Regarding men, I just want to go on record
as saying that I have, and have had, wonderful male friends. From family, school, work. I have found that their perspective has provided balance to my own, and, typically, with less of an emotional overlay as with my female friends. I need and treasure both kinds of connections.
Having just celebrated a “big decade birthday” (how the hell did that happen, it’s is indeed “terribly strange”, but, hey, 70 is the new 40, right?), I can’t say that I was never “hit on” at work or at play, but it was a different era, and, into my case, rare. Did I suck it up and shrug it off? Yes. Was that ok? No. Did I make mistakes, definitely. For the most part, though, my experience with men has been one of wonderful wit, learning, wisdom, and extraordinary kindness.
Then there was my beloved sweetheart of 40 years. I’m convinced he still watches over me - and never more so than the last couple of days.
And so, to all of the “good guys” I’ve been blessed to have in my life, and here on DU - I’m sure you are legion - I wish you good cheer and urge you to carry on. And may we all go forth and sin no more.
Salud,
Mme. D.
Btw, this is a do-over post after removing an earlier version yesterday in which I demonstrated my rather embarrassing confusion over the meaning of “decade” and how it applied to my advanced age. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
We're both children of November, 1947. 
As a man, your post brings bittersweet memories. I was raised by folks in the country (farmers and timber men) that survived the Great Depression. They were all very poor and everyone was brought to their knees and after that, many of them went to war. Compared to today's consumerist society, I don't know how they survived. Both my parents only made it through 8th grade, and my mom got to ride the mule to school!
I'm describing this because I'm forever grateful for those men and women who taught me to be a gentleman at all costs, and to be kind and unselfish. We were also taught that in church back then, along with good manners in school.
In this day and age, it's increasingly difficult to maintain these standards because the world is trending to an everyone for themselves, dog-eat-dog attitude. And, anyone that tries to be a lady or gentleman is trampled. I just hope we all survive this time, and perhaps somehow reverse those trends.
Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. Thanksgiving should be a day of reflection and humility, and you are following that tradition!
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and for your perspective 
We have quite a few children of 1947 here (November for me)!
Don't know about you, but for me and being raised in the country in the 50s and 60s, the world turns too damned fast for me, LOL.
To paraphrase from the old-folks gadget commercial: "help me, I can't speed up!" 
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As a teenager, I was too damn stupid to know anything. In college, I was a total jerk. But I never did anything truly egregious. But before my late twenties, I engaged in a lot of non-PC behavior, that's for certain.
