I’ve always gone to school with men, worked with men and my life and livelihood depended on being friends with these men, even a sister because that made closer relations impossible.
Many years ago I challenged a fraternity to let me in because I’d read their bylaws and the document didn’t disallow women. They told me to shave my head and carry a paddle and they’d think about it. I made my point, but never shaved my head.
We had our differences, but were friends throughout college. Over the past ten years we’ve been in touch. Several members have died, one very recently.
These guys would have taken a bullet for me. I helped dress them up for Halloween and they won enough to throw a party. That’s what they did, share with others, care for others. No-one understood them, but I did.
One time I was locked in the elevator with their future leader for several hours in a heated debate about my roommate and I being “storm troopers” swooping down as he wanted to take advantage of her underage cousin, who was willing.
Later, a member of the God Squad (the Seminary wing) told me that if I walked down that hall I was going to Hell and that I was a whore. The friend I met my first day of orientation who has been a friend for life, had my back. He miraculously showed up and made the future priest apologize to his sister.
Now, I want to learn Jerry Jeff Walker’s “London Homesick Blues” on guitar (I hear it in my head and can play it with just lyrics) with another brother and hope that after 35 years of orientation, I won’t have to shave my head to join my brethren. If y’all make me carry a paddle, watch out. This little deer has jumped the fence. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 