There is something to be said for the crisp air, the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. All the bagel shops are open with steam coming out of the grates of the streets. Leaves of all different colors, shapes and sizes falling on the ground, and Central Park never looked more beautiful. I love Fall, especially since I have gotten to experience so much of it in New York City.

Fall in North Carolina will be a different experience for me. I have spent a lot of the last four years either in jail, rehab or institutions, so I will say this will be the first Fall season in my new place. I work in a candle shop, so I will have first pick of all the new Fall scents, all sorts of pumpkin spices and autumn leaves that will pass through there. I am so excited that we moved to a new location in Raleigh, one in which we will open up our new candle studio and I can teach candle making classes again – making my own candle scents is one of the simple pleasures I have gained since working there.

I do miss New York City on most days. There isn’t much in my small North Carolina town, and reminiscing on all the little shops and food places that New York City has to offer has been melancholic, but at the same time I love the peace and tranquility of my new home. The adventure with my ex-husband led me here, and as the season changes today to another summer ahead, with my 44th birthday on the horizon, I am thinking about how many changes have actually occured.

I didn’t expect to fall in love again, especially not so soon. Is it crazy that the sex is so incredible too? I mean lovemaking with my husband was definitely special, but this new sensation, well let’s just say now I know all about what Danielle Steele and Jackie Collins used to write about, lol. Wow, am I really showing my age now? I wonder what it will be like to be with him totally, living together, enjoying each other – I am also wondering if I am moving too fast because I worked really hard for my independence and I love living alone. It will be an adjustment for sure. I just know there is no other man like him. I just know he makes me feel well taken care of and loved and it’s all I could have ever asked for. The biggest thing is that he doesn’t drink or smoke, which is more important to me than I had realized. My sobriety of three years and counting is the key to all my success, and it’s important that I spend my time with someone who is in line with that.

But I digress.

I hope to take him to New York in the Fall and show him what it’s like there on my favorite season. Just having a nice light jacket on with some boots and jeans, walking the streets hand in hand and taking in all the sites would be heaven. He is from Los Angeles, and it’s interesting because I have never been there or experienced it the way he has. Introducing this Cali boy to my East Coast world has been a real treat, and I can say, since this all has been totally unexpected, I get to explore different facets of a relationship I never have before.

It should lead up to an amazing adventure in the Fall season that I love.

Stay tuned.