Puffer

I recall seeing a picture of one of the airline's female staff rooms (possibly Pan Am, circa 1960) where there were instructions displayed on dress and grooming. One of these, quite prominent, was reminding the stewardesses to wear: Heels, at least 4" . Alas, no longer!

Aside from any appreciation of style etc, could it be that white people might be less willing to comment to Jeff because it might be interpreted as racist? Or, contrariwise, that black people would be more comfortable doing so because there would be no suggestion of racism? (It is unfortunate that so many people feel constrained from normal social comment and action these days for fear that it might be misconstrued as sexist, racist or in some other way offensive. The fact that Jeremy felt it prudent to issue a disclaimer before saying anything speaks for itself, not that he was wrong to do so.)

I have some knee pads, but not with me on that occasion although I was kneeling on a soft mat. The pain and swelling came on suddenly - and is only going away slowly. Next time, I'll be better prepared.

It is strange that both of the ongoing discussions have come together to some extent in my case. I am retired but do a lot of renovation work on family properties and spent last week working on my eldest stepson's house, 140 miles away. Last Saturday, I developed a painful swelling of my left knee/leg ('housemaid's knee') through kneeling down to repair a floor. (So, not even through a 'fun' activity such as falling-off heels!) I am still in pain and have to rest and provide remedial treatment, which is slowly working. I hope to be fit enough to give my stepson further help (no charge!) when required shortly. HinH: I am sorry to hear that Ray's natural sons did not match your feelings and concerns for him, but he did at least have you and that clearly meant a lot to both of you. My stepsons still have their natural father, but although the relationship is not a sour one, it is not close either - and it is me to whom they look for help and guidance. (I didn't say so before, but my stepsons get on very well with my natural sons and they all enjoy a get-together a couple of times a year - when yours truly is generally the butt of a lot of their collective (alleged) humour and what we call in the UK 'piss-taking'! In return, I dish it out to each of them individually throughout the year. )

It is a truism that, whilst one can choose one's friends, one cannot choose relations. (Notably so when the different between 'in-laws' and 'outlaws' is that outlaws are invariably wanted!) A half-way house often exists, however, with a step-parent. I am a father of two and a step father of three (all now adult males). I married the mother of my stepsons (who were all young at the time) because they came with her as a single attractive package - I would not have married her if I did not have, and expect to go on having, a good relationship with her boys. And she would not have married me if her boys had been uncomfortable. The step-relationship has worked well; we are very close and they mean as much to me, in a slightly different way, as do my own two sons. I would be proud to have them as my natural sons and they look to me (boring pedantic old fart that I am!) as their friend and mentor.

... and your step-stool!

When will we see a pic of you with your Costa and wearing boots in Boots (the chemists)? Or wearing boots on the Costa Blanca while drinking a (white) Costa?

Give me two months and I'll tell you what it's like doing things that, in other people's opinion, I'm not supposed to do (including reaching 70!).

Nice shoes - and those silver metallic tips should make good ice-breakers!

Quite right! I had forgotten the spur ridge, which would of course give the illusion of a slightly higher heel. Although 'cowboy boots' are by no means unknown in the UK (and currently a fashionable style for women), they don't often have any form of spur ridge, which looks rather weird to our eyes, however authentic it might be. When I got my MJ boots (a semi-Western style, 5" heel), I asked for a minimal spur ridge and prefer that appearance. See here (sorry about pic quality):

Interesting - and thanks. That makes a little more sense, as shaping/carving a last from wood obviously requires some precision and accurate setting-out, and varies with shoe size. But I still feel that the heel height measurement is better if standardised at the rear. A whole new meaning for the expression 'made to last', eh?

Those of you familiar with the UK television quiz show 'The Chase' (an excellent source of both education and entertainment), might well consider Shyheels to be eligible for appointment as one of the Chasers (who are all high-ranking founts of all wisdom). But he might have to leave the OTK boots at home and agree to wear a suit and tie ...

If the heel height is indeed measured at the point shown (the vertical line), what does the notation '1 3/4 on 4B' mean or refer to? If it is a measurement from the line to the back of the upper (1 3/4"?), it seems very vague as the three-dimensionally curved back of almost any shoe upper is hardly a good datum. It would be more logical, and more certain and accurate, to measure heel height at the extreme rear of the shoe (where the heel is attached), as we 'customers' conventionally do. The shape or undercut of the heel itself is irrelevant; all that matters is a perpendicular from the rear to the ground. I don't know if the spec you have provided is applicable to shoes or boots in general (rather than to cowboy boots only), but, either way, there must be a reason for it - possibly just 'tradition' rather than necessity. In the UK, we have an expression 'a load of cobblers' (meaning 'a lot of nonsense'). I am beginning to think it has a sound origin!

As distinct from 'partially kept them'? I suppose you could compromise by just keeping one boot.

That's unfortunate. Maybe worth keeping the remains of the shoes for yielding possible 'spares' (e.g. the heels) as you have others similar.