You’ve got these perfectly okay pair of boots. They’re not exactly killer fashion items, but they’re not so bad that you wonder why oh why did I ever lay out good money for them, time to put in a call to Goodwill.
They’re, y’know, okay.
In fact, they have this tantalizing core of unfulfilled promise. They’re like that dreaded checkmark on your elementary school report card: Needs Improvement.
Karen’s just okay boots, before a spur of the moment transformation
So the other day, Karen dropped into my office and as we kibitzed about this and that she rooted around in one of the piles of oh-so-necessary-stuff on my desk and came up with a pair of English riding spurs. Originally, they belonged to my Aunt Pearlie who used to be an avid rider, but she passed them on to me when, years ago, I took up riding.
Karen studied the spurs for a moment, looked at her just okay boots, then leaned over and strapped on the spurs.
“How do they look?”
I asked Karen to walk around a bit.
She did her version of America’s Next Top Model cat walk.
“Brilliant! I think you should tuck a little black whip into your belt to complete the look.”
Oddly enough, Karen thought that might be a bit, um, excessive.
Anyhoo.
The lesson here, kids, is never give up because you never know when a pair of just okay shoes can be transformed, Cinderella-like, into a haute fashion feast.
Same boots, adorned with my Aunt Pearlie’s English spurs. I still think Karen should carry a leather riding crop to complete the look.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives a lovely and meaningful Shabbat.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
18 Comments
Is it my spectacular perversity or my wandering mind that causes me to think instantly of this
http://bit.ly/2bSE1y
when I read about boots?
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Robert,
I have a pair of similarly unspectacular black boots, and I keep them because they are comfortable and there’s nothing wrong with them. I rode horses in my youth and I still have a box of riding supplies in my basement (because I am a pack rat). I am SO digging that box out, finding my old spurs (English style like Aunt Pearlie’s) and putting them on my boots. Many thanks to Karen for the great idea. She IS starting a trend!
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I went trail riding with the family on vacation this summer, and it was fun, and got me thinking that maybe I should do this more often and learn how to do it much better.
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Kishke:
Nope, no longer ride.
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Ah, spurs… I think they make almost any pair of boots look more stylish! I didn’t get to see the Friday Footwear until Monday morning, but it was worth the wait! Kudos to Karen and Aunt Pearl! Do you still ride?
Home repairs are progressing. My bride painted the living room, dining room and kitchen last weekend (while I was camping with the two older boys) and I finished the 2 story entrance/hallway this weekend. Nothing like painting on an extension ladder on a stairway. I’m getting too old for this…
Have a great week, Robert and Karen. If you’re not too busy, I seem to remember something about a little election this week. You might want to write a little piece about that — just a thought.
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Do you still ride?
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And don’t forget those stretchy tight riding pants.
Posted by: K at October 29, 2010 12:00 PM
I was about to say that Karen should get jodhpurs, a riding coat, a stock and a riding hat.
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Love the boots, and your web site.
In reference to an earlier post, I love Bernie Goldberg’s take on the Juan Williams thing – the fact that liberals have forgotten how to be liberal. That someone would get fired for expressing an opinion that, quite honestly, must be felt by at least half the Americans that fly. I’m a Christian. Yet, if a Muslim out working in his fields during the time of the crusades said he saw a group of horsemen with crosses on their chest and felt a little alarmed, I wouldn’t think that anti-Christian. That’s just common sense. These are the sad and unfortunate realities of our day.
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K:
Ah yes, the skin tight pants. A little bit of heaven…
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Michal:
Karen looks very cute in a cowboy hat. Like the Jewish Annie Oakley.
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Jackie W:
Everybody should have an Aunt Pearlie. She also gave me her riding whip. A real beauty whose handle is wrapped in horse hair.
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Bill:
Karen’s a trend setter:-)
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Pearl:
The minute I came up wit the title—at 4 in the morning—I knew you would approve.
I took up riding because I’ve always wanted to be a cowboy.
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And don’t forget those stretchy tight riding pants.
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I love the color contrast with the rest of the boot! Quite smashing.
And maybe not a riding crop, but a cowboy hat? Or at least a tasseled leather handbag!
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I want an Aunt Pearlie !!!
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Now watch – spurs will be the new thing at Paris this year…
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Love that catchy title, Robert.
Why stop at a riding crop? Suggest that Karen get a horse to go with the boots. That’ll really complete the look.
You took up riding some years ago…? Was that perhaps to get a feel for authenticity, when you were writing THE HEBREW KID?
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