Yesterday I had covered a lot of territory narrowing down brands with the sales clerk, but she's off. Today when the male clerk approached I told him that the clerk from yesterday had helped me narrow down the fit of the 6" boot and I'd gone home to research the brands. I wanted a boot with the welt, steel toes, and durable brass, no plastic eyelet hooks or padding around the top of the ankle.

He stepped over to a different section and suggested I would be happier with some lightweight sneaker-like footwear. I told "don't dismiss my list of requirements!" and I walked back to the boot I was pretty much decided on. To address his concern (that I was nuts?) I gave him the short version of a summer job, my first with the Forest Service, as a participant in a program called the YCC. One of the counselors, not wearing the right boots, was chopping with a sharp axe and it bounced, hit his foot, cutting through leather, flesh, and bone, making an instant and lasting impression. If I'm chopping with an axe, mattock, or Pulaski, or using the tiller, good boots are important.

He said that boot in my size was out of stock, but there was an 8" version I could try on and then order the one I wanted online through the company. Lucky me, he returned with the one I'd wanted that had been misshelved with the taller boots. They fit perfectly, and yes they're heavy, but that's part of the job they do. Now to the garden!

Sandra, this morning I was looking at my mirrored dresser that belonged to my great grandmother, part of a set with bed frame and washstand. I thought back to your remarks about your grandmother's dressing table and wardrobe. It dawns on me that while it works perfectly and has a story, do either of my kids want it? I'm clearing out electronics and small stuff now, but how much of this furniture do I also need to declare surplus and move out? As I get closer to paying off the house I'm getting closer to making decisions about staying or moving and what to take.