Winter Gear or Much Ado about Boots

Winter has really arrived in Iowa. Our thermometer says 0 degrees and that wind makes a statement this morning. The following picture shows my wardrobe for doing chores this morning:

1. carharts (not actually Carhart brand–cheaper version but they feature full leg zippers!)
2. ski coat (note, the USA flag to patch a hole made by barbed wire)
3. ski gloves
4. ski goggles
5. stocking hat (not pictured, I missed that one)
6. snow boots (or boats as I typed first)

Yes, I did wear my ski goggles outside. It is surprising how much warmer I am with them on. Plus, they serve a dual purpose–no hay blowing in my eyes on a windy day like today.

After checking the thermometer on the porch, I decided to make my final concession to winter, I substituted the snow boots (known as pack boots in MN) for my Muck boots.

As I walked down the steps of the basement to get the snow boots, I walked past nine pairs of boots. That does not include the other six pairs of boots already on the back porch! I guess I could point out that we (Steve & I) have owned some of those boots, including the snow boots above for quite some time. I remember purchasing the snow boots at Mills Fleet Farm in Lakeville, MN, probably the first winter we lived in Minnesota, which means they were purchased in 1989. Yes, I own boots that are as old as Jayme!

Should I feel guilty for owning so many boots? I’m not sure but our small group just finished The Hole in Our Gospel where we were hit upside the head about the disparity between Americans and the poor in the world. Maybe a contributing factor to the guilt is our preparations for Uganda. I distinctly remember laying block with Ugandan workers who wore flip flops to work. One young man worked barefoot.

So, I’m asking you how should I feel? You get to vote–

1. I should feel guilty for owning so many pairs of boots and figure out a way to atone for my sin.
2. I should feel blessed to be able to afford so much footwear and make sure I tell God, “Thank you! You rock, God!”
3. I should just think I’m normal and quit being such a dork.
4. I should realize that I am a hoarder and get professional help.
5. All of the above, I am a woman.

Just for your information, at least one of those pairs of boots will make the trip to Uganda but will not return home with me. That brings to mind a special memory of our last trip in 2005…

On our last work day, we were all loaded into the van ready to leave and had to wait for Chris Epple. She finally came around the corner and she was barefoot. Before she left the work site, she took off her work boots and gave them to the young man who had mixed the mortar for us.  He had worked barefoot all week. We saw him proudly wearing his new boots before we drove down the hill.

Yes, we are blessed. Do something about it.