The Column of the Manolo
By Manolo the ShoebloggerManolo says, here is the latest column of the Manolo for the Express of the Washington Post.
Dear Manolo,
I’m going to my boyfriend’s parents’ house for Thanksgiving next week. The problem is that I’m a Republican and my boyfriend’s parents are ardent Democrats. They’re very nice, but they are also super-political, so I’m sure I’ll be subjected to lots of gloating. (My boyfriend is no help at all. He’s a libertarian.) What do you recommend to help me get through the weekend?
Cecilia
Manolo says, America, the Manolo begs of you, please, stop! The campaigns are over. Put away the yard signs, and the buttons, and the flyers, and the full-sized votive statue of your favorite candidate that you have carved from sandalwood and hand-painted in realistic colors, and which is now seated in the easy chair in the family room.Now is the time to come together in the spirit of comity and mutual affection, to remember, during this joyful holiday of Thanksgiving, that we have much for which to be thankful, like roasted turkey, and televised football, and little children who are dressed up like John Smith and Squanto in construction paper costumes.
And so, please, for one weekend, neither gloat, nor grumble. Be happy for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon us.
Blessings such as this handsome, tall, suede boot from Peter Kaiser, the Levke.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:09 am
The boy friend who will not defend his lady from the parents’ “gloating” – or at least suggest that they mind their manners and refrain from being rude to a guest – is a boy friend who is not worth the keeping. Let us hope the young man is better than he sounds.
And yes, it is a pretty boot.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Bless you, Manolo. You and your blogs are among the things I’m thankful for this year.
That boot, however… I have (what I think are) normal-sized calves, and I don’t think they’d look right in the shaft of that boot. Is it just a trick of the photo? Does anyone other than Posh or other sufferers of anorexia have legs that skinny? I see from the description that they are “pull on stretch style,” which unfortunately gives them the look of having pulled a pair of long brown suede socks up over a very nice pair of shoes.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Many thanks to the Joan for his most kind comments.
As for the boot, supposedly, the upper is made from the stretchy fabric, so as to accommodate the larger sized calfs. (Although, even this is not without its dangers, as last year one member of the Posse Manolo wrenched her back attempting to remove the fashion boots with too-tight, stretchy uppers.)
November 14th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Pssst! Dear Manolo, the Joan, you thank HER for her most kind comments!
And we are all thankful for you and the wonderful shoes and boots. :)
November 14th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Hurting oneself putting on the boots? A most difficult to explain injury indeed. I hope the Manolo’s friend instead told inquirers that she instead suffered the injury while taming tigers to wear bejeweled neckgarb or during a tryst on a tightrope.
November 14th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Blessed are the peacemakers who refuse to discuss politics over Thanksgiving dinner! Gloating or complaining over the election would be unseemly at what should be a warm, hospitable family event.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Ha. I am in the same situation, only my in-laws are NOT nice (they told my husband not to marry me because of my political and religious beliefs and yet they are from the “tolerant” side — don’t worry, my liberal friends, I am not tarring all of you with the same feather — I know my in-laws would be jerks if they were conservative, too). My solution is xanax. And vicodin.
PS Annalucia, my husband has told his parents if they want to see him, I am part of the package and they better clean up their act. I agree — a man who doesn’t stand up to his parents on the behalf of his girlfriend is not a man worth having.
November 14th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Politics should not be discussed over Thanksgiving dinner! Gloating and pouting are both unseemly at this stage. Can’t we let go of this exhaustingly long election season and enjoy turkey, stuffing, and pecan pie with our loved ones? (My extended family argued about politics at my grandmother’s funeral, for cripes’ sake. I’ve had MORE than enough.)
Manolo, blessed are the peacemakers who bring us together with beautiful boots! (Also, if I end up posting like 3 comments here, please forgive me … they keep getting eaten.)
November 16th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
The Manolo!!! Noooooo. Stretch boots?? No No No. Please- I love you so much, you can’t possible like this boot, can you.
I feel the tears welling.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Might I suggest:
1. Reminding the offenders how classless and rude it is to act inhospitable to a guest invited into their home.
2. Inform them how you plan to fight the enforcement of what you believe to be the” wrongly named” Fairness Doctrine, tooth and nail.
3. Make a quick exit as you are being pelted with all sorts of household items.