As we wended our weary way home from Chicago on the Metra yesterday evening, I watched a lot of honest hard working people trudge wearily on their feet, up and into the train, they would sit heavily, some of them looked to me to be way past the age that they should be working. They would take their belongings and arrange the handles around their wrists, cross their arms and fall straight to sleep, so completely in tune with their travel home that they would awake a few minutes before their stop, nod wordlessly to the fellows they had slept beside and slip silently down the train steps and out into the dimming light.
As the train picked up speed and moved away from the platform I would watch these people hurry, sometimes even hobble, for the exits. I kept them in my eyes as long as I could – I don’t know why. An old feeling I have always had that my minds eye can lift some of the weight from their tired old feet. I would have my angels to lift them off their feet for a moments respite. Those poor feet. 
It is OK to put lotion on our hands, or rub them together, or even inspect our nails in public. But I have yet to see anyone attend to their feet in a public place. Feet are viewed with distaste, they are not socially acceptable, they are hidden inside sensible shoes and socks. Or really insensible shoes. They are smelly and cracked and sometimes even (God help us all) – Dirty. They are not to be touched in public. To tend to ones tired feet in a public place is akin to scratching ones bottom or flicking your (riding-up) knickers back into place as you walk across a pedestrian crossing, or even (horrors) touching your nostrils.
Your feet will take you wherever you ask them to go. These small long suffering feet carry our entire bodies along the riverside of life. Tiny in comparison with the mass of flesh that relies on them, our poor much maligned feet are consigned to be seen but not heard.
Poor feet.
Go on! Kick your shoes off, pick up those poor old feet, lay one across your knee, massage in that lotion and say Thank you Feet. I will not hide you away like a Mad relative anymore.
But I know that if I said any of that to those respectable working men and women from the train they would look at me in horror and flee from me on their hurrying beleagured feet. Muttering about foreigners and the like. Foot -Touchers!
I hope you have had a lovely day.
My team is beginning to hum today. We always need a good week to find the new rhythm. And we have found it I think. This week will be a big one!
Love your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
44 responses to “Time for Feet”
Soaking tired feet in a basin of hot sudsy water is one of the most inexpensive, luxurious, almost-decadent-feeling forms of refreshment I can think of. Summer or Winter, never fails.
Somewhere along the way washing another’s feet became obsolete as a spoken of (or even done) thing between friends. It’s only ok now to do oneself, or pay someone to do as a pedicure.
You are so kind. And so funny. I am still laughing at the nostril comment….and looking at my feet with renewed appreciation.
My feet are up as I type this. That chicken looks marvelous.
Ha! Are you roasting that chicken in the oven, set in an iron frying pan? And I thought I was the only one did that… lol It looks so delicious… enjoy!
Yes, we do tend to abuse our feet. When I think of all the years stumbling around on public transit, wearing very high heels, I cringe. But that was a long time ago. The feet show the abuse but no longer feel it, thank heavens.
How did Hugo enjoy the city? ~ Mame 🙂
Hugo loved the city but was a tired baby boy on the way home! and yes my iron fry-pans are my favourites for just about everything..
In 1985 a cable car (yes, in San Francisco) ran over my right foot. Some 8 or 9 operations later, I am left with a toe-free, turbo stump which gets me around just fine. Because of this I view most feet as being beautiful. Love, Gayle, who still needs to tend to her feet.
Merciful heaven what a terrrible accident and a timely reminder to look after out TOES as well! You are a wonder! c
Getting a food massage from a girlfriend when I was sick was one of the nicest gifts I ever got. She had a lot of practice because she would give new mothers a food massage after the baby was born. She was a midwife.
I’m quite fond of my feet – bare! I did have to whip off the steel-toe boot and smelly sock at work yesterday to inspect potential damage via pallet truck ramming into my heel (I’m fine). But… Heavens, they were grass-stained! The horrors, for sure.
I hate those pallet trucks! I saw one drop ON a guys foot once.. I am glad you have the steep cap boots.. obviously you need them! c
I often wonder what’s going on in people’s minds as they do their daily commutes… your insight is wonderful. But externally, there’s no longer much camaraderie, or connection beyond electronic. Many years ago, I was one of those people, along with my neighbor who did a 2 hour commute to the city. At the time she & I amused ourselves by telling people ‘we sleep together’… we’ll we did, just as you say, settle ourselves into a train seat and we knew exactly when we needed to wake up 🙂 I still commute but a blessedly quick 15 minute train ride.
Another foot cream recommendation, which I buy for the G.O. who spends many hours on his feet on construction sites – L’Occitane Crème Pieds aka Dry Skin Foot Cream with shea butter, Arnica and lavender essential oil. Good for overworked hands as well.
That cream sounds divine! c
You could maybe make it with your own oil.
I must admit that I care more for my feet than I do for my face! Massaging the feet of an ill person can not alone bring great comfort, it can break down barriers and bring them closer. I loved the piece above.
I, too, have sent good thoughts after people and never told anyone that I did that. Regarding feet, I massage oil into mine most nights, sometimes a fragrant oil. Feels lovely and is some reward for what they put up with! Your piglets and pigs are very sweet.
Earth Therapeutics has a wonderful foot lotion with Tea Tree Oil. My feet really appreciate a little TLC. Love seeing all things piggy today. I’d be afraid to doze on the train, might miss my stop!
top roast chicken picture…really good library material ( that’s meant to be a complement, but on reflection I’m not sure that it is..but it’s a very good picture). The weather here is still good enough not to be wearing socks or even shoes when at home. The putting on of socks for the first time and last time of each year are my season changing moments:)