20 years ago (July 1991). Late night, close to downtown.

Mom was in the hospital dying and my son and I had been down there to see her. A cousin and his wife were with us. We went into a Denny's on the way home, at about midnight or so.

A cross-dresser walked into the place and I could see my son (7 years old at the time) giving "her" the Mark-I eyeball scan. I could tell he was pretty confused but I didn't say anything to him about it. Finally, he whispered to me, "Dad, is that a MAN dressed like a lady?"

Pretty observant for a 7-year old, I'd say. I explained it to him but we avoided that part of town after that.

Still do. I absolutely despise the urban scene. I deal with it because sometimes my job requires it, but nobody can force me to like it.

That's part of the reason why we live where we do; our nearest neighbor is a mile down the dirt road.