Today, November 29, is/was my Mom’s birthday.  I say “is/was” because my Mom passed away in 1998.  I still miss her and think of her often, as does my partner.

Yesterday, my partner and I were beginning the process of decorating the house for Christmas.  As usual, we talk about whatever item we are putting up, and the memories that it brings to us.

One of the items I was putting up for display is an old yule log and two St. Nicholas statues.  This display is kinda old and kinda tired, but is sentimental to me, because it was the first set of Christmas decorations that my Mom and Dad bought together.  I inherited it and display it in memory and honor of my parents.

So there I was, admiring that display and standing next to it, describing to my partner what the display meant to me, and being a bit nostalgic as the memory of my Mom and her birthday were causing some tears to well up. 

My partner looked at me up and down, then asked, “did your parents know they raised a leatherdude?”

That’s not quite the question or comment I thought I would hear.  He meant it all in jest.  Nonetheless, he couldn’t help but say something, because there I was in a leather shirt and pair of comfy leather jeans, with tall black boots.  Honestly, this is “normal” attire for me when I’m on my own time.

My reply at first was to say nothing at all, but rather, to think.  Then I just said, “well, probably not in the sense of what a ‘leatherman’ is in the gay world, but Mom probably knew that I liked leather.”  My Dad didn’t, because I was only 12 when he passed away.  But I was an adult and already riding my third motorcycle when my Mom died.  She had seen me in full leather often — and never said a thing.  She probably just thought what most people do:  “well, he rides a motorcycle, so he wears leather.” 

Yes, I do value the functionality of leather as protective and warm motorcycle clothing.  But I also wear it even when not riding my motorcycle, like yesterday. 

I digress… did my parents know they raised a leatherdude?  No… but did they know that they raised a child who was adventuresome and enjoyed wearing protective and stylish clothing suitable for his interests?  Yes, they did.  Even Dad knew that I liked boots and wore them when I rode horses.  Mom knew that I liked boots and leather, and wore both boots and leather gear more often than I rode my motorcycle.

So what?  They loved me for the man I was, not for what I chose to wear.

Life is short:  cherish memories.

A friend half-kidding and half-serious with me the other day when I was describing that on Thanksgiving, I actually lost more weight.  He said, “is it time to have your leathers altered?” 

I was so busy rushing around and working the crowd that day, that I didn’t eat much.  But that was by design.  I know I have a weakness that when good food and, especially, desserts are around, I can get “snacky.”  Nibbling all day doesn’t help with the weight-loss goals that I have for myself.

This year, instead of being tempted, I asked others in my family to help my senior pals through the buffet and desert line, and I stayed away.  I scurried around from helping people get out of their cars and into our home, doing many “stair climbs” to stash coats, as well as to run to the basement to check on visitors down there, and lots more.  When you’re entertaining 100 friends over 14 hours, it can be quite a lot of exercise.

I actually measured the exercise I got on Thanksgiving by placing a pedometer on my belt when I got up at 4am, and set it to zero.  When I finally collapsed into bed at 9pm, I casually looked at the pedometer, and it registered 65,042 steps!  By using a steps-to-miles calculator, using an average man’s stride length of 1.5 feet, I figured that I walked 17.5 miles (28.1km) on Thanksgiving Day!  Whew!  No wonder I was so sore and tired at the end of the day!

Because I successfully avoided my weaknesses and did not snack, despite many pies, cakes, and a million cookies and other treats being around, I found that I lost seven more pounds since the day before Thanksgiving.  Gosh, this beats a gym membership for sure — and is cheaper, too!

How I really noticed my more recent weight-loss was that I put on a pair of favorite leather jeans to wear yesterday, and the jeans were riding so low on my waist that I realized they were falling down because my waist had shrunk.  I took them off and weighed myself.  Much to my delight and surprise, I had lost another seven pounds from the last “milestone measurement” taken two weeks ago.

I tried notching my belt a little tighter, only to realize that I had no more notch to tighten it to!  I went to my dresser and found a belt that I used to wear ten years ago, when my waist was 6″ narrower, and it fit.  I put the old belt on those leather jeans and they’re now riding on my waist where I want them to be, though they now look a big baggy.

Hmmm… is it time to have my leathers altered?  So suggests my brother-in-heart.  This isn’t such a bad situation, as I now can wear (or re-wear) some of my older leathers that I haven’t been able to wear in a decade.

Now, if I can only keep this up through Christmas….

Life is short:  celebrate self-set goals!

I make no excuses: this time of year, I like to wear leather.  The weather is cool, the leather is comfortable… it’s time to gear up!

I have blogged a lot over time about wearing leather in public.  Some guys are reluctant to do that because they are afraid about what other people may say or think.  I’m long over those feelings.  I wear what I like to wear.  As long as my gear is not “suggestive” and I don’t wear my chaps & boots with nothing else… it’s fine.

Lately, it has been ideal “leather weather.”  I am wearing a pair of leather jeans, instead of blue jeans, on most days.  I pick out various leather shirts from my gear closest — goodness knows, I have several from which to choose.  Then I go about my regular business.

