Archive for June, 2009

What do you do when those old boots start leakin’?   Shed a tear and say goodbye…

No way!  Not when you are “Making it Do.”  It would cost a pretty penny to replace these old boots!  And besides new boots are darn hard to break in.  My husband’s old boots are well loved and fit him like a glove.  Throwing them out is like throwing the baby out with the bath.

Time for a visit to the Village Cobbler in Salt Lake City.

The Village Cobbler has been owned by one or another of my Uncles for almost 40 years, and over the years almost every kid in my family has worked there, including me.  We shined shoes, helped customers and learned to work hard.  But it wasn’t all hard work… my Uncles are funny guys and we had a blast hanging out with our cousins.

Owned by my Uncle Robbie, the Village Cobbler is the best place to get your shoes repaired in Utah.  He is a master cobbler and can fix anything you bring him… from dyeing delicate shoes just the right color for your wedding… to re-soling and repairing old boots.

Here’s a few pictures from my visit to the shop:

Uncle Robbie stitching a sole.  That is one powerful sewing machine… (did I mention I love old sewing machines?  Even if they are meant for leather!)

Buffing and polishing those old boots until they look like new.

One down and one to go.  Wow, are those really a pair?

While Uncle Robbie’s working I wander around the shop… oh look, another wonderful old sewing machine!  I wish I had this one when I’m working on heavy costume fabrics at Halloween.

I love seeing the shoes lined up and ready to go.

The Village Cobbler has a lot of soul… I mean soles. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!)

And will you look at that, they look awesome.  You can saddle up the horses darlin’, ’cause these boots are ready to ride.

Taking a trip to the Village Cobbler was a good reminder to take care of what I have instead of simply wanting something new.

My generation has grown up with a disposible mentality.  We tend to throw things away when it shows any signs of wear.  But in a world of limited resources those attitudes aren’t good for the environment or our pocket books.  Plus, it just feels good to give new life to something old and loved.  Find a good shoe repair in your neighborhood and give your favorite shoes another 10,000 miles.

Learn to like what doesn’t cost much.
Learn to like reading, conversation, music.
Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking.
Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills.
Learn to like people, even though some of them may be different . . . different from you.
Learn to like to work and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your job as well as it can be done.
Learn to like the song of birds, the companionship of dogs.
Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house, and fixing things.
Learn to like the sunrise and sunset, the beating of rain on the roof and windows, and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.
Learn to keep your wants simple and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

-Lowell Bennion

I came across this quote the other day and it really spoke to me.  I had just gotten off a phone call with my sister, Brooke.  Her family has been hit hard by this recession.  Her husband is a mortgage broker and times have been really tough for them.  We talked about how one of the most challenging parts of making do is not being able to spend money on entertainment.  She really misses taking her family out for dinner.

But she also told me how they have discovered more simple pleasures like going on long walks as a family, playing board games together or laying out on their trampoline at night and looking at the stars.  This recession has had a silver lining for her… they talk a lot more and have grown a lot closer as a family.  I guess learning to love simple things really means you get to create your own happiness…