Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Ya know, I am really a barefoot kinda girl. I love the spring and summer. Both seasons bring such joy to my heart. There is nothing quite like going to the beach and sinking your toes into the nice warm sand. Aw! Heaven! Or at least a taste. Then there is the grass. Oh, how it tickles my feet. I just love how it feels, the wind gently blowing and the grass caressing my bare feet. I’d walk into a store bare foot, if they’d let me, but alas, shoes must be worn. So my shoes of choice are sandals and flip flops. They keep my feet the coolest, and I can show off my painted toe nails. There is nothing quite like the sound of flip, flop, flip, flop when you walk down the street or into a store. Sandals and flip flops can dress up your feet. They can look just as nice with skirt and blouse, dress, or jeans as any regular pair of shoes. My biggest compliant is going to be that I can’t wear them all year round in Michigan. For, soon, oh so soon, the days of barefoot, sandals and flip flops will be gone. If I tried to wear them my feet would freeze, possibly even get frostbitten. Summer just doesn’t last long enough here to suit me.

I really need to live in a warmer state, like Florida, California, or Arizona. Honestly, I would love to live in one of those states, but my husband refuses. He loves Michigan. I really do too. It is a truly, beautiful state, with islands, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and flowers. Summer just seemed too short this year, as it almost always does. I would love a summer that lasted eight months instead of only three and a half months. I could be very content with that. I am not sure my husband would like that though. He prefers the colder part of the climate, the fall and winter seasons, and I say, “What am I going to do without my flip flops, or my sandals?” I know that I should be happy where I am at, “bloom where you’re planted”, is a sayng that I have heard. Yes this is true, but what about my poor deprived feet?

Flip flops have been around for almost six thousand years. The first ones brought to the states date back to before World War ll when U. S. soldiers brought them to America as souveniers. At first flip flops were made rather cheaply and did not last long, but now, they are made to last for years. A woman may own any where from one pair to several pairs of flip flops. I think I own about seven pair, one for every day of the week, if I feel so inclined to wear a different pair each day.

Flip flops are now a part of the fashion world as much as athletic shoes, jeans and t-shirts. Flip flops like , blue jeans, at one time were only worn by the lower to middle class, but flip flops have been transformed int both every day and high fashion wear. Sales of flip flops range from five dollars at Walmart and up to fifteen dollars at other stores. The most expensive pair of flip flops has sold for $150.00.

Sandals, on the other hand, date back at least five million years. They were first worn by our Ice Age relatives. They were made of animal skin and protected their feet from sharp rocks and thorns. Even before the time of Christ, antient Egyptians were wearing sandals. They came up with the thong sandal. During the time of Christ, the sandal was the most popular form of shoe. Even Jesus wore sandals. Sandals were primarily made of papyrus, palm leaves, rawhide and wood. The oldest known sandals were discovered in Fort Rock Cave in the state of Oregon. It was indicated by radiocarbon that they are at least 10,000 years old.

The sandals of today are sold just about everywhere. There is the flat footed sandal and the high heeled sandal. The prices vary and there are many different name brands to choose from.

You now know a little bit of the history of these types of footwear, but still, where does that leave me? In Michigan with my husband and side trips to Arizona to visit my daughter and grandkids. When it comes to having to wear shoes and warmer clothing to get through the winter’s fury, I will always be a complainer. I can’t help it. Spring and summer bring out the best in me and winter just gives me the blahs. When push comes to shove, I will be perfectly content in the state of Michigan with my husband by my side. I will put away my flip flops and sandals. I will dress in layers to stay warm. I will drink hot chocolate on cold winter nights and snuggle under the blanket with my husband. I will do whatever it takes to stay warm in this state. Still,I hope that we have a few more warm days left in this state of Michigan because I am not ready to put my shoes on, not yet.