The House in Marrakesh: The Beach at Diabat

The House in Marrakesh: The Beach at Diabat

I am feeling the urge to fly back to Africa...

I have been reading blogs about Morocco, craving Moroccan food, even dreaming I am there. Sigh....

The Spring Feet Pledge

It is time, once again, for my yearly PSA....So, my sisters, won't you please join me by raising your big toes and repeating after me:

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toed shoes:

• I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not bulge out between the straps.


• I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact, and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.


• I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.


• I will shave the hairs off my big toe.


• I will not wear panty hose, even if my poor, misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, or sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.


• If a strap breaks, I will not duct-tape, pin, glue, or tuck it back into place, hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or I will toss it.


• I will not live in corn denial; rather, I will lean on my good friend, Dr. Scholl's, if my feet need him.


• I will resist the urge to buy jellie shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99, even if my feet are small enough to fit the kid's sizes. This decision is made out of concern for the safety of myself and others; as no one can walk properly while standing in a pool of sweat, and I would despise myself if I took someone else down with me as I fall and break my ankle.


• I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toe begins to swell into something that resembles a Vienna sausage.


• I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers, and no sandal can make creepy feet look good.


• I will promise, that if I wear flip-flops, that I will ensure my shoes actually flip and flop, making the correct sounds, while walking, and I will SWEAR not to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.


• I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they cost about $25, and are worth EVERY penny).


• I will promise to throw away any white or off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

In conclusion, many of these rules should be observed by men, as well. Especially the pedicure and hairy toe thing. And socks with sandals??? That might be tackier than dirty white sandals.

(Also, if anyone knows who deserves the credit for first writing this pledge, I would love to acknowledge that wise individual. I have been re-posting it every spring for years, but do not know who the original author might be. She is my Hero.)