As I mentioned in a previous post, we ran free in our childhood and we did it barefoot or in flip-flops. I remember my mother and I walking down the sidewalk to visit a friend, our flip-flops taping a rhythm flip,slap,flop, slap on the sidewalk. I lived in flip flops all the years when they weren’t cool like they are today. Then disaster struck. I developed plantar fasciitis. The muscle of my foot became inflamed and wearing any open backed shoe was painful. I put away my flip-flops for years.
Eventually I was able to move into sandals and I discovered Kinos. Kino is a brand of fabulous leather sandals made in Key West. Some people go to the Keys for fishing, swimming, or history, me I go for the sandals. I dash off the cruise ship and head for the Kino store, they have odd hours and I don’t want to miss them. Alas, I haven’t cruised to Key West in a couple of years and my Kinos are worn out. I searched the stores for a replacement for my beloved shoes and met sticker shock. My last leather Kinos cost eleven dollars per pair. No way was I paying the asking price for the poorly made shoes in the stores.
So that is how I ended up back in flip-flops. It wasn’t easy finding a pair I liked that didn’t cost a ridiculous amount of money but I did finally find the perfect pair at Old Navy. I love them and I love the sound they make. In my mind, I am once again walking down the sidewalk with my mom and running through the old neighborhood streets.
Old Things R New 
I just went barefoot when I was a kid. Now, although I still hate shoes, I HAVE to wear them. We live on top of a ridgeline in a wooded area in the sticks outside of Greenwood AR. There are too many stickers, rocks, bugs, snakes and other critters to feel comfortable without shoes. I still kick them off every evening, though, while watching TV…
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I take mine off the minute I walk in the door, although, I have these fur lined Crocs and they do feel good when it’s chilly.
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Nice connections. We just ran barefoot when I was a kid growing up in California, and I still do, at least, when I’m indoors. The old feet are not as tough as they used to be. ;-))
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I still don’t care for “real” shoes. Flip-flops were our defense against sandspurs. Do you have sandspurs in California?.
Thanks for dropping by.
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Nice memories. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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