Boots and Friends

It is the confluence of several stories that culminated in an unexpected but predictable event.  A good example of the value of being present and open to the people around you that are not predictably in your comfortable space.  Being open to people outside your safe place cultivates resilience and enables one to not be complacent but spontaneous.  It is a story of three friends ---- Friend:  a person whom one knows and with whom has a bond of mutual affection and respect outside of family relations (Webster)

Friendship is the reward of being open and vulnerable which I will explore in my book to be published this fall.

When I was a cowboy a few years back I was introduced to Lee and Carrlyn Miller of Austin Texas.  Lee is the apprentice heir designate of the world-famous Western boot maker Charlie Dunn.  He has developed his own legacy. In every sense of the word, Lee is an artist.  He and Carrlyn have dedicated their life’s work to the artistry of Cowboy Boot making.  I have been fortunate enough to have waited the years it takes to receive the call to come to Austin for a foot measurement.  Not only was the result all that one could expect but it was the friendship that bridged time, locals and background.  The true gift was a friendship that has lasted decades.

I was always a fan of his music.  It would short change his artistry to say he is a country singer.  Lyle Lovett as a singer – songwriter crosses many genres of music.  He surrounds himself with world renowned musicians when he tours acoustically and with his big band. He has collaborated with symphony orchestras, jazz greats, soul, and R and B talents.  I first met Lyle in Santa Barbara when the amazing Celeste Billeci brought him to the University of California Santa Barbara as part of her well curated Arts and Lectures program.  When I met him back stage the first thing he said to me was ---"Where did you get those boots?” They were, of course, Lee Miller’s handywork from Texas Traditions.  We immediately had our connection over, not just music, but horses and our amazing cowboy boots.      

I was recently in Austin to meet with my publisher.  Friendship takes work as any rewarding relationship.  Work in the sense of remaining available and present when the opportunity presents itself for a moment of in-person connectivity. — Away from the music and business.  Remembering to make room to connect as humans in an unpretentious, perhaps vulnerable way without the guardrails of work and talent.

So, there we were in the unassuming home of Texas Traditions – the sign outside was unchanged with the faded lettering in place since 1898.  Leather and boots line the walls with shoe last molds hanging from the ceiling.  The wood floor rough from years of traffic and the work space—still the unassuming and humble place where four people create their remarkable product by hand. For the uneducated this work shop looks to be in need of an update but once you are inside everything is as it should be. 

He sat in his unassuming manner on the boot chair with camera around his neck.  “Hello, Fred.” he said, “Lyle” I responded as if we had just dismounted from our horses an hour before.  Hard to describe the warmth and sincerity of this gathering of old friends.  We talked about boots, horses, family, legacy and well, we just talked.  Feeling the sincerity in voice and body language could never be replicated through technology.

I am grateful for this friendship in so many ways.  However, the principal reason is the demonstration of the value of friendship no matter where or when it presents itself.  Without expectation or need, a true friendship is there for you to embrace with sincere effort.  Friendship weakens without effort.  Let the opportunity come to you --- do not allow yourself to be preoccupied.

Carrlyn, Lee and Lyle ---- I am grateful for our friendship