[Heineken]

I've been away a long, long time---maybe 18 months? I see there are lots of "redesigns" here. But I recognize many of the old member names. And of course all the old problems of the world remain, festering and worsening.

After enormous sustained effort I was finally able to meet and fall in love with a member of the opposite sex, a certain California girl (from the "Inland Empire"). We've done a highly energy-intensive, cross-country romance since February, and she's moving here to my farmy place at the end of August. Marriage to follow. She was a respiratory therapist for 17 years, and will complete a physician assistant program in August. So I'll have someone to set my broken leg, and teach me how to set hers, and others'. She's big into yard sales, "freecycling," and other green-minded initiatives. We're pretty perfect for each other.

Still living on this so-called farm, and still have the tree farm to the south. My mother had a stroke a month ago, and is seriously ill in a local nursing home. My father is still hanging on at his veterans' nursing home in Richmond. I bought a compact utility tractor (Kioti CK35) with a FEL to help me pull firewood out of the woods, grade our long road, and do all the other stuff a tractor can do.

I'll be reading the news stories here again and maybe getting involved in the discussions again.

Glad to see ya!

[Ainan]

Welcome back Heineken!

Sounds like you've been a busy bee, congrats on finding someone to spend your life with, you lucky boy you!

[SeaGypsy]

Cool, the 1st part; especially that you are back here once again and in love!
I wonder if you will tell the story about the end result of your 'buy a wife' thread?
What will be will be.
Hope Mama recovers ok, strokes can be nasty, my mum has had 3 but she is alright.

[Heineken]

Thanks, Ainan.

Yes, I realized I had an overarching personal problem (isolation) that had to be addressed first---the global problems melted into secondariness by comparison, lol. Maslow's hierarchy, you know. I was putting too much energy into this website (and other places). To solve a serious, seemingly intractable problem, you have to focus every gun barrel you own directly on it, and blast away.

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'C')ool, the 1st part; especially that you are back here once again and in love!
I wonder if you will tell the story about the end result of your 'buy a wife' thread?
What will be will be.
Hope Mama recovers ok, strokes can be nasty, my mum has had 3 but she is alright.

[SeaGypsy]

Atlanta worse than Manila?!
I met my wife online too; online dating has some advantages to be sure.
Congrats!

[Heineken]

I agree with your implication, Gypsy: Manila is worse than Atlanta in some ways. Both are scary places.

The filipina wifey was not to be, but I gave it the ol' college try, that's for sure. Learned a whole lotta stuff. I was so naive going into it; less so, coming out of it.

[Homesteader]

Hey! Glad you are back. You were on my mind last week wondering how you were. Your "me and my brother" signature line has always been one of my favorites. . and proving all too true.

Congrats on the impending marriage!

[Heineken]

Thanks very much, Homesteader. I didn't like being away for so long---it certainly didn't have anything to do with the temporary drop in oil prices! I had a nerve problem in my forearms that made typing difficult, but it's 95% better now. And, there was the problem of finding a significant other. Terrific energy demands in that department.

Those problems solved . . . on to the next ones. And there are always problems, and always will be. Life might be defined as a series of problems. How we deal with them defines the character of our individual lives.

I like your signatures too.

[Pops]

Good for you two, Heinie. Life is a hard thing to do without someone to do it with, congratulations.

You've already rescued her from the worst fate imaginable - SoCal!

[Lore]

Welcome back Heineken, wondered if you had fallen off the face of the earth. Glad to see you've been busy squaring things away, missed your input.

[Narz]

Welcome back & congrats on finding a compatible woman. It's not an easy task!

I'm heading to Virgina this August, you live anywhere near Twin Oaks?

[davep]

It's great to see you back, Heineken. And I hope things improve for your parents.

It sounds like you've taken the time away to concentrate on your real needs. Good luck and God bless.

[eXpat]

Welcome back Heineken!

[Olaf]

I'd like to echo the welcome backs!

[bromius]

Welcome back Heineken Your absence from the board was definitely noticed. Glad to see your journey has brought you to a positive place, despite the difficulties. I'll have to resurrect some of the tree/forest threads

[aldente]

What kind of absence is on discussion here ?

[oowolf]

Well, well; good news. I was afraid you'd crashed 'n' burned.
About a year ago I hooked-up with an old hippie-chick gurlfren from way back in the 70's. Since then, it's been more pookie-pookie and less typee-typee. (Living with that constant "condemned-man syndrome" is a real drag.)

peace 'n' luv
oo

[cynthia]

Dear One!
You are back, like the Bluebirds that return to the nest-box each spring; it is a gift to have you stop by and sit a spell. You sound better post absence and that is a healthy sign. Congratulations on your love. She sounds well suited to what you value. Freecycling, Physician's Assistant. You go!
So sorry your mom is struggling with aging/physical issues. Your folks are lucky to have sons who care so much.
Glad to hear you are still working the land and finding tools to make the job easier.
I am mostly a lurker these days at PO. Life is good. I am still with and loving my man going on 24+ years. I work more than I would like but it's a good job and one thing, as you know, leads to another.
Blessed Be, Brother,
cynthia

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'G')ood for you two, Heinie. Life is a hard thing to do without someone to do it with, congratulations.

You've already rescued her from the worst fate imaginable - SoCal!