Jeffrey’s Trackside Diner for December 2023 - Model Railroader Magazine

The Bear of whom it has been said, has a much romance in his whole body as most ffolkes have in one big toe, was a confirmed bachelor!

The company that he worked for had a social club that was renowned for its functions, and being on the committee he was busy helping organise the mid-Winter dinner and dance, though as the Bear has two left feet, dancing was low on the priority list, besides dancing impinged on having a few (??) quiet drinks.

However, the Bears idea of a pleasant evening was about to be scotched, for his Foreman’s wife who worked with several bachelorettes had other ideas, and convinced the Bears Foreman to set the Bear up on a Blind Date! The Bear was having none of this, and though the Foreman was also a good friend and mentor, politely declined.

But the Bear who also had great respect for the Foreman’s wife, and not having one of his own, had no idea how much nagging persuasion a wife could exert upon a husband, but so as to help out his friend, the Bear very reluctantly, agreed to the Bind Date.

Having heard of the Bears mistake acceptance, the Leading Hands wife, who had put herself through university working part time as a hair dresser, decided that it was in the Bears best interest, and also as not to dismay the prospective Blind Date, that the Bear needed to drop the “Wild Man of Borneo” look, and so the Bear ended up with his hair cut and beard trimmed!!!!

The night arrived and the Bear, attired in a casual business shirt and proper trousers, NOT an army surplus khaki shirt and jeans; shoes, NOT motorcycle boots, was introduced to this tall blonde with spiked hair, wearing a cream parachute suit, pastel silk scarf and Victorian lace up boots! A post Punk era Rocker in a Parachute suit!! To be fair, the Bear later found out the “Punk” thought the Bear looked like a country hick!!!

Anyhow under the watchful, nay baleful gaze of the Foreman’s Wife, the Bear was on his best behaviour and his two left feet, even managed to negotiate the dance floor several times without treading on the Punks toes, and then along with most of the other attendees at the end of the dance, repaired to the Works Social Club to round off the evening. (The Bear was still amazingly sober!!) The Bear gave the Punk a tour through the hangers explaining what was going on, to which she seemed interested. In the early hours the party wound up and the Punk was safely returned to her abode. Though not impressed about his state of sobriety the Bear was pleased that the Foreman’s Wife was pleased with the Bears behaviour.

The Foreman was happy that he was no longer being nagged, and the Bear was happy that he’d apparently “passed muster” and could go back to being normal!

All’s well that ends well!!

Now what hasn’t been said is that the Foreman’s Wife was a petite lovely lady from Thailand who, though at 4 foot nothing, weighing in at 55 lbs, did have a Ferocious side, which is what the Bear encountered a fortnight after the dinner dance.

"Was the Bear that insensitive and emotionally challenged that he hadn’t called the Punk to say that he had enjoyed the pleasure of her company, and to ask her for a second date, a call she was obviously waiting for??!!"

The Bear in a moment of what can only be described as stupidity, muttered that it wasn’t obvious to him, only to cop another earful!!!

So, with trepidation the Bear made the phone call, and within 6 months the Bear and the Punk were married.

What the Bear and the Punk found out later, was that a book was started and bets were made by family and friends as to how long the Bear would remain married: the bets varying from 3 months to 5 years tops! No one has every collected as the Bear and Her-in-Doors are still married after 33 years!

My only regret is that as far as I know, no photos exist of that fateful night as our two, now grown, children can’t imagine their mother as having ever been the Punk in the Parachute Suit!

“Two simple words all husbands should know and use: Yes Dear! – Anonymous.

Thoughts and best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.

Cheers, the Bear.