Rick Patrick, Columnist
Those of you who have seen me out and about at any point in time over the last several months may have noticed that I wear a brace on my left leg. This is a direct result of the “football injury” I sustained in November of 2019. Those of you who are faithful readers of our weekly visits may remember that entire ordeal. For those of you who know about it, or for those who don't, I will spare you the details.
A couple of weeks ago, my brace began making a high-pitched squeaking noise. I was finally able to acquire a can of “Liquid Wrench” and applied it to the joints of the brace, which took care of that particular squeak. I say that particular squeak because that squeak was replaced by another rather peculiar sound. I think I have pin-pointed the source of the sound, but have not discovered a remedy. I believe the source of the sound to be a spot where the brace rubs against the leather of the boot. One can perhaps imagine the sort of sound that emits from my shoe with nearly every step I take now. This slight “tooting” sound has been the source of a great deal of entertainment among my quite easily entertained co-workers. I supposedly work with a group of adults, however the giggles and sometimes outright gales of laughter that often accompany my walks across the room, lets me know that my co-workers often have the mentality and humor of a common seventh grader. I'm not complaining. I have often said that some of my greatest joys come from the fact that I can so easily entertain my co-workers.
So, if you see me around town and you hear a peculiar sound emitting with each step you see me make, don't worry, I have not developed some mysterious gastronomic malady that causes me to make a “tooting” sound with each step. It's just my “boot toots.” That's my story, and I am going to stick to it.