Half a year . . .I can't believe it, don't want to believe it, but it's true. It's been over a half a year now since you ended our relationship. While we are talking, and at times it seems like things are going well, we are still a far way off from where we were once. I am not certain that you will ever get back to that point, but I continue to hope and believe. Without them, what's the point?
I read today that in Venice, all gondolas must be painted black. It's the law.
I got the news today that I wasn't selected for Amtrak's writer in residence program, but that's ok. I have many other irons in the fire at the moment and plans to get myself there. It would have been fun to do this program, and I will apply if they do it again, but onward to the next!
This weekend, I overdid it just a bit on the equine massage work. I guess I am not quite ready to go at it full throttle. After finishing 4 horses, I was really feeling it in my neck and shoulders. Yesterday though, I was able to jog for the first time in years! Only 1/4 of a mile, but it felt so good and I wasn't totally out of breath as I had been. Once again, I am amazed at what a huge impact the neck issue was having on me.
I have been continuing to hike as well. I spent some time hiking this weekend at Harper's Ferry and visited the candy shop there. It was very interesting to see all the off-beat candy. Some I recognized from childhood, others were from before my childhood and some were totally new ones, like the Woodford Reserve bourbon caramels. Oh my goodness, they are so good. They go well with the apple-pie infused bourbon I made over the weekend. Wish you were here to share in all of this and to celebrate my birthday coming up. It's one of those milestone ones, which will make me miss you all the more.
I've seen references to your name all over the place from a Jockey, to old work you completed and to a message from another of your name. I counted 61 Kia's on Friday, 54 on Saturday, 40 on Sunday (and the very first one looked like yours) and 41 today.
As I get ready to celebrate that milestone, I once again find myself energized for my future and the groundwork I have made in the changes that are now becoming habit. There is one thing missing and that thing is not a thing at all. That thing is you, my dear Alexa. I long for a day when you will decide that ours is a love worth a second chance. Until then, I will continue to write to you and close with my question: Will you marry me?
MNP