I’ve always been intrigued by seeing Amish women spending warm days barefoot, even out in the yard, barn, and on the road. Their children beg to shed their shoes in the spring. I once asked an Amish farmer, who was giving me a tour of his property, if he worried about his grandchildren’s feet as they frolicked without shoes. The bearded gentleman gave me a one-shouldered shrug and shook his head.
A couple days ago, on a sunny afternoon, I strolled across our small patio wearing flip-flops and shorts after I’d added water to our wall fountain. My mind was off in another galaxy, apparently – and that galaxy definitely had one of those sheds with porches like homes in the country have.
Suddenly, I found myself catapulting in slow motion. The toe of one of my flip-flops had caught the edge of our slightly-raised wooden deck and I sprawled forward, helplessly. After landing with a thud, for a moment I couldn’t move. Fortunately, my husband had come home from work early and was in the kitchen. “Help,” I whimpered, and he rushed to my side.
“Do you want to get up?” he asked.
“No.” I tasted blood in my mouth. “Run and get me a mirror.” I shouldn’t admit how vain I am, but my first worry was that I’d broken a tooth, which I hadn’t. Then I glanced around and noticed I’d narrowly missed a metal-rimmed glass table I’ve had for years and years, and several other sharp items. And I was grateful for our wooden deck, softer than cement.
Finally back in the house, I called a consulting nurse. She was extremely thorough because I’d clonked my head. She said I could wait to have my shoulder examined as long as I didn’t have symptoms of a brain concussion. “Stay off the computer,” she warned me. How did she know I wanted to hop on my Mac? She said typing would irritate my shoulder. Today, I’m using my Dragon Dictate voice activated software when possible.
Long story short, no broken bones nor did I tear my rotator cuff. Just a couple of skinned knees, some sore muscles, and a bruised ego. Now, however, I have a dilemma. Do I dare work in the garden wearing flip-flops? In the winter and on rainy days I step into my cumbersome rubber Muck gardening shoes, which I’d just put away. Should I bring them back out? Go barefoot like the Amish?
Please leave a comment and enter to win a signed copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork!
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Congratulations to last week’s winner of the charming Amish-made tea towel from Lancaster County, Pat C. Thank you to all who left comments!
To be Released June 5, 2014
Thank you, Noah Coleman, for permission to use your father’s marvelous photos.
Thank you for sharing. It brings back lots of memories. I would (and still do) choose to go barefoot every chance I get.
Thanks for sharing your fond memories with me, Lindy! I imagine you are not wearing shoes as you read this. Good luck in the contest!
Love your books, hope to win one. I also love going barefooted.
Feels so good.
I’d love you to win and read one of my books, Carolyn! Good luck in the contest!
Love going barefoot hardly wear shoes if I have to it is flip flops. Just love the feeling of the grass and so relaxing . have been doing this for at least 50 years <3 all your books !!!!
It sounds as though bare-footing has served you well, Donna! Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
I loved going barefoot as a kid, still do.
Thanks for leaving a fun comment and entering the contest, Alondra! Good luck!
Would love to win one of your books! I don’t ever go barefoot, unless I’m lying out in the sun or swimming or on the beach lol. I have to have shoes on. If it’s warm and I’m just around the house I’ll wear flip flops, but if I’m cleaning or in and out, I have tennis shoes on. Wonder what I’m missing? Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks so much for your comment, Sally! I must say I’m surprised how many women prefer to go barefoot, like the Amish. And I have to wonder: what am I missing? Good luck in the contest!
I only wear shoes/flip-flops in public. I am barefoot 24/7 including in my garden when home. Life is too short to not feel the precious earth on my feet.
I am impressed, Toni! I must say, I do feel grounded when I’m digging in the soil, so it makes sense that going barefoot has the same effect. Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
I am a barefoot girl. I hate shoes. I am glad you are ok. I did the same thing a couple weeks ago and I still hurt. Only differance was it was on one of the grandkids toys. So now Maddi says Nana can’t play she is broken she fell. Love those babies. Love to win.
