Well, J called again. He was able to work things out. We had our date at Henry's despite the ice storm. I love the way they decorate for Christmas- very traditional with live greens, huge wreaths and swags, very simple yet elegant.

I'm as attracted to him after the date as I was initially which is a good sign. I did have a strange moment when I saw the Horngeke there. I gave him a feeble little wave and kept walking. I really don't know what the etiquette is for such a situation.
J asked me what attracted me to him;
obviously I was attracted to his looks
his friendliness and service attitude
I didn't have that much to go on from our first meeting, but right away I had the impression of intelligence tempered by humility. After our conversation I found his sense of self and will to be very strong as evidenced by his self designed degree- film studies, journalism, architecture, anthropology.

I asked him about his plans now that he's finishing his degree, whether he'll follow the job of his dreams to any location or whether he'll pick the job from the desired locale. So far, he's stayed here because of family. His father and mother are still here and one of his daughters. He said he's been so busy going to school and working that the only recreational activities he's had are intensive relaxation.

He asked if he could call me the next day, but since I knew the boys and I would be running around and busy, I told him to try the day after. We were planning on hiking at Fox Island. That doesn't sound at all appealing now with a temp. of 1 and wind chill of -20. Of course it's a moot point since I lost power at 3 AM and have no phone. The boys are staying at my sister's tonight and she and her husband are bringing me a generator to keep the pipes from bursting. I think I'll remember this Christmas for a very long time.