Herb’s Blog, Herbdate 23285 – 1170
Here’s the haps:
This is a good start to experiment with a feature that WordPress has, at least on the self-hosted (what can be called WordPress.org sites. WordPress.com supports sites that use their servers. If you use an independent server and download the WordPress software yourself you have a different, less robust, support system. But you also have more perquisites when it comes to storage and modification.) systems, which is to use my Google Photo library to post images. I don’t really know how it works but I am going to give it a go.
Mrs. Herb and I received a financial blessing that allowed us more latitude than we normally have. My splurge was to make a visit to a Western store called Boot Barn. My son-in-law told me about it. He buys his own boots there and he also buys boots for his two boys. They have matching boots they can wear if they want.
This is the current pair I have. They are Twisted X brand and have lasted me a number of years and saved me from getting my toe cut off with a chainsaw. They actually are still pretty good but are “down at the heel” as the saying goes and the lining is not doing that great anymore.
The first pair of new boots I bought, I bought a half size too big and a wide instead of a regular. Normally I wear a 9 1/2 (American size, not sure what other counterpart sizes would be, sorry.) Regular but these are 10 Wide. These are a little big but my plan is to mostly use them with heavy-duty thick winter socks. I can wear them as they are but they are big. These are Ariats and are well made.
One way you know a pair of cowboy boots is too big and will be uncomfortable is that your foot goes in fairly easily. After a while they kind of slop around. As I said, though, I plan to use these with thick socks and I think they will be okay.
When you go to try on boots they should be somewhat hard to pull on and stiff. You may have to stomp your foot in it to settle it on. When I was young and skinny I could do this with no problem. Nowadays I use a set of tools called a boot hook or boot puller. You hook them inside the bootstrap and pull them up. This is where the physical origin of “Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps” comes from, although its metaphorical and colloquial origins differ. When you “boot up” your computer the process was originally called bootstrapping.
The boots I got “for good” as the oldtimers were often wont to say are a new animal to me. For years I have worn the pointed toe. By, “for years” I mean I have been wearing Western clothes since I was a teenager in Wisconsin. I had never been Out West and don’t really know why but with my first paycheck from my first job I went out and bought a pair of cowboy boots. The next check went to buying a hat. People made fun of me and called me “Tex” but I didn’t care. Anyway, this time I opted for a square toe instead. these are Cody James, the brand my son-in-law buys. They are 9 1/2 D and fit nicely with just the right amount of give. I needed the boot hooks for them.
The last boot-related item I bought was out of necessity. I have a very, very bad habit of using the toe of one foot to push against the heel of the other foot and damage the boots. You can easily make one of these if you are the slightest bit handy but I bought this one. It’s called a boot jack and you stick the heel of your boot in the u-shaped part and step on the other. This way you don’t wind up kicking your heels off and wrecking your boots.
The final item was a new hat. While I really like the gray felt Stetson my brother-in-law gave me, it isn’t as much my style as this one is. The shape is called the Cattleman and this one is made by Cody James. It’s always been the one that seems to “fit” me. the one in my profile pic is a Cattleman from Master Hatters of Texas.
So, this post has used images imported directly from my Google Images library. I hope it works or I will have to put the pics in my media library and redo this post.
I’ll show you what Mrs. Herb gets in a couple of days.
Good for you. But you certainly kicked that windfall in the booty 🤣😎🙃
Lol. Yeah. There will be more about this in a few days.
Very nice! I personally feel the squared toe boots are better for your ties in the long run!
TOES! For heaven’s sake. I failed to proofread before submitting!
🤣😂 I knew what you meant. I’m thinking that was toe. Er, too.
Reading your blogs but cannot like them. It has been two weeks, and I am still waiting on WordPress support to help me with this issue. Have a great day/night.
I’m sorry you’re still having trouble with that. WordPress can be quirky, that’s for sure.
Had account since 2019, and this is my first time having problems. For two weeks all
I get are generated emails, a little frustrating because I cannot speak to anyone.
I feel so much more knowledgeable about boots now.
I’m fond of square toes, myself. Not sure which hat I’d prefer. And it sounds like I need to kick a few bad habits.
Years ago I wound up kicking a heel off of a boot, lol.
Those boot word/phrases I never knew about and are fascinating – bootstraps, boot computer, etc. I had no idea. Since I broke my ankle 10 years ago I haven’t been able to wear any footwear so I go permanently in bare feet. Fortunately New Zealand doesn’t seem to mind bare feet – even the supermarket is full of them in summer and many a house leaves their footwear at the front door. In the “old days” I used to love my boots!
My teenage grandson would go barefoot everywhere if he could so maybe he should visit. Sometimes when they say to boot the computer I want to boot it out the window.
I agree with booting the computer!
oh, i love boots! ever think about getting the heels repaired on the old pair? i’ve done it a couple times with some of my fave boots!
Actually, yes. I just had to wait for the funds to do it. Yes, if you find a pair of boots that you like and that fit right, keep getting ’em fixed and save their sole! 😁
Amazing‼️ Your brown boots were exactly like mine! My latest pair are also blue! You’ve inspired me to do a blog some Saturday soon of my boots and hats!🤠
I searched Google and followed short instructions. I think I am back in business with liking blogs and commenting. I hope so. Thank you for your support and have a great night.
Yay!
Now, show us how you look in blue jeans and what your belt buckle looks like…
I look like an overstuffed sausage, but now that you mention it, my belt buckle does have a small story to it. Hmmm…
There is a fine line between overstuffed and a bit too baggy, that is for sure!
I think it is interesting how most of us settle on a personal style when we are young and stick with it for the rest of our lives. I am not a cowboy boot/hat guy, but I can appreciate those of you who are. And now I know a lot more about boots!
🤠