End of An Era Part I
Today marked the end of era ... and the start of a new one I suppose...
Part I - The Ending
I went to Jack's and bought new ones... [ that is the ending ]
In the spring of 1989 I found myself in need of leather straps for my spurs. For the 1st time in my riding career I had a horse that would not go (that would be Foxer.) The Sloans (fellow boarders) were making a trip around the corner from the farm in Clinton to the House of Tack & Saddlery. I had some cash on me, so I tagged along.
This would be my very last time shopping there - Sorry Beth.
As we entered the old two story farm house we were enthusiastically greeted by the shop owner that was lit up like a Christmas tree. Actually, they were greeted... I was almost acknowledged.
They had money to spend. I was looking for an item that at the time cost maybe $4.50. But a paying customer none the less!
She marched them around the store looking at bridles, Stirrup leathers, riding clothes... every thing she had and she shmoozed them like nobody's business. I on the other hand asked her three separate times where the Spur leathers were and three separate times was IGNORED.
I was angry and indignant (but then again I was 15 so I was usually angry and indignant)
Finally they made their $300+ purchase and she saw them to the door - lips planted firmly on their tushies. I stood at the counter waiting. Finally she acknowledged me... She had them in a basket behind the counter and rang me out quickly ushering me... or maybe pushing me out the door as she continued sucking up to Mrs. Sloan.
Ug...
I vowed to never give her my business again - and did not.
On to the era ending part of the story...
I wore those spur straps for 20+ years. For less then $5.00 they were a treasure for no other reason then their durability.
Recently I have been riding my horse in little nub spurs. They are missing so I rooted through Danielle's tack trunk to find my old Prince of Whale spurs... when I found them they were still in the same faux leather straps I originally bought for them.
Sadly, they do not fit over my nice leather half chaps. Come to think of it, I don't know that they made leather half chaps back then!
It's funny how I have not thought of that day in quite some time, yet I remember it like it was yesterday.
So today I went to Jack's Turf and bought new ones from the nice girl that went and got them for me without even telling me where in the store she had gotten off to. Kelly was helpful and appreciated my small business.
I couldn't help but feel sad however when I took my spurs off the straps they had been paired with for 22 years...
But all things do come to an end...
They are just straps after all....
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