Topsy turvy times

Escape was wonderful. My cousin and I hiked all over Tulsa's Turkey Mountain, which she knows like the palm of her hand (see her blog). I counted eight hikes while I was there, a drastic change in my routine. I arrived with new hiking boots and bought a telescoping walking stick for the transition. We dodged bikers and joggers, as it's a well used "urban wilderness," but it's more nature than I've seen in a while so I'm not complaining. She makes the most of it, clear from her photos and observations. I'm humbled and admiring.

My long-distance husband arrived home from Ireland while I was gone, unexpected so soon. The immediate consequence was a foul-up with a realtor who wanted to show the house. This was not the best introduction to our reunion.

Coming home was a weird mixture of pleasure and aggravation. I'd been lord of the home for so long! Now I had to share the remote, look harder for solitude, watch the garbage sack fill daily instead of weekly, and so on. But I had sex, cuddling, someone to talk to, someone who fixes things, and I have to admit, a genuine sweetie working hard at pleasing me. For about a week I was rattled. I broke out in itchy bumps (eczema) and watched too many "Law and Order" reruns. He managed to lose the episodes of "In Treatment" that were recorded in my absence, filling up the DVR with endless repeats of six different shows HE wanted to watch. On the other hand, I accidentally caused his check for reinstatement of his nursing license to bounce.

It's been a couple of weeks now, and I am feeling happy and relaxed. We both are. It's working.