After thousands of hours of faithful service and paying for themselves hundreds of times over my dearly beloved boots have been laid to rest. Carrying me to five countries and from the Ocean to over 17,000 feet (high that is... each one has only ever carried one foot) these boots have served their purpose well.
The first sign I had that they were needing replacement was when, while hiking one Sabbath afternoon during family camp at camp Cherokee the tread came loose in the front of one boot so that it was only connected at the heel and made a sound like an exaggerated flip-flop while walking. Some duct tape soon kept the tread from flapping until I was able to staple it back on and bend the staples over to keep them from falling out, then later when the back came loose some drywall screws remedied the new situation so that the original glue and stitching had been completely replaced. When I returned to MI for school last fall I was able to get another pair but chose to continue using these ones for work and wearing the new pair to school. As the winter wore on several of the lace eyes fell out and both "laces" (lengths of hard nylon string from Peru that replaced the original laces) broke and had the broken ends tied back together. While thinning timber this spring with my grandpa my right boot would fill up with sawdust from the hole in the side and finally the steel toe fell out thus requiring another application of duct tape to fix them. Last week while I was in the local farm supply store I saw that their boots were on sale and decided it was time to get a replacement for what I have been wearing to school so that I could wear my purchase of last fall to work. Upon arriving home I unceremoniously threw the boots pictured below into the trash. As I write I am wearing my third pair of Caterpillar boots with which I am still quite pleased.
But you know, sometimes the strangest things happen... after throwing those boots in the trash and never expecting to see them again I found them the next morning cleaned, oiled, and sitting above my dresser as if they had feelings for me and didn't want to let me go like that. (Just kidding)
The first sign I had that they were needing replacement was when, while hiking one Sabbath afternoon during family camp at camp Cherokee the tread came loose in the front of one boot so that it was only connected at the heel and made a sound like an exaggerated flip-flop while walking. Some duct tape soon kept the tread from flapping until I was able to staple it back on and bend the staples over to keep them from falling out, then later when the back came loose some drywall screws remedied the new situation so that the original glue and stitching had been completely replaced. When I returned to MI for school last fall I was able to get another pair but chose to continue using these ones for work and wearing the new pair to school. As the winter wore on several of the lace eyes fell out and both "laces" (lengths of hard nylon string from Peru that replaced the original laces) broke and had the broken ends tied back together. While thinning timber this spring with my grandpa my right boot would fill up with sawdust from the hole in the side and finally the steel toe fell out thus requiring another application of duct tape to fix them. Last week while I was in the local farm supply store I saw that their boots were on sale and decided it was time to get a replacement for what I have been wearing to school so that I could wear my purchase of last fall to work. Upon arriving home I unceremoniously threw the boots pictured below into the trash. As I write I am wearing my third pair of Caterpillar boots with which I am still quite pleased.
But you know, sometimes the strangest things happen... after throwing those boots in the trash and never expecting to see them again I found them the next morning cleaned, oiled, and sitting above my dresser as if they had feelings for me and didn't want to let me go like that. (Just kidding)
8 comments:
For such dedicated and long-suffering boots, I might have thought that there would be some slight attachment on your part to the said boots... Then again, they are just boots :)
I agree... how cruel-hearted to just huck them into the trash! You could have at least lovingly placed them there :)
I'm still amazed you went hiking in those clod-hoppers... although they did appear to do you good service!
The poll is taking an extremely distressing trend, are you fixing votes? All southernites can attest to my continued bachelorhood...
Kristin and Emily:
It was suggested that I burn them like one would do for a flag or Bible, but I think that would have been taking it a little too far.
John:
Are you asking for a recount? It's not as though the poll dictates what will happen anyway.
No, no! don't throw them out - plant flowers in them instead! Then they can be useful, and rest peacefully,
"full of days" like the patriarchs.
...I love wearing my shoes until they won't stay on my feet anymore... But it drives my mom nuts! I have a pair in the bottom of my closet at home, to grow flowers in someday :)
I remember that hike...
My boots are still going strong; although they've admittedly had less everyday usage, I've used them in three countries for numerous jobs, for the past 6 years. I know what you mean about a good pair of boots though:)
By the way, I have now joined the ranks of proud Dewalt tool set owners. I'll have to show you this summer:)
Thanks again for a good laugh! Growing flowers in the deceased boots is a mahvelus idea. Or what about having them bronzed? (My grandma had my uncle's first shoes bronzed.) Though not as cute as the ones you wore when you were a tiny tot (was Alex ever "little"?!), they'd make mighty fine paperweights.
I think you can lay them to rest!!!
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