-Isms: Views on life in rural America

In middle school, my favorite shoes were Chucks. I had three pairs: red, white and black. They were comfy. And, honestly, I didn’t care what shoes I wore. I wasn’t trying to make a fashion statement.

That changed by the time I was a sophomore. I still owned several sets of Chucks, but the fashionista gene was kicking in and platform shoes and Mary Janes were preferred footwear.

Through the years, I grew to like tennis shoes less and less, owning a single pair that would last for years.

Instead, I’d collect boots and heels and sandals in all colors, all heights, all heel sizes. Soon, my shoe co...