Blessings
Diana
Oh, dear,Diana, sorry to hear you had a fall too! Thanks for sharing your mishap so I don’t feel so clumsy all by myself. Good luck in the contest!
I rarely go bare foot. I would be afraid I would step on a bee. I think I would have to bring the gardening shoes back out.
I did bring my rubber gardening shoes back out, Shaun. But we have yet to get warm weather, so my feet aren’t uncomfortable. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest. Good luck!
I would go with being like the Amish and going barefoot- I hate wearing shoes in warm weather!! I would love a free book!!!
Hi, Helen! Thanks for entering the book giveaway. Good luck!
I have never liked going barefoot. I always have on some type of shoes. Thank you for another wonderful giveaway 🙂
Thanks for leaving a comment, Mary! With or without shoes you are entered in the book giveaway! Good luck!
Hate wearing shoes. I am always barefoot in the house but have to wear flip flops/ sandles outside. As a diabetic, we aren’t suppose to go barefoot at all ,BUT I just can’t stand wearing anything on my feet! Besides,how can anyone admire the awesome nail polish ?!? Have a blessed day. Can’t wait till the new book comes out !
You have awesome nail polish, Rita? Now, I’m jealous. Thanks for your encouraging words about Forever Amish! I can’t wait for it to come out too!
I love walking bare foot or with socks if it’s too cold, but only around the house.
Sounds like a good plan, Kirstie! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the book giveaway. Good luck!
I’m so glad you are mending. I don’t think you are vain for worrying about a broken tooth 🙂 I took a bad fall in my garage a couple of years ago–down a few steps and onto the cement floor. It was my carelessness–I was rushing and missed a step. Ouch! It took a few months for everything to stop hurting, but I was so thankful I didn’t break my kneecap, which took the brunt of the fall.
I only go barefoot in the house. That is partly because I don’t want to bother washing my feet, when I come back into the house–LOL! I wear old tennis shoes to work in the yard.
Your poor knee, Kay! I’m glad you didn’t break anything. I felt the same way after my fall: it could have been a lot worse. If I’d landed on cement as you did, a different story. Thanks for writing and good luck in the book giveaway!
walked barefoot as a kid most of the time during summer. have heard it is not good to do that now that I am adult and I do have bad feet now so must have not been a good idea.
Would love to read your books, thanks for sharing.
I would love you to read one of my books, Paula! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Absolutely toss the shoes – they are completely over-rated during summer!!!
Throw caution to the wind, Katie? I might have to make the change one step at a time. Thank you for your fun comment and good luck in the contest!
during the summer from 4th to 5th grade I did ~ my shoe size went from size 6 to 7-1/2 (or something like that) ~ I could run on a rocky path to the barn ~ Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Wow, Kathleen, that would be quite a run on a rocky path! Our younger son also used to hate shoes and insisted on running barefoot whenever possible. He visited ER several times, but never anything to do with his feet. Thanks for entering the contest!
i go barefoot as much as possible hate shoes lol so i think you should go with out shoes
Thanks for writing, Kristy! Good luck in the book giveaway!
I would still want to wear flip-flops. My luck, I would probably step on something and injure my foot if I went barefoot. When I was little, I actually tramped on a nail when I was barefoot. Had to get a tetenus shot. And, my foot was sore for days. I would never go barefoot again.
You poor thing, Elaine! Worst case scenario. Thanks for writing!
I have a hard foot to fit, so I go barefoot a lot. However, as I get older, it is harder on my feet to do that. But I still like to go barefoot when I can.
Hi, Susan! You go barefoot outside? I gave up all shoes that hurt my feet and go barefoot or wear lightweight, flexible slippers in the house. When your feet hurt, everything does. Thanks for writing!
I love some of the ways the Amish do things having a huge garden, chickens, there own business the furniture is awesome went to a bake sale it was awesome I got 2 different cookies both were good very polite I would live to go for a buggy ride, went to an auction of there very neat
The picture is so cute! I love going barefoot or just flip flops hate wearing shoes
Love to get a book of yours
Your visit to an Amish community sounds marvelous,Kathy! Yes, they are very polite and courteous. I’d love you to win one of my books. Good luck in the contest!
I like to go barefoot in the house.
For the most part no one wears shoes in our house, Barbara. We started that when our boys were young and dozens of kids were streaming through in dirty shoes. Now, it’s our routine. Thanks for writing and good luck in the contest!
I’d love to go barefoot, but my feet are tender…and flip flops are my only shoes except for a pair of tennis shoes. but it would be awesome for one day to have no restrictions…I think it’s awesome they can do it, want to do it and shoes only come on when the weather turns cold.
I have tender feet too, Virginia. However, no more gardening in flip-flops for me. Thanks for writing!
Oh! Want to read Forever Amish!
Loved the first two. Cross my fingers.
Thanks for writing, Loretta, and letting me know you loved my first two books! I hope you enjoy Forever Amish twice as much!
Glad you were not seriously hurt. I love going barefoot. I actually hate to wear shoes. Anytime I can I am barefoot. In the summer when I can’t be barefoot I wear flip flops. I am also not so graceful in my flip flops. I have trip many of times but have not fallen yet, thank goodness. Thank you for this chance to win a copy of your book. I am currently reading Leaving Lancaster and loving it. Looking forward to reading Pennsylvania Patchwork. ~ Blessings to you ~
Thanks, Lisa, apparently I’m not as graceful as I thought I was. I’m delighted you’re enjoying reading Leaving Lancaster! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Go barefoot. Your bare feet have better traction than flip flops.
Barefoot is best, flip the flops! Thank -you for an opportunity to read your book… Sure hope its me!
Thanks for writing, Ramona! I think anything has better traction and flip-flops. Such a shame, as I have acute collection. But not worth another catastrophe. Good luck in the contest!
Thanks, Ramona! Good luck in the contest!
Glad to hear you didn’t break anything. Hope you’re on the mend.
I only go barefoot on sandy beaches. Even there I have to watch out for jelly fish. Otherwise I wear my tennis shoes or soft soled Clarks.
Counting the days for the release of Forever Amish!
Thanks so much, Kathleen! I am on the mend, but not doing cartwheels yet. Barefoot on a sandy beach sounds divine! Thanks for writing and for helping me count the days until Forever Amish releases!
Go barefoot! My daughter who is almost 23 yrs old has always from the time she was itty bitty hated wearing shoes and/or socks. I even had to cut the feet out of her sleeper jammies because her feet would get too hot. I still cringe when I see her going barefoot in the fall and winter time, she claims though that her feet don’t get cold. I loved to feel the warm grass underneath my feet in the summertime, now though I’m disabled and don’t have much feeling in my feet or legs (except for pain, go figure Lol) I do miss the feel of the grass and also the feel of warm sand at the beach. I’m glad you weren’t injured to badly. Thank you for offering the giveaway, I would love to win “Pennsylvania Patchwork”! I already have the kindle version of “Leaving Lancaster”. But I truly would be pleased to win either book. Have a great day and I hope you get to feeling better soon!
~Debbie G.
I’d love you to win a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork, Debbie! Your daughter sounds charming and a lot tougher than I am. Barefoot in the winter? I pray that someday your feet and legs will feel something other than pain. Nice warm beach sand sounds perfect. Good luck in the contest!
I have a weakness when it comes to going barefoot,I can’t stand to even walk across my bedroom floor barefoot.I can’t stand for anybody’s barefoot to touch me.I have no clue why,but it just gives me chilly willies to even think about it.I guess the amish women are use to it because they grew up going barefoot,but I am so tenderfooted,I would never get anything done.I am glad you are going be ok and didn’t break any bones Kate.I always enjoy reading your post.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Jackie, I’m so grateful I didn’t break or dislocate anything too! But I’m still not up to speed, as they say. I appreciate your kind words about my posts and your note. Thank you for writing!
BAREFOOT! Course I wouldn’t give away the flip flops….winter will be coming in 4 months!
So true, Cathy! Winter is always lurking around the corner. In the meantime enjoy bare-footing! Thanks for entering the book giveaway and good luck!
if i had my way i would never wear shoes except outside during bad weather. however i love maryjane style shoes and other cute styles
I love cute shoes too, Diane! Particularly if they’re also comfortable. During bad weather, what choices do we have? Thanks for writing in entering the contest. Good luck!
BAREFOOT! 🙂
Thanks for entering the contest, Norma, and for your opinion! Good luck!
There are pros and cons either way you go (like almost everything in life!). Just had a young relative burn the bottoms of their feet by jumping barefoot into a pile of still hot ashes. But it sure does feel good to be barefoot once summer arrives!
Oh, I feel so sorry for your young relative, Gloria! I imagine a long recovery period followed. Thanks for entering the contest and enjoy summer when it arrives!
I never go barefoot. Afraid of stepping on something or getting splinters.
Would love to win one of your books.
Thanks for entering the contest, Jean! I don’t blame you about being wary of splinters. Our younger son used to insist on going barefoot almost all the time, when not in school. And he did get some nasty splinters, then screamed when we needed to remove them. Good luck!
Here in NY its ok to go barefoot. In TN it was not so great but the plain kids do it all the time. Women mostly wear crocks and sneakers. I am a barefoot type of girl !
Linda
Thanks for writing, Linda! Best of luck to your bare feet and in the contest!
I want to read forever Amish. Love your books
And would love to win this one. I love going barefoot
all year long.
All year long, Juanita? You must live somewhere nice and warm or go barefoot in the house. Thanks for writing and for your kind words!
I love going barefoot, so that would be my answer to your dilemma. 🙂 Can’t wait to read all your books. So glad I have found another Amish author.
I would love you to read one of my books, Cindy! Good luck in the giveaway!
I go barefoot when ever I can. It’s good for you. Not sure it would be good to bet romping through a garden with compost or manure in it though.
Thanks for writing, Lia! We can both watch where we romp. Good luck in the contest!
My older sister and older siblings always went barefoot growing up, but they made us “the little kids” of which I was one, always wear shoes. As a result their feet were always tough enough to walk down the long gravel driveway to check the mail, while we were unable to even walk on the warm blacktop. I guess it did keep us in the yard, since it hurt too much to follow them. To this day, my feet are overly tender, while my sister still has the fast tough feet to check the mail, and yet they still look nice. I have heard that going barefoot is healthier because of all the nerves that are stimulated during the time you are walking over uneven ground. It works a lot like acupressure. I’d say go barefoot and enjoy better health, but avoid walking in unfamiliar areas like untended fields, , public creeks, and rivers where you might find broken bottles or sharp metals like twisted tin pop cans with you feet because you might step on something you cannot see and get cut. It you get a puncture wound on your foot soak in a warm epsom salt bath then quickly apply an epsom salt pack and leave it on for a day or so. Also, see you doctor in case you need a tetanus shot, or antibiotic. It ever you have a red steak going from you foot up you leg you need to see a doctor immediately, because you need antibiotics but KEEP the epsom salt pack on to draw the infectious toxins away from the heart and back down toward the wound exit.
Thanks for your prudent advice, SM! I may stick to the house for bare feet until my other injuries mend. Although I got a tetanus shot not long ago after I realized I hadn’t gotten one for about twenty years. Good luck in the book giveaway!
Hi Kate., Glad I found another Amish Writer. I would love to win a book that you wrote…Thanks… in advanced..
Thanks for entering, Donna! Good luck in the contest!
I would so love to read your books I have read many books but never any of yours I would like to start I raise a four and a half year old great grandson and I’ll be 63 years old July 16th 16thI do believe I could make it is a person they have so strong a and they are always willing to help others people aren’t like that today at least not in the world I live and I am there for more than anybody I know again I would love to win a book thank you I’m hope I’m doing this right
Thank you for writing and entering the book giveaway, Marion! I’d love to read one of my books. Yes, you did it right. Good luck!
