Denny wrote

So, there you have it folks... File VFR and you become a scab walking
into the middle of a sit down strike... Beats me... I have been
banging around airports for over 60 years and flying the ATC system for
over 40 years, and I don't have a clue what to do...

NOPE! Denny, you just don't understand what a VFR flight plan is for,
nor the common method for filing and opening one. They are filed
direct with a FSS over the telephone and opened by calling a FSS, either
direct or via the nearest VOR station. ATC doesn't get involved at all.
Yes, there are other ways of doing this, but why not do it the in the
expected manner.

Flight following (RADAR advisories) is an ATC function only and does not
depend on having a VFR flight plan filed nor opened.

Sounds as if you need to spend some time in the AIM.

Bob Moore