“Milk Monday” at a local grocery store finds me there, as they reduce the price of milk by half of what it costs on other days. This store also has very good produce, so it’s worth the trip.  Full leather?  No sweat!

Tuesday, I took a senior pal to her doctor’s office and waited for her to finish, then brought her back home.  I was dressed in a pair of leather jeans with a lightweight cotton shirt, as it was unexpectedly warm.  Boots, of course. 

I also went about completing other errands, from visiting my aunt to delivering some plans to a fellow civic leader to review, and even attended a meeting on Tuesday evening … and by then it had cooled off, so I put on a leather shirt to go with my leather jeans.

I mean, it really is no big deal.  Nobody — NOBODY — gives a darn or says anything (at least not to me).  If you have leather, wear it!

Life is short:  ‘nuf said… wear your leather.

These words do not always go together: “summer” and “leather”. “Formal” and “leather” go better together… sometimes. Here’s my take on both matters….

While I am definitely a cuirophile (a-ha, new word! But leathermen can figure that one out fast)… I recognize that leather is durable, looks good, and by design, it is warm. I mean, after all, it was the thick skin of a cow. (I know, leather is made from other animal hides, too, but let’s not split hidehairs.)

When the weather outside is frightful… but not the snowy sort (pardon the lift from an old holiday tune)… temperatures in the 90s (over 32C), wearing any form of leatherwear on my legs and body can make me very uncomfortable. While the aroma of sweaty leather has some intoxicating prospects, passing out from heat stroke is not good. Not at all… so wearing full leather in the summer outdoors is not something I choose to do.

… except … in the early morning before it becomes warm, when I may choose some of my nicest, “formal” leather, and completely leather up for some photos for my website. I think the background of fully-leafed trees is far better than the stark, leafless, cold background of a winter’s day.

What makes “formal” leather? Usually, at least from my own observation, one can say that he is wearing “formal” leather when he has on leather pants that are clean and the leather is in its full lustre. A leather shirt, usually with long sleeves but perhaps with short sleeves, on the torso. A Muir Cap on the head, a Dress Leather Tie with a pair of well-shined black boots completes the outfit.

Must all “formal” leather be black? I dunno… this fashion-conscious “black-tie” stuff always throws me, since I am not the type of guy to wear a tuxedo. (Never have, never will.) I think good quality lustrous leather combined together, as shown here, can easily fit the bill of “dress leather.”

Only downfall, this prince’s date doesn’t like going to the ball (don’t go there… this is a G-rated blog!)… ahem… back to topic … my partner detests going out. Thus, I can (and often do) dress in formal leather, but “going out” means to the back yard for some photos, then enjoying wearing leather indoors in cool comfort. … until I have to go out. In which case, off come the leathers for a return to hanging them nicely in the gear closet… and on come the blue jeans and t-shirts with comfy boots, which are my customary summertime choices.

Life is short: enjoy leather!

I mixed and matched some leather gear the other day and created a black and tan leather uniform. Tall Dehner patrol boots, CHP leather breeches tucked into them, Sam Browne Belt over the leather shirt, and Muir Cap to top it off. Grrrrr….

No need to buy a leather uniform when I can put a new look together with what I have in the gear closet.

Life is short: enjoy your boots and leather!

Or am I a “Biker – Leatherman?” Either way, or as the kids say, “whatever….”

I have always enjoyed wearing leather. I wear leather clothing regularly, and not always while riding my motorcycle. Leather is an investment. Good quality, custom-made gear isn’t cheap. There’s no sense in having the gear if you only wear it once or twice each year to a leather fashion show or stand around posing in it at a bar.

Most guys have a leather jacket or two, and wear them regularly. Some guys (with or without a motorcycle) have other leather garments: chaps, pants, vests, and shirts. Yeah, I’ve got it all… and wear it when the weather is suitable.

The other day, a box arrived at my door. I had been waiting ten weeks since I ordered it — a new pair of traditional “retro” motorcycle chaps. Chaps are great for wearing while riding a motorcycle, as they provide warm and protection, and look good, too. (Info on why bikers wear chaps is here.)

My first leather investment besides a jacket was a pair of chaps from a guy who called himself “The Leathermaker.” He made custom-to-fit chaps that had a solid band across the back, and a custom closure across the front. The chaps zipped closed on the outside seam, which bikers like me prefer because an inside zipper is liable to scratch a motorcycle’s paint.

I loved those old “Leathermaker” chaps. Alas, my size has changed since I bought them in 1977. Yeah, 33 years later, it was time to upgrade. I had always wanted another pair of chaps just like those, but since D. Lyn Sterling, the guy who made those chaps, died in 1987 (reference), I thought chaps made like that were history.

Well, not… while surfing the 665 Leather website, there they were. At the time I was looking, 665 was offering a 15% discount off of any one item. It was time to act.

These chaps are hot. Woofity-hot. And really cool-lookin’, too. I can’t wait to go out and ride with them… soon.

Life is short: wear your gear!