This past week has been no exception to my daily routine of boot-wearing. Pull your boots on and walk with me each day…

Sunday 11 May

Began my morning at oh-dark-30 as usual by going for a six-mile brisk walk with my senior walking pal. Wore the usual Chippewa hikers.

Returned home by 0645 and prepared four-flour waffles for my spouse. Then I showered and pulled on my lug-soled bal-laced Dehner boots with leather breeches and jacket, and joined some buddies to ride into DC to participate in the Law Ride. (Photos of this event are here on my website.)

Then rode my Harley with my cousin on his motorcycle on a “just us fam” long ride in the countryside. It was a great day, spectacularly bright, sunny, and warm.

When I arrived home in the afternoon, I changed into black jeans, local FD volunteer t-shirt, and Chippewa Firefighter smooth-soled boots, which were a gift from the guys in the local fire house.

I prepared dinner for my spouse and myself, then headed out to a meeting at my local fire department to finalize plans for Spring Senior Safety Saturday.

Back home by 2030. Off to bed.

Monday 12 May

Great day to commute to work on the Harley! Got to work at the usual oh-almost-dark-30. I am happy that dawn is coming earlier. I can see the tinges of twilight when I roll into work these days. I wore a light blue shirt, pattered yellow/blue/tan tie, light dress khakis, and brown (wine) Boulet Harness boots. Attended several meetings as the “acting” boss while my boss is away on travel.

Home by the usual 1545. Spouse had had a spell. He was weak and frustrated that his day was shot. He had planned to go to the grocery store with me, but couldn’t. I changed to jeans, t-shirt, and Lucchese Classic cognac cowboy boots and headed out to the store. After the fun of shopping was over, I took off the boots, put them away, and prepared dinner. I thought I was going to be in for the evening.

After dinner, though, I remembered that I had to feed the tadpoles. If I don’t feed them, I think they may canabalize each other. I pulled on the closest boots-at-foot, which happened to be my 11″ (short) Wesco boss boots. I checked on the creatures in the backyard pond, then came back inside. I took off the boots and got busy caring for my spouse. Helped him bathe, then to bed. Called it a night early at 2000.

Tuesday 13 May

Weather was very “iffy” and I retreated from taking a chance on getting stormed on, so I drove my truck to work. I wore an old pair of black cherry Lucchese Classic ostrich boots, blue slacks, white/blue striped shirt, blue tie. I don’t understand how my boss tolerates so many meetings!

Home by the usual 1545. Checked on the spouse. He was better than yesterday. After ensuring my spouse was okay, and noting that it was not raining, I changed to jeans, t-shirt, and pulled on my White’s Nomad engineer boots.

I rode over to a senior pal’s home. She asked me to review what she thought was a fraudulent charge on her credit card statement. I phoned the company that imposed the charge to inquire about it, and they realized they had made an error and promptly credited my friend’s credit card. No drama, no fuss… just a call with a calm request and clear information why we thought the charge was incorrect.

Feeling successful, I gave my friend a hug and bid my farewell. I returned home, prepared dinner on the grill, and served us by the usual 1745 dinnertime.

After cleaning up the dinner dishes, I made sure that my spouse was still okay, and assured that he was, I rode the Harley to a community meeting in the same jeans, t-shirt, and White’s Nomad boots. This time about planning redevelopment of an old, tired, former office building complex that has been abandoned for four years. Other than joining the “no-Walsucks” chorus, I kept quiet and returned home by 2030, then off to bed.

Wednesday, 14 May

Clear and cooler day predicted… I pulled on my lug-soled bal-laced Dehner boots over my dress slacks, and wore a blue/white striped shirt, maroon leather tie. Rode the Harley to work at the usual oh-dark-30. I liked how the boots felt and looked with my dress slacks tucked into them, so I did not pull my pants out of the boots while in the parking lot.

