Every time the Matagorda County Fair & Livestock Association’s fair and rodeo rolls around in March, I get the urge to buy boots.
Now, I’ve got combat boots, fashion boots, wader boots, and costume boots on hand, and sure, they work when I have the time and place to wear them.
The hard part is that none of those are rodeo and fair-appropriate – they just don’t fit in with the atmosphere.
Plus, I think rodeo boots are just so much cooler now than when I was a kid!
I mean, I guess that combat boots are alright, but, they just don’t seem to have the same flare as cowgirl boots with rhinestones or fringes.
At this point in my life, I think I’d make things easier on myself and just look for something pre-dominantly black since black goes with everything!
And I really don’t care so much about which kind of hide I’ve got on them either at this point.
I know that might be some sort of sacrilege to a few people, but, I’m trying to be as simple with my tastes.
I just can’t decide if I prefer pointed, square or rounded toe shapes?
There are just so many more options now than when I was a kid.
Way back when, I remember getting new boots almost every year for the fair and had an array of colors including red, pink, teal, grey, black, and white.
I’d be sporting them with or without socks and all the time while breaking them in.
In fact, after I outgrew them, they were passed on to my sister.
Of course, that only worked for a little time since my feet grew bigger than hers at a faster rate.
Afterward, if they made it in one piece, mom used them for decorations or plants.
I don’t recall all of them being used like that, but there was definitely a pair of red boots sporting a floral arrangement at one point.
This fascination and sudden need always throws my mom off, since she doesn’t see the appeal of new boots as much as I do.
Either that or it’s the price tag that boots sport nowadays.
Maybe a mix of both of those and the fact that I don’t know what size I’d wear.
There are narrow, medium, wide, and extra-wide features to consider and I have to factor in what sort of socks I’d be wearing, too.
Since last February’s Winter Storm Uri, I invested in some thermal socks and those puppies are THICK.
I guess I’d have to bring those with me when I try on the boots because the weather is a mess.
I mean, I’m reminiscing and writing this column in shorts and Crocs for crying out loud!
Also, I’m vaguely recalling that sometimes the top part of my boots used to rub on my shins under my knees if the sizing wasn’t right.
I guess this means I’m going to be doing a lot of personal research and planning for boots at a later date.
Maybe I can make the boot magic happen in time for the annual Rice Festival in the fall.
