What a brilliantly candid piece of writing, Rebecca. I loved that you were able to embrace going barefoot on the grass - isn’t that the line from a very famous Ed Sheeran song?! - and enjoyed the liberating experience. I love walking around barefoot and do so whenever I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as always.
Rosy, you're so kind - thank you so much! I'm going to try going barefoot more often - it's a shame that it's October, though! Hey ho, I'll remember this for the summer!
What a brilliantly candid piece of writing, Rebecca. I loved that you were able to embrace going barefoot on the grass - isn’t that the line from a very famous Ed Sheeran song?! - and enjoyed the liberating experience. I love walking around barefoot and do so whenever I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as always.
What a brilliantly candid piece of writing, Rebecca. I loved that you were able to embrace going barefoot on the grass - isn’t that the line from a very famous Ed Sheeran song?! - and enjoyed the liberating experience. I love walking around barefoot and do so whenever I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as always.
I am so glad you and your feet have made contact with the earth. It's grounding, and I'm not being at all facetious. It's fabulous when the weather warms enough to get rid of footwear and just go barefoot. I love walking across our wooden floors after I've washed and polished them. It's like walking on satin. Goodness, Rebecca, I guess it must feel heady, like the days of bra-burning!
I also thought your garden map was so special and I think I'd like to try that myself - thank you for the inspiration.
And finally thank you for the link to 14 year old Daniel. What an astonishing piece of art and how dedicated he is. The idea of combining histories in his map is so clever.
I love maps. I've got a series of maps of my fantasy country, Eirie, that were designed by miniature book artist, Pat Sweet (USA). Pat is also a bookbinder and created the most marvellous miniature chest in which to store the maps. We had a lot of fun in a collaborations through the years of my fantasy writing. Her studio at the time was called Bo Press, but she has now closed it. She was a very fine artist and map maker. I might do a post on the work one day.
Thank you again for an 'earthy' post - golly, we almost tiptoed through the tulips with you!
Prue, you're so right - 'grounding' is exactly the word! I think that's what my friend was getting at when she suggested going barefoot, and gosh, it felt brilliant - although very 'other'; very not-like-me-at-all. It's bonkers that something that comes so naturally to so many people is something that my brain has just never felt comfortable with! But hey, I survived, and learned so much about my place in the world at the same time. Absolutely amazing.
I remember looking up Pat's work when you've mentioned her miniature books before - absolutely extraordinary, beautiful work. I'd love to read a post about her work one day! xxx
I will gladly trade you one miniature spruce for your palm. A better fit for both of us. "Bugs and worms" ( alive and thriving! ) sounds so much better to me than "compost" ( dead and decaying!). I will use that from now on. Lovely little map, Rebecca.
Ooooh, a miniature spruce sounds like an excellent alternative, Sharron! DEAL! 🌴
At certain times of year the compost bin absolutely SEETHES with worms - wriggling fist-sized knots of them collect around the rim. I find them absolutely fascinating! 🪱
Congratulations for baring your sole(s). I love you map of the backyard. And the link to the kid who drew that huge map! What a gas. A couple of years ago, I purchased a large tome of maps of various things that is really intriguing. One of the maps is, indeed, a kid's map of his neighborhood. It's a great activity for kids to learn about their environments.
Oh Sue, YES!!!! I bared my soles AND my soul! Wish I'd thought to say that!
I was sooooo impressed with the boy's map, too - what an amazing project to keep going with for seven years, and the fact that he's written guidebooks for his 'kingdom' is absolutely wonderful. I love the sound of your book of maps - it sounds fascinating! What's it's title?
The title is (of all things) "MAPS: Exploring the World." Phaeton is ... who, what? I wish I could imbed a photo here. Any ideas on how to do that? sigh
Thanks so much, Sue! I’ve just hit Google and found it. (AND found a copy secondhand on eBay which might just be on its way to me as an early birthday present to myself). 🤫 shhhhhh!
When they were young, our kids used to draw maps of the property as they pretended to be orphans. I can't be sure, but I hope I kept at least one of those! You've captured all the most important features of your relationship with your yard. Just wonderful!
(I wonder if young Daniel will become a cartographer, a novelist, or a gaming expert?)
Oh gosh, Elizabeth, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the link to your post - I've read it, saved it, and even made a note of it in my journal!
I love that your kids used to draw maps of their own surroundings. I liked drawing treasure maps as a child - they were always islands located in the midst of dangerous waters. I had a play at drawing one last week, actually - it's a work in progress which is unlikely to see the light of day, but I'm having fun with it! The best part was dyeing the paper with tea and coffee to make it look old.
Men in sandals and socks is a combo I often see in summer. Actually I can't remember the last time I ever owned a pair of sandals - it's always walking boots or thick-soled slippers for me - occasionally trainers. It's possible that in the future I'll have bare feet more often - but it'll be one step at a time! 🤣
Welcome to the land of barefoot, one which I'm always sad to leave when the weather turns and my feet are cold enough to put socks on. I hope you maybe learn to love it as much as my Jim and I do! We grew up running barefoot (some say it helps build one's immune system as the good microbes get into one's system). Your candid telling of the experience was poignant almost, very Rebecca. 😊
Awww, thanks, Mary! That's so interesting about the boost to the immune system - it makes perfect sense! As a child we always, always had shoes on outside, and slippers in the house, in case we trod on something dangerous - y'know, if someone had dropped a glass on the kitchen floor we might have cut our feet - and with stuff always going on outside with the animals, and stones, rusty nails, all sorts of everything around and about, well, we'd've been getting tetanus shots right, left and centre! I still can't *not* wear slippers in the house. Maybe I'll try taking those off one day soon!
Thank you so much for your words 'candid' and 'poignant', Mary - I think this is one of the most personal posts I've written. xxxxxxx
What a wonderful map. I love every little corner and all in between! I admire your bravery, Rebecca, and I’m not kidding, here. The last time I walked barefoot in the grass, was 1963, and I stepped on a honeybee. That did it for me! 🫢 Thanks for making me think twice! Maybe I’ll venture out..🦋 Wonderful story!
Oh Sharon, we're peas in a pod! I was never barefoot outside - or inside - for that exact reason, so that I didn't tread on anything that would hurt me! xxx
I’m a day late reading your Saturday post. But sitting here in bed Sunday morning, I’m entertained and amused. (Although it’s probably closer to your noon tea time on your corner of the planet.
Love your plot map!
I’ve drawn up—in pencil only—my gardens over the years, to give me an idea what and where I planted for that season. But I never thought to elaborate with crayons, watercolors paints or ink. (May have to change that. You’ve inspired me.) However I almost always visited my garden barefooted.
My mother told me once she never put shoes on my brothers or I until we had to start our primer year in a school. Bravo for your first ‘grounding’ experience!
Sadly, this year, I was not able to walk barefoot in my gardens because I had wood chips brought in and placed around everywhere within my fenced garden that wasn’t growing space. Ouch! Those chips are prickly! What was I thinking!?
Ooooooh, prickly wood chips wouldn't be my first choice of what to walk on barefoot, Gail!
I love the sound of the garden plans you've drawn over the years - I wonder if you've kept your archive and can look back on the garden on paper to see how it's evolved?
I made a decision this morning I am going to spend more time in my own garden.
I’ve been spending too much time volunteering in helping another woman’s dream of what she wants this new “community garden” to be, that I have neglected my own. So I’m going back to my own dream.
I’m a day late reading your Saturday post. But sitting here in bed Sunday morning, I’m entertained and amused. (Although it’s probably closer to your noon tea time on your corner of the planet.) You never disappoint!!
Love your plot map!
I’ve drawn up—in pencil only—my gardens over the years, to give me an idea what and where I planted for that season. But I never thought to elaborate with crayons, watercolors paints or ink. (May have to change that. You’ve inspired me.) However I almost always visited my garden barefooted.
My mother told me once she never put shoes on my brothers or I until we had to start our primer year in a school. Bravo for your first ‘grounding’ experience!
Sadly, this year, I was not able to walk barefoot in my gardens because I had wood chips brought in and placed around everywhere within my fenced garden that wasn’t growing space. Ouch! Those chips are prickly! What was I thinking!?
I love this post! It's so lighthearted! And I'm happy to hear you let yourself experience your bare feet on the earth. I believe that standing in the earth is extremely therapeutic. Thanks for putting a smile on my face today!
Another wonderful, thought-provoking read that led me on a merry chase to other amazing Substacks. As if I don’t already have more than enough to read!
