November 14, 2007
Years ago I was walking
in Nashville with veteran
journalists DeWayne
Dancer and John
McCaa. Every few
steps I took I would ask
them to take a break
because my feet were
killing me.
Although it has been
about a decade, I still
remember McCaa’s
statement after our
upteempth stop on the
way to get breakfast,
“Cheryl, I’m going to
tell you like Mom’s
Mabley said, ‘those
shoes may go with your
dress but they don’t go
with your feet.’”
I can’t tell you how many
times I have repeated those
words from one of the first
ladies of comedy; the late,
great Jackie Mom’s Mabley.
You see, too often we buy
shoes that don’t fit in the
store and won’t fit when we
get home; but for some
strange reason some women
think that the shoes will
conform or adapt to fit their
feet. Or, we just can’t pass
up a “good sale.”
It is imperative
that you realize that
you are damaging
your feet if you
continue trying to
stick them into the
various styles, especially
if the shoes are
too small. You must
remember that every
shoe is not designed
for your foot.
Furthermore,
shoes are not like
clothes. When you
wear too tight pants
or a blouse that is
entirely too small, the worse
thing that could happen to
you is your meat busting out
of the material or folks
talking behind your back.
Unfortunately your feet
will adjust under pressure—
resulting in some really ugly
feet! I’m talking about hammertoes,
bunions;
you’ve seen
those feet in the
summertime
when the
owner ventures
outside in
sandals with
those unsightly
corns decorating
every toe, or one toe
resting atop another one.
Then you’ll be looking for
someone like Dr. Larry
Lundy, Dan Jones or Ben
Clark to ease the pain and
make your feet look more
presentable.
Sisters, you must take
care of your feet. Treat yourself
to pedicures. You can
even do it yourself--get you
some warm water, a pumice
stone, a toenail clipper,
emery board and lotion or oil
and you are good to go.
Do like we did back in the
day. Don’t go into a store and
tell the sales clerk what size
you wear. Let them measure
your feet. While the shoe
salesperson of
yesteryear
appears to be
obsolete, there are
still some who
will work to
service the
customer. Shop
where the salesperson
takes the
time to make sure
that you are making the
correct purchase.
Now after that salesperson
measures your foot and
then comes back and tells
you the only size available is
a half size smaller than you
need, it’s on you if you say
you want the shoe anyway.
You should also invest in
“good” shoes. Now I know
people who can wear $6
shoes and their feet are fine,
but everyone can not do that!
I don’t care how good you
look; you will not enjoy
yourself if your feet are
hurting. You know you can
tell when a woman’s feet
hurt. Not only does she walk
funny. She usually is not
smiling, either.
And once you have the
correct sized shoes, take care
of them. Folks won’t say
anything, but they do notice
your shoes. You might even
keep a little kit in your purse
to give your shoes a quick
shine or touch-up.
Women drivers need to be
especially careful. Surely
you’ve seen the females who
are impeccably dressed, that
is until they walk away from
you and you see the scuffedup
heel of their right shoe.
You can buy safe guards
for your shoes, make sure
you have a clean piece of
carpet on the floor under
your accelerator and brake
pedals, or keep a pair of
driving shoes in the car to
avoid this fashion violation.
Whatever you do, don’t
take care of your shoes better
than you do your own feet.
Take it from Moms Mabley,
John McCaa and Me: You
can buy a new pair of shoes
and a new outfit, but you
can’t replace those two feet!
Note: Last week, I talked
about ladies handbags and I
encouraged you to not place
your handbag on the floor. I
didn’t tell you what to do with it,
however. I know there are times
when you will look at the back of
the chair you are sitting in, to
see if you can hang your purse
there. Or, you may not feel safe,
so you keep your purse in your
lap.
Well, a Dallas Weekly reader,
Terry, has just the solution. Log
on to www.anotherwomanstreasure.
net so you can get your
pursehanger! Mr. and Mrs.
Willie Earl Johnson, are the
owners of Nu Values. They
have the pursehangers so you
can give them a call at 214-339-
2873.
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