Letter from the red boots

Dear SMID,

We just wanted to let you know how unhappy we are in the closet. The dark and very cold closet since it really is just the stairs to the attic. But that isn't the main reason why we're unhappy.

Sure we're the image you put on every blog you comment on. For some folks, we are the only image people know you by.

You took us to Vegas earlier this month. We were your footwear of choice in the Valley of Fire in Nevada, your night of multiple cover bands and we even experienced the indignity of going through an airport scanner next to someone's smelly flip-flops (now THAT was nasty).

But when you walked into the cowboy boot store on the Vegas strip, we started to get worried. You asked about a particular style of boot and the saleswoman explained she only had a size that didn't fit you. Then she showed you a pair that took your breath away.

You took us off.

You put those other boots on. You practically danced around the store, touching other boots lined up along the walls, talking to the woman. She did compliment us saying "you clearly wear those boots" and you smiled.

You put us back on your feet as the woman put those other boots in a bag. With us on your feet you skipped out of the store swinging the bag. You wore us for the rest of the trip and even on the flight back home.

And we haven't been out of the closet since.

Oh sure, you tell us it is for our own good. That you never took us out when there is snow on the ground or even a hint of rain, even before Vegas. You don't want us to end up looking like your first pair of red snakeskin cowboy boots that are missing half the skin and showing this white under fabric. You tell us you're protecting us.

Meanwhile the new boots - the plain brown boots - are being worn to your office, the State House, the kids' schools, a night of drinking wine with other moms, coaching the boys' basketball team, the town diner, a children's story hour in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and church. You've never worn us when coaching a game. Never. Have you noticed we're sulking here in the dark?

So this is it. We're leaving you. If you want to put your feet in a boring pair of brown cow leather boots then you deserve them. We - who are red and made from python no less - are going to find someone who will appreciate us and let us brave the elements.

First, though, could you put us on and walk us to that person? We can't get out of the closet.

Sincerely,
The Red Snakeskin Cowboy Boots