As I slipped into my well-worn slippers this morning to clean the yard from the "presents" my dogs leave me first thing in the morning, I looked down at my slippers-my big toe had poked up a hole through my right slipper and they slanted in funny directions as I walked. I thought about how these old, misshapen slippers were really one of my best-loved garments, offering comfort when I wake up and again, at the end of the day. I can't even bear to think that these slippers may soon have to be replaced. It takes years to wear in a good pair of house slippers!
Slippers are worn by every culture in every part of the world. What we know today as slippers take their origin from sandals and sandals in turn go back at least to ancient Egypt. In European history, the mention of slippers occurs in England in the 15th century and refers to soft shoes that the foot can easily be "slipped" into, as opposed to boots and other footwear that needs to be laced, tied, etc.
So, even my grandparents had "shtekshikh" and I thought about my grandfather's old leather slippers and my mother's more fashionable ones-her Daniel Green "comfies" with room for the toes to stick out and my dad's stiffer leather slippers, that he actually wore far less than the boots he used as he tromped through the cattle pens on our farm. I've noticed that most men are far more reluctant to wear their houseslippers than women. Can somebody tell me why?
My son and his wife don't like people to wear their street shoes when they visit their home. So, they have placed Walmart bargain slippers at the front door for guests. I am reluctant to "slip" these on-they are stiff, don't conform to my foot and I'm afraid I"ll break my neck in them. So, at their house, I just
"sock" it.
What brings you comfort when you come home at the end of the day? I believe, if you are a homebody ( and probably a woman) you slip on your "shtekshikh" don't you?
No comments:
Post a Comment