Sometimes the calendar date does not matter in the least – even though it says tomorrow is the last day of April, it does not feel like it is the last day of April.  I have, throughout this fourth month of 2015, consistently resisted abandoning the Winter gear, though I did tuck away my snow boots for the season, albeit with some reservations.  This pushback to shucking the Winter wear stems from far too many years of riding the bus and relying on the meteorologists and the temps to govern the day’s clothing, so not to become a casualty of Mother Nature’s weather wrath.

This morning, as I headed out in my heavy coat, gloves and hat, at 35 degrees I believe I saw a wisp of breath in the air.  Then, I knew that my reluctance to abandon my heavy outerwear, and take all the coats, scarves and hats to the cleaners was not unfounded.  So, I guess I’ll just miss the “April big bundle sale” at the cleaners and the opportunity to save 30% on my cleaning as I hang onto my parka another week … or two … or three.

Now, while I have other Winter coats, they are not so comfy as these two … for walking anyway.  I amassed a collection of heavy outerwear as a result of taking the bus to and from work for decades.  After all, I’d been a Brownie and a Girl Scout, so I was prepared to be protected from the elements all year round.

Besides, those Winter coats are not “lived in” … they don’t accommodate sweats, with layers underneath, nor do they have big patch pockets to stuff peanut packs in, or dome fasteners to hang a bag of bird bread off to the side while I snap photos.  In fact, I feel all smooshed up and constricted, and I don’t like it one bit.

Now, I think back on those work days in a big office with some not-so-fond memories … clothes-wise anyway, though  I was a clothes horse back in the day, and not ashamed to admit it.  A fun day for me was spent at the mall.  I loved accessorizing my clothes with jewelry and had every type of hair ornament for my long locks.  If the earrings matched the outfit, it didn’t matter if those heavy hoops pulled down your earlobes ‘til they bled, or a jaunty scarf wrapped around your neck and knotted just so, made you feel like you were in a stranglehold.  And, then there was those heavy-duty-beauty pantyhose – nice for warmth in the Winter; not so much in the Summer.  And shoes … well, there were too many years of pretty, but pinchy pumps, or dressy loafers that were made of soft leather, yet rode the back of your heels until a colossal blister formed.  Ouch!

But, oh … it was important to look good.

I just chatted with someone on this subject within the past week.  We spoke about the crazy styles through the years, and admitted our past clothes faux pas, and finally we agreed it is nice that those previously earth-shattering details we vain young women concerned ourselves with don’t matter so much today, because now we can be comfortable in our own skin and not agonize about our appearance so much.

Sometimes I look at my array of pumps, strappy sandals, slender-looking loafers and then lace up my clumsy walking shoes.  There is simply no comparison.  Around the house I don Minnetonka moose hide moccasins which are buttery soft and I feel like I’m walking on pillows.  Meanwhile, I have had two reserve pair of walking shoes, yet unworn, for several years now.  My current pair of shoes will log 1,500 miles this week, yet they are serviceable and comfy with my cushioned socks.  Just like that expression about being “as comfortable as an old shoe”, I keep thinking about christening one of the new pair on my next walk, then the thought that blisters might impede my walking progress, causes me to shove the shoes back in the box and they repose in the bottom of my cupboard … perhaps I’ll break ‘em out to celebrate May’s arrival.