Ronson

It’s been a generation, perhaps two ago, and while I didn’t make a lot of money, I had enough to treat me and Adam to few soda pops and comic books from the Woodland Villa. I was nine, maybe 10-years-old, when I decided to take Dad’s wooden Ronson Shoe Shine Kit down to the Klamath courthouse at the corner of Redwood Drive and Highway 101.

Such childhood faith.

For ten-cents a pair, I’d apply some black or brown Kiwi polish to the shoe/boot offered, buff it in and then with an appropriate rag (brown or black) I’d shine them up. It was a lot of fun and looking back I think it took a number of men back into their youth and it may have relieved some of their stress of having to face Judge Hopper.

Nowadays, the majority of shoes I see worn out and about are clothe, a tennis shoe or sandal. And kids no longer know or understand the art of the shoe shine or the shoe shine stand.

Then one day the county decided to shutter the auxiliary courthouse, Judge Hopper retired shortly thereafter and like that, that was the end of my professional shoe shining days.