NEW CASTLE —
I have haphazardly stumbled onto an interesting new realization about myself. Something that I was laterally aware of, but never gave any real though to.
Now that I am conscious of my situation, I must remedy it.
Allow me to explain my conundrum. I used to have many pairs of shoes. I had several different pairs for church, and a pair or two for work. I had a pair for mowing the grass and another pair for stomping through the creeks or fishing. I even had a pair of rubber boots for those muddy jobs. I also had a pair of extra warm, felt-lined boots for hunting and those extremely cold days filled with winter chores.
I had flip-flops and sandals for the beach and quick jaunts to the mailbox. I even had a pair of those shoes with no laces so you could slip them on really quickly when you just had to get to the ice cream shop before they closed. Some of my shoes were stylish, some were cool, and some were — dare I say — fashionable.
Over the course of time, each pair has met its own demise or found its way into the Goodwill bin. For some reason or another, as these tools wore out their useful existence in my world, they were never replaced by a bright and shiny upgrade. Their absence has left a gap in my wardrobe. These gaps slowly and methodically made me into a one-pair kind of guy.
I now have but one pair of shoes. Gone are my boots, gone are the creek stompers, and gone are the extra nice church and wedding shoes. No more flip-flops, no more loafers, and of course, no more rubber boots.
The one pair that remains have become my all-occasion shoe. I wear them to work every single day. They are the constant companion of my feet at church and at the grocery store. They have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and have traveled all over the countryside with me.
They are a quite incredible pair of shoes. I've had them about four years now. They came from an online order from JC Penney and they bear the stylish white Adidas stripes over the soft black leather. They are truly broken in and cradle my feet perfectly. They still are holding up quite well, though they are beginning to show their age.
It is entirely possible that my life has become so humdrum and one directional that I didn't even notice that I have an all-occasion shoe. Maybe it is that I just don’t care anymore. Whatever the case, I am still down to one pair of shoes, and that makes me feel old.
What’s next for me? Possibly a pair of stretch pants pulled half way up to my chest? A huge pair of sun glasses to block out every ray of sunshine, or maybe flashing my AARP card to make sure I get my discount at any and all retail outlets?
But alas, I reel myself back in from the edge of desperation and self-inflicted, old-guy purgatory. I feel that I have a few good years left until I must succumb to the perils of orthopedic shoes or my own senility.
I'm going shopping, ’cause Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!
By the way, does anybody know where Picway moved to?
Josh Drespling
Related Photos
-
About Josh Drespling: Josh is a former graphic designer at The News. His blog appears each Saturday.
Discussion
Josh Drespling: Even though I’m feeling old, the shoe must go on
- Josh Drespling
-
-
Josh Drespling: Sick and tired of being sick and tired
I'm sick of being sick! It has been over a week now fighting this ungodly pestilence that has settled in my body. Despite my best efforts, this plague has taken a firm hold of every avenue of my being. It has become the most constant and present force in my life.
-
Josh Drespling: Thank you, Mom. I’ve never said this before but ...
I'm a terrible son. I’ll can freely admit my shortcomings. Well, maybe not as awful as some. I've never been in prison or killed anyone (though I may have thought about it). I’ve never been a drug addict or a drunk. I remember most of the holidays, birthdays and celebrations and I'm capable of supporting myself and my family.
-
Josh Drespling: Leaving a paper trail blows my ‘cool’
As you probably already know, I am the coolest guy in the room no matter the company or the occasion. I am dapper, handsome, and, of course, the hippest. I am the most “in” guy and, by default, the most trendy person this side of the muddy Mississippi. My non-mainstream fashion sense and musical independence exemplify my elite status.
-
Josh Drespling: Please bear with me as I remember my brother’s special friend
As you may have picked up on in my past blogs, I grew up in a home that had only little money to spare. We made the best of all things and found our way by being resourceful and frugal.
-
Josh Drespling: Appointment! What appointment?
Dear Mr. Optometrist: Thank you for the polite reminder about my upcoming appointment. The postcard you sent in the mail was quite helpful.
-
Josh Drespling: Spring is (finally) in the air — enjoy!
We have missed you, my friend. We have all longed for your warmth, vibrance, and energy. The cold gray of winter has had us locked in its icy grasp for far too long. We greet your arrival with great anticipation and long for the newness you will bring.
-
Josh Drespling: But the time it finally clicked, it was too late — I had made a big mistake
OK, I did it. I’ll admit it. I clicked on the flashing banner on the side of the web page. You know, the one offering you great new discounted auto insurance rates or some miraculous cure to all that ails you. I know you have seen them all and have been tempted to click them just to see if you could save a few bucks or transform your life.
-
Josh Drespling: Size Does Matter
Maybe I'm turning into the old miser who chases the kids off his lawn while screaming some intangible string of expletives about staying off his grass. Maybe I'm stuck in my ways and afraid to embrace forward progress. But there comes a time to stand your ground and put your foot down. Such a time as this.
-
Josh Drespling: Afraid to speak in public? Really, it will be OK
I'm imagining you all naked right now. Did you know that a majority of the American population fear public speaking more than death itself? Yes, they would rather be in the coffin than give the eulogy.
-
Josh Drespling: Growing tall enough to witness historic leaves of change
There is a giant, old oak tree near the top of Jefferson Street Hill in New Castle. From his perch on the North Hill, he has an expansive view of all that is New Castle. From his perspective, he can see from the West Side across the whole downtown area, through the South Side, up to the very top of Sheep Hill, and back across to the city's East Side.
- More Josh Drespling Headlines
-
