Monthly Archives: February 2013

Putting the Boot Collection To Work

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LucbluethumbAs most visitors to this blog and my website know, I own a lot of cowboy boots and motorcycle boots. As of today, I own 200 pairs of boots. Yep, that is quite a few. I made a pledge to myself to wear a different pair of boots each day so that I wear every pair of boots I own (and that still fit me). If it works out right, I will wear a different pair of boots each day for over six months.

For the last two weeks, here are photos of each pair of boots that I wore to work. Note, I change boots when I get home from work, and wear different boots on weekends, so what you see below are only the boots that I wore Monday through Friday in my office. (These are photos from my photo collection. I did not have time to take actual photos of each pair of boots every day):
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Jock Dads

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lucyI was having a conversation with a friend of mine who expressed concern for wanting to support his son in sports programs, but my friend is much like me — we are not “sports enabled.” Or shall I say that we have talents, but our talents do not include the use of balls, clubs, bats, mitts, cleats, pads, or the like. How often I have felt like Charlie Brown when Lucy teases him (as shown.)

It is very hard for a “sports-challenged” guy like me to be around “jock Dads” when supporting a family member’s sports interests. For example, I like to show my nephews and nieces that I love them by showing up on occasion at one of their games, but there are times when fathers of other players have made me feel inadequate, uncomfortable, and unhappy. Some have behaved in ways as if they have not graduated from school. In many ways, feelings I had in grade school return — and those grade-school scars are hard to heal.

How does a non-sports guy help raise a son, or show support to a nephew, when he feels so inadequate in comparison with other fathers and uncles?
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Decent Affordable Cowboy Boots

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JustintandistressedSomeone sent me a question recently, asking, “What’s a decent cowboy boot company similar to Chippewa [for motorcycle boots]. Not too expensive but good quality? Do you have an article about that?”

I searched this blog, and was astounded that while I have written often about cowboy boots, I did not have one article to address that question — until now. Most guys, especially those who do not wear boots often or are new to boots would consider boots that do not attract much attention — subdued colors, regular walking heels, round or less pointed toes. They just want a pair of plain old, decent, and affordable boots to wear.

LucclassicWhat are my suggestions for cowboy boots that are decent and affordable today?
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Riding With A Cop

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Last night, instead of watching (or not watching) some football championship game, and instead of reading a book as I had planned, I jumped at a chance to do a “ride-along” with a cop who serves my police district. I had signed up for that opportunity some time ago, and had forgotten. I got a call to ask if I were interested in going on a ride-along due to a last-minute cancellation. My reply?
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