Talking Hearts Cards

Author's Note: I picked the cards and answered them first. He didn't answer them at the same time. Later he answered them, sometimes after I shared mine, some of the answers brought humor, and laughter, as this exercise always does. Others, not so much!

I didn't like these questions, but I think it may be more the weather and my attitude that I don't like. Too many dreary days, and minimally dreary mornings. Good thing laughter yoga was online today from 9-10:30. That will definitely help the rest of my day!

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What makes you feel the most distant from me?

Did your parents ever give you dating advice?

Talking Hearts cards

Feeling most distant from me

Denise: Easy - it's politics. It started with you voting for the wrestler. Then becoming a republican. The majority of my family and friends are democrat. My parents were democrat; most Native American people are democrat. As an independent I could understand that a bit better, but not a bit about this.

John: The same as yours, I'm sure! It started with baby killers (AKA abortion, etc., etc.). Denise - How about you getting fixed so no more of your babies could be born. Your ex-wife didn't get to have any more babies, because of you. And how about all the babies killed in the war, your president started.

Parent's dating advice

Denise: Stay away from the Bena boys was the only dating advice my mother gave me, that I remember. (John is a Bena boy)

John: Not that I remember.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What personality traits did you have as a kid that you still have today?

Which outfit of mine is your favorite?

Talking Hearts cards

Your personality traits as a kid

Denise: Conscientiousness, agreeableness, dependable, helpful, intelligent, generous. (Okay, I looked up traits and picked a few.)

John: Almost all the same as when I was a child, except they have been fixed a bit in recovery. Denise: like stubbornness? John: Yes, even stubbornness.

Favorite outfit of mine

Denise: Dress attire, then black jeans and t-shirts with your bald head showing.

John: Nightgown with nothing underneath.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What's your top priority for the remainder of the year?

What's the most adventurous thing you've done while traveling?

Talking Hearts cards

Top priority for the rest of the year

Denise: Getting my book finished and published.

John: Trying not to spend more than I make. Denise: That must mean no electric bike you were talking about buying last night, right? John: No comment. I'm going to figure out how to haul it on the camper first, and save up to buy one next spring or summer.

Adventurous thing done while traveling

Denise: New in retirement, leaving the country for a week, going to Mexico to a friend's retreat. Motorcycle trips out of state were always adventures!

John: Patrolling the Berlin wall - because I never knew what would happen. Then going with our son and your brother to the New Orleans museum - everything about WWII - the equipment and the Vietnam War

Author's note: We didn't have 600 words, so we added two more questions that we answered together.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What's something you had to unlearn?

What activity would you add to the Olympics to have a chance at winning gold?

Talking Hearts cards

Had to unlearn

Denise: I was always expecting to run into racism. I had to unlearn this as I was always on the defensive, or wanted someone with me to protect me all the time. I got good at changing the subject, or just ignoring a person by labelling them ignorant.

This will still be noticeable to me when back in the racist town I grew up in.

John: Negative attitudes. I.E.Working on a project and something goes wrong - turning the negative into positive. Thinking what can I learn from this.

Add to the olympics for a chance to win gold

Denise: John, how about the rubix cube for your age group? For me, I would consider competing in a rapping granny contest!

John: How about a farting contest? I might watch you in that! Denise: Not funny, you would have a better chance of winning!