First time, we went into the restaurant, a place where you get a "box" lunch, ready to eat, with your tour. At our table my wife and I sat with a male friend we have known for several years. My wife ordered at the counter, and a meal was given to her. Then our friend ordered, as did I. The clerk apparently presumed that he and I were together. She gave him both of our lunches and said to me, "Have a nice day, Ma'am." I thanked her, and returned to my conversation with my friend, quietly removing my lunch from on top of his and taking it to our table with me. Being a typical guy, most likely he didn't pay attention to these happenings. Nothing was said, and the discussion never missed a beat.
We were lunching with other friends the next day, at a restaurant in Winter Park, FL I was seated next to my male friend (different one from the above), and our wives were across from us at the table. The server (male) mistakenly identified me as belonging to him, and started to put both his and my orders on the same check, with our wives on the other one. She corrected that error once he quietly advised her that she had misunderstood.
I was taking pictures at a railroad station, and the attendant didn't like where I was standing. "Ma'am, Ma'am!" she shouted at me from across the tracks, "please move over there." I didn't have time to acknowledge her before a train pulled in, but I did as she asked - and still got a decent picture.
While it ultimately didn't result in any "miss-identifications," my wife and I detoured one day and visited the little town of Frostproof, FL Interesting name for a town... Per Wikipedia, the first settlement in the area (now known as Frostproof) was established in 1850. This, like many in central Florida at the time, was set up as a fort and was called Fort Clinch. It was abandoned only months later. Prior to being named Frostproof, the town was called Keystone City. However, after being confused regularly with Keystone Heights, a city in North Florida, Frostproof was coined. By the 1880s, Frostproof began to see its first permanent settlers as homesteaders were attracted to the abundant hunting in the area which included much deer and turkey, as well as ample fishing.
The re-name was simply a marketing ploy to convince potential landowners that the town had never had, and allegedly never would have, a frost that could destroy the large citrus-driven economy. However, only a couple of years later, a frost killed much of the citrus, proving that Frostproof really wasn't. So much for that theory....
There was a dis-used car dealership in town, which had a bunch of un-restored and restored antique cars on display out front. And upon opening the front door and going inside, I found it to be a functioning car restoration business. Some of the cars were for sale, others simply awaiting restoration for their owners. For a spare $10k to $20k, I could have added one to my collection. And probably lost a wife in the process - even quicker than by wearing a dress! But it really was a fascinating impromptu trip back into automotive history...
Remember these?
And on the way out of town...
Go Bulldogs!
More later...
Mandy
I can see how stumbling into a car restoration place could become expensive. I think I told you that 4 or so years ago I stumbled onto a deal for a 1992 Porsche 968 with about 12K miles. I could not pass that up. After having two years of fun playing with that car I gave it ot my older son on his 30th birthday. He is a total car guy and has entered it in a few shows.
ReplyDeleteA year or so ago we almost picked up a 1972 resotred GTO. My wife had a 1972 Pontiac LeMans with a 350cc V8 that was the same color as the restored GTO. He just wanted more than we were willing to part with at that time.
Cars can be a bit of a disease.
Pat
Indeed they can. Sort of like a boat in that regard, especially if one has to hire someone else to do the work on it. But they're fun...
DeleteMandy
Hi Mandy!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to hear more about how well you are received out in public :-)
The 2 male friends you mentioned dining with, have you ever had any conversations with them about your femininity? Or have they accepted you without bringing it up directly?
Glad you are out and about having fun :-)
Thanks, it IS fun!
DeleteThese friends are very religious, and it's doubtful that the subject would have a happy ending. So I just keep on keepin' on, and they don't mention anything, but seem to have no problem with my attire.
Just not dresses...
Mandy