Time to re-shoe

Twenty five years ago in Taos an old Indian trader from the pueblo sold me a pair of elk moccassins. I was twenty-two then. He said they would last me out all of my days.

However, he said that about half way through my life, I should come back to Taos to get them repaired and re-soled. He said I would find someone there who would do it, although it wouldn't be him, and he couldn't tell me who it would be.

Well, I have worn these shoes every day of my life for 25 years, they have walked with me on every continent, they have become almost part of my body, and have done me well. Now it's time to pick up the old guy's invitation to find someone in Taos to help to fix them up for the next 25 years. .

I am now starting to look for the particular leather-worker for whom this work might be waiting. I am sure that in 1986 he imagined that we would get on planes and look for each other. But I think that in the spirit of the age, and to conserve fuel, I will try to fulfill this quest by mail and internet. I've located a few designers of Native American wear, and written to the Taos governor, and we will see what happens.