Shoe~Daze

Holes on the soles of your shoes. Long before Amazon replaced shoes with hard rubber substances our shoes were made of leather or a mixture of that. We'd drag along until the bottoms wore through to our socks.

In our little town, as in most, we had a shoemaker, Giuseppe, who would re-sole them until the tops wrinkled off and nothing left to attach to, cheaper than new ones. Giuseppe also put metal 'taps' on them to help them wear better; while slip-sliding-away down the school hallways with. Paul Simon sang he had 'Diamonds' on the soles of his shoes.

He was our go to guy when we needed our shoes buffed up for special events. But, when in the military we 'Spit' shined our shoes. Usually with a cup of water and a rag with Shinola polish; rubbing and rubbing until we could see our face image looking back at us. Certainly, times were much simpler then, but it's fun to reach back during times without digital devices that occupy the newer generations; we just hop skipped and jumped our days through.

~ Good & Plenty ~

— Sugar Rush U.S.A. —

Are you a Red Licorice devotee as is twisting onto our flag? Are red vine candies a Twisted-Tasty substitute for the acquired taste of real black teeth-staining Licorice? Others crunch into color-conscious M&M's even Abba-Zaba Tootsie Rolls or juicy Raisin 'Sugar Babies' candies.

— Me, if it ain't Chocolate, Why Bother —

~ Choices ~

Actually as just a Crayola-Stick-Schtick-Artist, who really can't even stay within the lines of doing a Paint-By-Numbers fill-in. Fabulous artists paint water colors and acrylic offerings inspired by bowls of fruit or depict their favorite 'Abba-Zaba' treats. Some even said "Hostess-Twinkies, others Helms Donuts" hearing the tweet of the Bakery trucks coming down their street, via their stomachs, even before their ears.

Abstract art and oil paintings, even photography stills, hang from the walls of galleries while viewers may stand for very long periods mesmerized by the meanings—'Eye of the Beholder' is often quoted. Or even films have their 'Target' audience with messages. Ask the artist-presenters, "What's This?" They will invariably say: "What do you think it means?" Certainly, a short story may be a lot less 'Cerebral' when it comes to "Interpretations." But, you get the 'Picture.'

What do YOU pick out in an article? With so many personal reactions. What does it speak-to-you?

Pieces of the Piece, perhaps? For instance — The Interpreting of Social Media articles by describing explicit videos with 'Twist-Interpretations' in all ways to see if there are any 'Takers' — there always are. In our business detecting perception and body Language is imperative! Often, it's mandatory to actually read-into what is said: Perception Eclipses Reality, 'The Tells'.

~ Take Things in Stride ~

I'm sometimes way off target! I could stand and explain intent and meanings all day long. Then be told, out of the blue, "NO you really want to say it like this, it would make a better story."

A very odd thing to me — I'm seeing-hearing that by being 'Out-There' how even my own thoughts aren't correct — Of course for my own good. But, no one can make me feel inferior without my consent: Though, it isn't a compliment if I have to pay it to myself.

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -