Shoes, although there to protect your feet, have a long history.

Shoes can be a fashion statement. They can also be there for comfort, protection, and work. But shoes must be appropriate. You can’t climb a mountain in flip flops or ride a horse in stilettos. Having said that, high heels were initially created for men to wear when horse riding.  Ever wondered where Sneakers got their name from? They got their name for being quiet. Now, in South Africa, we call them “Tekkies”. Maybe that is our way of being quiet. Wedges were a war time invention, necessitated by World War II restrictions on steel needed for heels. Chinese tradition has a new Bride throwing one of her red in colour bridal shoes onto the roof of her new home. It is supposed to bring luck and happiness to the new couple. In Hungary, the Groom drinks a toast from his new Bride’s shoe.

There are also some interesting proverbs around shoes. Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world. Do not criticize another until you have walked a mile in his shoes. Good shoes take you places. Don’t throw away your old shoes until you have new ones. Those who has shoes does not fear thorns. And my favourite one: Truth walks barefoot, lies keep switching shoes.

When I was younger, I took shoe advice from Marilyn Monroe. She proclaimed that walking in heels gives your walk a little attitude. Marilyn Monroe died at the age of 36. Had she lived to the age of 50, I am sure she would have changed her mind and settled for a little something more comfortable, with less attitude. But it was good while I was young. I loved strappy sandals then.

Our youngest son announced a while back that he is interested in taking up photography. Not sure where and how to start, he asked to borrow Colin’s camera. The idea being that he wants to test out a big boy camera, before spending the money on buying one. I have previously written about Colin and his hobby. You all know by now: you want a good photo, ask Colin to take it. You want a lot of photos of the same building from every conceivable angle? Colin is your man. Then you also know that Colin likes taking photos of his hat. The apple does not fall far from the tree. With a repertoire of photographic equipment at his disposal, Young One takes photos of….his shoes.

Both our sons have taken a liking to wearing Veldskoene. These shoes are sturdy shoes made of either untanned hide, or vegetable-stained tanned hide. Veldskoene, in some communities are worn with long socks, which have slid down and bunched up around the ankles (worn mostly this way by working men), they can dress up quite well and be worn with casual of even semi formal trousers. Or they can just be worn without socks. Most people just wear them without socks. It is a South African thing. Veldskoene is one of those things that transcends all ages, attitudes and cultures in South Africa.

One of my favourite authors, Herman Charles Bosman writes in one of his stories about the day an Englishman moved to the Marico district. As always, the men of the district had gathered on the porch of the Post Office and were discussing the rumour that was doing the rounds of an Englishman that was moving to their community. There was a lot of speculating around his arrival. What would he look like? How will he behave? Will he adjust? As they were pondering all these pressing matters, they noticed a horse and cart approaching. On the cart was a stranger who looked like them, rode like them, dressed like them. It was only as he stepped off the cart, that they noticed that he had socks on with his Veldskoene. In that moment they knew: He was the Englishman. That, and of course as they were to learn later, he brushed his teeth daily, were the two things that set the Englishman apart from the rest of them. How do our sons wear their Veldskoene? Well, as you know they were made in South Africa from imported materials. They wear it with their kilt. With the hose (that is the very long, white socks that are worn with a kilt, for the cousins who do not know) snuggly bunched up around their ankles. In true South African style!

Youngest Son, a few years ago, had the opportunity to mentor another young person. Having walked a mile in the shoes of the young boy he was about to help, he allowed him to step into his shoes and follow his footsteps. This young man, with a bit of mentoring from Young Son, and of course a lot of effort on his own part, managed to complete his studies and has entered the official work place. His very proud Mother sent me a screen shot of his very first letter of appointment. I let my son know, and his joy was genuine. It made me wonder. Did he celebrate the moment by taking a photo of big shoes being filled, or did he sip a little something from his shoe? Never mind. Don’t go there.

But now, first a little commercial break. Did you know that you can comment on my blog? You can use a “pen name” and your email address or contact details will not be visible to any other person than me. Someone said the other day: I try not to comment too much…No. You can never comment too much. Your feedback inspires me and gives me ideas of what to write on. Last week, there was one such comment that asked for an update on Domino.

So here goes:

Having walked back the almost 2km on his three little legs FIVE times now, Domino is under the strictest house arrest. He has a 30-minute window of opportunity to go outside every day, and then under strict supervision. I am afraid, in this instance, we must be cruel to be kind. Because we know that he is unable to supplement his diet with mice and birds, we do feed him his cat pouches more often, and with very little activity, he is getting a little “chonky”. With it getting closer to winter, his pelt is also getting bushier. He likes to sit on the wooden chest in our room, looking out at all the mouse activity outside. Looking at him from the back, sitting bolt upright, he at times does look very much like a penguin. He sure does have big shoes, or in this case – flippers, to fill.