Monthly Archives: May 2008

Happy Kidney Day

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May 3 is a day to remember as this was the day, years ago, when I donated a kidney to my “little” sister. Actually, she’s older than I am, but about half my size. She is a triplet, but her sisters don’t look a thing like her — they’re all fraternal.

She was the sister who always tormented me, drove me nuts, jumped out at me behind closed doors (and enjoyed my startled reaction.) She was the one who did something bad and arranged for Mom and Dad to blame me for whatever transgression. She was the one who chased my friends around on the front lawn to embarrass them. She would play that loud “Rock and Roll” music in the car while I would sit humming with my fingers in my ears.

She was also the one who got sick. So sick that we thought we were going to lose her. So sick that all of us lined up and got tested, and I was the lucky winner to be informed that we had the closest match when it came to the kidney she needed since hers had shut down. Truly, I believe I am the lucky one. It was weird that her triplet sisters were not as close a match as I was. Fa bene, sic volvere parcas.

She’s living well now, enjoying life, having fun. Best of all, she’s my best friend.

Be an organ donor. Sign up with your state motor vehicle office so “organ donor” appears on your driver’s license, but most of all, discuss your intent with those who will be asked at a time of crisis. It’s sad but true: even if you have signed a donor card and indicated your intent to donate organs upon death, your loved-ones who make decisions for you at a hospital will still need to give permission. Make sure they know your intent, so your organs can save as many lives as possible — and enable people to live longer, more productive, and happier lives with the beneficence of your gift.

Happy Kidney Day!

Economically Stimulated

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When I checked my bank account this morning, I found that I was “economically stimulated” with a direct deposit from the IRS. [And since I get a lot of visitors to this blog from outside the U.S., let me explain. Since the U.S. economy is so horrible due to the terrible mismanagement by the current U.S. President, he and our Congress decided to give every taxpayer in the country a “rebate” ranging from $300 to $600 per person. The idea is that we will spend the money and thus help to “stimulate” the economy by spending it. That money is being distributed this month.]

Sure, I’ll take the money. I was planning on saving all of it, but I decided to take two actions with it instead.

I’ve had my eye on a pair of Dan Post Vegas Cut boots in black cherry. I picked up a pair of these boots in brown in February while on a business trip to Nashville, and I have really liked them. They are very comfortable and make a great cowboy boot clunk sound while walking in them. In fact, yesterday when I was walking around my office building doing some fire escape planning with two building engineers, both heard the clunks, looked at my feet, and said simultaneously, “cool boots!”

Well, I decided to apply some of the “economic stimulus” that I just received into getting the boots I’ve had my eye on, and then I am donating the rest to a worthy charity.

Old Frye Boots

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I really should stop being so puzzled, but each month when I look at my website statistics on the Top 16 Most Viewed Boots (last month), I see that ten times as many people have searched for Vintage Frye Boots each month than any other type of boot. Just what is it about Fryes? The style, the colors, the design? I just can’t figure it out.

Sure, I had a LOT of Fryes when I was in high school and college. I wore them all the time. I still do, occasionally. Problem is that older feet aren’t made for Fryes [smile]. They get darned uncomfortable unless you install padded insoles. But I tell ‘ya, when I wear them, it is quite common that someone will say something about them, like…

* Are those Fryes? (I avoid the urge to respond with a wisecrack)
* Wow, cool boots! I remember when (followed by LONG story)
* Hey, man, got any pot? (I guess a lot of pot-heads wore Fryes. I dunno, I didn’t inhale [LOL!])
* Can I get a pair of Fryes like that?

It goes on and on. It’s too bad that the original Frye Shoe Company, maker of vintage Fryes, sold out and now is held by a conglomerate that has boots made in China with that brand name. Not the same boots by any measure.

I’ve had people send me email offering to buy my vintage Fryes for unbelievable (to me) amounts of money for old boots. But they still bring back a lot of fond memories, and I still enjoy wearing them, so I don’t plan to sell any.

On with the (vintage) Fryes!

Life is short: wear your boots (including your Fryes!)