared and deep friendship grown.

I was totally impressed when our second date revealed well used hiking boots, complementary gaiters and suitable all-weather gear. ‘By the way Dave, I hate shopping!’ Awesome… a few short weeks later the weather changed and friendship turned it’s wintery eye t’wards the beginnings of love.

‘So let’share a favourite movie?’ Never heard of it, but gave it a go anyway… Into The Wild. A story of one man’s life changing decision to sell his possessions and go live in Alaska. Within the movie a ‘hippy’ couple opted out of the rat-race to go live in a camper. Another shared dream. Sort of. Well at least for lots of holidays anyway. And not too sure about selling my house either. Mmmm, the bigger dream of travel, specifically the movie trek into the winter wonderland of Alaska, may also have to wait a while! But we both love camping. Maybe not so much the tent thing nowadays I guess…

So then, Alaska?  What about somewhere a little nearer for now… Paris say, or maybe Rome? Barcelona would work fine and anyway, let’s keep dreaming!

Proverbs 18:22 ‘The man who finds a wife finds a treasure’ (NLT)

Signing My Life Away?

Oh yeah, time just seems to fly by when you’re enjoying yourself! So I've been a little busy courting my bride and subsequently enjoying a whole year of marital bliss… that’s got to be good reason for not posting for 22 months. Hasn't it?

And it sure feels strange picking up exactly from where I left off in my writing. Life feels totally different from everything that’s gone before! Well yes, I still enjoy doing many of the same things I've always enjoyed: beaches, forest trails, historic houses, a little Sci-fi mixed with an occasional hobbit. And reading lots and lots of books. Mustn't forget good food. Well I always enjoy curry and pizza and Chinese and English roast.

So we’re living in the same house I lived in for 35 years. But it’s a nice house! Yet increasingly different as time passes, allowing my new wife to make her unique mark. Merging two households into one new home is a very interesting exercise. My workshop/office/craft room/artspace/music-room – now an uncomplicated ‘Round the Back’ – was filled to overflowing with a small mountain of surplus furniture and general household stuff. It took a whole year to disperse to various charity storehouses and nostalgic children. So I have my workspace restored. And can now sit writing my blog to the beautiful sound of a sewing machine humming away at the adjacent desk. Snip, snip snip… ‘Do you mind just standing up for a minute Dave.’ Dressmakers dummy required!

I'm no longer lonely. I've found a friend. A true like-minded soul-mate… life is wonderful.

Best piece of paper I ever signed.

John 3:7 'So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again''