Soggy Socks

It all started with the purchase of a opera ticket. I was committed to attend Mozart's "Magic Flute" Thursday night. The same morning I went prepared to work with coat, umbrella and neck warmer but I forgot to wear irrigation boots.

After work, I should never have turned down Lauri's offer, "I can give you a ride to your car,"once we reached the stadium parking by bus.

"No thank you, I'll walk." I wanted to get my exercise.

The all day spring snow storm had accumulated slush on campus sidewalks.I surmised maintenance waited for the snow to melt or for the storm to finish before cleaning walkways. Public roads and sidewalks were even worse with curbside streams of melting snow.I It looked like a giant cement truck had poured 7-11 Slurpee down 5th North. I tried stepping into previous footsteps and soon learned that I had better take baby steps because I kept slipping and sliding around. The worst snow I'd walked in all winter season. Where were my snow boots when I need them.? Needless to say, my journey across the edge of campus and three blocks to my parked Elantra left my nylon tennis shoes and white socks soaked.I thought about the pioneers, and knew I would make a lousy one. They endured frozen, bleeding feet to reach their goal. I was grateful for the warm temps. I debated how to kill two hours and get my feet warm.

. Half way down the hill I remembered I had a pair of dry socks for such emergencies at the barber shop, but getting back to them, even from a parking terrace, would mean sloshing through the slush. I brought change of clothes for the temple which included and extra pair of loafers I surmised walking to and from the temple parking lot car would have soaked them. I didn't want to sit through a two hour opera with wet, cold feet.

To solve the problem, I bought new socks at Smith's grocery store and drove back to campus where I parked in the fine arts parking lot. From there I sloshed to the library where I pulled my drenched socks and shoes off and rubbed my feet as I caught up on the Herald Journal. Avoid wearing dry socks at all costs when there's more sloshing to do. I returned to my car stuck the new socks and shoes in my back pack and sloshed to Morgan Theater. In the lobby, I stripped to bare feet again and changed to dry socks and shoes. Ah the warmth and comfort, I could now enjoy the next two hours.

I checked the weather during the "Magic Flute" intermission. still lightly snowing. AT the conclusion I walked arm in arm with a fellow Prestonite to the car. The leather shoes were more protective for the short distance. But I could feel my socks get damp as I walked around my car shoveling the snow off. Enroute home I was grateful for a warm heater and 30 minute drive to warm my ever cooling feet.