Snow Boots
Posted on 19. Sep, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Life Dream, Personal
It was precisely one week before we began our cross-country adventure. We were about to leave the warm and rainy west coast to drive across Canada in the middle of winter. In one week we would be willingly driving through snow, blizzards, and ice.
I was a west coast city girl. I had high heels, sneakers, and tall black boots with heels. I didn’t own snow boots.
One week before we left, I bolted awake in the middle of night. “My feet!” I gasped. “I will be cold! We will careen off the side of the highway on the Coquihalla Highway in a blizzard. The impact will knock Cameron unconscious. Blood will drip down his ivory temple. It’ll be up to me to find help.
“I’ll be wearing jeans and high heel shoes. The snow will be three feet deep. I’ll lose my strappy heels in the snow. I’ll be trying to find help, walking barefoot in the snow with only night-shade nylons to keep me warm. Eventually, I will collapse from the cold. I will fall asleep in a snowbank and perish overnight. Cameron will never wake up from being knocked unconscious. He too will die. All because of my high heels.”
The next morning, I lay in bed staring at Cameron until he woke up. He opened his eyes.
“Were you just lying there staring at me while I was sleeping?” He asked in a suspicious morning voice.
“Yes,” I answered, “but we need snow boots. We forgot to buy snow boots. If we don’t buy snow boots we’ll die a terrible death because of my high heels.”
“What?” He said.
“It doesn’t matter. Listen, we need to buy snow boots. Let’s go shopping.”
We spent the day at a mall. It was difficult to find snow boots in Victoria, BC. (There’s not much snow there.) We wandered around aimlessly. We found a pair of $150 boots that would have worked, but we both scoffed at the price tag. Eventually we returned home–without snow boots.
That night, I went to bed worrying. “Boots, I need boots.” I muttered as I drifted off to a nightmare about being bootless.
The next morning, I browsed online at local buy, sell and trade websites. I found the following advertisement: “Used boys snow boots. Size 6. $5. Please call.”
I called the number in the advertisement.
“Hi there,” I said, “I’m calling about the boys boots you have for sale?”
“Yes, I’ve still got them,” she said. “They were my son’s.”
“Great, when can I come and look at them?” I asked.
She paused. “Are they for your son?” She asked.
“Um, no, they’re for me.”
“Oh.” She paused. “They’re not very nice, you know. They’re boys boots.”
“I know, it’s okay. I just need them in case of emergencies.”
She really didn’t want me to buy her son’s boots. She was very suspicious of the whole affair. Finally, she caved in and said that I could come take a look at them right away.
I drove across town to the lady’s home.
By the time I arrived at the tall, well-manicured home it was dark. I rang the doorbell.
A tall, well-manicured lady answered the door. She looked me up and down, presumably wondering what kind of twenty-something woman wanted to buy her young son’s boots.
In silence, she handed me the boots. Balancing on one leg and then the other, I slipped her son’s boots on. They fit perfectly. I quickly fished out two toonies and a loonie from my purse and shunted the money towards her. With narrow eyes she accepted the money. As I was leaving, I noticed her twelve-year old son peering down from an upstairs landing, silently watching and wondering why such a woman would want his $5 boots.
As it turns out, these very $5 “emergency” boots became my daily footwear on our month-long trip.
In fact, those unfashionable, velcroed $5 boots have seen me through two winters and are about to guide me into my third winter.
This morning, Cameron was cleaning out our shed, and he asked me whether he should throw out my unfashionable snow boots. I thought about his question and I thought about the boots.
I don’t wear these $5 boots out in public, but I sure am glad that I have them around. I’ve decided to keep them. I’ll use them to bring in firewood, wander through our back woods on a snowy walk, cut down this year’s Christmas tree, among the many other unforeseen adventures that this winter will bring.
If that well-manicured boot selling woman could see me now, I think she’d nod, smile, and happily hand over her son’s boots. I think she’d say, “Good luck and enjoy.”
Bradley
Sep 19th, 2009
Those soles already carry a few adventures and stories; perhaps they need the two of you dancing (in the snow) just for the fun of it. When your feet say ‘Enough, already! Give me Style AND Function.’, then you will know it’s time to send them on their way.
[Your photo reminds me of Andrew Wyeth's Trodden Weed. Love your composition!]
Gary Gray
Sep 19th, 2009
Hi L-J
Just read your post about snow boots. It brought back memories of my own snow boots that looked almost he very same as yours (the picture anyway)
My boots were a left over from the days when I had a snow machine.
