Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
Most males of my age (yes, I’m a guy most of the time) know all about the Three Stooges. When I was growing up, in the prehistoric times before cable TV, the Three Stooges was a Satur-Dee night staple on the local independent TV station (Channel 11 in St. Louis). Larry, Moe, and Curly (and sometimes Shemp) were regular viewing. I hope you can figure out which one was me in the photo (they had several rest stops with those backdrops along the route).
A local organization, one created to build local bike trails, has an annual ride they call the Tour De Stooges (of course, for me, the Tour Dee Stooges). This year was the 28th year for the ride. In prior years, I usually had conflicts on Satur-Dees during the ride, so I had never done it before. Because of some changes, I no longer have the conflict, and after seeing multiple signs advertising the ride (ride, not race) along the bike trails I ride, I decided it might be fun to do.
As with many rides, there were a choice of distances, from short rides like 15 miles, all the way up to 100 miles. For me, there were two realistic options, a 46 mile ride or the metric 100 (100 KM, or 62 miles) ride. These days, my motto is anything over three hours is no fun anymore, so I was leaning towards the 46 mile ride. The deciding factor–rain was scheduled for early afternoon, and riding in the rain is no fun either–so I opted for the 46 mile length. With rest stops about every ten miles (I probably ate more calories in cookies at the rest stops than I burned on the bike), and otherwise at a steady pace, I finished in about 3 1/2 hours–and just before the storms began.
It was a fun ride through the Southern Illinois countryside (some surprisingly nice homes I never knew existed), and well organized. I ended up with a 2025 Tour Dee Stooges t-shirt and they ended up with a contribution for more trails to ride in the future.
The rest of my day was equally fun.
I got home, got cleaned up, and dressed up. I had a dinner date with my GG friend Falon, who I first met in 2016 during my first time out locally. Back then, I arranged a makeover at Sephora, followed by a style consultation at Nordstrom. Falon was the sales angel who arranged my dressing room for the consultation (I had discussed it with the Nordstrom staff in advance, and they were happy to have me come in and try on things). My one day of trying on dresses eventually became three days, but along the way Falon and I became friends, and see each other from time to time.
Before dinner, I had time to make a stop at the Nordy’s where Falon and I met. I wore a more casual shopping outfit, more suitable for the now rainy day. I tried on a few things there and at White House Black Market, also in the mall, but no winners. I then changed into the dress I was wearing to dinner.
The dress had special relevance to me. It’s a stylish Maggy London (my favorite brand) black dress, and one that Falon had pulled for me to try on the first day we met. I didn’t buy it then, but I found it at the local Savers a couple of years ago and it was an automatic buy (and only $12). Falon remembered the dress too.
We caught up at dinner. Falon’s a paralegal now–she still likes fashion, but the current gig pays better–and we discussed some troubles at her current firm (not surprisingly, the partners prefer to pay the partners than the staff) and her dating life (she’s a single mom). I offered my advice, and we enjoyed our dinner at a nice restaurant. We talked about our kids (my two, her four) and shared parenting stories. A nice dinner at a nice restaurant, and I hope it will become a regular night out in the future.
4 Responses
I grew up with the 3 Stooges on channel 11. It was WPIX in NYC. TV was new and we worshipped it. Great pics Dee
Thanks!
I shared this post with Falon and she really enjoyed it.
Wheels and heels—honestly, that sounds like such a good day. I love that you wore that dress to dinner, and even more that she remembered it. There’s something so meaningful about little full-circle moments like that.
And hey, at least I’m still working out indoors. One day I’ll get brave enough for the countryside too. 💜
I clicked through to your blog and read a few of the posts.
One was about names. Falon was part of that. About a year into dressing, I hadn’t chosen a femme name. Nordstrom was having an event and Falon set up a room for me (as did other stylists did for other customers). The other customers–presumably all women–had their first names written on the doors. Falon used my first (boy) initial and my last name. That’s when I settled on Dee, because it was the first letter of my boy name, and my wife had a friend that went by Dee.
As to prom dresses, Macy’s has a ton of them, and sometimes they go on sale. I have four or five dresses from the juniors racks, and have other sparkly or juniors dresses that I have worn out. So you can find a prom dress you like, and wear it for something else than the prom.
Sounds like you were brave enough to disclose to your co-workers, so I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to try the countryside too. My issue isn’t appearance; it’s that I sweat too much, and wigs and sweat don’t co-exist well. But I have worn female workout clothes outside–the latest a few weeks ago while walking with my GG friend Michelle and her dogs–without an issue.
We can do things we really want to do.