Kicked Out at Walgreens

A BIT UNSURE AND APPREHENSIVE 
I wasn't sure if I wanted to start the day out barefoot or not.  There was a big JBQ meet at our church and before that was our men's breakfast.  So there would be a lot of people around and half I wouldn't know.  As usual, my shoes were in the van, so I walked out to the van barefoot, still not sure what I would do.  When we arrived at the church I decided to leave my shoes behind and headed inside.

INSIDE WITH A LARGE GROUP BAREFOOT
Breakfast was just being served and some of the kids who had traveled long distances for the final meet of the year had joined the men's breakfast.  So I slipped in unnoticed.  Breakfast went by without any comments.  After breakfast one person commented on my choice of attire, but otherwise no one mentioned my bare feet.

WALMART CLOSE CALL
I had the three year old with us so eventually he got restless so I left the match and headed over to Walmart to purchase Easter items and a few essentials.  It was crowded and I made it to the register without any comments.  The cashier was surprised they let me in barefoot and the lady behind me also commented, both though I should not be walking around barefoot.  I told them I didn't see any sign on the door and that no law forbade me from walking around barefoot.  Glass was brought up during the discussion and they both disapproved, but I was able to finish my purchase.

DIFFERENT TEXTURES
So I made it out of Walmart and we headed to the playground at our church daycare that had a pea gravel surface.  I guess it is better then tracking in sand into the building.  The gravel felt fine on my feet, but after a while I could tell my feet needed a break so we took a short walk around the building on the asphalt.  Then eventually back inside, where the cool smooth floor felt really soothing on my feet.  The only other comment at the church was when we were leaving, one of the visiting teens mentioned my feet would get cold outside, but I told them the pavement felt nice and warm today.

WALGREEN KICKS ME OUT
We arrived home much later then I had anticipated so I would have to postpone my Saturday run till Sunday.  I then headed over to Walgreens I picked up all the items I needed and was waiting to get some photos when I was told I couldn't be inside the store with bare feet.  I told them there was no sign on the door. I asked why and was told it was a health issue.  I told them the state had no law, but they insisted that the store had a policy against bare feet in the store due to health reasons.  I finally left my stuff on the counter and left.  I did return with shoes on to finish my purchase.  I plan to write a letter to the their headquarters to see if I can get the issue resolved in my favor.

CONCLUSION
I guess if you plan on living life barefooted you had better be ready for people to disapprove and to be kicked out of stores.  That night I ordered some xeroshoes - the sandals so that hopefully I can carry them around with me and put them on as needed.  Hopefully the will fit in my pocket when I go inside of stores.

FYI - RESULTS OF JBQ
The foster child's team took first in their division and my daughter took 3rd place quizer in her division, so both kids came away happy.

Two More Stores

After work I walked a quarter of a mile barefoot to my vehicle.  Without the sun shinning brightly down on the pavement there was no warm spots along the way.  Upon arriving home I realized I needed a receipt book.  As I headed back out the door I hesitated, and then picked up my shoes thinking: people will think it is too cold to be walking barefoot, or what will people think.  Then I changed my mind and said, Yes it may be a bit cool for going barefoot, but I still want to do it and it is therefore my choice and then left without my shoes. I shouldn't live my life by what others will think, even if they are right and I am a bit crazy.  It is a balance between the comfort of barefoot or the discomfort of the cold.  And I just love barefoot walking and can tolerate a bit of cold to do something I enjoy.  Besides I've been out in shorts in weather colder then this and people thought I was a bit crazy, so what is the difference.  Well okay, it isn't too unusual to see people in shorts in the winter, but you don't really see people shoeless walking around, even in the summer.

ON RUNNING
I was also doing some thinking about my run on Thursday in the cold.  Walking in the cold might be a good way to help condition my feet a little bit more for my runs when it is cold.  I am also thinking I should bring some warmer socks on Thursday so once I'm done my run I can put them on if needed and then walk back to my work with my shoes on.  The brain never stops.  I really want to get a streak going of barefoot runs, but don't want to be foolish either, hard balance when your set and excited about something.

STORES
Where were going, oh yes, the stores.  Arriving at the dollar store I looked around briefly and couldn't find what I wanted.  I then asked the checkout clerk and was told they didn't have any so I headed over to a nearby pharmacy.  After looking around and not seeing any I approached a manager that happened to be nearby on the floor working.  He showed me right where the item was and never acknowledged me being barefoot.  I had no problems at either store once again.  I feel like I'm getting bolder with each store I visit.   And knowing I can go into my most often visited stores without an issue feels great.

IN MY HEAD
I'm sure I'll be asked to leave a store someday, but by then it will almost be a relief.  Maybe I should head over to the local Mall, I understand Malls quick to ask barefoot people to leave.  I'm not looking for a confrontation, but I am expecting it to happen, so if I get it done with I might be able to relax a bit more.     I don't know any suggestions?

Fifth Store and a Walk

ON RUNNING
I had planned to go on my next barefoot run tomorrow when the temperature is predicted to be in the high 40's ºF.  Then I was reminded we have a luncheon that day at work.  I could skip the luncheon, but these are rare occurrences and it might not be wise to do so.  Looking ahead to the temperatures on Thursday, they predict it to be right at freezing.  I'm not sure I should try temperatures that low yet.  But on the other hand the higher temperature for tomorrow comes with wet weather. 

A WALK
Since today the temperature was  above freezing by just a few degrees, I figured if I can walk barefoot in today, I could probably run barefoot on Thursday.  So at lunch today I took a walk along the basic path I would run.  The sidewalks are concrete for the first part and then switch to pavement.  The asphalt was a lot warmer than the concrete, but was not too bad, so maybe I can do it.  I'll dress warm and bring my shoes in my pack, so they will be available if needed.

FIFTH STORE
Went into my 5th store today, a Rite-Aid drug store.  No one seem to notice, but I am so self-conscious.  I'll be glad when I am less self-aware and can relax more when shopping.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the whole shoeless experience, I'm just being stretched a bit when it comes to being out in public.   Especially since the temperatures are still pretty cool.  It is one thing to be crazy and walk around barefoot in the summer, another thing to be barefoot when the temperatures are just above freezing.