I had boots, snowsuit and mitts. Actually I think the snowsuit is still packed in a trunk in the closet but the boots and mitts that had been faithful through so many island winters went with lots of other stuff that went away after my stroke. (friends were helping and the thinking was at the time. He will never be able to use those or that ,depending on what it was, again)
Thinking back to that time in my life my friends might just be surprised at what I am able to use today.
My point is that one should never give up no matter how high the hill of life. Always set your goal to reach the top of the hill. You may never make it all the way to the top, but you just might surprise yourself as well as your friends at how high you are actually able to climb.
Thanks for your snow boot story. Faithful friends no matter what their economic status deserve to be valued in our lives. You do have interesting dreams. lol
Smiles :o)
Gary
P.S. Michelle (I think it was) talked about her lonely blog in the comments of your last post I was not able to find her blog anywhere and was hoping tat she might be able to post a link. Also did you get the link for Rain’s new blog “Island Sunsets” here it is.
http://ocean-sunsets.blogspot.com/
gg
Kim
Sep 19th, 2009
Laura-Jane, great story! Made me laugh out loud, as I totally relate. I’m glad to see you have a dire imagination as well!
I DID buy some grossly expensive boots before we left Nanaimo, and packed them away (we would arrive in May) for the upcoming winter.
During that summer I unpacked stuff as needed, and always I kept an eye out for those boots. Do you think I could find them? I was so mad. I capitulated and bought some gumboots that are good to minus 50, and while ugly, they did keep my feet warm. But wait, it gets better.
Last spring, we sold the truck/trailer combo we’d come across in, and we had to unpack the entire 53 feet and lug the boxes into our unfinished house.
Again, I unpacked and looked to no avail. I was in despair. I really wanted those boots! Where were the bloody things?
Last week, no less, I was exchanging summer things for fall, packing clothes away, and I see a box. A box I hadn’t opened. And so I peeled the tape off, curious to see what was inside. And LO! at the bottom of that box were my freaking snow boots!
Do you know what that box was labelled?
“SKINNY SUMMER CLOTHES”
It is a miracle I opened that box at all. Whatever possessed me to stuff WINTER boots at the bottom of a SUMMER box full of clothing I’ll likely never, ever fit into again?
And why, oh why, did I not label the box as having those boots?
Long story, so sorry, I will shut up now!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Sep 19th, 2009
Lol, Kim. That is TYPICAL. Because packing is CRAZY! And it’s impossible to get it all right. I do like how the label is the EXACT REVERSE of what was actually in there. Glad you found them. Your toasty toes will thank you. I can imagine the feeling of being utterly gobsmacked upon your opening that box. Well told and thanks for sharing. :)
christy
Sep 19th, 2009
awesome story!!!!! i cant believe you drove across town to look at boots. so hilarious. i loved this post the most :)
but EEEK winter is coming??!!!!
Michelle
Sep 19th, 2009
Great story! if that had been me, I would have been giving the well-manicured lady the full story with pleading, apologetic eyes.
I came to parts east in May of 2005 and my sister-in-law owns a second hand shop so I was ‘gifted’ with practical snow boots but have found lined, green gumboots from Canadian Tire to be my favorite winter boot. In fact, trekking in the back woods with hubs and the dogs in those boots kept my feet warm and dry. They are my spring, fall and winter boots now. No leaks to date!
Gary Gray, I’ve not really promoted my lonely little blog but here’s the link if you care to have a peek: http://blinddogchronicles.blogspot.com/
I was most intrigued and excited when discovering this blog because we did the same cross-country move. I love this blog and Laura Jane’s wonderful writings!
Naomi
Sep 20th, 2009
That was a great bedtime story. Good night! Miss you!
N&M
Sep 20th, 2009
So Funny! You, my sister, are a witty story teller!
Barry
Sep 20th, 2009
The only thing better for that photo of your snowboots would be if it was taken with them perched atop of your giant pumpkin. How about an update on the experiment!!
Mom Marjorie
Sep 20th, 2009
Oh Laura-Jane! What a good dramatist you are!
But what about the e x p e n s i v e snowboard boots I bought you to go with your e x p e n s i ve snowboard for our 1990’s Mount Washington skiing-and-boarding-with-Bill phase!?
Don’t snowboard boots count a little bit!!? …ha ha, and lots of love, mom
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Sep 20th, 2009
Barry – Your wish is my command!
Freda
Sep 21st, 2009
Nothing can beat a $5 pair of boots. They are practical, warm(?), dry(?) no nonsense type of boot. I am sure to some people they are very stylish and sexy looking but as I said “Nothing can beat a $5 pair of boots”and 3rd year coming up :)
Very entertaining read. Loved it. Keep up the great work!!
