Step right up

Shoes have been on my mind today.

The high top white baby shoes I wore until I was four that my mother had to have specially made for me because she thought it would make my ankles stronger. Alas, I'm afraid they did just the opposite.

The beautiful and much wanted saddle shoes with black leather saddles and soft brushed black nylon toes that were all the rage sometime in fourth grade. My mother brought home a pair for both my sister and me and we thought we were the most stylish kids in school.

The Buster Brown penny loafers that we put real shiny pennies in. I felt so preppy in those.

My first spiked, two inch heels that my mother dyed and redyed to match different formal dresses.

The chunky high heeled, thick soled wing tips I wore freshman year of college.

My first real tennis shoes made by Dunlop in 1975. I felt like a real pro in those!

My first ugly red wing shoes to fit my orthotics.When I said they hurt my toes the salesman insisted they were fine. I just needed to get my ingrown toenail cut out. I did that and I wore those squeaky awful shoes until another salesman told me they were too short!

My first pair of Brooks athletic shoes that my daughter-in-law bought me in Denver for my birthday one year. I've worn Brooks ever since.

And finally the pair of dress shoes that held my orthotics and made it possible for me to dress up again.