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June 26, 2009
Top Secret Tool: Offspring #2's Wedding Footwear
To be opened after Offspring #3's August wedding.
“Oooo, I just can't wait for my new shoes to arrive,” says Offspring #2.
Karen and I are spending Shabbat in Teaneck. We're about to sit down for our Friday night Shabbat dinner—Karen and Offspring #2 darted about the kitchen as if in a Offenbach opera—when Offspring #2 sighs loudly, yearning for the shoes she ordered less than 24 hours ago, the shoes born for her sister's upcoming wedding.
“They'll probably arrive Monday or Tuesday,” I offer.
Offspring #2 looks all tragic and suffering, like Jennifer Jones in The Song of Bernadette.
“Oh, but I want them now.”
“'ll bet you're more excited about your new shoes than the gown you're having made, right?”
“Definitely.”
My wonderful son-in-law shakes his head as he pours wine into the Kiddush cup: “I just don't get this thing women have for shoes.”
“Until you get women and their passion for footwear, you will never understand women.” I'm a regular Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Offspring #2 gets into details of the Badgley/Mischka shoes: “They're soooo cute and strappy, perfect wedding shoes with tulle on top.”
My son-in-law perks up. “Tool, you mean like a wrench?”
Karen goes: “Tulle is a fabric, like the wedding veil.”
My son-in-law looks disappointed. He really likes the idea of a wrench or a screwdriver as a shoe ornament.
We stand as he chants the Kiddush. I look at Karen, Offspring #2, and Ma'ayan Ariel, all bathed in the glow of Shabbat candles, and I experience happiness. There is no joy like being a husband, a father and a grandfather.
Meanwhile, Ruti E. writes: “At the last minute, the feet got camera shy. But I HAD to share the fulfilled quest. How many other people would care?”
Yes, Ruti, we care.
Our Israeli cyberfriend—check out the great photos on her blog—finally tracked down much desired turquoise flats and gee, what a relief, we're allowed to show them.
From the Irony File: Iranian dissidents are turning to Israel for assistance in opening up lines of communication with the outside world. They are not appealing to Barack Hussein Obama for he is clearly a weakling. It looks like Israel has inherited the mantle of Leader of the Free World. H/T Wolf Howling.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives a miracle in Shabbat.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at June 26, 2009 07:57 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
This shoe appreciation - I think it is a recessive gene but since the mother and father both have it.....the children were destined to have it ;-)
Robert as I am also an advanced amateur photographer (well, I suppose to refer to myself as an advanced anything is a bit presumptuous) - anyway a photographer of many years I have to say you elevate shoe photography to an art form - sort of like the way a good Japanese restaurant will present your food - so artfully framed with the right backgrounds...
As for Israel taking up the mantel - well, somebody has to do it!
Posted by: Bill Brandt at June 26, 2009 02:35 PM
I have a friend whose wife underwent a second growth spurt. When she was pregnant with her first her feet grew and she was "forced" to buy new shoes.
Ten years later she is still buying new shoes to make up for those she lost. I sometimes wonder if she is going to save the economy on her own.
Posted by: Jack at June 26, 2009 02:43 PM
Hmmm. I sense they are strappy. I'm seeing high-heels, some satin details...
Posted by: Alice at June 26, 2009 03:49 PM
The snapshot of the extended family bathed in the glow of the approaching Shabbat is a perfect example of why I read your blog.
Thanks for the link, Robert, and the compliments. But mostly -- thanks for understanding the shoe quest. :-) Can't wait to see the wedding shoes unveiled!
Posted by: rutimizrachi at June 27, 2009 11:18 AM
Dear Mr. Brandt: I believe you mean "the mantle."
Posted by: Miranda Rose Smith at June 28, 2009 04:37 AM
I continue to have doubts and mixed feelings about the uprising in Iran. These people don't deserve to be beaten to a pulp, shot in the street, thrown off pedestrian overpasses. On the other hand, I suspect a lot of them are as Israel-hating as Mousavi. I think they're only turning to Israel for help because they know how suicidally nice the Israelis are.
Posted by: Miranda Rose Smith at June 28, 2009 04:50 AM
Bill:
Thanks so much for the compliment. I just click away with my little Canon.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 29, 2009 09:17 AM
Jack:
Women's feet swell when they are pregnant. I wasn't aware that it becomes a permanent condition. Hmm, great excuse to buy, buy, buy.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 29, 2009 09:19 AM
Alice:
You are psychic!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 29, 2009 09:21 AM
Ruti:
Shabbos candles give off a holy light and I look forward to their glow all week.
Wedding is Aug 3, so I'll post pics of shoes soon after.
Hope you're enjoying your cool turquoise shoes.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 29, 2009 09:25 AM
MAZAL TOV
My friend's shoes are actually too large after she lost a lot of weight, and that's almost 30 years since she was last pregnant.
Most women who have had a number of kids find that their shoe size has increased. With some, the size goes up and down. Mine went up very gradually. Living in Israel, I hardly noticed, as the shoes stretched and only years later did I realize that in America my shoes weren't the same they had been.
Posted by: Batya at June 30, 2009 04:03 AM
I love reading these little insights into a world so different to mine. Thanks Robert.
Posted by: Earl O'Neill at July 1, 2009 03:00 AM
Earl:
Thanks so much. You are always welcome to our little corner of the universe.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 1, 2009 12:26 PM
Batya:
Greatly appreciate your mazal tov. We are very happy. And thanks for the info.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 1, 2009 12:27 PM
Robert
The tale of your courting Karen is a beautiful love story, brings tears to my eyes. Have you ever thought of making a screenplay of it? Or is it too personal and important for that? (If it were mine, it would be.)
It reaches into my heart and squeezes it.
Earl
Posted by: Earl O'Neill at July 1, 2009 06:48 PM