Saturday, May 06, 2006

Sunday Scribbles #6/4 - My Shoes


I have a love/hate relationship with shoes. That said - here is my dream. A closet devoted JUST to shoes. Shoes in all colors, styles, and for every occasion. Shoes that fit perfectly on my not so perfect feet. Shoes that caress and stimulate and invite walking. Shoes that say "Hey, look at me!" Shoes opened-toed, closed, flat, high, stacked, strapped, and slung. Shoe light on my feet, soft as feathers, yet possessing the strength to keep me from falling down.

I don't have ANY shoes like these. I wear the shoes I have until they fall off my feet. When I find something that fits and is comfortable it generally isn't the least bit stylish and is always ALWAYS flat. They slide on and slip on. No buckles or straps for me. When I make a purchase mistake, they trip me up. Trip me up enough and they are consigned to the back of the closet. I've fallen so many times, my left knee won't bear weight to kneel in church anymore.

I hate having my feet surrounded in any sort of covering. That probably explains why I don't buy athletic shoes and rarely wear the one pair of walking shoes I DO have. Flip flops work for me. If flip flops could be styled as athletic shoes, I'd be in heaven. I would have mainly naked feet flashing my electric blue polish pedicure and the balance, poise, and strength of a Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

20 comments:

vicci said...

Annie...I LOVE shoes...I have WAY too many..then again...Does one ever have too many ?????

Anonymous said...

Ok, Imelda. My favorite pair is brown suede with two inch heels, and they were sooooo classy, still are. I have them right where I can see them every time I walk into my closet. The last time I wore them was, I think, 1993. I wish I could still walk in them without teetering and breaking my old, blue-veined ankles! Some things are just so gorgeous. Hey, I just finished my paper for Dr. Royer!!!!! Tomorrow! See ya.

Anonymous said...

Ahh, SHOES, I totally know what you're talking about Annie! My big shoe dilemma is that most current "stylish" shoes have such huge stacked heals and I'm already tall and feel a little awkward towering above everyone with lifts on my feet. I stick with flats most often myself and love flip-flip and slip on shoes too. Maybe it's a California thing, how we would rather just be bare footed whenever possible. Rich shades of brown always call to me and classic black leather styles of all kinds I find appealing but rarely ware as often as the faithful standbys. Fortunately I found a pair of brown suede all weather mules that are great with jeans and perfect for the garden too. My slip on collection continues to grow thanks to all those inexpensive sandals in stores right now.

Caroline said...

I've been converted to wearing flip-flop styles for the last couple of years too. They are heaven sent blessings for feet that don't really like shoes!

GoGo said...

I have very narrow size ten feet to go with my heigth. Its very hard to buy shoes and am very picky, so I relate to your post. Here's to finding the perfect shoe and sandal.

paris parfait said...

I agree, Annie! Comfort matters most. It would be bliss if shoes were invented that always looked gorgeous and always felt comfortable. Great post!

Joy Eliz said...

beautiful writing!
I love mules...practically all my shoes are backless. I just wish there were more shoes designed for comfort and footcare than Friday night out at a bar!

Cate said...

Okay, this is what amazes me: in all of the Sunday Scribblings I've read (and I've been enjoying every one of them--what a fabulous, talented community of writers we have), this is the one that makes me say, "Shut down the computer, I'm going shoe-shopping!" AND I DON'T EVEN LIKE SHOES! Your words are so fun and energizing--I hope that one day, you find your flip-flop athletic-wear! I'm surprised that something like that isn't already on the market (Wait, how 'bout the mule-sneaker? Does that count?). Thanks for this great post!

Shuku said...

Oh Annie, I so identify and what a lovely post! Shoes that don't fit --yes, yes YES shoes hardly ever fit when I try them on, or they hurt so much I can't bear to be in them for more than five seconds.

'I would have mainly naked feet flashing my electric blue polish pedicure and the balance, poise, and strength of a Jackie Joyner-Kersee.' What a beautiful sentiment. Flash on! Flipflop love!

--Shuku

Laini Taylor said...

A closet all for shoes... I saw that on TV recently, an absurd dip into Mariah Carey's closets. Yes. Closets. One all for shoes, and it only revealed the several hundred in current circulation, like a museum that can only show a portion of its collection at once. I wanted to slap the silly woman, honestly. I mean, think of what she could have done with all that money!!! I get a kick out of your daydream in contrast with your practicality. Fun writing!

Jennifer S. said...

Jackie -now there's a good role model and a goal!

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

Annie,You've put your stylish foot (writing) forward, perfect fit and well suited, this piece flows !! Good job!

AscenderRisesAbove said...

interesting photo... i had heard that shoes on the power lines tell people looking to find drugs where the drugs might be found on that street. And I wondered about that... does the type of shoe have bearing on what is for sale? does the direction that the shoe is pointing tell what house it can be purchased at? does certain brand or color of the shoes reveal what gangs own certain neighborhoods?

Annie Jeffries said...

I haven't the slightest idea Ascender. I see shoes like this from time to time and wonder what in the world they are doing up there. I just figured it was young guys having fun and challenging each other on who could success in getting the shoes over the line and stay there, sort of like hitting a pinata blindfolded and smashing it open for the candy to spill out.

Jeremy said...

Perhaps they just smell bad.

I have posted a hanging boot picture for comparison. There are horseshoes hanging with them. What could this mean? Also posted those wild ponies B was telling you about.

Jeremy said...

What about having flip-flop wearers athletics events, or a flip flop marathon? More of a challenge than using purpose built footwear.

Anonymous said...

Annie,
I like your post!
I too love flip flops the most. I think I have about as many different flip flops as I do all my other shoes!

Left-handed Trees... said...

"I hate having my feet surrounded in any sort of covering." I am with you. Glad for this post--lets me know others like me are out there.

Left-handed Trees... said...

"I hate having my feet surrounded in any sort of covering." I am with you. Glad for this post--lets me know others like me are out there.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mom (that's right it's the son, not so anonymous, but I don't have an account), so much makes sense because of this post. Thank you, now I know why I hate having my feet covered and wear sandles in the snow.