Do you ever think about your shoes?

I have bad feet. My mother had bad feet. My grandmother walked funny, as she got older, so I'm thinking that she probably did too. Bunions, arthritis, corns, neuromas, arch problems, tendinitis, circulation problems, neuropathy...
 and the list goes on and on.
It's a little crooked gene somewhere in my DNA that I call Bad Foot Syndrome. Well, that's what I call it on a good day. Bad days have another unspeakable name that I use, but I won't use it here.
So, In the spirit of Thanksgiving I would like to give thanks to my shoes.

The ones that have , in this day and age of over abundant choices and high prices, brought me comfort  in my time of need.  A tribute to these pedestrian, uncomplaining support systems for my deteriorating infrastructure.

From the bottom clockwise I start with the Dexter; a sturdy maryjane/moccasin. Not much arch support but with my prescription orthopedic inserts I can be quite comfortable in them for a few hours.
The next one, the Dansko, is a Sunday go to meeting shoe. I can't wear my inserts with these but they are very comfortable and make my feet look sexy with my toes all lacquered up.
The Birkenstocks are... well... the last vestige of my life before bad feet. I love Birkies and will always have a pair, even though my podiatrist told me to not wear them. He doesn't understand that they are my link to accepting my wide (but somewhat attractive) feet and to the 60's when bell bottoms and tie dyed tee shirts ruled my life.
The Finn Comfort sandals were my mother's. They are very expensive shoes. I find them extremely comfortable in summer or winter(with socks). I will wax them and wear them until the cows come home. They have sentimental value.
Next is the Nicole. It's rare that you find a really comfortable shoe, that is in great shape, the right size ( I have a BIG foot.) and are made well... in a thrift shop. But this is where I found Nicole.
I can't wear any of these backless shoes with my inserts. The doctor doesn't know about Nicole.  She and I never visit the foot doctor together. This pair of shoes were purchased for $5.50 at the local thrift store.

The next two shoes are favorites because they are FELTED... of course.

 Haflinger is the pretty blue one with the embroidery. It's a clog type shoe that is really warm and comfortable. I can wear my orthotics with this shoe. I don't always. They're very comfortable both ways.
The Airwalk boot is brand new.

These were not expensive. I found them at Payless Shoes a few weeks back. Payless Shoes has really trendy (sometimes weird) shoes that are made inexpensively and fall apart fast. But sometimes they get brand names in there that are a cut above and at amazing prices. These are called Airwalks. This felted boot should have a name like Sven or Elsa but someone at Airwalk, for some strange reason, called it Marlynn.  I love Airwalks for there quirkiness (kind of like Rocket Dogs only less expensive.) and their ability to accept inserts without complaint. This pair was $39.99. Shoes made out of this synthetic felt are not waterproof but they are warm and, with socks, they are a good, winter choice here in California. They also have a zipper which helps getting them on and off.
As you can see. I love Airwalks and have a couple of pairs that I'm wearing into oblivion.

These shoes are like old friends. I can only wear them in the house and around the farm now. The left one is falling apart at the seams but I love these shoes. Don't you have favorites like these?
I have tennis shoes and work boots. I have waterproof  boots for slopping around in the goat pen. But these are my favorites and they deserve respect for a lifetime of service to my feet.
I bought a new pair of Airwalks last week.

They're kind of Converse  with some fufu on them. My insert fits perfectly in them.
Black is good. I hope they serve me as well as the others.

This is a tribute to my shoes.
I'm glad I'm not growing old back in my grandmother's day. The choices would have been black, short and boot-like with laces... or maybe, dark blue clunkers with a small heel. They didn't have inserts, orthotics and metatarsal cookies for sore spots. We are so fortunate that we have so many choices to make our lives easier and more pain free.
I salute my shoes and the manufacturers of them. I'm still not sure about the name "Marlynn" on the felt boot. But who knows, it's probably some executive's daughter's name. I can live with it.
Here's to shoes everywhere. I haven't seen them complaining at the Occupy protests around the country.... and if anyone has a right to complain about abuse and unfairness it's shoes.  Don't you agree?
They are thrown, dragged, left in messy closets, separated from each other and lost.
They are lucky if they are recycled at a thrift shop, but they usually meet a horrible end in some land fill.
I just wanted to say something about shoes today and let them know that someone appreciates them.