I am:

a. signing on to the cults of Ruby- and Bella-worshiping, and happy to be part of three such wonderful cults; and

b. available for worship myself, if the mood strikes anyone. Only experienced worshipers need apply, however.

Why does the spellcheck prefer 'worshiping' and 'worshipers' to 'worshipping' and 'worshippers'? The former look odd to me...

I'm in the Husky->Fluffy range I think...but aspiring to more.

In my experience of many friendships with men, as well as many flirtations, there are some guys who are good at reading women's communication styles, but many, perhaps most, are not.

The basic principles of the articles Dee posted are right, even if some of the lines are not. I start chatting with people based on something they're doing or wearing, and it works to start a convo with me, too.

I think most other ways of getting started are nonsense. One way or another, a conversation has to start, and some simple, uncontrived beginning like 'That's a lovely scarf,' or 'I haven't had that dish here--is it any good?'

I think jumping in the deep end is the best way; I look back on things I used to do that seem very out of reach now, and while some would be inappropriate at my age, some just need for me to get back into the habit.