Subtle innuendos follow. Must be something inside.

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I bought these shoes in 1994. They are 22 years old and they don’t make it out of the closet as much as they used to because despite the stars, they are a bit whiny and inconsolable. This morning I put on black running pants (costume), a black tunic (uniform), and a black weird long jacket that blows in the wind (spirit lifter). I then pulled black no-show socks out of the sock drawer (they actually DO show, as they are seen showing in the photo) and reached for the shoes. As soon as I put the right one on, the heel cracked and suddenly it felt like I was walking on rocks. As soon as I put the left one on, the heel cracked and suddenly it felt like I was walking on rocks. Both heels. Same day. Sort of magical, really.

My dad turned 74 today, which means he might currently be on his fourth pair of Converse One Stars. (He doesn’t wear One Stars.) He still makes the best peach pies. He still comes to the rescue when garage door openers look broken. (He still comes to the rescue when his 46-year-old daughter looks broken.) He donates most of the food from his garden. He’ll gas up your car when you’re not looking. I could go on (and on).

This says it all: I was supposed to have jury duty on November 1. When I called in on October 31, I was told that I wasn’t needed. When my dad heard how disappointed I was, he ordered a copy of Twelve Angry Men for me and had it delivered with an assignment. I was to watch the movie and then call to tell him which juror I would have been. (I wanted to be Henry Fonda. Alas, I was Jack Klugman.)

Rest in peace, drinking age shoes. You were born in the same year as Justin Bieber, yet you are twice as smart and much more reliable.

Happy Birthday, Dad. You were born in the same year as Stephen Hawking and Joe Biden, and I’m willing to bet that neither of them can make a caramel pie. ‘ ‘ ‘text/javascript’>

13 thoughts on “Subtle innuendos follow. Must be something inside.”

  3. I was going to wish your dad a happy birthday today! Today my husband turned 74, too — that’s how I always know when your dad’s day is coming up. The only difference I can tell (from what you’ve told us) between your dad and my husband is the pie. My Jim is known throughout the region as the best apple pie maker. But, wow, pie — how many men are known as great pie makers?

    Sorry about your shoes. They are so cool, you should get a new pair.

  6. I didn’t vote for Obama. I didn’t vote for thr philandering Bill Clinton. Didn’t matter. I still lived here under the rules of government. Cry and stomp your feet all you want, he is your president. Unless you move away.

  7. Kudos for having shoes which survived that long, still in serviceable order. I had a pair of black patent leather Doc Martin boots with zips up the sides (from my goth years) I had for years even after the sole split… gave them to my teenage niece as she borrowed them when she turned up for a political demonstration in London ( hmm which one?) but without sturdy enough footwear .She loved them so much I let her them have them and I was secretly flattered she thought an item of mine was so cool.

  9. My dad made great pies. He taught himself because my mom was terrible at pie crust. She made one pie per year as a valentine for my dad. He wanted to try making a “vinegar” pie he read about in a book on cowboy history. My mom said “if you want to make something called vinegar pie, go ahead.” So he did. And it was good and he was the designated pie maker for the rest of his life.

  13. Haven’t been here for awhile. What a great Dad. Reading your posts is always amusing, and comforting.

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