These Boots Were Made For?

Published on by Kellyhuntsonwriter
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Tenacity: (noun) the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.

the quality or fact of being determined; determination.

the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence.

~

My blog is a place where I write creatively and enjoy the benefits of self-expression and self-exploration. I like to try new things. I don’t give up that easily. After all, tenacity is required for overcoming challenges and achieving goals in life, correct?

My husband and I like to make fires in the fire pit on our patio year-round, and recently, we added more wood to the woodpile since it was almost down to the dirt. Typically, my husband splits a few logs for the fires as we need them. He can swing an ax and slice through a big log like it was a stick of butter, a skill he has mastered. But when I try, all I can manage are a few notches on the top of the log…

I like to think of myself as a woman who can survive, split her own firewood if she needs to; surely, I am strong enough to do that. I am certainly determined. And, coincidentally, I was wearing jeans and a red-plaid flannel shirt when I decided to have a go with the ax. I looked like a lumberjack!

But even though I threw my whole body into the ax, all I got was a dull ‘thud.’ I even concentrated by closing my eyes, as if I were meditating on the task—imagining all my energy traveling through my body, straight to the ax and into the wood—but, thud.

Laughing at me, my husband took another swing, easily slicing the log right down the middle with one clean cut.

“I’ll be right back, Paul Bunn-yunn. Carry on,” I smirked.

I disappeared inside the house searching for the boots with the platform soles and monster heels. I mean, these things were something Elton John would have worn back in the day! I had relegated them to the dress-up box in the basement just in case one of the kids needed them for a costume, you know, like KISS, or David Bowie, or Frankenstein, or something.

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Wear at your own risk!

I returned and stood in front of my husband wearing the boots.

“Leverage,” I quipped. “You are six-four and I am five-nine. That’s all it is.”

I proceeded to take a swing.

Thud.

My husband was crying with laughter. He tossed me a pair of leather work gloves that were two sizes too big. After about five more thuds, I finally managed to hack some wood into pieces. No, I didn’t get much done, but I sure did laugh a lot and make some good memories—and I’d choose that every time.

So I guess I mastered the skill of looking completely ridiculous while trying something new. But at least I’m tenacious. :)

Never give up!

With lots of love, Kelly

these boots were made for?
Steak, anyone?

Definition via Oxford Dictionary

 *originally published Nov., 2016

46 thoughts on “These Boots Were Made For?”

  1. Haha… I imagine you showing up in those boots! I can so relate to your feelings of “I can do this” but some things just need practice… lol! And that is probably all there is about!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Looks to me like you’re mastering the skill of fun. Who said the purpose of axe meets wood is kindling? Sounds to me like it might also have something to do with joy. Great post.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. We may be strong, tenacious women but some things just may not work out! Trying a “taller angle on it” (as well as image of Elton John added) made me chuckle along with your roaring husband, Kelly! :D

    Liked by 1 person

  8. this is hilarious and i love your logic and your tenacity. you would have made elton proud. and paul bunyan. you remind me of laura ingalls too.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I admire your tenacity and your sense of humor, Kelly. What a great pair of boots to hold onto. I bet that was quite a scene to swing an ax in a pair of those!! xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Good for you! You didn’t give up – even if you thought you looked ridiculous – and isn’t having a laugh each day worth the ridiculousness? Just saying…. :)

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Ha ha ha. Sounds like me, Kelly. I frequently miss the log altogether. At least you hit the thing. The type of wood makes a big difference too. I can split fir and pine, no sweat. The harder woods…thud. The only solution is to laugh, and that feels just as good as a night by the fire :-D

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Hi Amy! I’ve heard that if you hang on to something long enough, it comes back around in style… maybe I should do some more digging in that dress-up box! lol So good to see you!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Exactly, Diana! The wood was oak and maple, big difference! Figures you know about these things living in the rainforest! I suppose you chop the trees down too!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Tenacity is something that we should all embrace. You were styling and working! You know, men just have that upper body strength that allows them an advantage over certain things, then of course, there are those things that we do hands down better than them :-D

    Liked by 2 people

  42. That is a wonderful story! Made me laugh too! My husband makes it look easy too and finds it therapeutic. Some things just come easier to some people but the challenge can be so rewarding.

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