Another piece of America's lost.....

Earlier today, for the first time in a long time, I donned a suit and tie.


For years it was a regular routine, rising early and dressing appropriately for a workday requiring such attire. I don't miss it much, and I rarely feel the need to dig deep into the closet for the aged suits that hang near the back. My work, such as it is, doesn't require that I march to the beat of the corporate drum, nor that I "dress to impress" or "dress for success". Neither my clients nor my cattle seem to care much what I wear.


I often chuckle when I receive an invitation to a meeting that identifies the dress code as being "business casual". I suspect that my idea of casual dress is somewhat different than their intent. In fact, I've been known to say that I'm probably the only one attending who has to dress up to get to the point of business casual.


Occasionally, however, I find that it is necessary to revert to my old ways, and today I was dressing out of respect. Respect for the passing of another dear friend.


In today's society it seems to me that everything has gone to "business casual", including the most somber of events. The sanctuary was filled to capacity, but dark suits and white shirts were in short supply. There was a time when every man there would have been sporting nearly the same suit; dark gray or blue, spit polished shoes, black of course, and a white shirt.


Today, if it had not been for all of the other old-timers, I would have almost felt out of place.


Guess I'd better get used to it......don't like it much, but I suppose I'm the one who's out of step.


It reminds me of the words of an old country song, "This is the last cowboy song, the end of a hundred year waltz, another piece of America's lost....."


I think we've lost more than just a piece of America.......but, as always What Do I Know.