Texas Native in Missouri Kilted and comfortable

**brewerpaul** · 29th September 11, 02:44 PM

Greetings from Central Missouri.

Hello to all and thank you Steve Aston for accepting my application to XMTS. My name is Paul S Hoffman so with that last name you will know I am not Scottish. I am no mutt Texas German living in Missouri. My family from all sides settled central Texas in the 1800's to balance out the Mexican and Comanche populations. They came from many parts of Germany and included people from all crafts, professions and groups including the Freethinker Society that settled in Comfort Texas area. So you may as yourself "Self why is the guy here?" Short answer is I like kilts and wear kilts daily.

I came across this forum while looking at kilt makers for a hand sewn kilt I wanted. Yes I really got the bug

But let me digress to when it started. This past June my girlfriend and I did a self guided bike tour of the Highlands of Scotland. It was absolutely fabulous. We loved the people, the food, the beer and the countryside. Sadly we had to return to Missouri. While in one of our last towns, Collander, we did our shopping for wool sweaters, wool travel blankets and other beautiful items. I happened upon a Hecktor Russell off the rack kilt. Jennifer, my girlfriend, said "Go for the skirt." I found my size and well the rest is history. Fortunately I was still in the dressing room when I tried it on, the pleats were in the front .. Haha yes.. backwards. But since that time I have been enlightened and now own 5 kilts. I brought the one home from Scotland fully intending to wear it properly, once I had researched out the sites on proper kilt wearing. In the mean time I was hired to guide a couple of people up Mt Baker that next month. I ran across the Elkommandor sport kilt by Mountain Hardwear and bought one in Seattle for the approach hike. Ok I was a convert as after 8+ accents of that mountain in pants or shorts, this was the most comfortable approach I have ever had. I now own two Elkommandor kilts and wear them daily in my 1 mile walk to work. Jennifer really enjoys my kilt wearing as do some of her teacher friends. Beside the Hecktor Russell kilt I have a Stillwater standard kilt in Weathered Mackenzie for pub wear. I do enjoy the weathered earth tones. And I had Bonnie Heather Greene hand sew me a traditional kilt with Marton Mills German Heritage tartan. Ill write more about that in another post. So you see I have fully embraced a comfortable style of clothing and enjoyed all the research and what I have learned about kilts and such.

You might say I was kilted 8 years ago when I started working in a cath lab but I dont count my lead vest and kilt, for x-ray protection, as a proper kilt. I look forward to the interaction here as my interests are varied from kilts, obviously, to Texas German history, Scottish history and cooking, cooking in general, brewing fine beer, hence the name, running, biking, mountaineering, ultrarunning and trail running, I also plan to, with Jennifer's help, teach myself kilt making. I have already registered a tartan with my family name, Hoffman Texas German, and plan to have it made.

So with that long winded introduction I thank you for being accepted here and hope to enjoy some great conversations...

Paul S Hoffman

Proud wearer of a Bonnie Heather Greene kilt
Proud kilt wear

PS I enjoy the occasional smiles from the ladies and the handshakes from the men who see me at the pub or other places in my kilts. They are for me a daily wear. When asked by a co-worker "Where does one wear a kilt?" I looked at him and said, "Anywhere I danm well please."

**Mickey** · 29th September 11, 08:22 PM

Welcome from St. Louis, Paul.

Don't know if you are aware or not, but the games are being held this weekend here. http://www.stlouis-scottishgames.com/

If you think you might be able to attend, would love to meet up with you!

**macwilkin** · 29th September 11, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Mickey

Welcome from St. Louis, Paul.

Don't know if you are aware or not, but the games are being held this weekend here. http://www.stlouis-scottishgames.com/

If you think you might be able to attend, would love to meet up with you!

Welcome from Springfield, MO, and yes, I'll be at the games this Saturday!

There's a lot of German history here in Missouri; Hermann is the epicenter these days, but you'll find quite a few folks of German heritage in St. Louis and along the Missouri River -- there are even some volk down here in Friestatt and Billings.

My German ancestors were Iowa Germans.

Prost! (I'm going to pour a Schild Brau Lager from the Millstream Brewing Co. in Amana, Iowa right after I post this message!)

Todd

**New World Czech** · 29th September 11, 08:45 PM

Welcome from a newbie in Nokesville, VA. I lived in Wichita Falls for 3 years after the '79 tornado but grew up here and had to return.

**Mickey** · 29th September 11, 08:54 PM

Looking forward to hopefully running into you, cajunscot! Don't know if it will help, but I'll be wearing Leatherneck tartan, claret hose and maroon balmoral (unknown shirt). Will be hanging out with TurboKittie who is planning on wearing a black dress with a Leatherneck scarf, CGR who will most likely be in a black kilt with his blue deer hair sporran, and a little redhead girl. Would love to guy you a pint someplace!

**macwilkin** · 29th September 11, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mickey

Looking forward to hopefully running into you, cajunscot! Don't know if it will help, but I'll be wearing Leatherneck tartan, claret hose and maroon balmoral (unknown shirt). Will be hanging out with TurboKittie who is planning on wearing a black dress with a Leatherneck scarf, CGR who will most likely be in a black kilt with his blue deer hair sporran, and a little redhead girl. Would love to guy you a pint someplace!

I'll be at the Clan Cumming tent. We'll be holding our annual general meeting at 10.00 am, but it shouldn't last too long.

T.