That first dandelion of spring...

Our first dandelion of spring arrived...fortunately the only one in the yard.   Green represents the lush foliage just now beginning to show, and its yellow is a promise of the warm summer "hopefully" yet to come.  However this cheery little harbinger of spring didn't survive to keep blooming...   Weed killer sealed its fate!

Remember the banker who confided to my wife and I, that her assistant had somehow gotten the idea I was 30 years old (story several posts ago)?  Likewise the comment from the admission booth attendant at the national park who questioned me about my senior pass:  "It's just that the car might qualify, but you look too young and attractive to have one."  My own thought about their age comments at that time was:  "If it happens again anytime soon however, I'll begin to wonder..."

It was at a get-together last weekend.  We were talking to a couple who was new to the area, and all the usual neighborly questions were asked - us to them, and them to us.  Including names (remember that my given name is female), and to each of us, "where do you work?"  Of course that led to the  "retired" answer, which guided the discussion in the direction of "how long ago."

From there the discussion got interesting...and the new neighbor (female) commented to me that "I couldn't have imagined that you've retired, let alone that many years ago.  I'd have guessed you're late 50's."  I smiled, thanked her sincerely, and told her that she had made my day, week and month, etc.  So, it's happened again.

I can't help but believe that my wife finds those comments somewhat tiring.  Unfortunately, folks complimenting me never give her "some sanitized version of the same thing."  Don't infer in any way that she looks "old" or "unattractive" - it's not the case!  But for some reason, when we're together (don't know about other times) she doesn't get such comments, too.   And as a guy, I never was on the receiving end of compliments...usually things of that nature are reserved for women.

Hmmmm...did the lady we talked with overlook, or forget, those "my husband's" dropped by my wife as she casually saved my seat from being hijacked several times, and already begin to accept me as a woman?  Or presume that we have a lesbian marriage (nothing wrong with those, btw), and I'm the "husband?"  Admittedly, my flats, tunic turtleneck, pantyhose and stirrup pants don't do much to enhance my "machismo" or masculinity.  Nor do my purse and long fingernails.  I'm definitely androgynous.  But "trying to pass" was the farthest thing from my mind.  Too many folks around these parts know me by my birth gender, despite my feminine appearance.  And then there's the remaining "little matter" of my voice...fully male.  That's tough to overlook (well, unless you're deaf.)  I'll never know the answer, at least not until the next time we meet the couple.  Hearing "Ma'am "will tell the tale, won't it?

So now, I'm beginning to wonder...should I consider trying to re-make myself into an old androgynous person, instead of a not-quite-as-old androgynous person?   The answer probably will be - have patience and give it time.  None of us know what life (nature) has in store for us!  Things can change tomorrow...

Mandy