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Well, the best laid plans and all that. By 9am there was a good 2–3″ of snow on the ground and still coming down, but the wind was also gusting just above 15 mph and the temperatures were plummeting. By 11am the snow had stopped and the wind was gusting over 20mph and it felt like 2° outside. On top of all that Johann woke up with a sore throat. So it was not a fun day in the snow, but a day to cuddle up on the couch, sip tea and watch Noggin and Veggie Tales Christmas shows between naps.
To add to the “misery” some friends in the building were moving out today. They are in the Navy and this was always going to be a short stay. Still, it is hard to see them go. We all got on very well, and Johann and the two girls had some simply wonderful play dates. They stopped by to say goodbye and Johann lamented that he couldn’t give them kisses as usual because he didn’t want to make them sick. We’ll miss you S,R,J & L. Write/email when you get settled.
Having put off the shopping for most of a week, someone had to go out today and get at least enough for dinner. Since my work has slowed in immediacy at least, I leapt at the chance to get out of the house for a bit. I laced into my boots and jacket and headed to the local market where I received a few stares regarding my boots, a few compliments and one…well, let’s just say a definite vote of disapproval.
My best winter boots are from Idaho—actually they were made in Eastern Oregon—a pair of old fashioned hand-made “mountain-man” boots. Knee-high, fur-lined, rubber-soled, leather boots with antique US Cavalry lacing buttons. Do you want to know about comfort? Or warmth? These are warmer and far more comfortable than anything that I have ever had made out of the latest high-tech gee whiz materials guaranteed to protect to -20. They may have promised all that on the boxes but they never lived up to the promises. These hand-made boots actually deliver, and then some.
Ok, I guess they’re not “PC” I mean leather, fur and all that—oh, but the rubber sole is from recycled tires so that counts for something, right? They’re not going to win me any fashion contests either…but so what! They work!
Today a lady asked if they were real leather. When I confirmed they were, she asked—as she reached down to feel them— “Ooh, what type of leather is that?” I told her and watched a look of absolute horror spread across her face. She stuttered that she thought “they would be Italian leather or some such, but never elk. How barbaric!”
I guess I didn’t handle the next bit very well. I laughed and replied in my best over-acted drawl “Well, gee ma’am I di’n’t know there was a huntin’ season for them.”1 She spat at my feet (in a market of all places! How barbaric!) and sped off to pay for her veal tenderloins and paté (I kid you not) while I continued the weekly shopping. Chuckling mischievously the whole while.
Of course I kept wondering…What the heck does she think Italian Leather is? Recycled traffic cones? Fine Italian leather is usually calf skin. Very soft and beautiful and usually worked masterfully, but certainly no more PETA friendly than elk.
All in all not the day I had planned, but somehow interesting all the same.
*1–Naturally, I mean no offense to anyone from, or descended from someone from Italy. Mi dispiace signor e signora. Vorrei augurarti Buon Natale!