First, I had a nice conversation with a couple of fellows in Wisconsin for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan

Then a couple--she from Puerto Rico, he from Cuba--with whom we discussed the benefit of knowing our ancestors

Then a fellow from Philadelphia, owning a distillery, who was trying to expand into the Badger State

Photography by Norma

a woman wearing a dress, that is

Milwaukee's venerable Pfister Hotel

Photography by Taylor

. . . but I'm still enjoying my out-of-house experiences :)

BTW, 75 last time I checked my birth certificate

I do feel that I should be the "official" Pfister Hotel greeter

gotta make sure everything is shipshape in Bristol fashion

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN9n1bAahg4

Sounds of laughter shades of life

Are ringing through my opened ears

Inciting and inviting me

Limitless undying love

Which shines around me like a million suns

It calls me on and on across the universe

The Beatles - Across the Universe

-------------------

Please say hello to Gwenn. It's still beyond me, how I could've been as lucky as to really have this gorgeous boy come here- I've been dreaming about a Har for ages and was already pondering how to coax someone into translating mails into Chinese, begging Mrs Wang to crazyplease cast him again. He looks so gorgeously lifelike, it's like he's breathing and he looks like he could never flip at anything because he's just so totally in sync with the rhythm of the universe. Thank you so much, Lance - also (and definitely not last but not least) for his crazy cool clothes!^^~~~*

these folks--and lots of others in the hotel lobby--were about to embark of a boat cruise through the Great Lakes, from Milwaukee to Toronto

so I "forced" them to join me in a group pic :)

They're my only weakness, you know LOL!

Fact is, there is no simple answer; confidence that you have done your best to reach femininity is important of course, but I have encountered any number of gals who look near-perfect yet did not feel assured about presenting themselves in a public situation.

I would say this: look your best, frequent civilized venues, and act like you belong

I tried dressing down; I found I preferred dressing in more noticeable outfits

especially in black :)

Maybe; maybe not

That's part of the mystery :)

sage advice from Dr. Sidney Freedman

I could use directions to the nearest watering hole :)

. . . or am I watching them?

Photography by Nicole

now that warm weather has arrived :)

Photography by bartender Erin

though others don't seem to notice :)

Please--make yourself comfortable :)

believe me, you will be appreciated :)

a tasty old fashion for an old fashioned gal :)

and for this day, it was pants

I must be getting a reputation--the bartender was ready to pour me a glass of pinot grigio before I had even taken off my raincoat :)

it was a bit breezy outside and I haven't had a chance to put myself back together

I suspect that by now my appearances en femme have become nothing to talk about in the neighborhood

I've got a million of them :)

. . . and just a touch of red :)

rule No. 1: Wear a bright blue dress

rule No. 2: Do NOT hide in a corner

I've been using them for decades!

I wonder, could that be made into a musical?

Photography by Taylor

trying to hide my identity

BTW, I don't think it worked :)

taking advantage of a rare appearance of the warm April sun :)

if I had known how much satisfaction I would be getting I would have become one even sooner :)

it helps cover a multitude of flaws

the bartender (Erin) maketh (an old fashion), I pose (moi), and Erin taketh the pic

Photography by Erin

Do people know (and you get my drift)?

To be honest, yes and no, and often I cannot tell. Fact is, I am treated as a woman, and that is good enough for me.

If you are ever in Milwaukee, you know where to find me

On Sunday

Afternoon

I've been waiting 6 months and more for this!

the crossroads of . . . Milwaukee?

as befitting my advanced age :)

and trying to emulate all those ladies I grew up admiring

. . . I would be way overdressed!

I really do like dressing en femme

Oh, and I really am cold!

disclaimer: I got an early start as this was taken 3 days prior

Alas, I don't have any leeks to chew nor Welsh whisky to down it with

First of all, I do not want to invade anyone's privacy, so I try to gauge when it is empty or nearly so. But, when you gotta go, you gotta go, so I try to go in, take care of "business," and leave. And no one's the wiser. If it's not too busy I will stop and adjust my hair, makeup, etc.

But, I want to make this clear: I am not advising any gurl as to what to do. That is your own individual decision.

Now to get back to the current bar discussion: Who was the greater Prime Minister--Lord Palmerston or Pitt the Younger?

you should try it sometime :)

resistance is futile :)

that would be Spotted Cow, brewed by the New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, Wisconsin

and only sold in the Badger State!

just venting

Photography by Taylor