Monday 8 May 2017

Memos, Mail, Me: Shoes Choose


So what is it about one Bank Holiday at the beginning of the week that puts the post on a go slow? It's been a very enjoyable few days here, but low on letterbox activity. Maybe it's the sun? I had to wait over an hour to speak to someone on Friday afternoon; and when he apologised I said
 No, really, I was fine. I sat in the sun. I don't mind if it slows us all down. 
And he said Honestly? Everyone else said it should be making us go faster.

Over the weekend we went fast and we went slow and slow was better, sitting in the garden - oh, apart from my (very) fast fingerwork just after I received an email offering a big discount on a pair of shoes I'd been eyeing. Not the Fitflops from a couple of weeks ago, which arrived and fit and don't hurt my feet at all, but an altogether more dangerous pair, which probably will hurt, but I was having a moment and now they're going to be mine. 

I've always wanted a pair of clogs. Ever since Cathy from down the street clicked past our window in a red pair, sometime in the 70's. I wasn't allowed clogs. Why?



Life Pages card by Gossamer Blue, in May

The same reasons - the ones which could never be explained - stopped me from poncho-ing up too. I did manage to achieve poncho ownership, thanks to an understanding aunt, but my present mysteriously disappeared not long after. That'll be the reasons again.

Today I am no longer eight. I could crochet myself a poncho (though, interestingly I don't feel the need) and I can definitely buy myself clogs (these have straps, they're from Seasalt in the UK, they'll probably hurt. I'm going to pretend I don't care).

Maybe I could mortify my children by wearing them with nice cushioning socks? I'm doing a brown pair at the moment, specially to go in a pair of Doc Martens: someone in the family knows how to look after her feet, then..

I haven't enough knitted to make a picture, so instead I have one of a new page in my Traveller's Notebook

With pieces from the new Gossamer Blue Traveler's Notebook Kit

See you soon? Oh, but do please think about making a memo, we'd love to read it! It's fairly obvious from my rambling today that any news at all is very welcome: something you got in the post, something new you learned over the weekend, anything ..

Last time round  Helena, Deb, AlisonMary- Lou, Ladkyis, Karen, Maggie, Mitra, Eileen, Melissa, Alexandra, Honore and Alexa shared. Go on, give 'em a wave! And have a good week!

20 comments:

Lizzie said...

Shoes! Well not my favourite shopping experience. My feet are so narrow ("AA" fitting) so finding some that stay on my feet can be an achievement i itself, let alone what they look like! I've found a nice company in Scotland who import narrow shoes, so I now am the proud owner of four pairs that fit - first time in years! And they don't hurt.
Speaking of which, you can buy very comfy gel insoles, of various types, which make almost any pair of footwear a joyous experience (assuming they stay on your feet - see above!). The full-length type have enabled me to revamp a rather retro pair of favourite trainers, whose insoles were worn out. The "party feet" ones were wonderful in my nice brown shoes, when I wore the wrong socks and they rubbed on the sole of my foot and made it hurt. Perhaps there's a pair that would make the clogs feel wonderful?
Enjoy your shoes! And have a good week.

Susan said...

I don't know that I ever had a poncho but I definitely had clogs. I have a pair now just for gardening; they aren't at all fashionable but are perfect for watering and weeding. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week! (Love the TN page too)

Jo said...

I had clogs and a poncho when I was little :) I hope that they don't hurt your feet and you wear them often, with or without socks ;)

debs14 said...

I still have scars on my ankle bones from where I used to sometimes knock them with the wood of the opposite foot's clog - beware! But they were very comfortable with their moulded wood footbase - you see I'm older than you so would've been allowed such racy footwear back in the day.

I was tricked into buying Fitflops on the understanding that the way they make you walk tightens up certain muscles that will take inches off your hips. They lied. Or maybe I wasn't walking properly!

I acquired a couple of ponchos this winter, although Mint Velvet call them something quite more swish, and they have an 'urban edge' (whatever that may mean) but I know the kind you wanted and I know if you wanted one now, that wool would be out in a flash. I have to say that mine get a lot of wear, more stylish than a cardi and very easy to wear.

alexandra s.m. said...

I too had a poncho (Maman has crocheted all of her life) and we wore Swedish clogs all summer long.
Maman (again) said it was good for our feet. I remember how much they would hurt at first and we had bruises on our legs from accidentally tapping a clog against our skin while running or cycling!
Love that new double page of you lovely TN Sian!
I hope you do get the clogs and that you share a picture with us!
xx

Ruth said...

