FOOT ANGUISH

I saw a photograph in the daily paper of ballerina’s feet, and much of the same pain and affliction is suffered from male ballet dancers. I never realized that when “on-pointe” the entire weight of the body is on three toes! Bunions, corns and other unattractive conditions are common – and an everyday habit practiced by many is to “ice the feet” – by plunging those pedal extremities into a bucket of freezing water – sometimes knee deep.

Salespeople beware – if you look at your own feet and see tooth marks, ice your feet! Remember that inserting foot in mouth causes irreversible damage – the progress of which can only be controlled by fewer acts of speaking before thinking. Engage the brain before making sounds – icing the feet is simply a band-aid fix for a more serious dilemma.

Peer Pressure

I read a newspaper article awhile ago about when two people, let’s say husband and wife for example; are both in the same kind of business. When one accelerates and excels, the partner is honestly proud and supportive, but underneath those emotions are little niggling pointed thoughts – maybe envy, resentment or just plain irritation. The example in the article was former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Hilary, who was then a Senator.

I participated in an office hockey pool this year, just 20 people. Last year I got whumped, this year I won! But curiously, although it is just for fun, some of my colleagues are not really all that gleeful or even amused.

“Dark horse wins hockey pool” – even if you don’t always have a lot of experience; think of yourself on the race track – when it’s heavy slugging, the track is wet and you can’t seem to get up any speed, keep on putting those hooves down.

To hose or not to hose?

I recently read an article in the daily newspaper about the fact the women do not wear panty-hose anymore. What do they wear? I have heard of products called Spanx, also different styles of hosiery such as knee-hi’s and thigh-highs…Pfft! My legs feel like fat sausages enclosed in a too-tight casing – they overflow at the top of knee-hi’s and make a nasty bulge. Plus a mark where the circulation is affected. And thigh-highs I remember were appealing in the days of garterbelts and other such harnessing. But those were days of yore.

When pantyhose were introduced in, I think, the 1970’s I actually had my picture photographed at a hosiery display – looking as if I actually knew what I was doing there. Pantyhose are warm in winter and do hide a multitude of sins – even in summer if the occasion calls for some sense of propriety. Even liquid products to even out the inconsistencies of appearance won’t do much for the “very close” veins and other uglies.

So, is it to hose or not to hose?

Crocs 'N Other Footwear

Ah – ‘tis the season of pretty feet.(Or not so. ) I’ve read that men are also concerned about the appearance of their peds when shoes are cast off. Makes sense – besides, hard calluses wreak havoc on both people and linens. Pretty feet make you feel pretty – I even tried an electric yellow last year while on holidays – sensational! At least that was my opinion.

This Summer I’m wearing a mule-style of Croc sandal – and the colours are varied. Celery & white, seafoam and white, khaki and white, black/white. And there are shades of caramel on brown and brown on brown for the end of Summer. They’re comfy and fun. ( Available at some Becker Shoes outlets.) It’s not that I actually have a shoe fetish – I just have tired feet that want to look presentable, and feel happy.

That’s not saying that I might still teeter around for a few select moments in my 4-inch orange patent leather lady shoes – nothing like a glam-queen stepping out with trepidation. Maybe I’ll just sit.

Summer Hats!

My 15th wedding anniversary is coming up at the end of August. The wedding day was grand, and so was my hat. A lacy,loopey and very feminine straw affair which Mom decorated with bits of floral accessories to match my silk lavender suit. Which I can’t get into anymore. Pfft!

Many ladies had millinery skills and I remember Mother creating several snappy toppers. She was a looker! Nowadays, except at Ascot in England and maybe the Queen’s Plate horseraces - one seldom sees a lady in a summer hat. Talk about the perfect opportunity, with large sunglasses, to feel nearly incognito.

Last Summer I went to a Victorian Tea at the Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling. The day was hot as Hades – but everyone who attended was in keeping with the theme, and the hats were grand! Hats are dreamy and flirty – yes, we can still dream, ladies! I’ve got my eye on a large-brimmed black and white hat and matching bag – very swank – all I need is an “occasion” to get dolled up for. And regardless of the face underneath the brim, hats make people’s heads turn.

Go for it! Hat fans unite!

In Your Best Interest

Last week I attended a Financial Planning seminar.. The how-tos of “Handing Down the Cottage”. This was a timely opportunity – promising tidbits that would give me a broader scope of understanding my clients’ concerns.

The presenter was well-prepared and knowledgeable. As an Advisor, he has the best interests of potential clients as a firm foundation to base business relationships on. Trust is earned, not speculated upon or toyed with.

Two attendees at this seminar reflected this keenly –they had respect and trust of each other. And both saavy businessmen. The younger of the two, a son-in-law, was intent on acquiring information which would be both helpful and strategic. Kudos to anyone who always acts in the best interest of their people.

You Look Tired

Thanks for the compliment, as if I didn’t already know that. Pfft! My Mother thinks the world has gone mad, that everyone works too hard, too many hours, and that our quality of life is not as satisfying as it seems to have been when times were more simple. It’s hard for us to understand that our parents have seen more technological and industrial changes in the past 70 years than probably ever before!

My Grade 8 English Lit teacher was a well-known author – and he autographed one of his books for me when the school year ended.
It says, ” What a sad tragedy that in this age where wonders never cease, we have so quickly ceased to wonder.”

Sometimes it’s worth a few moments from our hectic day to pause and observe the simple things that really count, with wonder. Puppies, babies with big eyes, and our parents who hopefully expect little but deserve a lot.

Pencil in an entry in your appointment book to call – those of us who still have a Mom or Dad, or both, are lucky. Coffee at Tim’s can be a big event, even if we are tired.