Wednesday, August 27, 2008

F Is For Footwear

Shopping For Shoes Must Be Good For The Sole

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


The youngest Authorbloglet - God bless her - is kind of keen on shoes. This is indisputable. It is established in family folklore. But the manner in which this came to light was less obvious to one member of the clan than it was to others.

That member of the family was, er, me.

Some years ago, we were in a foreign land, and Mrs Authorblog and the two older Authorbloglets went off in search of a particular store. Realising that the youngest of our brood would have no interest in that pursuit, Mrs Authorblog told me to stand outside and wait with our little girl.

No worries at all. I revel in the company of my children and they revel (they’ll admit it under duress) in my company. So after about five minutes of fun while we stood outside, I was alarmed when Juniormost Authorbloglet asked to be carried. Did I say "asked"? Sorry, I meant to say "implored".

Something just didn’t add up. This was a child whose idea of freedom was to run as soon as her feet touched the floor each morning. An independent soul, she never asked to be carried.
So with the tenderness and concern that any father would show, I asked what the problem was.

"My feet are really hurting," she replied.

So I sat down and put her on my lap and immediately adjusted the straps on her left sandal and then her right sandal.

"Is that better?" I asked.

She shook her head. She told me her feet were still hurting. So - naturally - I loosened her straps until the sandals were ready to fall off her little feet.

But she told me she was still in a lot of pain. All sorts of thoughts went running through my mind. Was this some sort of mysterious ailment that had suddenly struck without warning?

At this point, Mrs Authorblog emerged with the other two children. Dutifully, I gave her a situation report.

Mrs Authorblog, as most of you would know by now, is a wise woman, a quick-thinking woman and a resourceful woman. She just grinned.

"Do you realise where you’re standing?" she asked, shaking her head at my stupidity.

I was standing in a square in a shopping mall, for crying out loud.

Then, Mrs Authorblog pointed to a shop that was right in front of me. It was a shoe store. "She doesn’t have anything wrong with her feet. She just wants new shoes."

So we trooped into the shop, Youngest Authorbloglet selected a pair, happily put them on and walked - o miracle, o joy, with no pain or discomfort - for the rest of our nine-week holliday.

Clearly, her brain was a lot more nimble than mine. And she was not yet three.

For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.

53 comments:

Kaye Waller said...

She's learned early how to get new shoes!

Daryl said...

Is her name Imelda?

:-Daryl

Louise said...

This is so, so funny, and I can totally relate. My 4-year-old has had a shoe thing since she was 2. My husband is equally as clueless about the whole thing as you were.

LOVELY picture, by the way!

aims said...

Shoe shopping is a sacred rite for us women. You must know this by now David. And it doesn't matter what age!

Bless her little shoes!

Betsy Brock said...

And that's why God created moms...they can read their children's minds! hee-hee

Kelly Curtis said...

My daughter could relate to the shoe-lover in your family;) My WW is Wisconsin Loons.

Jenn in Holland said...

She is a girl after my own heart!
Loved the subtitle on this post. And the photo, of course!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love it! Children learn at a very early age how to manipulate us!

Saz said...

Ahhhh the wisdom of women folk!!!
(And shoes, bags, scarves and other bounty!)
a very apt post, should be F for females...

Rune Eide said...

That's children for you, but I have four - three girls...

Texas Travelers said...

Great "F" post. Loved the story and photo.

Come visit our F,
Troy and Martha

PS: Did you get our e-mail concerning the roast?

Unknown said...

I can never read Emily's mind either - don't feel too bad about it!!

Good choice for F.

Gary
Bodge's Bulletin

lime said...

oh that's a priceless story. the love of shoes and the flare for drama at such a tender age!

Liz Hinds said...

Oh my feet hurt too. Wil you buy some new shoes, please?

No, really, they do, and those slippers in the photo look very comfortable.

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Fantastic FOOTWEAR!
David, I like this red colour its so very artistic, also a wellmade shot. Happy ABC ,

I am showing different all "face's" for ABC-wednesday, and I hope you like them, visit: www.joannwalraven.blogspot.com

Greetings from JoAnn's-D-Eyes

ArneA said...

What about these These high heels

Cath said...

I had to read this out to hubby. It made us both laugh. The charms of a (not yet) 3 year old and her ability to manipulate a situation (and her father) so expertly is testament to her genes. ;0)

Meg Wolff said...

Nine week holiday? Wonderful, how cilivilized!

I too have an Imelda that just left for college. :-)

Anonymous said...

hee, hee, hee! That is young to learn such manipulation. Did you buy some new shoes, too? :0)

Ivar Østtun said...

How cute :-) Girls-Shoes.. Say no more :-)

Mojo said...

It's cute when they're three. the shoes don't cost so much then. When they're 12 (and a boy at that) and the shoes cost $85 a pair, it stops being cute veryda*nfast

But hey, you got a great photo out of the deal na?

- Mojo

Nydia said...

Not yet three, but already a smart little "actress"! :o) We, girls...

Not a girl's privilege, though. My little son loves trying to choose those full-of-details sneakers I hardly say he can really walk with!

Fun post!

TopChamp said...

Ha ha! Clever girl.

Georgina said...

David, lovely post and you sound like a wonderful Dad too! Debs x

Leslie: said...

Ah, little girls. How well I understand coming from a family of three girls and having two of my own. We ALL love shoes so it must be innate. Great story.

Bear Naked said...

David
May I introduce you to the website
http://www.manoloblahnik.com/

I think you are going to need it.

Fabulous F post.

Bear((( )))

Unknown said...

Lovely shot and choice for the letter. Great and funny F post, David.

Rhea said...

What a little stinker! She knows how to get what she wants! I'm impressed. I don't think I've learned that skill, and I'm 31!!

Woman in a Window said...

Ha! I love it how you were initially riddled with concern.

Mega said...

I see she got the sneaky side from her dad!

sybil law said...

That is such a cute story!

SandyCarlson said...

Great story, David! What a little gal.

Lovely picture, too.

dot said...

Another cute story and a smart little girl!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

What fancy footwear!

D Herrod said...

Very funny.

Berni said...

That's a wonderful story. I really enjoyed the personal touch.

Anonymous said...

Silly Daddy. Of course she wanted new shoes! I want new shoes every time I pass a shoe store. I have learned restraint. Mostly.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

My Granddaughter will shop for shoes for hours. Did I say hours I meant for days and days. (she is only 8)...m.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Sneaky and tricky they can be even at such a young age! :)

mrsnesbitt said...

Yep, a proper Daddy's girl.

Great post David. Thanks.

Tom said...

Oh! You poor man... my heart goes out for you... all those shoe loving females you are surround by... ha!...

Akelamalu said...

Was a resourceful child! I wish I'd thought of that when I was young. Shoes - my favourite subject!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: I really loved this story. Isn't so typical that mom can read the situation while Dad is clueless to the shopping urge that is so great.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

SWEET story, David! =) I just love childrens' innocence (or should I say, "subtleties")!

Tess Kincaid said...

That's an adorable story. Sounds very much like our daughter at that age!

Anonymous said...

nice post

Jane Hards Photography said...

Womanlly wiles of us ladies kick in quite early in the footwear department. A post with a lot heart and of course a lot of sole.

I have answered the school question and it will show on my thursday post 12.01am GMT. That is if the blogger gods read it's a scheduled post.

Powell River Books said...

Beautiful footwear and a good story "to boot." My contribution is about a special farm that used to located near my town in Coastal BC. I invite you to come see. -- Margy

becky aka theRAV said...

Loved this story, David. It is so cute. You have done it yet again. I could just picture it in my mind.

dixymiss said...

Cute, cute story ~ smart cookie you've got there!

Unknown said...

This is such a funny story. My 2 year old granddaughter loves Grandma's shoes and the higher the heels the better. She especially loves to wear my higher heels on the hardwood floors and listen to the sound they make.

Hilary said...

That child will go places.. and in nice shoes, to boot. ;)

holly said...

lol! this reminds me of a younger queen of hearts. how much money have i spent because she "just wanted to see how they looked on her feet?"

*i* couldn't say no. usually i'd been seeing how at least four different pairs of shoes looked on *my* feet that very day.