Everyone I know who goes barefoot loves it so much. I used to go barefoot heaps, but my feet get so cold these days. I even wear socks to bed! (Much cheaper than using an electric blanket to prewarm the sheets.) As we’re in springtime down here, maybe I’ll try more sock-free pursuits. I know it will be beneficial.
Hugs my dear. Loved the arting too. A proper sketchbook journal. 🤗🤗💕
Thanks, Beth! LOL - I've got far too much to read, too - but like you I just can't help myself following those trails! 🤣
I get cold feet - and at the moment - well, for a few weeks now - I wear socks in bed - really lovely handknitted woollen ones made by Mum. She makes such lovely socks!
And of course yes, it's spring down under! How wonderful! Happy springtime hugs to you, dear Beth! 🌱
Congrats on your newfound foot freedom! I LOVE walking barefoot in the sand and grass; however aging feet do require support or problems arise (plantar fasciitis in my case.) Therefore I must limit how long I walk around ‘sans shoes.’ Now, the bra is another story…😆
Same here. I went barefoot during the summer (indoors and in safe parts of my yard) until just a few years ago and miss it but my feet ache after a short time now.
Thanks, Ms. Writer! It does feel like a kind of freedom - I need to do it again, that's for sure! I'm sorry to hear about the plantar fasciitis - ouchie! 🦶
As children we ran barefoot all summer, indoors and out. We had to put on shoes to go into stores or businesses and resented it very much! Our feet were unbelievably grubby by bedtime, and we’d sit on the edge of the bathtub to scrub them off.
Ah yes, grubby feet! I had to give mine a good wash when I got back into the house - I wonder what kind of state they'd've been in if I'd been in bare feet all day?!
What a brilliantly candid piece of writing, Rebecca. I loved that you were able to embrace going barefoot on the grass - isn’t that the line from a very famous Ed Sheeran song?! - and enjoyed the liberating experience. I love walking around barefoot and do so whenever I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as always.
Rosy, you're so kind - thank you so much! I'm going to try going barefoot more often - it's a shame that it's October, though! Hey ho, I'll remember this for the summer!
What a brilliantly candid piece of writing, Rebecca. I loved that you were able to embrace going barefoot on the grass - isn’t that the line from a very famous Ed Sheeran song?! - and enjoyed the liberating experience. I love walking around barefoot and do so whenever I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as always.
What a brilliantly candid piece of writing, Rebecca. I loved that you were able to embrace going barefoot on the grass - isn’t that the line from a very famous Ed Sheeran song?! - and enjoyed the liberating experience. I love walking around barefoot and do so whenever I can. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, as always.
I am so glad you and your feet have made contact with the earth. It's grounding, and I'm not being at all facetious. It's fabulous when the weather warms enough to get rid of footwear and just go barefoot. I love walking across our wooden floors after I've washed and polished them. It's like walking on satin. Goodness, Rebecca, I guess it must feel heady, like the days of bra-burning!
I also thought your garden map was so special and I think I'd like to try that myself - thank you for the inspiration.
And finally thank you for the link to 14 year old Daniel. What an astonishing piece of art and how dedicated he is. The idea of combining histories in his map is so clever.
I love maps. I've got a series of maps of my fantasy country, Eirie, that were designed by miniature book artist, Pat Sweet (USA). Pat is also a bookbinder and created the most marvellous miniature chest in which to store the maps. We had a lot of fun in a collaborations through the years of my fantasy writing. Her studio at the time was called Bo Press, but she has now closed it. She was a very fine artist and map maker. I might do a post on the work one day.
Thank you again for an 'earthy' post - golly, we almost tiptoed through the tulips with you!
Prue, you're so right - 'grounding' is exactly the word! I think that's what my friend was getting at when she suggested going barefoot, and gosh, it felt brilliant - although very 'other'; very not-like-me-at-all. It's bonkers that something that comes so naturally to so many people is something that my brain has just never felt comfortable with! But hey, I survived, and learned so much about my place in the world at the same time. Absolutely amazing.
I remember looking up Pat's work when you've mentioned her miniature books before - absolutely extraordinary, beautiful work. I'd love to read a post about her work one day! xxx
I will gladly trade you one miniature spruce for your palm. A better fit for both of us. "Bugs and worms" ( alive and thriving! ) sounds so much better to me than "compost" ( dead and decaying!). I will use that from now on. Lovely little map, Rebecca.
