not the groove, but groovy

I found out tonight how he received the name for red panda.
He had told me that he had learned some Mandarin so he could better enjoy the Chinese-language martial arts films that he enjoys.
I had assumed his teacher had given him the name.

No, that was not true.

I'm so thankful for the change in our schedule this week.

 

I had contacted him via text last Thursday.

The two local cinemas have reduced their days open to three per week, meaning our 'Tina Tuesday' would be movie-less.

I wanted him to have a heads-up to that change in our groove.

We both - not just me - use our weekly get-together to help us track time passage during this pandemic.

He thanked me for letting him know and grumbled off like the bear he is.

(smile)

On Friday, he had contacted me to suggest an alternative.

His home group was having their monthly meeting dedicated to celebrating their members' anniversaries on Monday evening.

That would be from 5:30 to 6:30, not too late for dinner afterward, if I'd like.

I replied in the affirmative, thinking it was just for the dinner.

No, that was not correct.

He invited me to be present for the meeting, too.
THAT is not only something different, but a welcome inclusion into this important part of his life.
Wow.

Afterward, he asked for suggestions on where to dine and I popped up with Cracker Barrel...

primarily because I have such a fond memory of a pre-holiday meal ahared there, with carolers, two years ago...

proffering a second suggestion of Olive Garden (knowing his comfort food is Italian)...

since choices are good to have...
and, after a moment to decide, he gladly accepted the first option.

Somehow, in the bright lobby lighting, I really noticed his red hair tonight.

Of course I knew he had that...

I just never quite noticed it.

Perhaps it was because he was dressed quite sharply, fostering a new, more grown-up look, with the cream tie and dark vest, that really completed his image much more so than a t-shirt ever did.

Perhaps that was what drew my attention to his hair, who's to say?
He had his favorite meal at that restaurant (country fried steak) and I dined on 'greens and beans' and the cornbread I had been missing with my chili yesterday.
I guess he must have been much more relaxed than usual...
maybe his new grown-up clothes have lent him some confidence...
but he told me he had been an ESL teacher for 6 months in China, post-graduate school...
and that is where he learned to eat with chopsticks...
and that is where he was given the name Xióngmāo, by the students.
Wow.
I really love these times when we just wander, taking the road less traveled in our conversation.
This truly has been a Marvelous Monday.
i thank You, God.