Nicole's blog post this morning got me to thinking about Buffy's red shoes, which got me thinking about red shoes in general. It seems that from time to time, red shoes have come into my life to leave memories. And these days, anything has to be pretty special to leave a lasting memory. So I've decided that red shoes must be a special part of my life.
Sweet Mary Janes
My first memory of red shoes is from long long ago. I don't know how old I was, but I know I was very young. Mama and Daddy were going to town shopping, so it must have been a Saturday. My Paw Paw was at our house to stay with me and my little sister. I needed shoes, and Mama promised she would bring me a new pair if I would stay with Paw Paw and not put up a fuss. I agreed, but only if she'd bring me red shoes. AND SHE DID! I remember exactly how those shoes looked and how they felt and smelled. They were patent leather Mary Jane's. I loved those shoes so much. A new toy wouldn't have made me any happier.
My Bad
My next memory of red shoes involved something that I did that I shouldn't have. It was about 1973 or 74. My first husband and I had separated temporarily, a foreshadowing of the divorce that would come less than 10 years later. I was staying with my parents and working at a data processing center while Mama kept the kids. My younger sister lived with my parents at the time. She had a beautiful pair of red leather pumps with wood-grain stacked heels. One day I wore them to work without asking her. They were so comfortable and I loved wearing them. But I paid when I got home. I don't remember what my sister said to me, but it wasn't pretty. She was not happy that I had worn her shoes without asking. I never did again.
Buffy's Bleedin' Shoe
My final red shoe memory involves my niece Buffy, the daughter of my sister whose shoes I wore without permission. It was the afternoon of Buffy's prom night, and my sister was at work. Buffy was home preparing for her big night. She was wearing a short red sequined gown and red shoes dyed to match.
My phone rang and it was Buffy in a fit of panic. She had accidentally dropped one of her red shoes in the toilet and the dye was running. Buff's tears were running just as profusely. She had a mess on her hands and her mom couldn't leave work to help. She didn't know what to do.
Aunt Suzie to the rescue. We dried the shoe with the hair dryer, I believe. And we painted it all back red, but I can't remember what we used to paint it. I know we didn't have the dye, because she had had the shoes professionally dyed. Maybe we had acrylic paint; I just don't remember. Somewhere I have a copy of Buffy's prom photo from that night, but I can't find it. She was adorable, and you can't tell at all that one of her shoes had taken a dip in the toilet.
In Other News
A while back, I asked for prayers for a couple of friends: Bill, who was having open heart surgery and Mike, who has been battling an undiagnosed medical problem for almost a year. I am happy to say that Bill came through his surgery with flying colors and is doing fine. Mike's story is not as happy, but at least there's news. After going to doctors all over the country, including the Mayo in Minneapolis, he decided to endure a spinal biopsy here at UAB in Birmingham. This is a very dangerous procedure that has a 50% chance of leaving the patient paralyzed. Mike came through his surgery fine, no paralysis. But the biopsy confirmed that he has glioma (cancer) on his spine. No decision yet as to what direction his treatment will go. Thank you all for your prayers for my friends.
I got the results of my cholesterol test this morning. I'm back in the normal range, thank God. Dr. M. laughed at me when I told him how much oatmeal I've been eating. I don't think he gives much credit to the stuff as a cholesterol lowerer. But he said if I like oatmeal (and I do), it wouldn't hurt me to keep eating it. Pooh on him. I believe the oatmeal helped lower my cholesterol, along with the Zocor. I don't care what he says. But doctor's orders are to stay on the Zocor. But it's the lowest dose.
Well, I really ran on today, didn't I. I'll sign off now and see if I can get some sewing done while Linda and her niece are cleaning house.
NOTE: The photo mosaic above was created from my Flickr favorites. Below are photo credits.
1. The Red Shoes, 2. Red's Shoes, too, 3. Red Shoes! / 红色鞋子!, 4. Red shoes......, 5. The Red Shoes I'm Not Suppose to Have, 6. For The LOVE Of Red Shoes..., 7. red shoes, 8. red shoes 12, 9. Red Shoes_Pier, 10. My Obsession with Red Shoes, 11. New red shoes, 12. red shoes 29This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 11/12/2009, Sandy said ...
Hi, I always enjoy your blog, even and especially when you "ramble on" as you call it..I feel as though I've known you for years...I started a blog and didn't keep it up 'cause I didn't think it was interesting enough. But I do like to quilt and sew. I've told my children as I get older if I'm just sitting and fiddlying or twirlingmy fingers, they can tell people that I haven't lost my mind - I'm sewing !!!
On 11/12/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
I've had a few pairs of red shoes as a child and as an adult. They are more memorable, aren't they?! Love your save-the-drowned show story!! Way to go Aunt Suzie!!
I'm glad to hear that your cholesterol level is okay again and that Bill came thru his surgery well. I'll keep Mike and his family in my prayers as that's a scary diagnosis.
Am cutting binding for the two Laurel Burch Christmas panels (from 2005) that I've bordered in the last weeks.
We've still got rain and wind with more to come. Not fun.
Hugs!
On 11/12/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Oops! In my previous post, it should read "save-the-drowned SHOE story. I should learn to proof read before posting!
On 11/12/2009, Carrie said ...
I wore red shoes on Tuesday! I LOVE my red shoes. :)
On 11/12/2009, Deb said ...
Red shoes, yummy, that is something I have always wanted , a pair of red shoes. I don't know what has stopped me so far, but I feel the urge getting stronger.
I have an absolutely wonderful pair of lime green spanish leather shoes which are the most wonderfully comfortable shoes in the world. If only there were red ones made by the same company..... I must be on the lookout.
On 11/12/2009, Debra Spincic said ...
What a funny post! I have always wondered if those dyed shoes would run if they got wet.
So you haven't turned into a horse yet from eating all those oats, I take it!
On 11/13/2009, Kai said ...
Commenting from the bottom up on this one! So glad your cholesterol has improved! GOOD NEWS! And, of COURSE the oatmeal works! C'mon Doc! I SWEAR by oatmeal! LOL! (As tho' I am smarter than your doctor. Heehee!) Marvelous to learn that Bill came through the surgery successfully! And Mike will be fine if you and all of us in Blogland have any say-so in the matter! Mike, you have cheerleaders out here. Now, I wouldn't try to PICTURE that if I were you - at least don't picture ME cheerleading 'cause talk about making you SICKER! EEEEEWWWWW! Seriously, I'm keeping Mike strongly in my prayers! I know we ALL are! And Bill remains there as well! As for the red shoes - well, being as RED is my all-time fave color, I've owned MANY red shoes in my 59 years! I wore red shoes TODAY as a matter of fact! I enjoyed the accounts of YOUR red shoe experiences! 'Specially the red Mary Janes!
On 11/14/2009, Nicole said ...
Ah, Red Shoes. Yes. It is a well known fact that wearing red shoes makes a person happy. They are also lucky in my opinion. You cannot have too many pairs of red shoes. As soon as my computer is working again, I will do a post on my present wardrobe of Red Shoes.
I must start eating oatmeal. I can never remember to take my cholesterol pill in the evening. And I miss grapefruit, which interacts with cholesterol medicine.
On 11/18/2009, Buffy said ...
Ha! I love that story, about my red shoe falling in the toilet. My mom was working with Les Miserables on costumes that year, so she couldn't even begin to get away. Here's a link to a photo of me at the prom:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buffpuff/369530396/in/set-72157594510990953/
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