Angela is beating the heat in her pal Dennis’ backyard with some fresh produce. She is prepping a fresh, shrimp stew, which her adopted Ecuadorian family taught her how to make. It includes shrimp, cilantro, green plantains, yucca and choclo (giant corn).

by Angela Olsen
photo by Dennis Johnson

Phew Readers!  If ever there was a time to get in touch with one’s “natural beauty” it’s now.  My skin does not recall what it feels like to towel off completely, don makeup or moisturizer since the last installment of this column.  Although it makes following the rules of Patti Stanger’s book Become Your Own Matchmaker a bit more challenging, it certainly allows time to flirt with the “real me.”

I think of Chris Rock, my favorite comedian who says that women are “Masters of the lie, the visual lie… Look at you.  You got on heels, you ain’t that tall.  You got on makeup, your face don’t look like that.  You got a weave, your hair ain’t that long.”  Well, the secrets are out this month, and that’s no lie!

There is a freedom in “outing” the lies, not to say that they are crippling, but rather, because of what they reveal in other people, men to be specific.  This is what you’re going to see every day at the crack of dawn.  If it scares you, it’s best you know now and head for the hills!

The other day, a lovely woman, friend, and sailor, Diane McAllister reminded me that I declared to the world in the last Resident that I was contemplating taking a lover.  She ribbed me, as I found myself in a bit of a jam with some, perhaps, uninvited male attention; or at least overwhelming for the time and place.  Mama Mia!

So, people are asking me, did I take the plunge? I’ll never tell.

What I will share is that in the spirit of natural beauty and summer heat, I find that this notion of attraction to the opposite sex is by far more intuitive than I ever imagined.  I have my witch’s brew of the perfect man, but that does not mean if he exists, I’ll have that feeling.

I met someone who looks great on paper: educated, served our country, brought me out of my element and got me walking after midnight in downtown Mystic.

However, when the rubber met the road, those pheromones just didn’t spark.  The chemistry was lackluster.

Patti tells clients that the, well, male does the picking when it comes to attraction to the opposite sex.  I will be paying close attention to my dog, and hopefully learning a few tricks! Stay cool. Stay hydrated!

Bookmark to: