Cali World

[Shyheels]

I was walking along the towpath this afternoon, wearing low heeled knee boots and came upon one guy who was certainly staring. It was odd because around the boatyard and amongst the boaters everyone just expects me to be wearing boots - I always do - so it was unusual to see this guy with the puzzled expression. I said hi and he responded and we went our ways 

[Cali]

  As @mlroseplant suggests, it was a brain fart...at almost 70, I'm allowed.  It's been a strange month with all sorts of technology failing when I'm at the peak of busy.  

[pebblesf]

3 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I was walking along the towpath this afternoon, wearing low heeled knee boots and came upon one guy who was certainly staring. It was odd because around the boatyard and amongst the boaters everyone just expects me to be wearing boots - I always do - so it was unusual to see this guy with the puzzled expression. I said hi and he responded and we went our ways 

Good for you, don't turn away, but engage him.  I'm thinking he was intrigued...

[CrushedVamp]

We have always called them sneakers here, but I live in a strange locale where we are different even from the rest of the United States. We got some strange terms for things I consider are everyday words and others have no concept of what I am talking about. As a writer I have to be wary of that because not all readers will be from around here.

But oddly my wardrobe is changing, and I am not sure why. I used to NEVER wear sneakers, but after discovering Sketchers Step-in's which are sneakers you do not need to tie. You literally just slip them on. I even went out and got composite toe step in work shoes by sketchers. I have not worn boots in over two years and before that I LIVED in them. But its beyond changing boots to sneakers. For 50 years I wore crew socks. Loved crew socks. Only wore crew socks and recently discovered ankle socks and now only wear them.

Who know, if I keep sticking around you guys, you will convince me to wear high heels! 🙂

(Said all in good fun)

[mlroseplant]

9 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I was walking along the towpath this afternoon, wearing low heeled knee boots and came upon one guy who was certainly staring. It was odd because around the boatyard and amongst the boaters everyone just expects me to be wearing boots - I always do - so it was unusual to see this guy with the puzzled expression. I said hi and he responded and we went our ways 

I've never actually been to the British Isles, but from what I hear, I'm very surprised. Where I live, if two people pass on the street (and it's not a crowded place), it's almost rude not to acknowledge each other somehow, but I understand that people from other parts of the world think this is very strange, if not downright creepy.

[Shyheels]

On the towpaths it is very normal not only to say hi but often to engage in conversation- even with total strangers 

[mlroseplant]

That is downright Iowan of you!

[Shyheels]

1 hour ago, mlroseplant said:

That is downright Iowan of you!

It’s even more downhome friendly among boaters - the kind of neighbourliness that went out of fashion in most places back in the Fifties. It’s a kind of funky offbeat community that drifts around the canal network, open and friendly. Last year for example, I was moored in a secluded spot with a couple of other boats nearby. A woman who ran a cafe boat decided to take a few days off and came up through a couple of locks to this quiet spot and was moored next to me. Next morning I hear a knocking on the swan hatch, when I open up I see her standing in the towpath - she wants to know if I’d like an espresso. She’s just fired up her generator to make herself one and thought her neighbours might like one as well. The couple in the boat moored behind me used to run a pub. They piped up and asked if anybody wanted poached eggs, avocado and toast. I brought out my well stocked fruit bowl. Next thing you know we’re all having this glorious breakfast on the towpath. We all still keep in touch too. This sort of thing is not at all unusual among us water gypsies

[pebblesf]

2 hours ago, Shyheels said:

It’s even more downhome friendly among boaters - the kind of neighbourliness that went out of fashion in most places back in the Fifties. It’s a kind of funky offbeat community that drifts around the canal network, open and friendly. Last year for example, I was moored in a secluded spot with a couple of other boats nearby. A woman who ran a cafe boat decided to take a few days off and came up through a couple of locks to this quiet spot and was moored next to me. Next morning I hear a knocking on the swan hatch, when I open up I see her standing in the towpath - she wants to know if I’d like an espresso. She’s just fired up her generator to make herself one and thought her neighbours might like one as well. The couple in the boat moored behind me used to run a pub. They piped up and asked if anybody wanted poached eggs, avocado and toast. I brought out my well stocked fruit bowl. Next thing you know we’re all having this glorious breakfast on the towpath. We all still keep in touch too. This sort of thing is not at all unusual among us water gypsies

That is so cool!  

