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Monday, April 16, 2012

N is for New Shoes

     When I was very young and any of us needed new shoes mom would take us to Marengo to the big dry goods store on the corner.    For those of you not old enough to remember dry goods stores,   they were the early version of department stores.  In other words, they carried a little of everything.  

     It was always fun to shop for new shoes because what child didn't love to get new Mother Goose or Buster Brown shoes!   Not that we cared that much about the shoes but you knew there would nearly always be a special free gift with the shoes; some little trinket that to us was like treasure.  Especially with Mother Goose shoes.

     Okay, so how many of you out there will admit to remembering Mother Goose shoes and the big plastic goose that laid the golden egg?  I loved that big plastic goose because every time mom bought me a new pair of Mother Goose shoes I got to do whatever it was that made the big golden egg roll out.  I have to admit I can't remember what you did to get it out...maybe raised a wing or pulled it's beak; not really sure.  Whatever it was it got you the large plastic golden egg that was filled with candy and trinkets.  To a 4, 5 or 6 year old it was like a 16 year old getting the keys to a new car!   It was like getting an Easter basket any time of year!    It was...well, you get the picture.

     I don't know about you but as high as shoes are nowadays I think all shoe companies should give us a golden egg every time we buy a pair of shoes and it should be real gold.  I'll have to say though, that even if they did it wouldn't have the same excitement as it did back in the day.  There could never be another Mother Goose that laid the golden egg.  It just wouldn't be the same.

Until next time...that's my view.
Kat

Clip Art courtesy of Microsoft Office Free Clip Art 

24 comments:

  1. I dn't remember Mother Goose shoes but I sure do like the idea of dry good stores. We could all do with a little fewer choices to make.

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    1. There definitely was something to be said for the smaller, locally owned stores that have just about disappeared. You are way too young to remember Mother Goose shoes!

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  2. Kat, I remember feeling so special when my Mom would take me to buy new dress shoes (black patten leather), before Easter. I particularly remember the shoe salesman adjusting the buckle to just the right tightness...good ole' days. :)

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    1. Yes, you sure don't get that personal service anymore!

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  3. Don't remember Mother Goose, but I do remember Buster Brown. And having a vague idea if you bought enough shoes they would give you a puppy (at least, I hoped they would).

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    1. I think they probably did give something with Buster Brown but I was always partial to those big golden eggs from Mother Goose! :D

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  4. I remember Mother Goose shoes, but my little feet were so wide shoe shopping was never much fun. It ended in too many pairs of shoes that attendants would try and scrunch on my feet, have me walk in them, and then take them off again to tell my mom "We do have wide shoes that you can order from the catalogue." because there were never any in the stores. Sad shoes... yep, that's my memory of shoe shopping. I think I will borrow yours, it's much more fun!

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    1. I didn't have a problem with size when I was little but I do have wide feet now so I know what you mean. Also when my son was small he had real narrow feet. Also hard to find.

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  5. I don't remember Mother Goose shoes, but I do remember how wonderful it felt to get a new pair of shoes. I have to say that for me, the thrill has never really worn off!

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    1. I think a lot of women cling to that feeling. For me it's more about purses!

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  6. I can empathize with November Rain because I have exactly the opposite problem: my feet are very narrow. It's a lot harder now than it was when I was younger to find shoes that fit me. I used to love shopping for new shoes; now I'm just grateful if I can find any anywhere.

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    1. I understand because now I have the wide foot problem. Very discouraging.

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  7. I remember them both, fun times. I also sold shoes for almost 10 years and the little kids would get to sit up high on a brightly colored wooden "train" in our shoe store! They loved it!

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    1. The train sounds like fun. I'm sure they did love it.

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  8. I must have had a very deprived childhood because my shoes were always 'sensible' shoes, nothing fancy. I never got the black patent shoes I longed for!

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    1. I only got them at Easter. Other times it was the sensible shoes.

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  9. I don't remember Mother Goose shoes but I sure remember Buster Browns. :D Wonderful post of your memories!!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Kathy. You are too young to remember Mother Goose shoes. It has been fun thinking about all these old memories.

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  10. I wish I knew about Mother Goose shoes! I love getting free surprises, even today! I will forever be 5 yrs. old in my heart of hearts. :)

    GREAT post! NEW FOLLOWER! - Gene Pool Diva sent me AND she told me to ask you for pie. Hhhhmm.. Deep dish apple or mincemeat.. Decisions, decisions. :)

    I look forward to stopping by every day, so put the coffee on! :D

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    1. I'm glad Diva sent you. I don't do mincemeat so it will have to be apple. Coffee anytime you want it. I'm with you - I love getting any useless trinket as long as it's free!

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  11. ah, mother goose.. i've got a few books from childhood.. but not the shoes...

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    1. You are probably too young for mother goose shoes. I was pretty young at the time.

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  12. I remember Buster Brown (saddle shoes anyone?) but no Mother Goose. Sounds delightful though!

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    1. Yes, we all had Buster Brown saddle shoes.

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