So--this morning I get up, take the dog out, get the paper, come home, make coffee, and sit down at the computer--it's quiet and relaxing, because my
wife's in Philadephia to visit her sister--and I'm thinking, despite the imploding economy, all is right with the world.
Then I opened my email:
"Hello my dear. My sweets.
Before I tell you my story I first want you to know I love you, and DO hear
what you have been telling me about your worries and concerns.
A preliminary story.
Imagine, if you will, you are in Philadelphia. You are visiting a few good
friends who you like to fish with. Right now you are alone, waiting for one
friend to get off work and the other to arrive. You are walking in Center
City, in the narrow streets and looking for a great independent book shop
you've been told about. As you are walking down the street the shop should be
on, and there, on the corner, is this amazing looking fly fishing shop. It's
small and all windows so you can see what great stuff it has, so you walk in.
Immediately you are Wowed - it's almost all bamboo and just gorgeous, amazing
craftmanship. The salesmen ask if you'd like to try casting one and you say
'no thanks, these are amazing but I have my bamboo rod quota.'
Looking at the rods you realize they are all made with the best quality bamboo
and are impressed -rarely, if ever do you see this. You ask if they have a
website so maybe, in the future, you could think of buying one. They say
"Sure, but you should probably try casing one first to make sure the fit is
right". Sounds like a smart idea; so you try casing a few. OH, my god, they
are beautiful. They fit your casting style and hand like very few rods ever
have. But really they are too expensive and now is not the time. The shop
owner writes down the information for the future. You feel proud of yourself.
Then... in the corner, is one rod that you have always wanted -- you definitely
do not need it; but, my god it's a beauty. Then you look, it's the last one,
half-off..whew, you think, it will be the wrong length. Then... you
look...it's the exact length you want --- a rare length, a length that is hard
to find. What the hell you think, I'll try casting with it. It is gorgeous -
sexy - hot. The fit is perfect. But you put it back.
Later, after the lovely book store and a little thrifty shopping for your
upcoming trip, as well as your friend's birthdays, you are meeting your
friends. You say, "Hey, you guys have to see this rod" -- They are both
familiar with this excellent fly fishing shop. You meet them there. Once
there, they see the rods. They see how you cast with them, and they know how
difficult it is for you to find the right rod. The say, 'you should get them".
You say, "But I really really don't need this. And my wife will kill me,
she's been asking me to save money and be conscientious. And she's right. And I love
her and she's always been supportive of me. She'll kill me." But the rod that
is half-off is too good to pass up - both your otherwise thrifty friends agree.
There is another rod - that you actually do need (in the way only the lucky who
can have a few nice things of a certain thing do need) but it is not on sale.
The sale rod is definitely NOT needed - but the price, for such a handmade rod
is too good. It's too sexy, and the length too hard to find. The fit too
rare. You buy it. You find out the rod you need, but is more expensive, will
be there in the fall -- it's a classic they carry. You vow to get it then.
Afterwards, while very happy with your decision, you are wracked with guilt.
Fearful of you wife - her anger - her disappointment. You know she is stressed
and had asked you not to buy things like fly rods that you don't need -- and
she's always been supportive in the past. You are a bad man. A bad husband.
The fly rod sale is final. Guilty, but still very happy with the purchase, and
knowing the deal was good for such a rod, you decide there is nothing to do but
come forward to your wife. Face the guilt and wrath.
My story:
Please read the above but substitute handmade European boots for fly rods, girls
for boys, and husband for wife.
I am sorry. I will eat potatoes. I do hear you and your concerns, and
honestly do share them.
The sale boots are a light brown leather made in Spain. They were originally
almost $400, last pair on sale for $199, plus 10% off (not sure why) and no tax
on shoes or clothes in Philadelphia.
Please yell at me via text. My plane lands at 1:30. I will slink in probably
close to 3.
your wife. Amy"
Sigh. What can I say? They are beautiful boots, and very well made.
bb
Then I opened my email:
"Hello my dear. My sweets.
Before I tell you my story I first want you to know I love you, and DO hear
what you have been telling me about your worries and concerns.
A preliminary story.
Imagine, if you will, you are in Philadelphia. You are visiting a few good
friends who you like to fish with. Right now you are alone, waiting for one
friend to get off work and the other to arrive. You are walking in Center
City, in the narrow streets and looking for a great independent book shop
you've been told about. As you are walking down the street the shop should be
on, and there, on the corner, is this amazing looking fly fishing shop. It's
small and all windows so you can see what great stuff it has, so you walk in.
Immediately you are Wowed - it's almost all bamboo and just gorgeous, amazing
craftmanship. The salesmen ask if you'd like to try casting one and you say
'no thanks, these are amazing but I have my bamboo rod quota.'
Looking at the rods you realize they are all made with the best quality bamboo
and are impressed -rarely, if ever do you see this. You ask if they have a
website so maybe, in the future, you could think of buying one. They say
"Sure, but you should probably try casing one first to make sure the fit is
right". Sounds like a smart idea; so you try casing a few. OH, my god, they
are beautiful. They fit your casting style and hand like very few rods ever
have. But really they are too expensive and now is not the time. The shop
owner writes down the information for the future. You feel proud of yourself.
Then... in the corner, is one rod that you have always wanted -- you definitely
do not need it; but, my god it's a beauty. Then you look, it's the last one,
half-off..whew, you think, it will be the wrong length. Then... you
look...it's the exact length you want --- a rare length, a length that is hard
to find. What the hell you think, I'll try casting with it. It is gorgeous -
sexy - hot. The fit is perfect. But you put it back.
Later, after the lovely book store and a little thrifty shopping for your
upcoming trip, as well as your friend's birthdays, you are meeting your
friends. You say, "Hey, you guys have to see this rod" -- They are both
familiar with this excellent fly fishing shop. You meet them there. Once
there, they see the rods. They see how you cast with them, and they know how
difficult it is for you to find the right rod. The say, 'you should get them".
You say, "But I really really don't need this. And my wife will kill me,
she's been asking me to save money and be conscientious. And she's right. And I love
her and she's always been supportive of me. She'll kill me." But the rod that
is half-off is too good to pass up - both your otherwise thrifty friends agree.
There is another rod - that you actually do need (in the way only the lucky who
can have a few nice things of a certain thing do need) but it is not on sale.
The sale rod is definitely NOT needed - but the price, for such a handmade rod
is too good. It's too sexy, and the length too hard to find. The fit too
rare. You buy it. You find out the rod you need, but is more expensive, will
be there in the fall -- it's a classic they carry. You vow to get it then.
Afterwards, while very happy with your decision, you are wracked with guilt.
Fearful of you wife - her anger - her disappointment. You know she is stressed
and had asked you not to buy things like fly rods that you don't need -- and
she's always been supportive in the past. You are a bad man. A bad husband.
The fly rod sale is final. Guilty, but still very happy with the purchase, and
knowing the deal was good for such a rod, you decide there is nothing to do but
come forward to your wife. Face the guilt and wrath.
My story:
Please read the above but substitute handmade European boots for fly rods, girls
for boys, and husband for wife.
I am sorry. I will eat potatoes. I do hear you and your concerns, and
honestly do share them.
The sale boots are a light brown leather made in Spain. They were originally
almost $400, last pair on sale for $199, plus 10% off (not sure why) and no tax
on shoes or clothes in Philadelphia.
Please yell at me via text. My plane lands at 1:30. I will slink in probably
close to 3.
your wife. Amy"
Sigh. What can I say? They are beautiful boots, and very well made.
bb
.......I think in a a 1959 Orvis catalog is the newest advertised rod I recall
seeing would fit that category....
