One, Two, Buckle Your Shoe . . .

Three, Four, Piled By The Door!

When I first arrived in Hawaii at age 19, I had a friend from The University of Oregon (Go Ducks!!!—sorry, couldn’t resist) who took me around and introduced me to several interesting places around Oahu, and to many family members and friends.

I was surprised when I walked into a house one day and saw a pile of shoes at the entry.

What are all these shoes doing here? Are they going to have a sale or something? Maybe they’re for Goodwill.

Then I noticed no one was wearing shoes (except yours truly—the total mainlander!) Finally my friend said, “Cheryl, take off your shoes!” I was totally embarrassed. But, honestly, I didn’t know what was proper for me to do. I’d never gone barefoot indoors in Oregon. Your poor feet would freeze to death in Oregon weather!

I came back to Oregon in the summer, so I naturally took off my shoes, and left them at the entry. A few minutes later, my mom marched into my room, shoes in tow, and tossed them on my floor. Hmm . . . don’t think she appreciated the whole “piles of shoes by the entry” thing!

Now when I go to my niece’s house—guess what?? I see the familiar pile of shoes when I enter the house. Now, it's easy to slip flip-flops on and off during the summer, but boots and shoes in the winter??? And then my poor feet turn into little popscicles!

Sigh . . . guess I'd better wear extra thick socks!

Aloha!

Cheryl