Barefoot...

The 4th blog of Xmas is also day 4 of 17 days of shoelessness, my annual summer holiday practice.

I love shoes. My darling often refers to me as 'Imelda', especially when I have commandeered a greater share of the wardrobe. Most days, my outfit is selected from the foot up. So it seems strange to choose to be shoeless.

Barefoot is about change of style, lack of style, complete relaxation, being natural. It's also about slowing down - the automatic way to help winter-tender feet cope with the textured world. At the same time, I'm resetting my mind to a greater degree of tranquillity.

By the time i wear shoes again, my holiday time will have toughened my soles, and desensitised my soul.