You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
— Dr. Seuss
by Susan Marg
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
— Dr. Seuss
We used to be a lot smaller. Over the past fifty years, the average height of American men has grown from 5’8” to 5’9.5”; women are an inch taller, now standing proud at 5’4”.
Our body mass index has increased, as well, meaning we weigh more for our height, a huge twenty-five pounds more.
We are also smarter, although not that much smarter or we wouldn’t be eating ourselves into an early grave.
Feet have gotten bigger, too, irregardless of our falling arches and splayed toes.
Consider this: One hundred years ago, the average woman’s shoe size ranged from 3.5 to 4. By the 1940s, it was 5.5. By the 1970s it had jumped to 7.5, and the following decade to 8 or 8.5. Today it’s a 9, which means as many women need a 10, 11, or 12 as a 6, 7, or 8.
The average male shoe size is 10 to 10.5. Yep, they’re larger, too. For those who need sizes 14 to 20 there are plenty of places to shop on the Internet.
There are no recorded differences in shoe width. Women generally are a “B”; men a “D.”
Our attitudes have changed, however, toward the shape of our feet. Long, narrow ones were once considered aristocratic; short, stubby pairs were deemed lower class. Women, in particular, who weren’t blessed in this area had to settle for ill-fitting, cheaper shoes. Nothing else was available. Not so today. Everyone can choose from a wide variety of styles, from the casual and comfy to the fashionable, if not practical.
And there are always flip flops for all shapes and sizes. Sure they’re bad for us. We turn our ankles inward when we walk and take smaller steps, creating unnecessary stress just to keep them from falling off. But, oh, do they show off a French pedicure!
No matter how we treat our feet, we’re changing from head to toe.
© 2011 Susan Marg – All Rights Reserved
This memoir is the story of Marie Rudisill’s amazing life as told to Susan Marg. Well into her nineties she became a pop culture phenomenon as “The Fruitcake Lady” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, going mouth to mouth with anyone who asked her a question or sought help with a problem. Get ready. You never know what she’ll say next. For more info, pleased visit “Books.” Now available on Amazon.
I'm a writer, a reader, a television watcher, a movie-goer, a theater attendee, and a museum visitor. I believe our stories make us who we are. What's yours? Drop me a line: SusanMargBlog@gmail.com
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