Saturday, February 16, 2013

We're calling it quits


 

Now that Valentine's Day is over I can tell you the truth. My hubby and I are calling it quits.

Sometimes it's nobody's fault. It just doesn't fit. You try and try to make it work even when you know it won't. Yet, you hang on, like a pair of shoes that constrict your bunion, rub a blister on your heel, pinch your toes. You live in denial, ignore the pain as long as possible, talk yourself out of it or into it, and keep them around for show or perhaps a brief traipse. Then, every time you endure the aggravation you wonder, What was I thinking?

There comes a time when you realize it's time to toss out that which does not work, hampers and harms, causes pain and agony. When you can pretend no longer, you must face reality and do something about it.

The opposite of having a poor fit, is finding a fit that becomes so comfortable you simply wear out a good thing. Being taken for granted can feel like abuse. Like that perfect pair of shoes you become attached to, you hang on too long, wear out the soles, snap the threads until they no longer support you.

By the way, I've been noticing a lot of shoes laying on the sides of the highway in all sizes, shapes and kinds. They are never in pairs. In one day I've seen a sling slung out a window, a kid's tennis shoe on the run, a Nike just doing it, a man's gargantuan brogand sitting upright filling with rain, a flip no longer flopping and a cute, embellished  Mary Jane in my size that I'd have stopped for if it had had a mate.

Now, if this footwear frenzy were on the same highway, I'd surmise that someone in transit lost the lid to their large Rubbermaid shoe container from the back of a pickup truck. But no, these shoes are all over the place. A baby shoe, well you can figure the kid pitched it out while having a high-pitched fit. A woman's spike heel...perhaps a night on the town, or a get-away that should be forgotten. I wish I had the back story for all of this footwear. I don't have an explanation. I just know that someone, somewhere is going to realize they have one shoe and will have to call it quits.

 Back to Bill and me, we've been so comfortable together, like a pair of old shoes splitting our seams. We've come to a mutual decision. Someone has to decide to say ENOUGH! So...

the chocolate covered pretzel chips have to go. I've got to stop unwrapping Dove chocolate squares, you know, to read the inspirational messages. The box of Russell Stover's from my students...once
we remove all of the nuts and chews... oh, and the buffets, even coupons for free ones... well, hubby and I have decided if we want to stay together we'll have to call it quits.

Note to writers: simile, analogy and metaphor are fun to play with. Do you use these techniques in your writing?

Seriously, what do you think is up with all of the shoes laying around town? Have you noticed them, too?

 

 

16 comments:

noexcuses said...

Well done, Linda! You had me there for a minute with the calling it quits! I know that shoes on telephone wires have a certain meaning, but just one shoe laying around? Dunno!

Unknown said...

You always inspire me with your wit & talent. I too have wondered about the single shoe, and even an occasional piece of clothing. So many stories to unfold! Great work!

Kim Lehnhoff said...

I notice the random shoes, too. Other than having them fallen off the back of a newlyweds' car, I have no idea how they end up on the side of the road...though I have seen photos at car accident scenes where they'll show a victim's lonely shoe.

Dianne said...

our trash collectors are not very good and when the can gets lifted up and over the truck things come flying out

and then those shoes run for it

that's my story and I'm sticking to it

Donna Volkenannt said...

The shoes hanging from telephone wires are the ones that puzzle me. Now that takes some effort!

Cathy C. Hall said...

The shoes, no idea. Metaphors and such, I try. But I don't think I use them as effectively as you do!

Sioux Roslawski said...

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...

I didn't fall for this second ruse--even the title, after falling momentarily for the "baby doctor" thing. Nice try, though.

I think that some writer could take one of those discarded shoes and write a marvelous story about how it happened. How 'bout it?

Susan said...

I knew you and Bill wouldn't call it quits on your relationship cuz I know you love each other a lot.

Admittedly, I was wondering what you were going to talk about so you had me from the first sentence.

Good job!

Don't know about the shoes. It's a rather "soleful" problem for our society, I would think. Tougher than "leather" to solve.

Hopefully, citizens will put their "best feet forward" to solve the problem of shoe-covered landscapes.

hee hee Susan (Sorry, made a boo boo in that last comment so deleted it to correct.)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

You sure know how to hook a reader!

I haven't noticed an over abundance of discarded shoes. Perhaps it's because I live in a town that's frugal and donates all used items to charity.

Debra Mayhew said...

I'm with Sioux...after the baby doctor post, I knew something was up. :) And you and Bill are too perfect a match to boot. Good luck with getting rid of the chocolate. Your reason is a worthwhile one!

Val said...

Simile, analogy and metaphor are my bread and butter! I keep them in my toolbox, like Sears Craftsman implements stored in a mechanic's shiny red rolling metal chest of drawers. I could no more write without them than the mechanic could rebuild an engine with an olive fork.

Connie said...

My hubby and I have called it quits too. In fact we even joined Weight Watchers together to help us out! :-)

Cute post! And yes, I've noticed the lost shoes and wondered about the stories behind them too.

Bookie said...

Boy, do I know about calling it quits like this! Glad you and Bill are on the same team in this battle of surrender...that will help!

Merlesworld said...

Glad to hear you are not going you separate ways but about all these shoes they come from people like my sister, she hates shoes she would go barefoot all the time if she could. When she goes somewhere where you have to wear shoes you know out to dinner the movies well anywhere she takes them off and kicks them under her chair, in the movies she has lost a few odd shoes but its too hard to walk in one so the other goes too. I expected her to adjust as she got older but no nothing has changed.
Merle.......

Southhamsdarling said...

Nope, you didn't fool me with this one, Linda - not for one cotton-picking minute!! Especially after the baby doctor one. You are just toying with us!! Good post though.

Susan said...

p.s. on Sunday night...Hi Linda...Hope your weekend was super.

Thanks for your sweet and faithful visits and comments! Susan