This is how I know I’m cheap about the weirdest things. I have two pairs of boots. My winter ones cuddle my feet like an Ewok hug. My rain ones are bright, sassy rubber ones. They channel my second grade self that wants to stomp through puddles. The winter ones keep me warm but not dry. The rain ones keep me dry but not warm. I’ve been alternating them the past few days. The salted streets make excessive slush. My double-socked feet are either wet and cold OR dry and frozen.
With the never-ending excitement of this Hercules snow storm, I decided to get real winter boots. Last night, Chicago got about 4 inches of snow. Today, another 3-5 inches is expected. And tomorrow… wait for it… the *high* is -11. There has never been a better time to ‘splurge’ on a third pair of boots. I actually know someone that has gotten frostbite on his toes just from standing on the train platform in ye old Chicago. I don’t know why I was so hesitant on this necessity purchase.
Yesterday, en route to the store for boots, I sat across from a crazy guy. It was an old man sitting on his bench. He opened packet after packet of sugar and ate them. It was a ceremonial process with ritualistic shaking and tapping of each packet. He wore no socks and well-worn shoes. A three inch branch was tied to each shoe with a red ribbon. On the right shoe, a bottle of Downey dangled from the ribbon. On the other one, the inside spray do-hickey from a cleaning bottle laid on the floor but was fastened to the red ribbon.
As I sat literally shivering in my boots, I felt every bit the Ice Princess. I was in between having brunch with a friend and meeting a friend at a reading. And I was using my spare time to shop for replacement boots. I wasn’t this gentleman dressed inadequately for the weather and with additional accoutrements that would make walking challenging. I was full from a hearty meal. I wasn’t using sugar packs to satisfy my hunger.
I’m blessed to have the mental faculties and financial resources to survive this storm… most storms. And now I even have a new pair of boots.