Going Outdoors

Working in the yard is enjoyable without shoes, unless you (like us) have a tree that produces acorns or sweet gum balls, which really hurt when you walk on them shoeless.

I remember a neighbor who worked in the flowerbed barefooted, and also wore gardening gloves. Protected hands and free feet.

Walking through autumn leaves without shoes is also a joy. During Indian summer days, you feel the leaves between your toes. To me, the feeling is as nice as beach sand. Raking leaves barefoot makes a tedious job a little more fun and brightens the cooler days, when I stayed warm in a hoodie.

Garage sales can be enjoyable to visit in your bare feet, although with the accompanying cheerfulness in your heart, you might spend too much money. I liked to stroll down to Saturday morning sales that seemed to happen regularly in summer among our downsizing neighbors.

Picnics are also fun occasions to be shoeless. One year, I was the only such guest at a July 4th cul-de-sac potluck—and how peaceful to be completely barefoot at a gathering as you fill your plate and get your drink and then sit around with folks talking. I regretted my choice, however, when one goofball neighbor decided to set off bottle rockets…

Some happy summer memories include times when I enjoyed my hobby of photography and set out to photograph a quaint downtown or pretty landscape or artsy scene in the countryside. I had my camera and lens ready for the day, but having no shoes felt so good.