Which shoe do you put on first? Of course, the answer is, “the right one because the other one is left.”

Get it? Oh well, no matter. Did you know it wasn’t until around 1800 that they started making right and left shoes? True, before then they made the shoes the same. The wearer would wet the shoes and wear them until dry. After many aching feet, the shoes would shape themselves for the correct foot.

The story goes (I knew you wanted to know) Letitia Tyler, wife of John who was our 10th prez, had a cobbler by the name of William Young make her shoes to fit each foot differently.

Yeah, Letitia! Yes, I said a cobbler. No, not an apple or peach, this is different even though they are spelled the same. A cobbler makes and repairs shoes. Hmm, I wonder why that is?

Back in my day shoes were leather with leather soles. Later the composition soles were used a lot for kid’s shoes. We had “tennis” shoes for the gym floor.

I don’t know why we called them tennis shoes because we never played tennis. I only saw my first tennis match when I was a senior in high school when an exhibition of well-known players came to town. They played in our gym to a sellout crowd, who probably, like me, had never seen a tennis match.

Anyway, the tennis shoe was only worn on the gym floor. No one wore them elsewhere. The only time the gym floor was used for anything other than basketball was for sock-hops. No shoes, just socks.

Now the dance floor was a place where the right shoes mattered. Back in the 50’s during my ballroom days, doing a slow dance, waltz, and even a fast swing required slick soles. Later in the 60’s we even polished the soles in order to do the Twist. Boots were needed for line dancing; but bare feet were all you needed to do the hula. During this past year there was little chance to go dancing, but Mary and I do OK in the living room in sock feet.

If you lived in Florida, sandals would be all you needed. Wherever, no matter what, sandals are worn. Now if you saw a senior citizen wearing black socks with his sandals you would know he was an up north “Snowbird.”

Now let’s talk about high heels. Who were the first to wear high heels? It was men of course. History tells us that horsemen centuries ago added heels to their boots so they would stay in the stirrups better. Western boots still have raised heels. But let’s forget about men and let’s study women in high heels.

Much better subject. Wearing high heels not only make the young lady taller but styles the entire leg from the knee down.

Now I studied this in college figure drawing class. You thought I was just staring didn’t you. Anyway, it changes the angle of the foot from a bland “L” shape to a much nicer flowing angled foot. (ballerinas employ this in their dance movements).

It also tightens the calf muscles of the leg to exaggerate the shape. We studied in advertising class how styles such as high heel shoe and black stockings, etc. attracts certain audiences.

To all of this, one of our Nun classmates commented, “I’ve worn black stockings every day, and no one whistles at me.”

I love their humor.

Yes, shoes have changed over the years. Depending on the climate or use, a shoe has been created. If you are a farmer, nurse, realtor, or whatever, your collection of shoes will probably differ. So, let’s all kick up our heels and get on with life. If the shoe fits, wear it.

Don Hill is a resident of Seymour and has served as a volunteer at Southern Indiana Center for the Arts for more than a quarter of a century. Send comments to [email protected].