Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Tuesday's Tribute: Boots of Impunity

No… this is not a post like Mina's husband who took pictures of his socks and sent them to her from his cell phone— nor is this like Mommy's Martini who wonders "Where in the World Are My Feet"… but rather this is a post about my Boots of Impunity.

I used to have a pair of snowmobile boots that I got when I was in college. I recently pulled them out of my parents closet so I could go sledding with the kids, but also used them for my commute to work. I called them my boots of impunity because I could walk through anything with them on without worry. Sometime last winter they developed a crack along the sole and I quickly realized just how fearless I was with the boots on. Once patching the then 18 year old boots with duct tape looked too tacky— I got the pair pictured above.

I realized that the experiences of wearing these boots was analogous with many of life's experiences as well. Rather than pointing out a few selective analogies and narrowing your view— I will only describe the experiences and let you draw your own conclusions:

  • Having the boots on made me feel impervious to the effects of the weather.
  • If I wore my pants on the outside of the boot I typically got my pant legs wet.
  • If it was raining heavily, I would still get my legs wet even though my feet were dry.
  • Very deep puddles would still get my feet wet if I was not careful.
  • When the crack developed in the boot I walked more gingerly than I would with ordinary shoes on.
  • Even after getting the new boots, I still walked gingerly for a while until I trusted the new boots.
  • Deep snow drifts were not a problem if my pants were worn on the outside of the boot.
  • When walking in uneven ground after a snowstorm, I would notice that my socks would soon slip down off my ankles and over my heel.
  • In warmer weather I could balance on one foot and put the sock back on— but in colder weather I usually bore the internal embarrassment and waited until I was inside before putting my sock back on.
  • I could not walk as fast on ice as I would on snow.
  • In very cold weather my feet still got cold.
  • If I did not have a change of shoes I would feel overheated when inside.
  • Many times I chose not to wear the boots inside even if I got my feet wet from the puddles made by the boots.
  • I wound up bringing an extra pair of socks just in case.

Tuesday's Tribute
Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

14 comments:

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

I giggled at the whole sock slipping down over the heel business:) When I lived in the midwest, this would irritate me beyond belief! I laugh about it now, but back then I would allow that to really get me riled up! lol! I still have my own Boots of Impunity just in case the desert gets hit with a freak snowstorm! I just can't give them up:)

Wendyburd1 said...

I should really own a pair of boots like that, I wear stupid shoes in winter!!

Anonymous said...

You could draw a lot of 'life lessons' from those sentences. "when something gets you down keep going', 'sometimes no matter how careful we are things don't go perfectly'.
I don't know if that was what you intended for us to take away but it was what I took from it.
Lovely post.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this post. I have a love/hate relationship with my boots but I can't give them up.

Anonymous said...

Great boots. I love clothing that empowers!

Thanks for the shout-out.

B said...

You are like a wise yogi master or something. Confucius or something of the sort. Thanks for the recent comment on my blog, I needed to hear that.

Deb said...

one of your more thought provoking posts. symbolism is everywhere, if you stop to notice. you are one of those people that must just automatically notice.

Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

Very thought provoking on many of life's levels. I have a pair of boots like you speak of. buying a new pair is not an option. They have been too good to me. Nice work.

Barbaloot said...

I have boots like that! They were brothers when he was in Jr. High, are about five sizes too big and probly look ridiculous on me. But they're SO comfortable! And warm!

in time out said...

Tag, you're it!! Come do the tag if you would like too.

RSusanna said...

That's so funny. I feel that way about my work uniform. I am a different person when I put it on.....because I have to be and when I put on my turnout gear it is amazing. I can actually walk through fire. Lol.

MommyTime said...

Ah, boots. It is so hard to find the perfect pair, and so very sad when they finally give up the ghost. I had a pair for YEARS (fleece lined, warm, and perfect) that I finally had to retire. I still have not found the perfect replacement. This is a great fun post. And many many thanks for the shout-out!!

Texasholly said...

I love my snow boots, but realized last time I put them on that they were beginning to tear...so sad! I guess they are about 15 years old and deserve the break.

Anonymous said...

Umm... somehow I didn't think any of those bullets on your blog were about boots but I might just need to get my head out of the gutter!!

I think your boots look badass!

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