Colorful Characters: Polk McCullough

I suspect most folks are aware that in the Civil War, many Confederate soldiers ended up (or started out) going barefoot. In the south, they’d all probably grown up wearing shoes only occasionally, and as the war continued, supplies were hard to get.

Here’s a story, though, of a Union soldier known for going barefoot.

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Saturday Comic

One of my favorite comic strips is Arlo & Janis, created by Jimmy Johnson. This strip appeared on September 13, 2006.

Arlo & Janis – September 13, 2006

Jimmy Johnson is about the right age to be a hippy, and you can see that in this strip, showing typical college student dress from the 1960s. Of course, that includes bare feet.

And see if you can figure out who “Arlo” and “Janis” are named after.

 

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A Plea

I’ve shared quite a few barefoot poems over the years. Well, I’ve found another one.

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Saturday Comic

Here’s a comic from the strip Arctic Circle that just appeared this past November 20, 2017. The strip is created by Alex Hallatt.

Arctic Circle, November 20, 2017

If you really want to get eco-friendly, barefooters can suggest a way.

(I even have a blog entry about the Carbon Footprint of shoes.)

 

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To Keeley and Back

Let me return writing about to my trip Out West last spring. (I’ll finish doing so eventually—hopefully before my next trip.)

After leaving the Grand Canyon, I returned to Hovenweep and the Canyons of the Ancients.

There was more barefoot exploring to do.

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Saturday Comic

Here’s a cartoon I really don’t know the provenance of. (I cannot even decipher the cartoonist’s signature.)

“Barefoot Shoes”

But I do know that the phrase “barefoot shoes” drive me (and a lot of other barefooters) nuts. At least this one is accurate.

 

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Abyssinia Barefoot

The 1800s were a big time for English voyagers to travel the world and then write up their adventures. Mansfield Parkyns went to Abyssinia (nowadays Ethiopia and Eritrea) when he was 20 and lived there for 3 years.

While in Abyssinia, he adopted their dress and customs. That included going barefoot.

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Saturday Comic

Here’s a Barney Google and Snuffy Smith comic from August 3, 1969.

Snuffy Smith, August 3, 1969

[Click for larger, more readable version.]

I think it hearkens back to the time in the early 1900s when even Isadora Duncan dancing barefoot was considered scandalous. “Proper” women just wouldn’t be seen in public barefoot.

 

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What a Card—Texas Edition

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about those “Barefoot Rights” Cards available over at barefooters.org. I discussed Michigan and Arizona, and how the law really doesn’t say what those cards say it is.

Today I want to look at the Texas card.

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Saturday Comic

Well, it’s still Saturday here.

This comic is from Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal by Zach Weinersmith. It appeared September 19, 2017.

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, September 19, 2017

Feet get super gross in non-transparent shoes, too. You just can’t see them. (And you can’t see them sweat, either.)

 

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What’s Afoot?

If you read my post asking (and answering) What’s Up, Doc?, you might now also be asking, “What’s Afoot?”

Here’s an update, along with a few, somewhat interesting, side issues.

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Bright Angel Resthouses

Let me blog again about my trip Out West last June. I’ve been quite derelict on finishing that up.

While I was at the Grand Canyon I ended up doing less strenuous hikes than I planned. Most of that was because it was hot (and I’m aware of the dangers with heat in the Grand Canyon).

But I did make sure I had fun with whatever hikes I did.

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Saturday Comic

I’ve said before that Frank & Ernest is mostly just an excuse to illustrate bad puns. This one, from September 18, 2017 is no exception.

Frank & Ernest, September 18, 2017

And vintage footwear, too.

 

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What a Card!

Over at barefooters.org, they have a webpage with what they call “Barefoot Rights Cards”, here. There is one for every state and they generally state that those who go barefoot for religious or disability reasons are protected by the law.

But are they accurate?

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What’s Up, Doc?

A couple of folks asked a question on my last post. Was I OK? Well, when the first question was asked, the answer was yes.

But things change . . .

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