I know I've been a bit quiet lately here in the threads, but there's been a lot going on, and you know how it is, when you say you'll post tomorrow, something always comes along and distracts you until you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, wondering what that one thing you forgot to do was. Then you remember it in the middle of shopping, but by the time you've arrived back home there are three phone calls to return and hungry dogs and cats to feed.

Having said all that, next let me say I AM WELL. As a matter of fact, I've been able to stop seeing my therapist and cut the anxiety/depression drugs in half, with the goal of eliminating them within this year. I'm still having problems breathing, but I'm working on that with Charlie, the guy on the left. He keeps me active, but lets me rest when I need it, and I get my chores done at my own pace.

More and more this year, Charlie and I have been growing closer, and I've been spending more time at his house. I've met his mother, some siblings, a daughter, and some grandkids. I've even met the new (as of April) great grandson. My family wants nothing to do with Charlie, but so far the reception from his family has been "fair to middlin;". We're still planning on moving into a house together next summer, and getting married soon after that. Meanwhile, I've begun to sort through my stuff to move some of what I'm keeping up to his house. I've been keeping a toothbrush at his place, and I've got my own closet space. This relationship stuff is pretty cool, and even though I wasn't looking for another one, especially with a guy, I'm glad it's happened.

As for gardening, I helped Charlie with the front patio area of his house this spring, and yes, there are some of my cosmos growing! We even planted some peanuts, and have three growing! Two at his place, and one at mine in Traverse City! I've always thought I didn't like asparagus, but he fixed me some one night and now I have a slight addiction to deal with. He grows it in his backyard. Charlie also likes to grow tomatoes every year, and we set out two dozen of them. Actually, he set them out while I potted up more flowers and fixed some meals. I'm hoping to be able to fix him an apple pie with my pixie crunch apples this Fall. The tree is covered with little tiny apples this year! Here on the homefront, I've planted some cosmos and marigolds, along with some red dragon beans, this year. They're all doing nicely, and they'll mostly be able to fend for themselves while I move irises and do some early packing.

I probably won't be here in the forums much more this year, I'm finding it more and more difficult to take the time to sit down in front of a screen while I could be doing something else. If you'd like to stay in touch, and hopefully you do, you can find me on facebook. Here's a link to my homepage. Facebook Homepage of Dan Coates

I'll try to stick my nose in the door from time to time to see how you're all doing. I'm not going to tell you to behave yourselves because that just wouldn't be any fun now, would it?

BE WELL, BE HAPPY, BE HEALTHY.

And remember, if you're calling me for bail money it's because you did something you shouldn't have, like gotten caught, so you're going to just have to sit there in your cell. After all, you know better than to get caught!!!

PEACE, LOVE, & HUGS TO ALL WHO READ THIS!!!

-Dan Coates