The man surrounded by about 4 dozen cats feels alone... 
 

Rain
I can't remember the last time I've experienced loneliness on such a scale, even being a loner at heart.  
 

Oh boy, I can relate to that. Whenever my wife was out of town I reveled in the freedom to do as I pleased. I'd stay up all night jamming or recording, pausing only to run out for some fast food.
 
That joy would only last for a few days before I began to miss her terribly. When she'd return I would happily embrace the forced structure of the expectations of another person. Someone who demanded shoes be removed at the door, that the kitchen sink be empty of dishes. Somebody who cared about scheduled meals and flowers on the dining table.
 
Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, as Shakespeare wrote. Be so glad it's temporary.

Well said Bit, you got me all misty there.

Maybe you'll run into Neal Cassady with Jack up on the mountain... I could think of several fun things to do outside of Las Vegas, in the desert... on the mountain... in the canyon.
 
J

Well, if not for a Star Trek Voyager marathon on Hulu last night, it's been a case of same as usual but with a whole lot of missing her all the while.
 

Another terrific Vegas story from rain...

I thought Vegas was Cranking. What happened?

In the 25 odd years I have kown my wife I have always worked away for long periods. In the early days even a phone call was difficult and we mostly communicated by airmail letters that took a week or more to arrive. These days instant communication is cheap and easy, even if I am in a remote location.
 
I wonder what it will be like when I retire and I am home all the time?

I read several of the posts above.... touching.
 
Yes, here as well, I tend to live in the structured world my wife enjoys. She's always needed structure and order in her life more so than I do. We don't often have time apart, and since we enjoy each other's company, it's not a problem.  When she does decide to go visit our daughter in Virginia for a "girls weekend out" and I'm left to my own devices, I tend to spend that time writing music and working in the studio or off at the range shooting my collection of bang stick weaponry. Both are things I can do all the time anyway, however, I do tend to try to maintain a balance in those pursuits. With her out of town, what is balance? 
 
Like you, Rain, I too have almost no really close friends. I actually like it that way.  If I didn't like it that way, I would have more close friends..... I like being with myself just fine. Someone mentioned the fire watch job in the middle of the woods setting in a fire tower..... that might be a bit much for a long time job, but the woods are a favorite place of mine and I might actually enjoy that job if I wasn't married, and if they had internet out there..... and my guitar and guns.
 
Enjoy the time, embrace the solitude, and write some music.

I'd miss my family dearly if they were gone for even 1/2 a day.........even if it's just one of us gone, it's like an empty void. So, I know it must be difficult for you as your wife is your only (best) friend. It's a good time to contemplate and reflect on things you normally wouldn't have done.
 
My dad used to say "man must learn to live with himself, before he lives with others", and this is very true.
 
On a different note......although Shakespeare said "absence makes the heart grow fonder", I tell my wife "familiarity breeds contempt". LOL