January 17th, 2010
Shoe Stories
I am in love. With shoes. My closet is chock full of pumps, boots, and shiny flats. Every time I see a shoe store I get the urge to yank my car over and partake in the rapture of finding that new pair. Maybe I need a twelve STEP program. It’s about the only materialistic thing I have a problem with and I rationalize this because, by gosh, these shoes DO take me places.
Obviously I’m not alone with this addiction. Go to any shoe store and you’ll catch mysterious women, buzzing around footwear blooming from boxes like sun lit peonies’, then flung and scattered, scattered and flung in a frenzied picking. I once tried on a pair of red heels at Target and a woman next to me oohed and awed until discovering they were the last pair in her size eight. Her creamy complexion then flamed and her eyes turned flinty. For fear of being maimed, I sheepishly handed the pumps over. I mean, if I get thrown in the slammer for brawling over shoes, it’ll be a pair of Jimmy Choo’s.
So, I’ve tried on glossy black pumps and envisioned myself in that silky blue dress, sauntering down New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue, cell phone humming and shopping bags winking and swinging in the sun. A green pair of flats have easily transported me to a pub in Ireland, having a loud conversation with a bloke about the virtues of Irish whiskey. Well, maybe not that. Quite possibly I’d be corralling sheep in a field that I’d inadvertently let out to picnic underneath a birch tree.
Recently I was clearing out my closet (finally) and had every pair of shoes I owned scattered like chunky confetti on the bathroom floor. One of my daughters peeked in.
Daughter said, “Gosh, mom, you have a ton of shoes.”
My tone was defensive. “Say what?”
She added, “Nothing.” Her eyes gleamed, sudden like. “Oh, can I borrow those black flats?”
“Mm hmm.”
With three girls who also adore shoes, I’ve learned to be quite thrifty. None have cost me much over twenty dollars and most, much less. Did I mention I had a shoe addiction?
CLASSIC BLACK PUMPS: This pair has taken me to weddings, where chocolate fountains drip like silky rain. And tiered raspberry filled vanilla cake can never have too much butter cream icing.
WET TURQUIOSE FLATS: I’ve walked down dirt roads of Louisiana history in these; explored plantations along the Cane River and those outside of New Orleans, Baton Rough, and St. Francisville. I also went deep into the swamps and held a baby gator and stroked a river rats head while wearing these. Yes, I did. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
PLAID BOOTS: Plenty of Texas two-stepping in this pair, music loud, dance floor slick with sawdust. I’ve danced in these at the Garner State Park pavilion, too, under a full moon bright as a lit cigarette end,jukebox blaring Ring Of Fire by good ole Johnny Cash. As you can see, they are well loved.
BLUE COMFY FLATS: These are taking care of business shoes-volunteer work, grocery shopping, doctor visits, running kiddo around kind of stuff.
LUCKY SLIPPERS: Got these for Christmas and I anticipate they’ll take me down many hills and valleys of inspiration in the story telling arena. Comfy is the name when I’m at home with my mind on writing. Writers can stay in PJ’s and slippers if we choose and barring a knock at the door and the occasional raised eyebrow of the UPS man, nobody need know we’ve been creating little worlds of our own. Don’t you adore that?
Yes, I have a compulsion for shoes. I admit it. How about you?
January 18th, 2010 at 3:03 am
Hey girl, you’ve got style.
My husband once told my young son that when he goes out with a girl, don’t forget to compliment her on her shoes.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Another great post Dorraine! I love your description of the “full moon, bright as a lit cigarette end”. That says so very much. I do have a special affinity for shoes; there’s about 30 pair in my closet, but, the funny thing about that is that I’d rather be barefoot any day. So mostly I just look at the shoes, and, when I absolutely have to go out I do have fun choosing which pair I’ll wear. Unfortunately, my fibromyalgia causes my feet a lot of pain – imagine feeling like there are flaming needles poking your toes all the time, that’s how it feels, so I must have comfy shoes on while at home, (lucky I work from home). Hubby bought me a pair of “houseshoe boots” for Christmas this past year that I’ve already about worn out – I just love ‘em!
I don’t spend much on shoes either. They have to be on sale before I’ll buy them, no matter how precious they are. That said, there was a time, when I was in my early 20s, the partying days you know that I just HAD TO HAVE this pair of white granny boots that came halfway up my calf, with about 80 laces. I paid $99 for them. That’s the most I’ve ever spent on shoes, and I wore them out too.
Thanks for these wonderful memories!
January 18th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Cheap style, yes! Gracias for saying so, Ocean Girl. And your husband is a smart man.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I’m a hillbilly at heart too, Deanna. Nothing suits me better than going barefoot. Had I the feet, delicate and tiny, to share I would have posted that pic. But, alas, no.
A lit cigarette end is rather bright, yes? Thanks and glad you enjoyed that description.
I’m sorry that you can’t wear the shoes you love. Your granny boots sounded divine. Well worth the money if you enjoyed them.
And do tell where hubby found those houseshoe boots. That’s right up my alley. You might need another pair. Do put the bug in hubby’s ear!
January 18th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I’m pretty sure he got them at Sears – they’re Dearfoams: http://www.dearfoams.com/dearfoams-boots.htm Hope you get some, they’re wonderful!
January 18th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Wow Dorraine you have great taste in shoes! Your descriptions of what shoes you wear and how and when you wear/wore them are wonderful:)
I’m not much of a one for shoes. It think it’s because I’ve had heel problems this last year. BUT I LOVE suitcases! I have more than any person should have! My favs at present are a set of delicious lime green Diane Von Faustinberg’s. I get complimented every time I go through the airport with those. Even a young Marine commented on them as he passed me in the entrance to the airport. “Nice luggage!” was what he said:) Oooo! I do love my suitcases!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Thanks for the info, D!:-)
January 18th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Oh, I’ve got the shoes and you’ve got the bags, E! We should do some traveling together.
Thank ye much. Now you’ve got me itching to see those brightly colored suitcases. Possible blog post, maybe?
January 20th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I understand and Beloved says there is no more room in our room or closet for more shoes…did I mention BiL have moved out and now I have a new “empty” closet. lol
January 20th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Did you say empty closet?? Like sugar to a shoe addicts ears, Paige!
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Dorraine,
*sigh* I’m not a shoe person per se… but put any purse within sight and I’m all over it. Which means, of course, that I have to have the shoes to go with it! My hubby just shakes his head and turns back to his car magazine.
This is a lovely blog (and website! – that book sounds wonderful). You have such a way with words – it just draws me right in no matter what you’re talking about.
Hope you’re making headway on the revisions…
=)Martha
January 24th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Hi Martha!
Did you say purses? I have a few of those also. But I hate switching my crap from one to another so keep them down to a minimum.
Very nice and thank you regarding book, website and blog. Those revisions, yes, they do keep me busy, but I’m getting there. Thanks for stopping in.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:09 am
Great work! keep the posts coming… i’ll keep reading them. Thanks
March 18th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
You have a really fantastic website! Keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing much more of your posts.
March 20th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Thanks for reading, Christian!