Laurie Klein, Scribe

immerse in God, emerge refreshed

Greek Feet, Great Art & Pivotal Questions

by 17 Chiming In

Trauma

Nested five-gallon buckets separate—mid-air—serially bashing my second toe.

Howls.
Language.
Mega blood blister.

Later, urgent Labrador claws, jigging at our front door,
meet my hapless, arthritic toe and,
accidentally, gouge open the blister.

Colors yet-to-be-named fresco my foot.
Weight bearing? Impossible.
26 foot bones, not one broken.

And now Toe #2 is 1/4 inch longer than before.

Solidarity

Nurse Tina, armed with gauze and surgical tape, groans aloud—more than once—and I love her for it.

She artfully buddy straps toes 2 and 3.

Greek Feet, buddy strapped
Greek Feet, buddy strapped (courtesy of a Seahawks fan)

My newly-bound twosome throbs.

I hobble.

I google.

Comparisons

Pop Quiz: How does my foot resemble

  • Venus de Milo?
  • da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man?
  • The Statue of Liberty?

Greek Feet Zoom

Turns out I have Greek Feet, my second toes longer than my big toes. Greek Feet are the idealized foot shape found in ancient statuary, continuing up to our present-day Lady of Liberty. (Longer big toes? You have Egyptian Feet. Read more here.)

Reflexologists, or Foot Readers, claim overlong second toes indicate leadership qualities: resourcefulness, creativity, intelligence, confidence, enthusiasm, impulsiveness, and vulnerability to stress.

Snopes fodder? You decide.

“The second toe on your right foot shows what you want in life,” Foot Reader Jane Sheehan says. “If you are getting [what you want], the toe will be touching the floor.”

Flattened Toe #2 has never hugged more carpet. Am I getting what I want?

The Kicker

My sturdy middle toe has limits.

This reminds me of relationships. We bind ourselves to a loved one who’s hurting. We try to provide balance. Stability. We compensate, try to share the weight.

When do we loose the bonds, urge the injured part (or party) to step up again and fulfill its role?

Isn’t this what we ask ourselves?

Will Toe #2 return to its original shape? Will my shoes still fit? God knows.

Beyond Buddy Strapping

Meanwhile, I’m reading up on Venus de Milo:

Artistic feet.
Misplaced arms.
She is what she is. And known for it.

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How do we play a supporting role—without playing God?

Reflexologist Jane Sheehan will give a reading if you send her a photo of your feet. Visit www.footreading.com

Pole Jackets, Cumberbunds, Trust

by 6 Chiming In

Pole jackets? Trust me, never heard of them

For twenty-five years I have walked dogs past the same two dozen utility poles. Today I notice again the crumbling sheath at the base of one of them. It must be the light.

Cobalt, indigo, aqua, then a mix of lilac, umber, and ocher—even loden green—there are so many hues!

Time and weather have deckled the edges, like handmade paper. Tacked straight into wood with three galvanized nails, this is the only utility jacket wrapping a pole on our road.

Was it attached to protect the base from rot? Was it an insect barrier? Why this pole?

Pole Jacket: Would You Trust This Covering?

From a distance, the substance is a mystery, mottled, like pigments bleeding together on thick wet paper.

The dog and I close in on it. It’s plastic, and brittle, the color of bruises.

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know I love the way everyday sights suggest insights.

So far, I’m stumped. [Read more…]