It is hard meeting the opposite sex - how do you do it

It is hard meeeting the opposite sex - how do you do it?  There is so many modern conveniences like internet dating and going on the dating sites, which some cost money and some are free.  What happened to the old-fashioned way of meeting in person?  I am still healing from the loss of my Smokey so I am not picking up the signs when someone is interested or they are just being nice.  The on guy named Bill I had a crush on is gay.  Boy!  Can I ever pick them or what?  When I left my first husband, I didn't pick up on the signs right away and had a thing for another gay guy.  I didn't realize he was gay at first.  His name was Chris,  tall and blonde.  We literally slept together with no hanky panky.  I figured any red blooded Canadian man would not just sleep with a woman but would want the hanky panky.  It was hard to let him go but nothing ever developed.  The same thing with this Bill guy only we just know one another from the bar we go to and that is it.  I thought he was interested in me but nothing.  I have met 14 guys now that are on my DON'T WANT TO DATE THEM LIST.  Friday I was out with my brother Don and just as we were about to leave started chatting up with a guy named Dave.  When I was a couple with Smokey, we met Dave a lot in our journeys and chatted him up a few times.  He seemed nice and I always thought he was attractive.  Dave told me his journey from the East Coast, Alberta and BC.  Dave told me his favorite team is the Eskimo Oilers.  Dave told me he was married, divorced, no kids, lived together with one woman and is single.  Does this mean he was interested in me?  I had to say good-bye as we were out the door.  Now what?  In this day and age, I just don't know anymore.  I am a bit confused when it comes to the dating scene.  It has been over ten years for me.  I am thrown back in with the wolves.  I am 54 years of age, I am not fat nor thing but just right, friendly, dye my hair blonde, and am totally confused about the dating scene.  What are your experiences like?  I would like to know.  I always wanted to meet a guy at church but there does not seem to be any single men my age at church so what is a woman to do?  Don, Carol and I like to drink beer (not a lot)  and they like to dance so we go out to some of the bars in Richmond.  I don't stalk any alcohol at home and go out for a social drink.  It is where I have been meeting the opposite sex.  At this point in time, I might give it up for awhile.  What is the point?  It all seems so useless.  What I want I can't have - Smokey back!  What I don't want - being a single widow - is where I am now.  I have to make lemonaide out of the lemons.  It is not so easy to stay so positive.  Both Carol and Don urge me to go on the internet dating services.  I have to figure out how to post my picture.  It is the only hold back for me.  I am not techno savvy.  These are my thoughts and opinions from Diane