|
Rode up to Bakersfield yesterday (co-pilot), north of Los Angeles (3 hour drive), with Miss Julie & her family .. to help celebrate little Frances' 5th birthday (niece). Different family members live in different parts of the state, so Bakersfield is a central location where all can meet. Finally met Julie's dad yesterday. Been looking forward to that (as you might imagine). Also met her dad's wife, which represents the last of her immediate family. They were all gracious and welcoming. I want everyone to like me, of course, and Julie assures me they do. ••• continued ••• Julie was looking so pretty yesterday that I had trouble concentrating. It was the first time I've seen her wearing a dress (colorful skirt, fringed with black lace). Anyway, we had dinner at the tallest building in Bakersfield, on the very top floor, which offered an impressive view of the city. Gorgeous sunset. Private dinner club, related to the oil industry there. Julie's mom found the place by calling the Bakersfield chamber of commerce. They had a dress code, so everyone had to dress up. (Normally, I only dress up to see the judge.) It has been a while since I felt part of a family like this. Both my parents have long since passed. Mom died more than 20 years ago, dad over 10 .. so I've been orphaned for a long time. The rest of my family resides on the East coast. I'm the black sheep who moved to California (wanted a state of my own to live in). And that's okay, but it does get lonely sometimes. Regarding relationships, I've learned not to force anything. Things need to develop naturally, at their own pace. But so far, things seem to be proceeding well, healthy. Tonight we're going to Julie's girlfriend's house, who lives in Huntington Beach, for a barbeque there. I'm just going with the flow .. being myself .. nothing more, nothing less. It's like like riding a wave .. and what a nice wave it is. |
|