On the top left: My old beloved Wolverines. The first time I put them on they fit perfectly. Ah, bliss. But alas, they are getting sorta grungy, current coating of mud notwithstanding.
On the top right: My new Wolverines--same size, make, and model as the others. But alas! They rub my little toe-sies to the point of absolute pain! Arg!!! (They are for sale, size 6, women's Wolverines, seldom worn.)
On the bottom left: My Official Work Front County Hiker Boots, in of course, cordovan, no stitching, polishable, and currently filthy. They do need a good shine. . . They are size 5.5, the perfect length, but are so narrow!!!! I had the toes stretched a couple of days ago (along with my new Wolverines and dress shoes). That has helped some. I also have the very obscenely expensive custom-made orthodtics in those boots. The left one feels just fine and dandy, like I might actually be able to survive a whole day in them, but the right one still puts me into complete agony. And did I mention that they squeak when I walk? Again, ARGGGGGGG!
On the bottom right: My unofficial dress shoes. Made by Timberland called Smart something. Even though they are size 6, they're a bit tight, so I have to wear light weight socks, which is usually okay in the Visitor Center. Hopefully the toe stretching will help. They shine up pretty well.
So here's what I'm stuck with. Boots that fit amazingly well, but are now too scruffy for work or boots that look grand but kill my feet. Not a good situation.
My solution: Figure some way to get permission to wear my ski boots! They are the world's most comfortable things! I bought them last winter off Ebay. I have the old-fashioned skiis with three pins in the binding. I've been through a couple of pairs of boots over the past 30 years, but couldn't bring myself to cough up the dough for new-fangled skiis, bindings, and boots. So to Ebay I went. I found these boots, leather, wool lined, three-pins, Norwegian made, worn maybe twice, complete with the original box and original sales receipt for $20.00! That's twenty dollars! Wow!! Better yet, they are exactly like my first pair of boots and were originally purchased very close to the time I bought my first pair! I totally and completely love them!
Most of the boot/shoe issue is related to the tarsal coalition issue I've written about before. I've made jokes with our resident doctor-ranger-orthopedic guy about finding someone to just whack off my little toes and be done with it. (I've heard rumors that models have it done so they can wear pointy-toed shoes. Dunno if it's true, being such a slave to fashion as I is and all.) The aforementioned doctor-ranger-guy laughed and said with the economy as bad as it is, I might just be able to work a deal with someone! I was making jokes with someone else when DD heard this and just about came unglued. I had no idea he cared so much!
So I'm on my annual hunt for boots I can wear at work. What else do I have to do with my time?
Oh yeah, I can wait around and wonder how long it will take to get my fingerprints rejected again!