I didn’t realize I did this right Y-E-A-H. I just now found out from actually getting to look on my e-mail & thought I`d try once more. im not real good on this computer yet, but learning.again I would love to win a book from you, but if I don’t I recon I`ll be searching for yours, cant wait to get started.when do you give away your books? I wrote to you today & scrolled down & saw my name & your reply,again God bless & hope all is well with you
Go barefoot as much add possible our wear crocs. It is about as close as to bring barefoot as you can get without actually going barefoot. I am suppose to wear shoes at all time due to being a diabetic but, what the Dr don’t know won’t hurt, lol. Glad nothing serious happened during your fall. (I can relate)
Thanks, Ellen, I might have to check into crocs. Sorry you can relate, but I appreciate your empathy. Good luck in the contest!
Barefoot is definitely where it’s at, my friend. I am a Kentucky girl transplanted to Ohio and I prefer barefoot to anything else. Grace is most definitely NOT a name that would have suited me at all. I trip if I wear flip flops and I slip if I wear socks. I have even been know to trip over air if I am wearing shoes. It’s kind of ridiculous but I have adapted over the years. 🙂 I am glad you’re okay!
Thanks for writing, Karen. Apparently flip-flops are not my friends anymore. Glad you’ve adapted to bare feet and prefer it. Good luck in the book giveaway!
I use to always go barefoot but my feet started hurting so i couldn’t do it anymore. I miss it.
Thanks for entering the contest, Lisa! Good luck!
Oh, Dear! I am so glad you weren’t more seriously hurt! I am very clumsy and trip often, so I can totally sympathize! I LOVE to go barefoot and do as often as possible. It’s one of the things I love about seeing the Amish here in Lancaster County 🙂
Thanks for your kind sympathy, Kim. My shoulder is taking too long to heal, in my opinion. Is patience the lesson to be learned or to slow down and watch where I’m going? Good luck in the book giveaway!
I have always loved going barefoot even as a child! There is something about feeling the grass beneath your feet. I however I can no longer go barefoot due to my Osteoarthritis, my feet just hurt too badly now.
Thanks for writing and entering the book giveaway, Teresa! Sorry to hear your feet hurt. Never fun. Good luck in the contest!
I am so tender footed that I don’t think I could go barefoot outside, but do so while inside the house. Once when I was a child I was running around outside playing and no shoes on, so eagerly playing tag with the neighborhood children…..yep I was trying to tag someone and did not see the board with nail point sticking straight up!! My foot landed perfectly, the nail went in so deep…. Hospital run to the ER, tetanus shot and visits to the doctor later on, maybe that is why I am so tender footed!
Glad you were not hurt when you fell!!
You poor thing, Linda! A gruesome thought. I wouldn’t say I wasn’t hurt, only that it could have been ten times worse. Someone was watching over me!
Hello Kate. yes I`m barefoot as I am writing.I love to read about the amish. whenever I go shopping or to the bookstore, I just cant stop myself from looking for new amish books to read, nor new writers.I believe I have read a lot & want to read more.I raise my 4 yr old great grandson.I`d love to bring him up in the ole fashioned way`s. Oh I do walk on rocks, so that will tell you I love to go barefoot.I`ll be 63 in july & will continue . reading is my biggest passion ( sorry–God comes 1st) I find myself taking the book im reading at the time with me where ever I go, even to the potty.I would have loved to been born & raised Amish( but I do enjoy air conditioning )id love to win your books & get started on reading.Ive never seen your name out there, but would love to get started, when I start with a new artist, I keep waiting on their next one.cant wait.im like a child with a new toy & ive almost read all the artists books out there. God bless you–I will be watching for your name now as I go shopping,cant wait to get started on yours
I’d love you to read my books, Marion! Leaving Lancaster is the first of the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, followed by Pennsylvania patchwork, and now Forever Amish. Barefoot and raising a 4-year-old. You sound like a marvelous great-grandma!
I go barefoot as often as I can – my dad used to tell me when I was growing up that my feet would be as wide as they were long – I would just laugh! Although I do have wide feet! 🙂
Good for you, Penny! Nothing wrong with wide feet.