August 23^rd. Sweet Offerings

I have been looking for a sneaker, hiking shoe for some time. I have paid gratefully for the right fit for my narrow, high arched foot. Sometimes I fantasize about having a boot custom made. At this juncture of my life, it certainly would be a lifetime investment. Often I hunt for shoes until my feet get confused and forgetful. I often wear a sales person out as they pile options at my feet and politely and wearily ask, “how does that feel?’’

Mountain Thrift here in Sedona, hosts barely worn shoes and boots. A lot of them are hastily bought with only a few miles on them before they are deemed the wrong fit. Lee, a Paul Bunyan sized man, chats away as he, too, lays every pair of size 8.5-9 at my feet. As he waits on me, I engage him in conversation about how he hunts alone in the North Country for white tail deer. His kill, often weighing 90 pounds, is hauled away on his shoulders.

He’s been here a long time. I ask him about Humphreys Peak outside of Flagstaff and specifically about Locket Meadows where I might go in September for a few days. He knows all the places and draws me a map on scrap paper that is mostly goobly–gook to me with little orientation. As I walk the store feeling into my feet he steals away to his car and returns with a well worn map of Coconino National Forest Map. “Here”, he says, “You could use this”.

Isn’t it these small acts of kindness that are treasured and remembered along the way? It’s George bringing me a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet for the front of my tent, and Adam sharing his smoothie and Grace making breakfast and offering to clean up as well, and the email that arrives with a "hello, thinking of you".

I did buy a pair of shoes and maybe made a friend as well. It was a good day.