To any Southerners that may be reading: No, I don't intend to write 3 paragraphs on blackberry or peach filled pastries.
I usually don't fix things. If I didn't pay at least 3 figures for it, I can probably afford a new one. This includes shoes (which I have never and probably will never pay 3 figures for). When the soles wear down, I buy a new pair. When the zipper or buckle breaks on one, I buy a new pair. When the toes get scuffed ...er, well, I usually still wear the shoes, hoping no one notices. I don't always throw out my old pair, sometimes out of sentimentality, usually out of laziness, occasionally because although the old shoes may be uncomfortable, I still think they're cute and will wear them once in a while.
Most of my shoes are neutral-colored slip-ons, to get me out of the house faster. It's never failed me. Except...<insert flashback chimes here>
Recently, my daughter and I were making a quick trip to the library. I threw on a pair of black flats on my way out the door. I drove the few miles to the library, walked across the parking lot and into the library, then walked around browsing the shelves for a few minutes before I realized that something was off. My feet felt uneven; one foot was higher than the other. I looked down and realized I was wearing two different shoes, and I don't mean that one was a left shoe and one was a right shoe. One was a black flat, and the other ...was also a black flat, but with a bow on it. Luckily, most likely because they were the same color, no one seemed to notice. I doubt any stranger in the library would have said anything about it to me, but I didn't catch anyone looking at my feet, then quickly turning away to hide a smile. Even my fashionista daughter didn't notice, and if anyone was going to ridicule me about wearing a pair of shoes that didn't match, it'd be her.
I had replaced the black flats with the bow on them because the soles were too thin and were becoming uncomfortable to wear for long periods. I kept them around because they're so cute, and dress up my casual outfits just a touch, and I don't mind wearing them at work or the movies or somewhere where I am seated for most of the time. I don't even know if a professional cobbler - are they even still called that? can fix the bow shoes. I do know that I am reluctant to even get pants hemmed, so I'm not likely to find out. I'm more likely to wear two different shoes again.
