Barefootin’.
One sure sign that I was not raised in the country is that, when outdoors, I wear footwear of some sort. On those occasions when I do find myself outside and barefoot (e.g. on the beach or by the pool), I do a good deal of “oooching and owching†if I walk across anything more lumpy than a piece of slate. I’m a tenderfoot.
I have discovered that there is a dedicated group of people who celebrate barefootedness and practice it regularly. They call themselves “The Society of Barefoot Living,†and, like all good twenty-first century organizations, the group even has a Mission Statement.
Interestingly, the group’s website debunks the notion that it is illegal to drive barefoot. It turns out that, in most states, it is NOT unlawful to drive a car barefoot (some states require footwear for motorcyclists). For you Garden Staters, feel free to doff your shoes this summer (but I suggest that carry a photocopy of the letter from Trenton that appears on the webpage to show the cop). My Jawja friends should also know that they can lawfully drive those big-ass pickup trucks barefoot, but I figure you already knew that, or you don’t much give a shit what the law says about driving barefoot.
Then I got to thinking, Yeah, sure. That barefoot stuff is great in warm weather, but I wanna see some of these barefooters strut their shit in Jersey in the middle of January. Well, it turns out that some of the more dedicated barefooters like walking barefoot in the farookin’ snow, although this winter walker had to concede that deep snow began to present a problem. Yo!! Deep snow? Ice? Slush? No way. Even barefooters can get frostbite and gangrene.
Interesting stuff, this, but I’m sticking with shoesies.
City boy. I never wore shoes when I was younger unless the weather was cold or my mother made me. With the wisdom that comes with old age however, I’ve discovered it’s a pretty good idea to have something between one’s foot and thorns, burrs, sharp rocks or broken glass.
I dunno if it’s illegal to drive barefoot here, but hypothetically I’ve been know to kick off my pumps after a long day in court as soon as I get to my car.
Comment by rita — May 13, 2005 @ 7:57 am
Jimbo, I wear shoes, the main reason for it, I hate it when the chicken shit went between my toes. Nasty but true, Cat
Comment by Catfish — May 13, 2005 @ 11:55 am
Shoes are the bane of my existence. Of course, I have ape-feet (they’re damn near as wide as they are long and I can pick up things with my toes…hehe), so finding ‘comfortable’ shoes is one of my continuing life goals. They’re the first things to come off when I get in the door…sometimes even BEFORE I get in the door.
Though I rarely have the opportunity to go barefoot outside anymore, (we live in an apartment complex) if DO find myself somewhere where there’s grass or sand, the shoes go flyin.
There’s just something so…good…about wiggling your toes in warm sand or grass.
Comment by Pammy — May 13, 2005 @ 12:36 pm
Been a member for awhile now.
http://www.barefooters.org/members/PA.html
I can’t do winter that well thought but by September I can walk across just about anything.
-Chuck
Comment by jaboobie — May 13, 2005 @ 12:42 pm
Hell, I hate not having something on my feet in the house. If they got a good look at them, most people would agree.
Comment by Sluggo — May 13, 2005 @ 2:34 pm
But I just remembered that when I was in high school there was a fad of running cross country in barefeet. I got into that.
Comment by Sluggo — May 13, 2005 @ 2:36 pm
Hot feet man…
Comment by Fetish — May 13, 2005 @ 3:40 pm
Hate shoes. Hate ’em. Soon as the weather is warm enough, I switch to flip flops when I HAVE to wear shoes. Otherwise barefoot. As I am indoors year-round.
Comment by Shamrock — May 13, 2005 @ 6:12 pm
I figure that flip-flops qualifies as “shoesies.” I agree. At home, the shoes come off. Immediately.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — May 13, 2005 @ 7:14 pm
I’ve been going barefoot most of my life and I still do it today. I’m not real fond of shoes.
Comment by Acidman — May 15, 2005 @ 6:24 pm
Hell, man – nothing wrong with driving or going to the 7/11 barefoot. Been doing that since I was a teenager – just something we “country boys” do (in our BIG OLE TRUCKS).
Comment by Chuck — December 23, 2005 @ 8:25 pm
Excuse me – on the last part – that’s a BIG ASS TRUCK!
Comment by chuck — December 23, 2005 @ 8:26 pm