IT'S THE WEST, YOU KNOW

Some have accused golfers of only playing the game so as to get an opportunity to wear wild looking clothes. It's that way in the West, too.

Friends of ours from Missouri are visiting and they got outfitted in cowboy hats that were made to order. It took about 3 hours but their hats fit them perfectly and they look good, too. I started to show them mine, but I was reminded I left it in MTV. I wore one to President Reagan's first inauguration when there was something to celebrate. But my hat didn't survive the move. Probably our grandkids have played with it, beat it up, pulled out the feather. But hey, if it brought them some pleasure, then that's ok by me. I probably wouldn't have worn it anyway.

Cowboy boots? Never had any. Never want any. I'm too much like another President who feels most comfortable in flip flops. But actually I don't like the ff's like W because that piece of leather between my big and index toe (do we really have index toes?) hurts my feet, so I go with a slip on sandal. If I'm getting more comfortable, I may wear my slip on tennis shoes. I like to keep things easy and simple as I get older.

But boots? Nope. I'd have to wear socks. That would never do. Ever since a neighbor friend of mine introduced me to penny loafers and boat shoes without socks, I've been a fan.

Fringe on a coat? Not for me. I'd get it caught in a door or decide to chew on it. Fringe looks good, but it would just get in my way.

So I guess I'll have to confine my wild clothes to the golf course. Now one of my friends is a cowboy, too. He lights up the old links when he plays. I always let him beat me, too. You never know if someone's packing or not.