Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

To flip or flop. That is the question. No, Dear Readers, I am not talking about house flipping. I am talking about those flimsy sandals that we like to wear in the summer. Sadly, these evil little shoes are causing quite a commotion, in my life, and in many others. Warning: they are very dangerous!

I was shopping with my granddaughter at a clothing store looking for summer frocks and things. I noticed she was wearing tennis shoes and asked her if she wanted to get a pair of thongs. Instead of answering me, she just looked at me with a rather odd expression. Then I went on to say, “I love wearing thongs in the summer. I wear them around the house and out in the yard, even to the store. I live in them!” My granddaughter looked rather pale and just kept walking. Nor sure what to think, I pointed out that thongs can be a hazard, because last year over 25,000 people ended up in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries from wearing them. End of conversation (and shopping).

An hour later my granddaughter called me up laughing and said, “It just occurred to me that when you were talking about thongs you were talking about flip-flops or sandals.” Then she added, “I thought you were talking about ladies’ underwear.” Okay, so my language is aging me, and thongs are undies and flips flops are what we put on our feet. But do I look like the kind of woman who would wear only underwear to go walking around while shopping? And 25,000 people do NOT end up in the emergency rooms every year because of underpants! (And if they do, this writer is not talking about it).

Yes, words change. I am getting old. I used to sit on a davenport (sofa) and in the kitchen set dishes on the sideboard (countertops). One day I asked a grandson to please fetch my pocketbook and he just stared at me for a minute. “My purse please!” Oh yes, times have changed and so have the words we use.

Getting back to those flip flops, wear with caution! People trip, fall, stub their toes, drop things on their feet, get the thong (that little piece of leather or rubber that goes between your toes) ripped off or caught on something, sprain ankles and even break legs. Yikes! The American Medical Association has called flip flops the “most dangerous” form of footwear one can ever place on their feet. Who knew? Maybe they should come with a “Warning” label that reads, “Walking in these can be hazardous to your health.”

Summer is here. So, for safety’s sake, throw out all those cheap, rubber flip flops (which could melt on the sidewalk in this heat) and upgrade to a sturdier style of footwear. Like words, styles may change. And our vocabulary may age us. Yet some things remain the same. . . . . we want our toes to breathe without pain or injury! Flip or flop at your own risk, but please do not wear thongs out in public!

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.