Guess who won this battle?
As it turned out, the dog came out the victor. She was able to wrest the “slightly-modified-by-teeth” paper bag away from the old-style “Roomba,” making the score “Dog 1, Roomba 0.” But they do battle often, and it has gone both ways, depending on what material the vacuum was trying to ingest
But it was hilarious to watch the tug-of-war unfold!
Mandy
You long time New Yorkers may, particularly if you’re in the range of 70 years old and have lived there since the early 1960’s:
It’s the Verazzano Narrows bridge…thanks to my deceased father-in-law’s slide collection for this picture of it while under construction
When it opened in 1964, it was the world’s longest suspension span. The ends of the bridge are at historic Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, both of which guarded New York Harbor at the Narrows for over a century. The bridge was named after Giovanni da Verrazzano, who, in 1524, was the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor. Its monumental 693 foot high towers are 1 5/8 inches farther apart at their tops than at their bases because the 4,260 foot distance between them made it necessary to compensate for the earth’s curvature. Each tower weighs 27,000 tons and is held together with three million rivets and one million bolts. Seasonal contractions and expansions of the steel cables cause the double-decked roadway to be 12 feet lower in the summer than in the winter.
Located at the mouth of upper New York Bay, the bridge not only connects Brooklyn with Staten Island but is also a major link in the interstate highway system, providing the shortest route between the middle Atlantic states and Long Island.
In Brooklyn, the bridge connects to the Belt Parkway and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and to the largely residential community of Bay Ridge. On Staten Island, which saw rapid development after the bridge opened in 1964, it joins the Staten Island Expressway, providing access to the many communities in this most rural of the city’s five boroughs.
A pretty bridge, I initially thought the pictures were of San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge!
Mandy
Sue, one of my faithful readers recently commented about a prior blog entry: “Wow, that was some girl talk! I love talking clothes and makeup with my female friends.” Have any of you ever enjoyed serious girl talk while functioning in not-quite-totally–female mode?
Long story….
Turns out my hairdresser became exposed to the virus while we were in TN, and just found out about it when the contact came down with symptoms and tested positive. The day before my hair appointment, she called me with the news that she was to be tested at 10 the morning of the appointment, and did I still want to try my 11:30 appointment?
Well, despite the fact I needed color desperately, I relinquished the appointment, because from our son’s experience a while back when he had to be tested daily due to wife and daughter being positive, there was usually a 2 to 3 hour wait, and the results often are wrong. And I wasn’t ready to play “Russian Roulette” with my health. But I asked if one of the other girls could “work me in” later in the week. The answer was yes, a couple days later. (And my beautician’s test results did end up being positive. She’ll be off work till much later in January – so far no major symptoms.)
The substitute stylist who did my hair had seen me in the salon previously, and knew I was an old car enthusiast. Best of all (or worst of all, depending on your outlook), she may know my true gender, which is different from that of my clothing. But to use an old-time saying – she was “vaccinated with a Victrola needle.” Look that one up on Google! Means TALKATIVE!
After getting started, we talked generalities for few minutes. I speak with my hands a bit, and before long, “You have beautiful nails, sweetie. Where do you get them done?” That discussion was good for quite a few minutes, covered the fact that I used to do them myself (so did she), the fact that she wears them too, and has for many years. And I slipped out of my flats to show her my painted toes. Nails were a great topic for nearly 15 minutes, ending with “you should get longer medium- brown acrylics with white french tips on all except ring fingers, thumbs and big toes, Those 6 get done in all-white, with big colorful nail-art flowers. Great winter style – you’ll be showing those nails to everyone!” Might be an interesting combination for fall…if I someday am able to wear more noticeable color!
Then she commented that she loved my ballet flats: “They’re so cute, what brand are they? Are they as comfortable as they look?”, and so on… The topic segue’d over to high heels, how much height we both have lost as we’re aging (she’s lost 3″, yours truly has lost about 2″), and how heels can help us regain that height. I showed her the following picture of the pumps I don’t wear too often, which have about 1-1/2” heels:
Her response: “If they’re comfortable, just wear them every day. You’ll truly enjoy the confidence added height gives you. They’d be pretty with those stirrup pants. Just curious: it looks as though you’re wearing a long dress in the picture. Am I right?” Blushing a bit, I confessed: “Oops…yes, you are!” “Well, since you wear dresses, those heels will be perfect with them. But, you might want to go shopping for a couple additional pairs – 3” heels, one ‘sandals’ and one ‘pumps’ – giving yourself a more elegant look.
I wear 4” or 5″ heels for parties and dinners out. They look fabulous, and I love the extra height (it’s fun being 3″ taller than my husband), but I’ve most likely worn heels longer than you have!” “Ummm…yes, you’re right on that! And, I’d probably break an ankle. I just can’t imagine telling the doctor that I tripped in my heels!” “Don’t worry – they’ve heard that many times before, sweetie. You’ll find it’s just a part of being a girl!”
And so it went…you get the picture – a solid hour-and-a-half of girl talk! Yes, I loved it. And she did, too… Maybe I’ll take her advice – for my next appointment, take my heels along and change into them. If she’s there, she’d be pleased…and I think my regular stylist would have some fun with it!
It’s been a fabulous way to kick off 2021! I just hope it’s a sign of good things to come!
Mandy
But, strangely enough, I felt rather comfortable having “girl talk” with her, without feeling like I was blushing, or otherwise embarrassed. And we both had “confidentially” revealed our dress size to each other. That told her (if she didn’t already know) that I wear dresses! Since we both wear the same dress size, it makes her advice particularly “appropriate” – tailored to me” if you know what I mean!
I’ve ordered several items from her suggestion list, and hopefully they will all fit. A picture of the tee-dress is below. Though the one I ordered is navy blue, this will let you see how it should look. With black stirrup (or capri) leggings, it may be that wifey gets a chance to bless it to for at least “around the house.” But even if that doesn’t happen, as long as it fits properly, it can stay in storage. On solo trips across the bay, I can pull the dress on over my capris in the car, and still be able to enjoy femininity!
If the dark-color dress is good, my second one will be this color – Cornflower Blue! After all, blue isn’t necessarily for boys! As long as each dress’s length comes to within an inch or so of what is shown, they should be perfect. And I have designs on a red one, too!
Yes, it’s short, but it’s far from a “mini-dress.” I’m certainly hoping for opportunities to go about my business (at least some of the time), presenting as a properly-“dressed” female! (With bare legs, 20 brightly-painted nails and sandals, of course!)
This trip even provided a bit of learning time for our 5 year old granddaughter.
In several previous visits, she’s noticed my shiny, smooth fingernails and commented about them. But the subject always changed quickly…by her choice. This time, not so much. Her question is always “But why?” I tried my usual schmoozing with “someday yours will be that nice, too.” But it didn’t work this time, and I finally had to explain. After the explanation about chewing my nails, she changed the subject.
Then came the Christmas, with her nail polish set as a present. Grandma let her “paint grandma’s nails” sparkly reddish-pink. Whew! And it was far from a professional job. But that means at some point, it’s likely she’ll want to paint mine! Depending on the amount of flak that I get from wifey, I’ll let her do my fingers.
She obviously needs the practice! And I’d be proud to say I’m sporting finger nails painted by my 5 year old granddaughter!
So that’s the “short version” of the excitement from our latest Southern Sojourn… Yes, it was a fun trip…
Hugs,
Mandy
If you didn’t know this picture was snapped in the mid 1990’s (1996, as I recall), and if the engine on the train was not an Amtrak diesel, this could have been from the 1930’s or 40’s.
Two people in dated outfits, watching the train now named the Cardinal accelerate away from Thurmond, WV….
Truly a slice of Americana….
Mandy
Our trip to TN was ripe with several affirmations of my femininity, despite that previous issue at the big box store.
