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Fred Bruning's avatar

Bob -- Gerald Charles Dickens said the Alastair Sim version of, "A Christmas Carol," was his favorite. Christmas in July with Hailey a sweet recollection. Cheers.

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Gwen Young's avatar

I applaud your daily 3-4 mile walk, Fred. Wish I cold do the same. But Charles Dickens walking 12-20 miles a day is almost a fairy tale in my mind, because sneakers weren't even invented until the year he died. And they didn't have memory foam back then.

I asked Google what kind of shoes men wore in the 1800s. Here's its answer:

Leather boots and pumps with flat heels

Sometimes contrasting toe caps

Narrow square toes

low stacked heels

Trimming might include buckles, bows, laced fastenings

Maybe Dickens wrote about all that misery because his feet were killing him.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Gwen -- The amazing thing about Dickens is that he did the whole route in Crocs. They were invented late 18th Century by Ben Franklin and exported from Philadelphia. Check it out.

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Lewis Grossberger's avatar

Let's be honest, Fred. Dickens had it easy. Anyone could make 19th-century London interesting. Your task is 1,000 times harder. And yet you often come heartbreakingly close to succeeding, closer than anyone else ever. (I was thrown out and ordered to never come back after failing spectacularly) Write on!

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Lew -- At Newsday, you were the Sorcerer. I, Apprentice. Proud to be in your company. Cheers/fb

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John Jeansonne's avatar

Terrific piece as usual. I can't match you on this, but once, years ago, I actually saw the Dickens house in London. And I just checked and was amazed to realize it's not that far from where my daughter now lives. So I'll have to perambulate past it next time we go for a visit.

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Bob Keeler's avatar

Lovely column! (Well, except for the daily 3–4 mile walk, which makes me feel like a slacker.) Starting as a high school kid, I loved Dickens and devoured his work. In later years, we belonged to the Dickens Fellowship and attended a Dickens Christmas party and a Dickens birthday party regularly. And the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite movies ever. My granddaughter Hailey loved it so much that she asked to watch it with me in July. Thanks for the memories.

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Peter Ruffner's avatar

Nice piece. I can’t believe Dickens walked 15-20 miles a night! Your opportunity to see his off-spring recite A Christmas Carol is so unique.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Memorable evening, Peter. Don't miss if you have chance. Cheers.fb

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Susan Kaplan's avatar

I would have loved that show! Let us know if there is a next time! About walking, I walked several times a week only 1-3 miles and have not got into it since I'm back here. Good reminder for me Fred. Love to you and Wink.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Walking secret of life, Sue. Oh, there is no secret of life? Shoot for 10,000 steps, anyway. Cheers/fb

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Jamey L's avatar

Loved this one dad and love my walks with you when I'm back home in NY!

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Can't wait.

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Carol C. Rescigno's avatar

Thanks for a wonderful tale, Fred. I walk 2.4 to 3.5 miles a day (not to get specific) and will do my best not to be jealous of you or Mr. Dickens. Merry Christmas to you, Wink and the whole Bruning crew.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Carol -- I'm now neurotic about 10,000 steps. Secret of eternal life? Will let you know. Cheers and best/fb

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Susan's avatar

Such a sweet column …happy to see, good people still surround us. Our new neighbors with an infant had an ambulance pull in front of their home …Neighbors poured out not to stare but help. It was heartwarming to see. Dickens would be impressed .

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Fred Bruning's avatar

He would have gotten a story out of it for sure -- maybe a book. Thanks, Sue.

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