[Puffer]

On 3/1/2025 at 11:25 AM, mlroseplant said:

I've never actually been to the British Isles, but from what I hear, I'm very surprised. Where I live, if two people pass on the street (and it's not a crowded place), it's almost rude not to acknowledge each other somehow, but I understand that people from other parts of the world think this is very strange, if not downright creepy.

Attitudes do vary in the UK.  As a general rule, people in the south tend not to engage in casual geetings or conversation with strangers unless there is a good reason which turns them into temporary allies or conspirators.   For example, their bus or train is involved in an accident or is severely delayed, or they witness some remarkable event nearby.   I understand (and have experienced) a different situation in the north, where complete strangers will converse on meeting or passing - but sometimes this is an unwelcome or inappropriate breach of privacy.   There are exceptions (as Shyheels says) in that people meeting briefly on a country walk or similar will very often exchange at least a greeting and may engage in conversation, however brief or trivial.   But this is more a politeness than a wish to have any type of meaningful discussion. 

[Shyheels]

Perhaps towpaths are different - the other day I found myself chatting with a local (not a boater) who had come down to saw up some if the downed tree branches fir kindling and firewood. We had quite a good tarn about the trip he and his wife took recently to El Salvador

[mlroseplant]

To be sure, the Iowa interaction on the street is typically very brief, and rarely includes actually stopping one's pedestrian momentum, but it does exist. If the weather is particularly remarkable, it might involve slowing down and turning around slightly to get in a couple more words about how cold it is, or how nice it is. The grocery store or post office is a completely different animal in that regard. That might involve a much longer conversation.

[pebblesf]

47 minutes ago, mlroseplant said:

To be sure, the Iowa interaction on the street is typically very brief, and rarely includes actually stopping one's pedestrian momentum, but it does exist. If the weather is particularly remarkable, it might involve slowing down and turning around slightly to get in a couple more words about how cold it is, or how nice it is. The grocery store or post office is a completely different animal in that regard. That might involve a much longer conversation.

You want to see me at my worst?  Force me to go to that damn grocery store!  I hate that place with every fiber of my being!  

[Cali]

Today I wore my Nine West suede knee highs boots with pointy toes to work. One of the administrators ask me about how to buy boots. She has seen some 'but they were expensive".  Yeah good suede boots cost money.  This is the third time she has ask about shopping, I think she wants to go shoe (boot) shopping with me....LOL

Edited March 4 by Cali

[Shyheels]

Offer to go boot shopping with her! 

[Cali]

Several interesting events happen this week.

On Wednesday I stopped at the Post Office on the way into work. As I past a woman getting to her door she stopped and told "I just love those boots" (Impo boots with 3.8+" skinny heels)  "I wish I could walk as well as you in them."  That's just normal for me.  It's what happen on the way out that makes this an event. When I was about 11 meters from my car, I felt something wrong...looked down and the platform had separated from the top of the shoe.  Got to my car, took off the boot and drove home. Lucky, I was only 4 miles from home. Went home and changed into my Jessica Simpson faux suede knee highs. I have since glued the shoe together. I wonder how many miles I have logged in those shoes over the last 6 + years; 50?, 100?, 200?

Today, was a meetings day, again had the JS knee highs (rainy/windy day). After one meeting, a woman told me she always likes walking behind me because she likes the heels I wear. We discussed shoes for a few minutes, she and another woman were fans of JS shoes. Sheepishly she confessed that she owned over 50 heels, I told her "that's ALL, I have around 100."  We laughed.

Edited March 15 by Cali

[Shyheels]

Nice stories! Very positive. 

[mlroseplant]

8 hours ago, Cali said:

Several interesting events happen this week.

On Wednesday I stopped at the Post Office on the way into work. As I past a woman getting to her door she stopped and told "I just love those boots" (Impo boots with 3.8+" skinny heels)  "I wish I could walk as well as you in them."  That's just normal for me.  It's what happen on the way out that makes this an event. When I was about 11 meters from my car, I felt something wrong...looked down and the platform had separated from the top of the shoe.  Got to my car, took off the boot and drove home. Lucky, I was only 4 miles from home. Went home and changed into my Jessica Simpson faux suede knee highs. I have since glued the shoe together. I wonder how many miles I have logged in those shoes over the last 6 + years; 50?, 100?, 200?