Another notable affirmation turned up during our visit. (Not sure how I was referred to by F-I-L before this happened, if he did at all). A service man at our son’s house noticed my nails (in front of son’s father in law), and he brought the topic up. “Where do you have those beautiful nails done?” (A suitable comment men make to women!) Did my stirrup pants, tunic, bare ankles and ballet flats make him think I was a girl? My answer was 100% truthful: “In Maryland.” “Oh.”
I must have disappointed him with my explanation. The discourse began about “my wearing shiny gel on my nails for over 25 years, as the only workable antidote for chewing them to the skin.” It’s no lie…that’s what a hairdresser in a small town in upstate NY put on them after she watched me chewing my nails while she worked on my hair back in the 1980’s. (Bitter-tasting nail polish had no effect…) And she even helped me buy the gel, dremel-type grinder, and “blue light” box to cure them, so I could do them myself! Which I did, for many years.
“Eventually I began to seek professional nail care, as they always look nicer when a tech does them!” (I omitted the minor detail of “especially with the pink-tinted gel she uses!”) “But the result was, and still is: I no longer chew my nails… My tech insists I NOT trim them myself, and she trims them after they are sufficiently long – typically every second visit. A month from now they’ll be a lot longer than this. Before you ask, typing is a challenge, but I’m used to it.”
Fortunately, after my explanation, the subject fizzled out. Son’s F-I-L didn’t seem overly disturbed by the revelation, even though he still “rides the Trump Train.”
Lots more to come…stay tuned!
Mandy
A few days after the big box store incident (“And Yet Again”), while relaxing alone in front of a cozy fireplace in the family room (one of those rare quiet moments with a new baby around), D-I-L’s rather heavyset best girlfriend (she and I have similar builds and weight issues, though she has a more noticeable bustline) stopped by to say Merry Christmas. (I’ve known her since our son and D-I-L were dating,) She came into the room and sat down in the easy chair across from me, presumably to enjoy the fireplace.
I wasn’t thinking the least little bit about my attire: stirrup pants, black tights, ballet flats, turtleneck tunic and a sweater (needed because they keep the house a bit cool), or paying much attention to anything. But she certainly was…
Out of the blue (from my perspective, not hers) came the question: “Are those leggings you’re wearing?” It took me a few seconds to gather my thoughts, then explain that they’re leggings, but in fact they’re stirrup pants from more than several years ago. And I slipped out of my flats to show her the “stirrups”. ‘Twas a good thing that I wasn’t barefooted that day (it was too cold!) I’d been shoeless all day the day before… Ten white toe nails would have “stirred up” even more discussion… I pointed out that they keep my pantlegs from riding up, and work especially well with booties. She asked where I got them, and I told her…her response was that ”they look so comfortable, I need to buy a couple pairs for myself!”
“But…you really need to modernize your wardrobe, with some stylish leggings like mine.” “Why?” – I asked. She stood up to show me, in the process lifting her mid-thigh-length-dress up to her waistband. “These leggings hug your legs, are form-fitting, and super comfortable, feeling somewhat like support pantyhose. You can’t see thru them at all – they’re opaque like regular pants, which means you can wear them anywhere , anytime! They’re available in primary colors as well as bright patterns, and also capris for summertime. Whenever you go shopping, start checking out what the other girls are wearing, even in the winter. You’ll see that you’re right in style, and in good company, when you’re wearing leggings – we all love them!”
“Heavier girls like you and I almost always wear long tops, to make sure our butts are covered. This one is about 4” above my knees. They’re called tee-dresses because the top looks like a tee shirt and the bottom is shaped into a dress. You’ll look wonderful wearing them in place of regular tops. Since traditional dresses for middle age women are usually down to mid-calf, it’s exciting to be able to wear shorter – but not mini – dresses! They work beautifully – both with leggings in colder weather, and alone as dresses when it’s warm.
After you’ve experienced your first summer of fashion freedom in above-the-knee dresses, panties with bare legs and sandals (so everyone can see all 20 polished nails shining every day) you won’t ever want to go back to wearing pants!” And she held out her hands to show me her painted fingernails, pointing to her sandaled feet with painted toes.
