Chris is in a closet-cleaning mode and repercussions abound. A
permanent lifestyle change dilemma unanticipated: to keep or not to
keep my shoeshine kit. Probability of future use is slim. Except for
weddings and funerals—the latter which in the Ozarks are commonly
attended in clean bib overalls—there is little likelihood of wearing
a suit or even a sport coat, and then the latter more likely with the
now-popular shoes evolved from sports, shoes that at any rate exhibit
no shiny leather. But to toss the kit, which contains shoe polish in
brown, black, cordovan and white, plus application and shining
brushes for each color, means tossing something of value, hard to do
for a boy who grew up poor and who admires the mindset of use it up,
wear it out, make it do, or do without. There is then the further
associated question of which shoes to keep or donate to Goodwill. It
is hard to give up perfectly good shoes, old and true friends of many
years. The cowboy boots, the dress boots, the loafers, ah, a life of
decadence flashes before one's eyes. There may be future
grandchildren weddings, if such anachronism survives, and if joinings
together in fact entail dress clothes. There is the further issue of
moulding leather, common in an old Ozarks farmhouse. I have one
answer but seek a menu. Come to my aid, wise homesteaders!
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