Ooooh, a miniature spruce sounds like an excellent alternative, Sharron! DEAL! 🌴
At certain times of year the compost bin absolutely SEETHES with worms - wriggling fist-sized knots of them collect around the rim. I find them absolutely fascinating! 🪱
In Sardinia they may have a recipe... 🍴
Don’t!!!!!! 😲 LOL, Sharron!!!!!!!!
Congratulations for baring your sole(s). I love you map of the backyard. And the link to the kid who drew that huge map! What a gas. A couple of years ago, I purchased a large tome of maps of various things that is really intriguing. One of the maps is, indeed, a kid's map of his neighborhood. It's a great activity for kids to learn about their environments.
Oh Sue, YES!!!! I bared my soles AND my soul! Wish I'd thought to say that!
I was sooooo impressed with the boy's map, too - what an amazing project to keep going with for seven years, and the fact that he's written guidebooks for his 'kingdom' is absolutely wonderful. I love the sound of your book of maps - it sounds fascinating! What's it's title?
The title is (of all things) "MAPS: Exploring the World." Phaeton is ... who, what? I wish I could imbed a photo here. Any ideas on how to do that? sigh
Thanks so much, Sue! I’ve just hit Google and found it. (AND found a copy secondhand on eBay which might just be on its way to me as an early birthday present to myself). 🤫 shhhhhh!
shhhh ... happy birthday to you.
🤣😘
So refreshing, Rebecca! Perhaps you're not quite ready for this, but I'll happily encourage you should you get there. https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/ground-rules?
When they were young, our kids used to draw maps of the property as they pretended to be orphans. I can't be sure, but I hope I kept at least one of those! You've captured all the most important features of your relationship with your yard. Just wonderful!
(I wonder if young Daniel will become a cartographer, a novelist, or a gaming expert?)
Oh gosh, Elizabeth, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the link to your post - I've read it, saved it, and even made a note of it in my journal!
I love that your kids used to draw maps of their own surroundings. I liked drawing treasure maps as a child - they were always islands located in the midst of dangerous waters. I had a play at drawing one last week, actually - it's a work in progress which is unlikely to see the light of day, but I'm having fun with it! The best part was dyeing the paper with tea and coffee to make it look old.
😊 😊 😊 Fun is worth having!
I'm a socks & shoes guy. I hate seeing men's feet in sandals. I would never wear them myself. Lol
Men in sandals and socks is a combo I often see in summer. Actually I can't remember the last time I ever owned a pair of sandals - it's always walking boots or thick-soled slippers for me - occasionally trainers. It's possible that in the future I'll have bare feet more often - but it'll be one step at a time! 🤣
Welcome to the land of barefoot, one which I'm always sad to leave when the weather turns and my feet are cold enough to put socks on. I hope you maybe learn to love it as much as my Jim and I do! We grew up running barefoot (some say it helps build one's immune system as the good microbes get into one's system). Your candid telling of the experience was poignant almost, very Rebecca. 😊
Awww, thanks, Mary! That's so interesting about the boost to the immune system - it makes perfect sense! As a child we always, always had shoes on outside, and slippers in the house, in case we trod on something dangerous - y'know, if someone had dropped a glass on the kitchen floor we might have cut our feet - and with stuff always going on outside with the animals, and stones, rusty nails, all sorts of everything around and about, well, we'd've been getting tetanus shots right, left and centre! I still can't *not* wear slippers in the house. Maybe I'll try taking those off one day soon!
Thank you so much for your words 'candid' and 'poignant', Mary - I think this is one of the most personal posts I've written. xxxxxxx
You are so brave, Rebecca. I was struck by the purity and "this is me" feeling of your post. ❤️
Awwwwwww. Tears in my eyes, Mary. You’re ever so kind, thank you. ☺️
What a wonderful map. I love every little corner and all in between! I admire your bravery, Rebecca, and I’m not kidding, here. The last time I walked barefoot in the grass, was 1963, and I stepped on a honeybee. That did it for me! 🫢 Thanks for making me think twice! Maybe I’ll venture out..🦋 Wonderful story!
Oh Sharon, we're peas in a pod! I was never barefoot outside - or inside - for that exact reason, so that I didn't tread on anything that would hurt me! xxx
I’m a day late reading your Saturday post. But sitting here in bed Sunday morning, I’m entertained and amused. (Although it’s probably closer to your noon tea time on your corner of the planet.
Love your plot map!
I’ve drawn up—in pencil only—my gardens over the years, to give me an idea what and where I planted for that season. But I never thought to elaborate with crayons, watercolors paints or ink. (May have to change that. You’ve inspired me.) However I almost always visited my garden barefooted.
My mother told me once she never put shoes on my brothers or I until we had to start our primer year in a school. Bravo for your first ‘grounding’ experience!
Sadly, this year, I was not able to walk barefoot in my gardens because I had wood chips brought in and placed around everywhere within my fenced garden that wasn’t growing space. Ouch! Those chips are prickly! What was I thinking!?
Ooooooh, prickly wood chips wouldn't be my first choice of what to walk on barefoot, Gail!
I love the sound of the garden plans you've drawn over the years - I wonder if you've kept your archive and can look back on the garden on paper to see how it's evolved?
Yes I have for the most part.
I made a decision this morning I am going to spend more time in my own garden.
I’ve been spending too much time volunteering in helping another woman’s dream of what she wants this new “community garden” to be, that I have neglected my own. So I’m going back to my own dream.
Going back to your own dream sounds utterly perfect, Gail. Go for it! xxx
I’m a day late reading your Saturday post. But sitting here in bed Sunday morning, I’m entertained and amused. (Although it’s probably closer to your noon tea time on your corner of the planet.) You never disappoint!!
Love your plot map!
I’ve drawn up—in pencil only—my gardens over the years, to give me an idea what and where I planted for that season. But I never thought to elaborate with crayons, watercolors paints or ink. (May have to change that. You’ve inspired me.) However I almost always visited my garden barefooted.
My mother told me once she never put shoes on my brothers or I until we had to start our primer year in a school. Bravo for your first ‘grounding’ experience!
Sadly, this year, I was not able to walk barefoot in my gardens because I had wood chips brought in and placed around everywhere within my fenced garden that wasn’t growing space. Ouch! Those chips are prickly! What was I thinking!?
I love this post! It's so lighthearted! And I'm happy to hear you let yourself experience your bare feet on the earth. I believe that standing in the earth is extremely therapeutic. Thanks for putting a smile on my face today!
Oh thank you, Sue! Yes, definitely therapeutic - I'm absolutely going to be doing this again! Thank you so much for reading!
Another wonderful, thought-provoking read that led me on a merry chase to other amazing Substacks. As if I don’t already have more than enough to read!
Everyone I know who goes barefoot loves it so much. I used to go barefoot heaps, but my feet get so cold these days. I even wear socks to bed! (Much cheaper than using an electric blanket to prewarm the sheets.) As we’re in springtime down here, maybe I’ll try more sock-free pursuits. I know it will be beneficial.
Hugs my dear. Loved the arting too. A proper sketchbook journal. 🤗🤗💕
Thanks, Beth! LOL - I've got far too much to read, too - but like you I just can't help myself following those trails! 🤣
I get cold feet - and at the moment - well, for a few weeks now - I wear socks in bed - really lovely handknitted woollen ones made by Mum. She makes such lovely socks!
And of course yes, it's spring down under! How wonderful! Happy springtime hugs to you, dear Beth! 🌱
Congrats on your newfound foot freedom! I LOVE walking barefoot in the sand and grass; however aging feet do require support or problems arise (plantar fasciitis in my case.) Therefore I must limit how long I walk around ‘sans shoes.’ Now, the bra is another story…😆
Same here. I went barefoot during the summer (indoors and in safe parts of my yard) until just a few years ago and miss it but my feet ache after a short time now.
Ouchie, Kerry! Aching feet are no fun at all. xxx
Thanks, Ms. Writer! It does feel like a kind of freedom - I need to do it again, that's for sure! I'm sorry to hear about the plantar fasciitis - ouchie! 🦶
As children we ran barefoot all summer, indoors and out. We had to put on shoes to go into stores or businesses and resented it very much! Our feet were unbelievably grubby by bedtime, and we’d sit on the edge of the bathtub to scrub them off.
Ah yes, grubby feet! I had to give mine a good wash when I got back into the house - I wonder what kind of state they'd've been in if I'd been in bare feet all day?!