Oh... the third eye is getting stronger Hops. Along with heart chakra...

So, now I know what his daily rhythms are like. Someone see if they can locate a case of geritol for me, to be able to even keep up with this man. For all the major health concerns, he's the "Little Engine that Could". He was able to sleep here; nothing hurt; he did slow down for long talks...
and we learned a lot about each other - those things that don't convey well in words. And my worries about those little things, maybe not so little sometimes, were put paid to. He insisted on making his own coffee, learning the controls on washer & dryer, rinsing all his dishes before putting them in the sink. (We'd already covered the silverware up or down; toilet paper direction long time ago.... LOLOL.) He is OCD, too - or at least, has learned all the little habits that insure you take care of what you have for the life of the tool. He is the furthest thing from reckless or careless. And he is good at riding herd on the cat, dogs, Hol... and me... without being overbearing or presumptuous.
I've heard the story about both Ex's... and he listened to mine. I've heard the war stories, too. He listened about my N-boss. Hol has told him a good bit about our trials with her sister. We have made the grand tour of the place... I took him to Winchester to shop for some parts for the antenna project, which was the excuse for him making the trip. Got him acquainted with the major roads, the shopping area, medical center. I can turn him loose around here and he can find things. He figures we've been talking to each other online for about 10 years.
There is pretty strong telepathy between us. We know what the other is thinking or feeling... MOST of the time. But, instead of just assuming he's right... he always checks in. It's SOOOO easy to just talk & tell him, whatever... even the things that might bug me. And over the years, apart, we've both managed to learn benign ways of coping with things like that. We work well together; and "divide & conquer" methods work pretty good between us. There's no hint of "let me do that for you" and I'm good asking for him help - but I usually try it first and then call in the cavalry.
So when I drove into town to guide him back home, there most definitely was jumping up and down hugs & kisses. Right in the 7-11 parking lot. But I was driving the rubicon... and promptly got into "show off" mode and lost him in the curves. Later he told me, he wasn't used to cresting the little hills (or big ones) anymore... because being coastal - everything's pretty flat where he lives.
His drama at home, was with his D's little dog. Puppy got sick, and she called the Ex to drive her to the vet (still not driving much as kids are wont to do, these days). Vet gave the dog meds for the infection, that the dog was allergic to and dog died an hour after getting home. Then, there was interference from the Ex. So he was angry. And it was because D had had the dog since she was little and he knew her heart was broken. And he wasn't there for her. And that was the trigger for him to re-feel his own losses. He accepted my tentative comforting gestures and let me in. And except for the fact that the drama continued on throughout a couple days... he got all that managed right quick. He pointed out, that he hadn't had anyone who could just be there for him... and with him... without telling him what, how, to "do"... and didn't judge him, for his instinctual reactions. I can relate to that crap.
We've got pieces of a plan, for the future. But I did tell him that apart from those few pieces, and the maintenance on the buildings I know I have to do... I'm waiting until he's here to make any other decisions. Because he sees things I don't and has some very good ideas. And experience! He told me, that if he had it to do over again, he probably wouldn't have enlisted and just been a farmer. Both things require a high level of energy and dedicated work ethic. Attention to detail and the sympathetic intuition to be able to read situations.
Buck is wise; Buck is good. He's sweet, kind (almost to a fault), funny - a very dry sense of humor, almost as warped as mine; he has exquisite manners for one who has lived as rough as he has at times but doesn't get all snooty with it. Pulls my chair out for me at the table. Adaptable and flexible to situations. We fit together like a lock & key... and it's not something titillating - it's just like coming home, where it's "casual" and you can put your feet up.
Absolutely NO flags or causes for concern. And even Steve's dog - who barks at anyone who isn't part of the "pack" - got used to Buck after a week. We're both pretty simple people - when you strip the life circumstances and details away. And he is the most shyly romantic partner I've danced with so far... he just wants to be accepted for who he is and so do I. Everything else is just small potatoes.
He's seen me get overwhelmed by too much info, too fast. Takes it stride, patient, slows down for me. He's so gentle, but so strong. This isn't fantasy stuff anymore. And doesn't taste like "too good to be true". We're both a little awkward about being a "couple" and figuring all that stuff out... but it's drama-free and only took a week to feel "easy". I did find myself wanting to stick to him like glue... but when I needed a time out I could just take it. He'd track me down in a little bit and sit with me, to hear what was up. And I was able to just turn him loose, give him directions to a tool or whatever, too after a couple of days.
And the funniest thing going through my head, is how he ever was able to talk to anyone in the UK, with his mountains of NC accent & drawl... LOLOL.