The day before the night of the end of the 2nd date

Hope that is complicated enough for all of you....we're at yet another St. Paul coffeehouse, Nina's. There is a tiny balcony with room for just one table, and we've commandeered it for the past hour or so. We've also been to Rudy's (scene of our first IM session) and the Bean Factory (one of Chris' fave haunts). This is our last full day together; i get on the airplane back to Tucson tomorrow at 7:30 p.m....wah!

Our midnight visit with Minnesota Magz was so fun. She's a kick! Lots of spirit and piss and vinegar as well! She's a bit protective of her sweet friend Chris, which was cool to see. She wants him to have a wonderful woman and so far i think i'm just the gal for the job. We had cocoa, toasted pumpkin seeds, sliced apples with caramel dip, and some great conversation out on the bridge. What a cool job these folks have!

We spent yesterday with Chris' older son Nate. We picked him up and then went to the Mill ruins along the Mississippi in the St. Anthony district of Minneapolis. This is where Pillsbury and Gold Medal flours had their start. It was a misty day, cool to chilly, with water vapor just hanging in the air. This made walking along the Stone Arch bridge really fun....the bridge was built by railroad magnate James J. Hill and is simply extraordinary. The old mill ruins are being excavated (they were simply buried and built over) and renovated....being able to see the architecture and building materials and just the immensity of the project is quite thrilling! Walking back to the parked car we stopped at the Aster Cafe' for a late lunch--a great casual meal in a nice ambience.

Nate is 15, so he is often monosyllabic, but he is good natured and loves walking and exploring just like his dad. I think he liked me all right....i was not trying to be his 'new best friend' or anything. I had a stepmother, and i can remember a bit about what i disliked, a big part of which was her insincerity. (Sorry Patsy but it was true, not?)

Following that adventure we went to a branch of the library where both Chris and Nate are familiar faces. Seeing Chris' world has been so great. I can sure see being here in the spring and summer! My clients in Tucson aren't going to like hearing this, but the truth is I'm a bit worn out with the "slow bake" summers that last 6-7 months of the year. I don't know why i ever disdained snowbirds--they have the right idea! Now i would like to become one!

It's about time to walk the few blocks to the local awesome bakery for slices of whatever they're baking today....it just about guarantees a sale! Then on to the co-op for some groceries specific to our planned meal later on--a German recipe for onion pie that we are going to collaborate on.

Our togetherness feels effortless, in every direction.

Yippee-iy-oh-kiy-ay, oh joy, oh gee, oh my!!!! I expect the downstairs neighbor in Chris' apartment building might have a word or two with him after i've gone. (Insert shit-eating grin here!)