When Susan arranges her first meetings with men, she has to make sure she meets the right person. This is because she has, on at least one occasion, had an entire conversation with the wrong person in a public place. His wife, when she arrived, was not amused.
Susan’s way of making sure that this situation would never occur again was to ask the next man she was to meet to wear something distinctive so that she would recognize him. He did. When she entered the restaurant, he was wearing a pair of antlers. He wore them throughout the meal. As this was not during hunting season, and, as the restaurant was not located in Disney World, Susan was a bit embarrassed. (Reader note: Susan did not ask him to remove the antlers, nor did she use the “I’m going to the ladies room” ploy to leave.) Antler Man spent most of the evening assuring Susan that although he was “way over the hill,” his parts were all in working order. (I will not make an obvious joke, here). After dinner, Susan didn’t want him to walk her to her car, so she told him she had shopping to do, at which point he decided to accompany her to the local bookstore. Once in the store, he proceeded to pop out of the aisles to surprise her, antlers still intact.
This experience taught Susan that asking for something “distinctive,” might not be a good idea, at least in a public place. So, for her next encounter, she and her date agreed to each wear paper bags over their heads. He came to her condo complex and stood outside her garage. She entered the garage through the building, opened the door, and, at the count of three, each of them ceremoniously lifted the bags over their head. The fact that Susan wanted him to immediately put his bag back on was a minor issue. The major issue was why Susan would have suggested paper bags and why he would have agreed.
To be fair to Susan, some of her dates wore interesting items even when she didn’t require them. One of them wore bedroom slippers to a fairly nice restaurant, telling her he liked to be comfortable. I guess she should have been happy that he didn’t wear his pajamas.
On the other hand, some men presented a problem by what they didn’t wear. We will not discuss that at this time. Photos will be sent on request.
Most of the above scenarios occurred in restaurants. But Susan has also arranged to meet men on park benches, and in bookstores, bars, parks, public bathrooms, and outpatient surgery waiting rooms. We will explore some of these in Part 4.
Bridgesburning Chris King
January 18, 2012
Reading this is another trip down memory lane but must confess have not encountered antlers!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
They were mighty special, even for Susan.
The Byronic Man
January 18, 2012
Sooooo… no on the antlers, is what you’re saying? Whoopie cushions are still first-date gold, though, right?
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
Wow, I don’t think she had had that. Yet.
gojulesgo
January 19, 2012
I don’t know. I think his bookstore antics might prove antlers = a keeper.
Paprika Furstenburg
January 18, 2012
A fourth part to this story… I can’t wait. I have loved these series of posts. Susan is either a really good sport or you are trying to find a way to end your friendship with her.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
I asked her if I should change her name. She said, “Hell, no. There might be a single guy reading this.” She’s a real trooper. I should end the last post on Friday with a photo of her and her contact info.
Laurie Mirkin
January 18, 2012
3 things in response to Susan’s latest dating adventures:
1. Was Antler Man a 6- point or a 12-point? Size does make a difference.
2. Susan should have suggested plastic instead of paper to Bag Man. Perhaps he could have gotten a knot in his bag and the EMT’s could have removed him. (just temporarily out, not dead, for God’s sake)
3. Pajama pants have become the outerwear choice of a huge cross-section of our population. Michael Jackson wore them to trial. A nice pair of Dunhill silkies would be groovy. Please leave all Disney, Sponge Bob’s, Dora’s and Where’s Waldo’s at home. (Where’s Waldo pj pants? Maybe Waldo’s something else, not a guy?) See you the 24th O’Beautiful one.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
Good points, all, especially the size thing. Susan is big on that. I’m not naming names here, but a certain anonymous Then Husband wears pajama pants. A lot. Am looking forward to meeting you. You crack me up.
ptigris213
January 18, 2012
OMG, this only gets funnier. Laurie Mirkin, above, asked the very same question I was going to: how many points on the antlers? Deer, elk, moose?
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
I’m thinking Susan needs her own “Letters to the Lovelorn” column to answer the groundswell of questions. We have two so far.
pegoleg
January 18, 2012
Re: problems created by men not wearing certain items. Please send the pictures.
