More Dating Adventures

You all know I have been tiptoeing on dating sites.   It’s somewhat fun and often stressful.

I would just love to meet a decent guy who shares my values and can keep up with me.  Even though on some days I admit I move a bit slower unless I stretch or chase my dogs around the backyard.

There were a few possibilities this year.  But one guy was a bit too “prepper.”  He had a lot of guns.  And about 4 tons of food for the apocalypse.  

Now, I have no problems with guns.  I am learning to shoot guns.  I also have a disaster prep kit that I’m still adding to.  I’m just about ready for an earthquake.   I’m not sure I’m ready for an apocalypse.

This is a whole other conversation: My ex-husband, whom I still care about, and I have been going to gun ranges.  It’s fun!  Both indoor ranges and clay shooting on outdoor ranges…it’s a new skill set that I’m exploring and enjoying.  And Peter knows that I no longer hate him so he’s safe around me and firearms.  I said previously that I told him he’s not worth me going to prison for shooting off a body part.  He’s safe.  And he has generously watched my dogs while I’m traveling.  I’m glad I like him again and he’s become a friend.  I wished we could have saved our marriage, but I have settled for friendship. 

Back to the “prepper” – we met up recently for a long lunch in the San Diego area.  I enjoyed the lunch.  Although when I asked him what he does most days, he said that three days of the week he’s doing dialysis.  Okay.  Glad he’s taking care of his health, but in all honesty, I really don’t want to be a nurse or a purse.  I’m slowly wandering back into relationship and am trying to figure out – do I want to date and possibly be a care giver or should I just say, nope, as I’m in my 60s, I’m just going to embrace the fact that I enjoyed a 25-year marriage and am just fine being single with my dogs and my jigsaw puzzles and my Netflix.  The “prepper” kept asking me if I had a gun.  Because a gun is as necessary as a knife and fork in one’s home.  Well…not sure about that.  I’d be okay with a gun in my house but right now my new dog is doing a great job scaring off people and I can work with that. 

I am thinking that if I had been in a long-term relationship, of course I would be there for my partner.  But to step into a new tentative relationship with someone in bad health, I’m not walking into that.

Moving on to the next guy…I liked him!  He resides in Oceanside, which was a good excuse for me to meet up with one of my best girlfriends, crash in her spare room and go out with him.  We spent one day driving along the coast to San Diego, and another full day going to Idyllwild for lunch, then wine tasting and dinner in Temecula.  Possibilities there.  We had a date scheduled for lunch in August in Huntington Beach.

Then…I got dumped via a text.  “Kathy, you are a wonderful gal and we have so much in common.  But I can’t date two girls at the same time.  I hope you understand.  Don.” 

??!!??

I could be upset, but it’s more amusing than sad.  He didn’t mention another woman during our dates.   He seemed to like me.   Of course, during the initial dates there is no assumption of exclusivity, but I was a bit gobsmacked that he suddenly blew me off.   When I replied to his text, I suggested that as he navigates the dating realm, maybe referring to women as “girls” comes across as condescending, as we are amazing women.  Crickets.  And who dumps someone via text?  It is funny.

I initially thought I was scared to date again.  But what I get is that I have enjoyed meeting people.  If it doesn’t work, no worries.  At the least, I have had some great conversations. 

In the meantime, friends have introduced me to decent men in their lives.  I’m liking that better than the dating sites.