Today, was a meetings day, again had the JS knee highs (rainy/windy day). After one meeting, a woman told me she always likes walking behind me because she likes the heels I wear. We discussed shoes for a few minutes, she and another woman were fans of JS shoes. Sheepishly she confessed that she owned over 50 heels, I told her "that's ALL, I have around 100."  We laughed.

I'm glad it didn't break at a more inopportune time. I don't think I've ever had a shoe failure right in front of someone, but I've sure had some inconvenient ones over the years.

As far as knowing how many miles you have walked in the boots, a good indicator would be how many times you've had them reheeled. I typically get about 10 miles out of stiletto heel tips, but increase the diameter to 3/4" (still a slim heel, but definitely chunkier), and that average mileage increases to 50, easily. This is strictly outside walking, of course.

[Cali]

On 3/14/2025 at 6:46 PM, Cali said:

It's what happen on the way out that makes this an event. When I was about 11 meters from my car, I felt something wrong...looked down and the platform had separated from the top of the shoe.  .......

I got this bsi glue and glued the platform back onto the shoe.  Wore the knee boots today without a problem.

[Cali]

I don't want to hijack @mlroseplant threat.  What do people notice?

Several weeks ago, I wore my 9 West suede knee high - yellowish with a camel colored cords, light brown turtleneck and a leopard sherpa.  Only thing people remember was the leopard sherpa.

Today I wore the same knee highs and the same style cords BUT in dark blue, a light purple turtleneck and a hoodie.  All anyone noticed was my heels. At least 15 compliments, include several men.

[Shyheels]

I guess it’s just the combination. It sounds like you varied it tastefully and in one case it was the heels that provided the finishing touch in the eyes of others, and in another case it was the leopard Sherpa. 

[mlroseplant]

It is very difficult on this forum to actually highjack somebody's thread, because nobody is really fussed about it, including me. To address the subject, I'm never sure exactly what is going to draw any particular person's attention. Short shorts with very high heels tends to do it, but not always. Depends on the circumstances. This winter, I have been complimented on my coat, my hat, and my tie, but never my knee high boots (worn on the outside, of course). I would think that some of my noisier shoes would draw attention, I mean, how could they not? I have a couple of pairs that are bordering on obnoxious indoors on a hard surface.

[Cali]

 I just completed my quick 1.5-day trip. And @pebblesf, the airline was SWA. I wore my Jessica Simpson black faux suede with block heels both ways. Stilettos would have been a nightmare of the airport floors. First with jeans and returned in dark red cords.   I was one of the very few in colors other than white, black, blue, grey, and beige. Also, I had the highest heels everywhere. I saw some SWA flight attendants in short (2 inch) heels, and a Spirit FA also on short heels at the hotel I stayed at.

Almost all the CLEAR and TSA agents complimented me on my knee-high boots before saying anything else. The guy at the car rental also complimented me on the ‘fierce’ boots before I got to his station. At least 20 other travelers also complimented me on the boots. Many, many double takes.

Good quick trip. Another trip in a month. Again boots

Edited March 21 by Cali

[Shyheels]

Sounds like a pleasant trip, and always nice to receive compliments 

[mlroseplant]

I have never had the experience of flying in heels, and it's entirely possible that I never will. I would seem to be cut out for the endeavor, though. The last time I saw a passenger in heels was probably around 15 years ago, but they were doozies! Like 6 inch platform heels. Asian flight attendants always have very specific uniform shoes, and the airport ones are invariably 2 1/2". Occasionally, I have seen an American F/A with 4 inchers. Not very often.

[pebblesf]

6 hours ago, Cali said:

 I just completed my quick 1.5-day trip. And @pebblesf, the airline was SWA. I wore my Jessica Simpson black faux suede with block heels both ways. Stilettos would have been a nightmare of the airport floors. First with jeans and returned in dark red cords.   I was one of the very few in colors other than white, black, blue, grey, and beige. Also, I had the highest heels everywhere. I saw some SWA flight attendants in short (2 inch) heels, and a Spirit FA also on short heels at the hotel I stayed at.

Almost all the CLEAR and TSA agents complimented me on my knee-high boots before saying anything less. The guy at the car rental also complimented me on the ‘fierce’ boots before I got to his station. At least 20 other travelers also complimented me on the boots. Many, many double takes.

Good quick trip. Another trip in a month. Again boots

So cool, love all the compliments!