Musing on Shoes

Searching through prompts for an idea to write about, I found: "Write memories of your shoes (cheap shoes, expensive shoes, dream shoes, shoes you loved, shoes that embarrassed you, shoes that hurt your feet, etc.) 

When I was a child I had to wear corrective shoes. I think this was because I tended to roll inward on my arches, flattening them out. These shoes were always saddle shoes, always black and white. I was so jealous of other girls who got to wear other kinds of shoes. Here I am in my saddle shoes:

Eventually, after what seemed like a lifetime, a shoe salesman said he didn't think I needed corrective shoes anymore. My mother was okay with that and my shoe wearing expanded.

Regional vocabulary: In Wisconsin we wore tennies. When we moved to Connecticut, they were sneakers. Now I think these shoes are called gym shoes everywhere?

I have indeed worn shoes that hurt my feet - are there any women who have never worn shoes that hurt? Surreptitiously slipping them off while sitting to give my toes a break -  I'm done with that now. 

For awhile I wore shoes with the negative heel - the heel is lower than the toe, so your calf muscles get stretched. I liked then, though they were definitely not stylish. My daughter is sold on the shoes that are completely flat, no arch support, so I got a pair of those. They're fine, though sometimes you do need that arch support. 

If I had to choose a favorite footwear, I would pick sandals! I love my Teva sandals, but I really can't wear them in the winter in Chicago, sadly. It's hiking boots all winter.

I'm really not obsessed with footwear, but it turns out there is quite a lot to say about shoes.