Laurie Mirkin
January 18, 2012
I wish I had them, Peg. ( I hope that’s you’re real name ) we have so many pictures in our minds that we haven’t figured out how to transpose onto the internet. I used to think, as a kid, that stuffed deer, elk, moose, smelled so good. I wanted to just take them home. Then I grew up and went hunting and realized how Walt Disney I’d been. Then while watching the ancient movies like Helen of Troy and 300, and those guys are so buff and look so damn good, but if we rewind to the years of those epics, people smelled like dukie. They might’ve gotten a tubful of dirty water to bath in once a month, but breath? My dog’s is better, for sure. And that goes for us old-time smelly women, as well. Massengil? Wha? So much of what is good is in our heads. (and vica versa, I am afraid)
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
I actually thought about that when I would have my fantasties about being swept off my feet by some crazy-talented, gloomy artist-type or 1800s Plains Indian/whatever the fantasy of the day was. Then I thought he’d probably be seriously in need of a bath and/or therapy and I’d be living in an attic or teepee. And I don’t do well without central heat or a warm shower or Actifed.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
It’ll cost you.
K.L.Richardson
January 18, 2012
I must say that Susan really has perseverance; I found it difficult to keep clenching my jaw muscles on my dates. Plus my dentist was starting to get highly upset (even though I was putting his kids through school) about the condition of my teeth after a date. I got a little comedy mileage out of my experiences with Match.com but you have hit the mother load with your friend!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
The mother load is right. And there were so many that she couldn’t even remember. Plus, she’s still meeting guys. So why isn’t Mr Right reading this?
worrywarts-guide-to-weight-sex-and-marriage
January 18, 2012
Susan’s dating adventures would make a great TV show.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
Now I’m sitting here thinking about who would play Susan. Goldie Hawn? Bette Midler? It would have to be someone comepletely hilarious.
Marion Driessen
January 18, 2012
How on earth was Susan able to eat her meal with a moose staring at her? Oh my, absolutely absurd. I would have shot him. With green peas. 😉
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
You have to know her. Her adventures are legendary. One moose, more or less, is taken in stride.
Sylvia Morice
January 18, 2012
Love these posts about your friends’ sad tales of dating. Very funny for us to read. Also, I wanted to let you know that I passed on to you the “Awesome Blog Content Award”. Details of the award and a pic of it can be found on my site. When I nominated your blog I mentioned your ongoing saga this week about Susan, as I’m sure the people who read my blog would love to read about her as well! Congrats!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
For several reasons, I don’t participate in awards. I can share the reasons privately, if you wish. But, believe me when I say I am truly honored. This week is CRAZY (I’m in a real estate workshop for hours each day,) so I haven’t been keeping up with blogs, but I will read your post now and respond there, as well.
Kathryn McCullough
January 18, 2012
Think I’ll stick with Sara. She rarely wears antlers.
Kathy
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 18, 2012
It’s a good thing. Tough to look chic with antlers.
territerri
January 18, 2012
You know, I’m always thinking of ways my husband could improve himself, but on second thought… he’s fine.
Claire Takacs
January 19, 2012
Was antler man trying to prove that he was still horny despite his age?
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Oh, funny. Gosh, I could have done a series just about Antler Man.
Anonymous
January 19, 2012
THE TALE OF THE TRAIL FOR TAIL…
There once was a young colt named Antler who spend his days romping in the snow
He dreampt of Sweet Sue; how would she look, smell, taste?Somehow he just had to know.
He glanced at his reflection in the mighty Potomac and was saddened to the quick
What could he possibly offer Sweet Sue? His precious lean-to, crafted from leaves, twigs and dung? The cold and rushing water hole from which to satiate her thirst?
His 12-pointed crown shone back at him from the wet; He breathed in, puffed out his chest, and bucked off to find her. his Sue to beget. Speeding along the Beltway, he became confused and aghast. Just at that moment, an avid hunter drove past, He picked up his gun and peeled off ten, now Antler’s a wall trophy in an Alexandria den.
the moral being that if your date doesn’t always show up, something inexplicable might have happened
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Is there an Oscar for commenters? If so, you win. I sent this to Susan. Are you a guy? Are you single?
Laurie Mirkin
January 27, 2012
OMG. THAT WAS ME RENEE. I GOOFED UP SENDING IT TO YOU. I DIDN’T SEE IT TILL TODAY. HAVE A LOVELY LAST VACATION DAY. XOXO LAURIE
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 27, 2012
You need your own blog!
judithhb
January 19, 2012
Strikes me she is being just a tad picky – will this woman ever find the man of her dreams. Enter left Doris Day and Rock Hudson – oops, forgot he was gay.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
We have a running joke about Susan being too picky. Too long to go into. Hmmm, maybe another post.
fr3lancer
February 14, 2012
send me the pics 😛
Susan was all over the place 😀
wondering whether i shud provide my email or whether susan will count me as another stalker 😛
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 14, 2012
I think Susan is now on the verge of having her own fan club.