Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Saddle shoes



I love fall.

I'm not really sure why. Perhaps it's the idea that order, once again, sets in.

School begins, holidays abound, the new season of t.v. shows commence.

When I was young, I remember anticipating the start of school. I knew that a new pair of shoes (black velvet saddle shoes are among one of my favorite memories) and perhaps a few new dresses or skirts were coming my way. A trip to the dime store (yes, I'm dating myself with such language) for new school supplies was always on the schedule.

(Just an aside...I think saddle shoes are the greatest...I don't understand why they haven't made a comeback...maybe I'll start the trend...if you see someone strutting her stuff in saddle shoes...you'll know it's me).

My grandmother was a talented seamstress, and would actually sew beautiful dresses for me. My 7th grade picture was taken in a dress she made for me in "psychodelic" fabric. Yeah, yeah... psychodelic was actual terminology of the day (late 60's), thanks to Timothy Leary and a few little acid trips he took.

It seems that today, we aren't really allotted the time or space to just enjoy the fall. The season has barely begun. Here in L.A., I don't think a leaf has even had the dignity of turning a different color (and yes, leaves turn, even here in lala land)... and Halloween is already being forced to compete with Christmas decorations and gift items.

And what about poor Thanksgiving? What's a turkey to do? Pushed aside for the sake of a pumpkin and a tree.

But, nonetheless, this is still and will always be, my favorite time of year.

18 comments:

Jack Steiner said...

I am a Summer guy. Fall is ok, but it gets old as does winter.

Baleboosteh said...

I love it when the leaves change colour to beautiful golden colours and reds!
:D

torontopearl said...

Randi,
I had a pair of beautiful black and white saddle shoes when I turned six. They show up in many of my chilhood photographs

The leaves are starting to turn color, and fall off the trees here.

Maybe you should come and check the scenery out for yourself. You know the WELCOME mat is out for you!

cheated are the clouds said...

If bell bottoms made a slight comeback I am sure the saddle shoes will also, they are just waiting for the wide leg jeans to make a come back, then you will see the shoes

Wendy said...

Yeah, why don't we get to enjoy fall more? It's such a wonderful time! We take walks and enjoy the scenery, but it's so hectic this time of year. And I despise seeing all the Christmas stuff already. No fair.

You've motivated me to make a serious effort to enjoy the next couple weeks! Thanks!

wanderer said...

Funny how the dime store has turned into the 99 Cent Store, no?

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

I generally don't like any cool or cold weather, but there is something about Fall that is comforting, plus those are the colors that look best on me/

I was in the store the other day looking for shoes for the kids and I did see a pair of saddle shoes. I almost had my daughter try a pair on, but decided not to. When I was kid, I think I like them because of the nostalgia that went with them, the '50's style, but I also thought they weren't hip enough for this 70's child.

the only way i know said...

totally dreamiest season for me too..
excitement in the air - and as you say - a certain order...
smokey, lovely
in NY anyway - my favorite time of year..

kasamba said...

The fall in upstate NY is unbelievably beautiful. I don't understand how the season skips over in London!

Anonymous said...

I love to take any opportunity to point out that I am younger than you ;-) but I also had saddle shoes for years (until the 80's hit and gross fashion trends became the norm). Fall is my favorite season - I just love the weather and the colors. I hated school though - still do - and now I am just glad I don't have to go! My children, thank God love school, so it is a nice combination for them.

cruisin-mom said...

Jack: fortunately for you, it's still hot!

baleboosteh: Yep, not enough of that to see around here.

T.P.: saddle shoes are the greatest...it's probably getting pretty cold in Toronto, I imagine.

HOH: I like the candles and cinnomon idea, thanks :)

CATC: Well, someone's gotta just do it!

Wendy: glad to hear you will slow down and really look at what you've got...it must be incredibly beautiful this time of year.

Wanderer: YES! (I love the 99 cent store!)

S.T.: Oooooo, go back and get those shoes for your daughter! I love the fall colors too, it just doesn't last long enough.

TOWIK: New york in fall...fantastic...the greatest scene in When Harry Met Sally...she has on that fantastic brown outfit and hat, and they are surrounded by fall leaves.

kasamba: In London, I imagine it's foggy and rainy all the time (hope that's not totally true)

E.K: uh, yeah, thanks for pointing out the age thing...oh, come on, the Rabbi's wife wore grunge and hated school?

kasamba said...

Yeah, it is!!

have popcorn will lurk said...

When my daughter was 3 I made us matching poodle skirts for Purim and bought us saddle shoes... you would not believe how hard it was to find them (this was 4 years ago)!! I still have hers... they look so small... and I can't bear to give them away...

marallyn ben moshe said...

i lovedddddddd saddle shoes...in canada we called them oxfords...and one of the things i miss the most since moving to jerusalem 37 years ago is the fall...the colours, the crunch of the leaves underfoot, the smell of winter in the air...thanks for the trip down memory lane...a sweet new year to you...shalom and stay safe

cruisin-mom said...

kasamba: sorry!

Chana: I still have a pair of my son's shoes from the time he was about 5 (now almost 20)so I understand.

MBM: welcome! Yes, I know them by Oxfords too...well, we don't really get the crunch of leaves underfoot here either...but I still love this time of year! thanks for stopping by.

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

Chana - I saw them at Payless Shoes, perhaps a few months ago.

cruisin-mom said...

Mia: don't like gray too much either.

Tim the Photographer said...

Fall is the BEST. Just wish it would last longer! I love saddle shoes too. Interesting this about saddles -- they were pretty much unisex for years -- still are somewhat -- but a guy in saddles is now either compared to Steve Erkel, or assumed to be heading out golfing or bowling! See my photo collection:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddleshoehabitat/