5 October 2012
Less than a year ago I decided to put my money where
my mouth is with respect to the unconscionable balance of trade deficit between
the United States and China. Have been
wearing Nike running shoes for years, but they are made you-know-where. So
bought a pair of U.S.-made New Balance shoes when the need arose last
fall. They have COMPLETELY fallen
apart! Have tried gluing the soles back
on with construction adhesive, holding them on with a wrap of packing tape,
and, of course, tried duct tape first thing.
Nothing has worked! Upon return
to Virginia, I won’t be buying another pair of Desoto’s. A beautiful day
for working (finally!!!!), so put in the other two in-ground posts for the
Halfway There bench landing, attached the stringers to those posts, put a top
cap on the two posts that will support the bench backrest, cut the
longitudinals for the landing, installed one set of the bench seat supports,
and cut out a second set (multiple weird angles, so much trial and retrial to
get the bench seat the proper height (17”) and angle (half a bubble inclined
towards the backrest). Late afternoon,
bit a bullet and plunged into the lake to put the dock steps back into their
raised position. After things got numb, the water really wasn’t too bad, though
I will have to pee sitting down for the next few days. Had the final campfire
of the season, which I’m thoroughly enjoying sitting in front of while typing
this missive.
