From: Christopher Smith
Subject: beautiful day at art show
Date: Sun, 19 May 1996 23:49:22 -0400 (EDT)

Today was hot (around 100 deg F), but my family went to Stockley Gardens
Art Show in Norfolk, VA. I was of course unshod. Unlike the Va Beach
Boardwalk Art Show (held each June), this one is in an urban park with lots
of trees for shade.

The grass was a little sticky in places from being crushed by destructive
shuz, and there were spots of cool bare earth as well. At each street, the
central walk was large gray cobblestones (the size of oversized bricks)
which were nicely rounded and a pleasant textural variation.

Walking from van to the show (1/2 block) the asphalt was pretty hot, but
then I haven't felt much summer asphalt yet. (Our beach vacation last week
was plagued by 60s F, and rain.) Except for today's brief scorch, the
entire time was WONDERFUL!

Believe it or not (and members of this forum will believe, with disgust) I
saw only two other individuals barefoot, and one family (dad, mom, and c. 9
y/o daughter) all barefoot! I rarely see (anywhere) entire families unshod.
It seems bf'ing is almost anti-genetic!

The afternoon was capped off with a visit to a gas station convenience
store and then the grocery store, again gloriously barefoot!
More and more, I'm realizing more joy from the varied sensations and
increased feeling of well-being (whether that's blood flow or Chi or
whatever), than I am from (simply) getting my feet really dirty. I still
enjoy that too, but the more I walk the way my Creator intended, the more
I'm aware of so many other benefits.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher K Smith