…And that’s just what they are doing!!

A few years ago, I made my first trip to Europe. It was February, and I knew Great Britain would be cold and damp. I needed sturdy, comfortable, and warm shoes.

I hate shopping (see previous blog), but I had to do some searching to find the right shoes. They turned out to be a sturdy leather boot, warm and waterproof, with hearty soles that could handle just about any weather.

I took my new kicks to London first – we landed there at 0500, and survey says it’s wisest to stay awake all day, to avoid some jet lag, and to adjust to the time change.

I walked all over London, rode the tube, and climbed aboard the double decker bus. These boots carried me into pubs and before castles. They stood on tip toe as I strained to take in Westminster Cathedral.

The next day, we explored Bath, Salisbury, and Stonehenge. My boots walked in the steps of ancient vacationers seeking healing waters, and carried me through marble floored churches. They stood in place while I read about the Magna Carta, and later ran me around Stonehenge (it was very cold and damp).

The boots walked cautiously up narrow stone stairs in several ancient Welsh castles. They held me up when I turned the corner at the Cardiff National Museum impressionist wing and saw Monet’s “Water Lilies” for the first time.

Since that trip, the boots have walked along the Seine in Paris, silently raced through The Louvre, and strolled through the Musee D’Orsay. They have tapped along to street musicians as I had a simple breakfast of coffee and a croissant within view of the Eiffel Tower.

My now broken in boots have raced to embrace my son, daughter in love, and grandson in Germany. They stomped through icy fields with World War Two concrete “dragons teeth” along the former border of Germany and France.

The frozen packed snow crunched under my boots in Switzerland as I turned in a circle, amazed at the stunning Alpine panorama around me. My feet stayed warm as I drank mulled wine, my breathe a cloud around me.

For all that European excitement, I’m excited today that my boots are carrying me to see my daughter and her family – a year ago tomorrow they ran through several airports as I rerouted in attempt to see my daughter, in serious condition as she delivered my twin grandsons. Today everyone is healthy, thank goodness. These boots will keep my feet warm in the frigid Midwest winter.

I’ll need sturdy legs to hold my twin sons in my arms! These boots are traveling on assignment to do just that.