The High Heeled Ruminations Of Melrose Plant

[mlroseplant]

15 hours ago, HappyinHeels said:

Hi All, 

Interesting topics indeed. As to your son’s car the mechanical issues don’t surprise me but it is quite the chance for him to show his ability to work through it. As for inspection Wisconsin nor Arizona have vehicle inspections. There is an emissions check every 2 years in the counties bordering Lake Michigan but not elsewhere. There is an emissions check in the Phoenix area but not out here in Yuma. 
As to shoes which formerly fit but which now feel different let me offer a possibility. I have noticed over the last five years or so some of my heels fit a bit differently and I believe it is because of water retention in my feet and ankles. Not terrible but subtle differences that the vamp and certain types of straps seem to fit more snugly than before. I have used a shoe stretcher on those I really liked but have worn knee high hose or even trouser socks recently. It is worth considering this may be the cause for some of you.

HinH

I've had this happen before, but it seems to be more extreme this year. Either that, or I'm walking longer distances that I used to. I have instituted a new policy when it comes to wearing shoes which have been unworn for a while. Of course, I have a checkoff list for this, which bears the heading "Vetting." I do a test walk of a mile or less, just to see where the hot spots are, if any. Sometimes, this problem goes away by itself, and sometimes there are shoes which always require some sort of barrier, such as a Bandaid, to wear for any length of time. I've got a list for that, too. Fat lot of good it's done me in the past couple of weeks!

1 minute ago, Shyheels said:

Narrowboats have to gave a safety inspection every four years.

my troubles stem from the top of a toe rubbing on the boot - no idea why that should suddenly happen, and only one toe in my left foot!

I have the same problem with sensitivity on my right big toe, at the base of my toenail. This has been an issue for decades. I can certainly remember having this problem in my 20s, and that of course was with flats. But only certain shoes do it, and some worse than others. Our bodies are at once amazing and frustrating!

In other news, I went to a college senior voice recital a couple of nights ago. A young man who sings bass in our church choir will be graduating soon, and we will miss him, both for his personality and his musical talents. He had a pretty good crowd of perhaps approaching 100 people, including about a dozen of us from the church choir. I was the only one in the whole hall wearing heels, and I had walked from my house to the venue. Alas, I had an unfortunate event with my shoes. After everything was over, I started to walk home. I didn't get 20 steps out the door, and the sole of my shoe came unglued to the extent that it was impossible to walk safely. I had to walk home barefoot. Luckily, it was only 4/10ths of a mile, and the shoe is easily repairable. Also, by that time it was dark. I don't think anybody saw me clearly.

[CrushedVamp]

On 3/27/2025 at 5:18 AM, mlroseplant said:

I don't have any more car stories today. Actually, I do, but I think we're all getting tired of car stories.

I will not say anything more about the old muscle car as a work in project as I understand how these things can be. This may not be the case with you regarding that car, but I know a few times I have spoken about projects to people online and then it takes on a world of its own. They are not doing so for nefarious reasons, but rather the opposite; to be congenial and in trying to converse with you on something they know you like.

But then the project is not done for the right reasons. Its hurried because I want to show that its something I am working on, or money that should not be diverted to the project is because of external pressure. Ultimately it just ends up not being fun because the best part of some projects is just working on them… being in the moment instead of being so focused on the end result.

It took me a long time to figure that out. I do a ton of woodworking projects, but slowly learned I was more pleased slowing down, doing things by hand like making hand cut dovetails instead of cutting them via machine, not only made the woodworking more enjoyable, but they came out better because I was not rushed to get the project done, start the next one; then rinse and repeat.

No need to feel pressured about telling us car stories as I hope its a project motivated by a father just to be with his son.

In fact, that is the novels theme I am writing about now. It is about an orphan who is a Cabin Boy in 1792 America. As the Captain of the Revenue-Marine, the boy and the captain's love interest (Abigail) take on a ruthless pirate, the orphan (11 years old) feels like he was never loved until the end of the novel when he realizes people love him so much, they will die for him. It is a true father/so story with its own nautical project; the son just happens to be an orphan.

It sounds corny in a brief write-up but is a VERY powerful story about a father's love, just not the boys birth father, but father nonetheless.