N&M
Sep 22nd, 2009
Mom, I think I have those snowboard boots now! Can’t say I’ve ever worn them though!!! Sorry…
warren
Sep 22nd, 2009
They’re almost broken in! It’s great being thrifty…and they don’t look that bad!
Toni
Sep 23rd, 2009
Hahahaha!! I have adopted Brody’s snow boots as he out-grew them and got another pair last year :-) Their comfy, already broken in and ugly. Perfect!!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Sep 23rd, 2009
Barry – Wishes sometimes take a few days.. Lol.
Next post will be about pumpkins, I promise. I just have to WRITE the thing. :)
christy
Sep 23rd, 2009
yay for pumpkins :)
Gary Gray
Sep 24th, 2009
Michelle
Thanks!!!
Smiles :o)
Gary
Kim Nauman
Sep 24th, 2009
I can definately relate to this. I remember last winter in BC I went without boots only because my driveway was being cleared for me after each snowfall but now I’m awaiting my first PEI winter with fear of frozen toes turned blue and purple. I never can find decent winter boots that fit me properly and that are not costly so my trips to the nearest shoe stores usually end with me feeling frustrated and defeated.
I LOVE your blog Laura-Jane! You haven’t the foggiest how much inspiration I’ve gained from reading it! I too have moved from BC to PEI in search of the good life. My husband, son and I just arrived a couple of weeks ago after a week long trip across Canada. We are currently renting a waterfront home in Fortune Bay (Souris). Oliver (my husband) is working in Charlottetown as an estimator/project manager for a plumbing company and I’m an artist and stay-at-home mum with a very happy little boy to keep me company. Oliver and I are hoping to eventually find an old house to fix up just like you did. But for now we are just focusing on making it through our first big winter, after that we shall see what happens :)
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Sep 24th, 2009
Welcome, Kim! I’ve added you to my blogroll. Be sure to keep us posted on your PEI adventures!
Julie K.
Sep 25th, 2009
Too funny! You have a real flair for comedy!
You should see me in my Alberta winter gear when I have to go to barn to feed the horses. Knee high Kodiak boots rated to minus 45, snow pants (that make me feel like I am 3 years old and my Mother has put me in a snow suit again because they make the same swish swish noise that I remember!), a down jacket, insulated mittens (cause your hands will freeze faster in insulated gloves) and one of those ski masks made so popular be terrorists. Then I pull up my hood over that and have it tied under my nose. Stylish – not! I look like the Michelin tire man and have the same manual dexterity!
This is all for the cold snap (read – 45 or more with wind chill) that is always only supposed to last for 3 days and always lasts 3 weeks.
So when everyone is less than thrilled with the amount of snow fall there just remember, I would gladly trade places with you :)
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Sep 26th, 2009
Lol, no………….. YOU have a flair for comedy. I can totally picture you–Michelin Man Julie. :)
Kevin
Nov 7th, 2010
Laura-Jane,
Great story! I can definitely relate to it. It brought back a very vivid childhood memory of mine from 18 years ago.
I was 12 years old at the time and living in Brooklyn. However, I was set to go on this overnight school trip to Montreal with my French class in the dead of winter. Shortly before the trip, I realized that my super crappy moon boots that my mother had bought for me were useless. I wore them home one day during a big blizzard, and by the time I got home from school, my feet were completely drenched and frozen. I may aswell have been barefoot.
Our teacher told us a number of horror stories about how bad the snow was in Montreal, and that without a pair of heavy, waterproof boots, our feet would freeze and we’d be up the creek! I asked my mother to get me new boots, but she flat out refused. “Heavy duty boots cost an arm and a leg!” she shouted. She told me to bring a bunch of plastic bags with me and wear them inside my boots during the trip. Fearing that I’d be laughed at and made fun of like there was no tomorrow, I passed.
Off I went to Montreal in my super crappy moon boots and no plastic bags. On our first night there, we got off the bus to walk around. They marched us around in thigh high snow drifts and sub zero temperatures. Needless to say, once we were back on the bus, my feet were soaked and freezing. I was shivering profusely and starting to get sick. At that point, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be coming home from Montreal without feet (lol).
Fortunately, the boy whose family hosted me just happened to have an old, used pair of boots just like the ones sitting in your oat field. Compared to the two pieces of crap I had on my feet, his boots were like heavy duty Sorels! I wore them for the remainder of the trip and, just like you, my feet were saved! Yay! Sometimes the kindness of strangers is the biggest blessing that we can have in our lives. :)
Warmest Wishes,
Kevin