When I walked into the building, the guard immediately noticed the Dehners and said, “man, those are cool boots!” I said, “thanks.” Then I went to my office and pulled my pants out of the boots and then smoothed the pants legs down over them. Now these Dehners look just like dress shoes and no one knows the difference. Went to more meetings, covering for the boss while he is away.

I arrived home at the usual 1545. I changed to Dan Post belly cut python boots, jeans, and a t-shirt. Sat with the spouse and just relaxed for a while. Prepared dinner — nothing special. Despite his inability to walk easily, my spouse hand-picked wildflowers just for me. He’s so sweet.

Blew off going to yet another community meeting, preferring to continue to sit with my spouse and enjoy comfort, love, and peace. He turned on the TV, but I nodded off on his shoulder some time after dinner, and he let me sleep “on” him, holding me, until about 10pm when he moved because his arm was falling asleep. We got ourselves to bed and continued the peaceful slumber.

Thursday, 15 May

Foggy dismal at oh-dark-30 when I determined that the streets were wet and therefore it wasn’t a Harley-to-work day. Pulled on my Lucchese “Jungle Python” cowboy boots with tan khakis, blue shirt, and gold tie that matched the boots. Drove to work. Meetings meetings meetings. I’ll be very happy to have my boss back next week!

On my way home, I stopped by the grocery store to get some things that my spouse requested. A nice looking younger guy in the store kept following me around as I was selecting items. Finally, as he was standing in line behind me at the checkout, he said, “man, sorry, I didn’t want you to think I was gay or something. Those are really cool boots and I wanted to find out where you got them.” I answered his question, explained what manufacturer made them, and where he might find them on-line. Then I said, “I don’t care if you’re gay or not… I am. Does it matter?” He said, “not really, but I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you.”

When I got home at 1615, I was alarmed that my spouse had another really bad day, health-wise, but was stable.

On with a pair of navy work pants and smooth-soled firefighter boots and my local FD shirt. I prepared an early dinner for my spouse and me, and welcomed a sister to stay in the house to look after my spouse while I headed out to the Fire House to meet some of the guys to go to the local home supplies retailer and load up two trucks with supplies we had ordered for this-coming Senior Safety Saturday. This outing was unavoidable. Thank goodness for sisters!

Unloading at the Fire House done by 2000, headed home, thanked my sister, talked for a while with my spouse, then headed to bed at the usual 2030.

Friday 16 May

It is “bike to work day” but it’s raining cats, dogs, and elephants. No “biking” to work for me! I wore clean denim jeans with the same Chippewa firefighter boots that I wore last night… I admit… I cheated. The boots were right there and I was too lazy to find another pair of boots. Wore a deep blue shirt, no tie. No meetings. Lots of catchin’ up to do! Arrived at work at the usual oh-dark-30 — should have taken a boat!

Home by 1545 as usual. Spouse was very ill. Went into immediate caregiver mode. Done for the night in late afternoon. His illness is so damn miserable.

Saturday 17 May

This message will be posted at 0400, which will be when I rise this morning. However, I don’t have time to write on this blog today — very busy day awaits!

I already know what boots I will be wearing — once again: Chippewa Firefighter boots! Why?

It’s Senior Safety Saturday! Lots of homes for older neighbors where volunteers will be adding safety improvements, better lighting, and replacing or updating smoke alarms and CO detectors. $10,000 donation that I arranged from a major contributor funding this non-profit community project will be recognized by senior elected officials, then 55 volunteers will fan out to 71 homes. I’m happy to be co-orchestrating the event with three highly energized collaborators — two senior pals and a close fire department buddy. We will be busy all day.

No time this morning for my usual exercise walk, but my sr. pal walking partner will be among the volunteers today helping out — and I know from previous experience that I will get plenty of exercise.

Concerned about my spouse’s health condition, I arranged for my lovely sister to stay with my spouse while I am unavoidably engaged in my community.

Life is short: improve senior safety and … WEAR BOOTS!