Ah February 2nd….Groundhog Day, Jonathan’s 29th New birthday, Gary Snyder’s birthday (RIP).  And my Act II began.  And now I’m on Act……V????

Act I—38 years of married life

Act II—Suddenly and surprisingly single again

Act III—Marry Kenn happily

Act IV—Suddenly and devastatingly single again

Act V—Marry Chris happily

Yep, I’m on Act V.  My my, how life evolves!  I suppose it evolves for everyone in one way or another.  But wow, I never saw my life evolving like it has done.  One of Chris’ favorite sayings is ‘Wanna make God laugh?  Tell Him your plans!’  

Chris and I both thought we wouldn’t meet another person to love.  But we did!  I had been widowed six and a half years and he had been widowed four and a half years when we married in November.  He lives on a farm about 20 miles from my Murfreesboro house so I moved in with him.  I love being surrounded by animals!  He has cows, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, two ducks, and a miniature donkey named Nicknack who echoes off the trees when he brays!  I’ve always loved animals, and when he sees me getting excited or attached, he says, ‘Now Belinda, don’t forget that occasionally some of these animals have to go to freezer camp!’🫤🙄

We both love to travel, so it’s a good thing that his son, Nick, and his family take care of the farm almost all the time.  We went on a southern Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon in early January and had a great time.  It sailed out of San Juan, Puerto Rico and thankfully, we flew down two days before we sailed.  The day before we sailed, all air space was closed over Puerto Rico due to the goings on in Venezuela.  Hundreds of people missed the cruise!  The ports we visited were right off the Venezuelan coast—Aruba, Curaçao, Grenada. I saw one military helicopter and Chris saw a Navy ship, but we had no issues.

We will also try to spend as much time as possible in Orlando, as that’s where my precious grandson, Barrett, lives. He is 20 months old now and is adorable, of course! 🥰 And he loves music. And, since I taught music at a preschool for a few years, he loves the songs I sing with him.  Yay!

Life goes on.  It certainly hasn’t turned out as expected, but I see God’s hand getting me through the hard times and ushering me into the next Act!