“Remember, if you’re wearing leggings and a non-tee-dress top, leave those tighty-whities at home – everyone will see your panty lines. No self-respecting girl lets them show. Pantyhose work great with leggings, and nylon panties work best when you pull on your dress over bare legs and sandals in the morning, for your day out and about.”
OMG – no way I’m going to confess that I already wear nylon panties, pantyhose, and tights, or that they’ve been my everyday underwear for years! Wifey made me start wearing pantyhose/tights for warmth when my job in upstate NY back in the ‘80’s required outdoor work, but eventually caught me “trying on some of her things.” Shortly thereafter, my underwear all disappeared to charity – replaced by stacks of white nylon panties, black and brown tights, and nude and tan pantyhose. And so it remains, to this very day…
She told me that “your tunic today is about 5″ too short to look fabulous with true leggings, pantyhose and ballet flats! You really should replace your tops with tee-dresses. You’ll feel more comfortable that way. And, don’t forget…3″ heels are perfect to accessorize your dresses-over-leggings outfits! Though as you know from the kids’ wedding, I only wear heels with longer formal dresses, to weddings and funerals. So I don’t get much practice in heels.”
We both laughed, and I absent-mindedly concurred: “Me either, hon – so I’d need a LOT of practice!” Fortunately, she didn’t choose to explore the topic of dresses and heels (at least not this time), and the subject drifted to other things.
So now for the big question: Do you think she has me figured out as a trans-girl yet?
Mandy
It’s now official…you will never be able to ride this train from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake any longer. Track is being ripped up. For the latest info, check out http://www.newyorkalmanack.com for a comprehensive report.
I was fortunate enough to have enjoyed a wonderful ride, on good former New York Central track, during the Northern Branch of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad’s final operating season, back in August of 2016. That gives me some fabulous pictures by which to remember my excursion on this historic rail liner.
A hearty farewell to trains in Lake Placid!
Mandy
At the dawn of this first day of 2021 (Thank God 2020 is in the rearview mirror), l want to thank each of my readers for checking out my blog, and wish each of you a happy and prosperous New Year! And good health as well!
Hugs,
Mandy
Had a (rare) occasion to visit a big box store during our visit to the kids’ place in TN for Christmas, in my everyday attire – stirrup pants, turtleneck tunic, flats with trouser socks, and of course, long hair, purse, a mask, and a women’s heavy hoodie due to the cold. Didn’t notice any questioning glances from passers-by. But when I stopped to ask a nearby twentysomething female stock clerk where to find the product I needed, it prompted a strange reaction.
“Pardon me, Miss, where will I find ________?” She looked up at me from her duties, stared like she’d seen a ghost, and stuttered out something like “Oh sorry Miss – ummm Ma’am – ummm Sir, I don’t know, but I’ll get someone who does.” She called a different clerk on her communicator to help me there in aisle 24, and then said “Excuse me now.” And she skedaddled for parts unknown.
She didn’t have her name tag on, so without a “lineup,” identification would be difficult, and I desperately wanted to make my purchase so I could get out of there as soon as possible. With the virus running rampant these days, and being in the heart of the bible belt, the issue simply wasn’t worth pursuing, for my own physical well-being. There’s a rotten apple in every barrel, and at the end of the day, that rotten apple eventually gets discarded. (Like that pharmacy clerk who was fired for his actions against me a while back.) Thankfully the male clerk who showed up was able to help, without any gender references (a professional response) and he took it in stride.
I wonder if perhaps the girl was a seasonal hire without sufficient diversity training, very religious and thus not wanting to associate in any way with, or even speak to, “one of those tranny sinners,” or just plain out-and-out bigoted. I’ll never know, but for the time we’ve spent in the south, it’s likely the first bad reaction I’ve noted.
And at the gas station where I picked up a snack right afterward, I was addressed as female, by a 20something female..
As it should be.
Mandy
Mandy's Miscellany 