Of Mice and - Fish?

I know a while back, I typed a blog and said that I had set some mice traps and caught all the mice and hopefully would have no more tales of mice. Also, a few blogs later, I stated that I'd starting fishing and had caught some pretty nice fish, even though I eventually had to throw all the fish back into the pond. Well, obviously if I'm typing this blog, a mouse and a fish have reappeared. If you haven't figured this out by now, I'll just tell you that all of the humor in my life comes through my dating life. There should be a reality show, at least a book just about my adventures in dating, but I guess I'll just entertain those of you who follow my blog.


First of all, mouse one popped back up a week ago. Well, I take that back, I brought him back to life because I had to text and ask him a question. And what had happened was, one question led to another which led to free tickets to an event in town and a dinner date and some conversation. I must say that I was glad that he actually showed up and didn't stand me up, but he was late which is the story of our 16 year dating history. Yes, you read it correctly. We've been playing these games with each other for 16 years. He laughed when he got to our date almost 20 minutes late and said, "I figured you left late because you know I'm never on time." My response, I did leave late. You are just getting later, the older you get. I have to readjust my clock again for you.

This encounter with Mouse 1 taught me something about myself and him, we have grown and matured and can laugh at each other and ourselves. Will we see each other again? Yea, probably, most likely in another 3 months. I told him don't make it 6. He said it'll be waaaaaaaay before then. I won't hold my breath, but I'll probably hear from him in September/October. He likes to reappear when the seasons change. I'm just going with his flow. No expectations. Just enjoy the date and the perks when I get them. Isn't that what dating is about?

Now on to the fish, I think I'm dangling bait and don't even know it because it seems like fish are biting and nibbling and I think trying to get hooked. One fish, I'm just playing with and have no intentions of getting serious with him, but it's just fun to see what tricks he has up his sleeves to get my attention. The other fish seems to have realized that he should've stayed hooked while he had the chance and is trying to figure out how to get back in with this peaceful, compassionate, intuitive, and imaginative fish (I'm a Pisces and that's on a pair of panties that I bought). I know TMI.

I'm enjoying dangling the bait with both of them and know I will have some funny stories to tell in the coming months. Especially with the young fish, because I have a feeling that he's not going down without a fight. He's almost 10 years younger than me but has already said that he's in my range, whatever that means. The other fish has realized that he should've coated me in some Zatarain Southern Style Fish fry and fried me up, but he still hasn't figured out exactly what he needs to do. I can't wait to see what he comes up with. I can see it's going to be a very fun and interesting summer.

What I'm learning about dating over 40 is that it's not as urgent as it is in your 20's/30's. If people don't meet your expectations, you can let them go and keep it moving. You learn to appreciate the process of dating and not just the individual that you're dating. I think at this age, you actually figure out what it means to really date someone. You find out about them and who they are and what they expect and want and have achieved and what they find funny and disgusting and enjoy doing, seeing, eating. You start to look for the things that count, and you also realize that it doesn't have to lead to marriage or a relationship. And guess what, that's okay too.

I had one of my mentors ask me, do you really want to be married? You seem pretty happy to me, maybe you just want to date and have a companion. I've given that question a lot of thought lately. Do I really want to be married, or do I want a companion that I can spend quality time with and can count on when I need them? I'm not sure, but the 2nd half of 2011 is looking up and maybe by December, I'll have some answers.

Be blessed and hope you enjoyed the 1st installment of "Of Mice and - Fish?". I have a feeling there will be more stories to tell in the coming months.