RMJ 184 August 18

MONDAY, AUGUST 17 ● Off-day In Houston

Another day off. Another golf tournament. This one was for young cancer patients, called the Sunshine Kids.

These kids have practically been adopted by Craig Biggio. He spends a lot of one-on-one time with them; throws parties for them; has the tournament to raise money for them.

I will have to kid him about getting back at me for the lecture I gave him earlier this year by putting me in a foursome of ladies — not bathing beauties, just middle-aged ladies. Actually it was not his choice, but I’ll get on him anyway.

We had a pretty good time, finishing 12-under. They couldn’t hit the ball very far, but they were good around the greens, and they played fast. What I expected to be an ordeal was a pleasure.

It just goes to show me that I shouldn’t be prejudiced. As if I didn’t know.

 

I stopped at Norton Ditto’s on the way home to get fitted for a tux for the Wives’ Gala. The tux was beautiful, and it did not need much alteration. They brought some patent-leather shoes for the fitting; I guess they didn’t think my Docksiders were appropriate.

“What about the shoes?” I asked Dick.

“That’s right,” he said. “Let’s go look at some.”

I have learned not to express my opinions on clothing. With the exception of my remarkable launching of the Aloha shirt fad, I am a fashion illiterate.

Dick recommended a pair of plain-looking oxfords. They almost looked like work shoes.

“If you notice,” Dick said, “the leather has not been glazed.” He held up another pair of shoes.

“See the difference?” he continued, lifting up the flap that covers the laces. “This is the way the leather looks before it is glazed. See the imperfections?” I really couldn’t see them, but I nodded yes.

“These Alden shoes are made only from the finest leather from the shoulders of the calf. The side leather gets nicked by rubbing against fences and trees. They cover it up with the glazing.

“Now look at the leather on these Aldens. It doesn’t have a mark, and that’s why they don’t glaze them. They will take a good shine, and they are perfect for formal wear, black-tie, or with a suit. You don’t need the patent look unless it’s a white-tie affair.”

“We’ll get some of those when Clinton has us to the White House after we win the World Series,” I quipped.