It’s gonna rain today. I’ve got the heat turned up. In my house, the heat all comes from a vent that sits in the floor between the living room and the dining room. My desk is in the dining room, right next to the vent. I spend all winter standing (or sitting) in a 3 foot square area, between the living room and the dining room, no kidding. Brrrrrr. My house was built in eighteen ninety something when drafty windows were all the rage.

I’ve been reading West of Everything: The Inner Life of Westerns, a book by Jane Tomkins. It’s a very good book… her “look at Westerns” is helping me rethink my own look at cowboy boots. (I’m still working on that book, ya know) I’m gonna grab some tea, a blanket, a notepad and venture to the couch.

And the awards go to…

Favorite Fancy Boot: Greg Carmack (Glenrose, TX)
Favorite Journeyman Boot: Mike Spann (category for bootmakers <20 pairs)
Favorite Dress Boot: Glenderson Daly (San Antonio, TX)
Favorite Work Boot: Greg Carmack (Glenrose, TX)
Professional Choice Award: Lisa Sorrell (Guthrie, OK) (This is a new award, boots are judged by team of expert bootmakers, rather than show attendees!)
Masters’ Class: Carl Chappell (Saint Jo, TX)

Today’s my last day to hunt down some bootmakers who aren’t on my list.

I made it. I’m in Wichita Falls. So far I’m bringing home a suitcase full of thread, a peg file, and a pair of shank pliers. I walked around all day and took plenty of photos. Right now, I’m off to the banquet where they’ll announce the winners of the boot contest.

Good boots…lots of old friends, and no sleep.

“ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO” is the best western I’ve seen in years.

Tapdancer Gregory Hines Dies

I’ve had a crush on Gregory Hines for as long as I can remember. He was a handsome and talent man.

But just a moment ago I saw a film clip of him dancing, an improvised piece, not choreographed, clipped or editied by anyone else…just Gregory Hines dancing. And I realized it was the dance I loved, the sound of his feet…the stomp, click, drag…scuff. His feet made told stories, made announcements, teased and raced…at one point he looked as if his feet were carrying him away.

The whole thing made me cry.