This happened in 2015, but it was a first, and thankfully, hasn’t happened since (particularly at an inopportune time like below0:
We were traveling on Amtrak, and were sitting in the first class lounge in Chicago. My outfit was typical – one of my typical androgynous stirrup pants outfit and my suitcase and purse. I was with with my wife, a close friend and his wife, plus another person we know from the group, all going to the same meeting this year. A fortysomething man was sitting there near us with his twentysomething daughter….at a nearby round table. They were out on a father-daughter rail trip. Both were very friendly, and were interested in our journey, talking with us about our trip, our group and a little bit about its activities.
Our train was soon to board, just as we started to eat our “carry-in” lunches. I was having trouble with a salad. Eating it quickly, with it on my lap, a plastic fork, and out of a flimsy plastic container was not an easy task.. So I asked the two of them if I could join them, and they said “of course.” We chatted for a few minutes, as I chowed down. At this point, my memory gets a bit hazy as I was busy trying to finish lunch and not make a mess, instead of trying to remember the discussion.
The man said quietly (out of earshot of his daughter and our other friends) something like “I read your online blog.” Well, I only have one blog, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. So unless it was a case of mistaken identity, he could be right. To myself, I thought, “OMG here we go again…” Temporarily speechless was the situation…LOL! So I quietly asked if he was interested in “that sort of thing.” As I recall, he said something to the effect of “Yes, trains and old cars, and ‘that sort of thing’. But my daughter doesn’t know – or at least I don’t think so.”
I was shocked beyond belief to meet someone out of the blue who follows my blog….he must have recognized me from my pictures. But with so many folks (and their ears) nearby, I couldn’t explore more. He truly made my day…and probably my month. (If you happen to read this, thanks! I’m glad you spoke up.)
Has this happened to anyone else, particularly when attending an event not related to our activities? Or is it a real rarity out there in the world? Fortunately, it hasn’t happened since…LOL!
Mandy
Mandy's Miscellany 
Having your blog does sort of make you a bit of an internet star. Us cross dressers are mostly in the closet. As a group we tend to stay hidden and we hide our interests from others. You have helped to educated the world about us and your getting out and about in your typical presentation, while not fully presenting as a woman but being close to the line at all times, serves to promote the cause for all of us.
As time goes on we are becoming more and more acceptable to society at large and we can push open the closet door. I am sure that the gentleman at the station was one of us. While your discussions of trains, cars and travel is interesting I am sure that most of your readers follow you because of your unique approach to dressing.
I would offer you congratulations on this encounter and wish you more but I am sure that when he mentioned the blog to you your heart must have jumped to your throat.
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It definitely did – I became concerned that he might “out” me. But he didn’t and it worked out fine…
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Outside of meeting Stana one day, I know a few other people who read my blog. But I have never had a stranger mention the blog to me!
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I bet he was a bit nervous at how I’d react…having (his and my) family nearby could have been a comfort factor enabling him to inquire!
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