Wesco Warren Boot

Patina Thunderdome April 5, 2023 Optional Essay PT 22-23 Wesco Essex I am going to let everyone that doesn’t know me in on a secret… I have a problem with boots! Some may say it’s a problem. But that would mean that I need to admit that it’s a problem. With the secret out of the box I am feeling much better about myself as I sit down and put the thoughts out there for everyone to see. I feel I am in the same company as we all share a similar passion in boots. The Patina Thunderdome has given all of us a chance to share stories, pictures of our collections, a conversation of leather imaginations that was created by someone with the skill set to bring them to life. My collection has grown and shrank over the last thirty or so years. It all started when I was about eight years old. Our family has hunted and fished before I was living. Before I was old enough to hold a fishing pole or a firearm. I would watch my father prepare for his trip. He was meticulous from start to finish. My father would always inspect and clean his gear before and after his trips. This was my first experience with his Red Wing Irish Setters. As a child I always wanted to emulate my parents. Traditions passed down from my elders. My father was patient with me and with my many questions at this age. He would spend time brushing, cleaning and applying mink oil to his boots. The memories of the questions, the smell of the leather mixed with the smells of the fields and mink oil. All wonderful memories. My Wescos started with a simple idea with Chris, a simple question with a bunch of ideas. He was kind enough to give me his thoughts and suggestions as well as available hardware options available at that time. When the boots arrived I was ecstatic, the look of the boots, the smell of the leather and the subtle contrast of veg tan leather that would age over time. The boots sat idle for some time… the thought of the Patina Thunderdome came to mind. I entered with a couple of friends, we shared ideas, pictures and stories over the last six months. This pair of bots has been part of the three pair rotation for work, leisure and a break from work. They have travelled to Arizona four times as my parents recently moved. They have been with me as I painted and installed just shy of two thousand linear feet of baseboard in their new home. A recent trip to the beautiful Grand Canyon and some wonderful memories with family as I take a break from a employer of twenty plus years. The memories and scars continue to develop on this pair of leather boots. As I finish my essay, I can reflect but my mind drifts toward new adventures and friends, more patina with family, old memories and thoughts that have never been forgotten but laid idle for years. Wishing everyone a safe journey ahead, many years of fine aged leather memories and friends. It’s always about the journey, the time to enjoy simple things.