I finally threw away my old shoes.
I had them for over 10 years, and believe it or not, I can’t tell you what brand they were. Excellent shoes, though, the kind some people call “boat shoes” or moccasins. The shoes I called “Eastern Shore shoes” when I bought them, shoes you could wear without socks and get away with it. Fabulous for slipping on and walking outside, great for any time and place. I wore those shoes up one side and down the other. They were getting awfully frayed and the soles were just about worn through, but the main thing was, they were starting to smell really bad. Finally, I noticed.
Now when I want to just step outside for a moment, I have to strap my sandals on. Soon it’ll be too cold for them — it already is, actually — and I’ll be looking for my hiking boots. The fashion-conscious among you will note that only adds up to two pairs of shoes, but there’s one more: my 25-year-old black Tony Lama cowboy boots (“half-lizards”). Kudos to my wife for being as detached as she is about this, incidentally. (She isn’t really, but I know she wants to be.)
Yes, this is a post about old shoes. I entertained thoughts about working it into a metaphor for something else, but it didn’t work out. You know, tossing out and forcing change, that kind of thing. But instead, I find I’m proud that I’ve gotten myself down to only three actual pairs. My sandals are Doc Martens, by the way, and they’re about shot too. The Tony Lamas are about to need their fourth resoling and they’re not very comfy. The hiking boots are warm and secure, but they’re a little aromatic too. Do you see where this is going?
Barefoot, that’s where. I’m on a fuckin’ roll here.
No related posts.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve got some of those shoes. Slip on and go. Wife keeps trying to
throw them away, but I save them. The “Tony Lamas” I have were my dads. Got them before WWII when he was stationed in Texas.
I out grew them years ago, but I keep them polished and lookin’ good. It’s hiking boots for me too.
Roll on, man. Now that is divestiture!
We have a friend who literally never wears shoes, ever. It’s been amazing to watch him when we used to work with him and see people’s reactions!
I live barefoot except for tennies and sandals when needed. I do own “town botts” that I bought for a trip to New York in February. I have lots of shoes that really need to go away, though, but for a woman, I own very few shoes indeed.
Go for it dude! Barefoot all the way… I say toss out the Doc sandals, Tony Lamas & hiking boots next. Then you will be real proud the last three pairs are gone too.
You have inspired me with this post, Im going to toss out all my old shoes & boots now… Going for the barefoot instead.