My sister and I had ponchos in the early 1970s, which I think mum made (and they were probably passed onto our cousins) - I seem to recall yellow and blue and acrylic ...
I had a pair of clogs about 20 years ago, bought on impulse during a trip to NYC. They hurt the tops of my feet and made me feel ridiculously tall. They were in the bottom of my cupboard for years. I do hope yours are much more successful!

Karen said...

I don't believe I ever owned a poncho, but shoes? Yes, they are a favorite, and although I didn't have time to take any photos for a post this week (we're now in Chicago), I did some major shoe shopping before we left. I rarely buy more than one pair at a time, but I was on a mission to replace some very old sandals that had stretched way out. They had to be very comfortable, because I have feet problems, but I also want a modicum of "cute." I found two pairs of sandals, and one adorable pair of open-toed flats---all made by companies that cater to those of us who require comfort. Sadly, it's still too cold to pack sandals, but I do have the open-toed flats with me, and hope to have a reason to wear them.

Maggie said...

I had a poncho that my mum made for me. I also had clogs. They were blue and made by Scholl which probably made them ok. I also had desert boots before I progressed to 3in wedge sandals which I used to fall off regularly. Maybe that explains my bad ankle now.....

Karen said...

I was allowed a poncho and Mum crocheted it for me - I had it for a fancy dress party where I went as a mexican - I even had hat and pencilled on 'tache to match :D I have fairy feet - size 3, double AA width fiting so clogs are usually like shoeboxes on me but I do have some lovely ones from a german company called Rohde, since they moved their head office out of the uk they are getting hard to find so it is a good job I stocked up before they closed the factory shop in Leicester. They are narrower than your traditional clogs, made of a very soft leather and the best bit is that they have an inbuilt orthotic so I can wear them without having to put my own orthotics in (which only really stay in place in a laced up shoe) - I use them as slippers as I cannot walk in barefeet or flat shoes.

Look forward to seeing a post all about your adventures in clogs!!
BW KraftyKaren x

Honoré said...


Never had a poncho that was crocheted or knitted but did (still do? - need to look) have a beautifully woven woolen one from Scotland...I have a photo of me sitting on the beach on the Pacific Ocean in May, 4 decades ago...I remember it was very cold.
I hope you find the clogs comfy and all that you want. And I agree with others: the TN journal spread is wonderful. And tempting.
Cheers~

Mitralee said...

oh my clogs! ;-) Loved this post about slowing down and sitting in the sun a wee bit! Hugs!

Patio Postcards said...

I like the idea that we all slow down a bit & enjoy the glorious sunshine. I do hope your new shoes don't pinch & that aside from being fashionable they are comfortable. Your traveller's journal remains me that I need to start work on my summer manifesto album ... hoping you have a wonderful week ahead.

Cheri said...

Poncho? check (would have been about 1970 in a very fashionable orange and rust plaid). Clogs? check (late 70's in high school). Clogs are easy on, easy off, but not particularly comfortable or practical, but I hope you LOVE yours! New shoes are always fun!

Alison said...

Hope the clogs are more comfortable than you are anticipating.....I had them in the 70s but was glad when they became unfashionable ...I can''t recall having a poncho...I can't for the life of me remember why- it might have be one of those reasons!! Have a good week Sisn xx

Eileen T said...

I didn't ever have a poncho - didn't like them for some reason, although I have no idea now what that reason was! I've worn through quite a few pairs of clogs in my time though, some of the most comfortable footwear I've ever worn.

Ladkyis said...

The Dutch do wear socks with clogs, so you won't be the first. I have two pairs of Dutch clogs one pair are decorative and were brought back by my Uncle for my Granny the other pair were brought back by my Mum and given to her Dad for gardening. He used them for years, until he couldn't walk anymore and now I have them. I used them for gardening for several decades until my feet grew to a different shape and they no longer fitted. Now they hang on the wall with the other pair.

Ali said...

Aww we need a picture of the clogs :-) but please NO to the socks as I've just passed a lady in town with 3/4 trousers socks and clog type shoes - and its really not a good look!! xx Have a good week xx

alexa said...

Looking forward to seeing those clogs - Seasalt things are usually lovely. I'm very unsure now about any footwear where I can't feel my foot gripping the ground, but I will be enjoying your new look vicariously. I remember ponchos. My Mum crocheted me one in multicolours with a navy border ... Now there's a photo to find! Wishing you a happy fast/slow week - whichever you want most :).

Barbara Eads said...

Well, wearing clogs cannot be any worse in the embarrassment department than crocs! I've never owned a pair, but will admit, the comfort level does seem to be amazing. Perhaps just around the house...

Melissa said...

I so enjoyed seeing the pages in your Traveller's journal. I think I just might start one of those for the days we just jump in the car for quick day trips. :)

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