With an ear to the weather forecast and an approving eye trained on the brownish ground and the still-blooming purple petunias in the front yard, I decided to be proactive this year and prepare for the season of snow and parkas.
While my body shivers just thinking about minus 40 Celsius possibilities that are sure to freeze us in place during January and February, my decision to take action now rather than later seemed adult-like, a decision based on past experiences of last-minute rushes through the house looking for winter things.
The jumble of hangers and clothing in the closet indicated a somewhat over-worn leather coat that will handle at least one more year. Also squished in there was my bargain-basement $14 purchase of four years ago, a winter jacket of clean lines and enough wiggle room inside to allow an extra sweater or two to be worn.
My old gloves were found in the pockets. The closet also contains a heavy-duty parka with hood and fitted wrists.
My stash of long, fleecy underwear will have to be replenished and I know just the place to make those purchases — at the same store where I found my $14 jacket. I might also buy another pair of gloves — just in case the glove devils take over my pockets.
With all that accomplished personal winter preparations took a downward turn, focusing on my feet and those well-loved, well-worn red and black boots with the side zips — so worn that the label listing the brand name can no longer be read.
While the boots would certainly take me through another winter, the black attachments over the soles of the boots are done. In fact I can safely say “the studs need to be put out to pasture.
Last year, in the middle of some icy conditions, those spikes attached to a sling-shot-like piece of elasticized plastic lost their grip while one side of the plastic snapped in two, meaning the spikes did me little good sitting there on the side of my foot.
Some slippery-sloped research took place and I found out that some new-fangled winter boots come with a set of grippers already imbedded in the soles. A click flick of the wrist (research implied) would allow the studs to appear and disappear, all depending on the walking conditions of the day.
“Hmmm,” I thought, “those gripper-equipped boots are just what I need.”
So off I went, with determination, to my favourite shoe shop, Gemmell’s Shoes, old boots and grippers in a bag to better explain my quest.
The friendly attendant was happy to show me just the boot I envisioned as my winter safety net. They were much heavier than I imagined but I was excited to learn how to operate their special feature: an attachment on toe and heel of the sole to manoeuvre in and out to engage or disengage the spikes. She showed me a piece of equipment to make the job easier but confided that most people simply use the end of a key.
I tried, but could not manipulate the switch, even with her help. I agreed to try on a pair of boots in my size, thinking it might be easier to learn by sitting down. The boots fit nicely and I passed the test of zipping the zips and tying the laces. I failed Gripper 101. I broke a finger nail, I broke a second nail and I still could not get those studs to move.
I crossed one leg over the other to improve my chances of coming face-to-face with that latch and in doing so my face mask rose over my eyes, effectively obscuring my vision and my latest attempt.
My attendant and her colleague were kind and sympathetic to my plight, but I know they were laughing behind their masks. I would have laughed at me too if I were in their shoes.
With a sigh of disgruntlement, I suggested someone should write to the manufacturers to offer some customer-related advice on how to more easily put the studs up and down.
In the end I left the shop with a new pair of winter boots, and a new set of sling-shot-style grippers to get me through another winter.
At home, I found the website of a boot manufacturer with studded boots in their catalogue. I dashed off a quick e-mail asking if their product would be easy for a person with arthritic hands to successfully engage this special feature.
In return, I received a friendly response that didn’t answer my question but gave me all the attributes of similar footwear. Thanks. I’ll take that recommendation under advisement.
Meanwhile, I will attach my new studs to my new boots and venture forth onto ice-slicked streets and parking lots. Just beware of flying grippers indoors as I lean on a shelf to remove or put on my new grabbers. That will be a Kodak moment, especially if the shelf collapses. Happy Winter!
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
