A Shift in Vision

    Let m e expand on this, using my own African American context as an exampl
e. T he peoples of western Africa, although few may have been Christian
upon their arrival in these United states, had a deep spirituality and religious
understanding that was very much "in keeping with the true and authentic
spirit of the liturgy".
    1n African religion there is a high God cOlnparable to the Christi an concept
of a one God. But jllSt as there are many spirits in Christianity, angels
and saints, each especially en1powered ( St. M1ichael for strength, 5t. Raphael
fo r healing), so too in the African religions there are spirits for particular
aspects of creation.
    Devotio n to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints offered a rich context
for syncretism with African understandings of the holy:
    The use of sacramentals (blessed objects), such as statues, pictures, candles,incense, holy water, rosaries, vestmen ts,fashion shoes and relics, in Catholic ritual was more akin to the spirit of African piety than the coarseness of Puri tan America- which held such obj ects to be idolatrous. Holy days, processions, saints' feasts, days of fast and abstinence were all recognizable to the African who had observed the sacred days, festivals, and food taboos of his [sic]godS.
    The r eligiolls cultural ma trix of African peoples who, llpon cOlning to
these shores, were transformed into a new people (African Americans) includes
several key concepts. Religion is an all-per vasive reality and a sense of the holy enconlpasses the whole myster y of life, beginning before life and continuing after death. For lnost Africans, to live is to participate Ìn a religious dralna; they see themselves as totally Ì1nlnersed Ìn a sacred cosmos.14 N 0 dllality exists;no separation between the sacred and the secular; all of life is holy.
    Many of us are aware of these shifts but perhaps haven 't fully thought
out their impli cations for us as a church. As our nation changes, so does our
church. Many fa ces, new and old, are increasingly engaged in exploring what
it means to be the people of God, the church in the world, which is increasingly
inhabited by persons of color. 1n the United States, it is blacks, Latinos/as, and Asians who are the new yet oh-so-old faces of the Catholic church in our changing parishes.
    Many of those persons of color who will reach maturity in the twenty-fÌrst
century will be Catholic. Whether immigrant or first, second, or third generation; whether of Hispanic, African, Native Alnerican, Pacifìc 1slander, or Asian ancestry; lnany of the new and challenging voices being raised in ollr church today are the voices of ROlnan Catholics wh o are calling upon the church not sin1ply to recognize their presence but to recognize the validity and legititnacy of their unique, valuable, and lnuch-needed contributions to the catholicity of our church. T hey are more than just statistics, for st atistics don't reveal the human face of those whom they represent. 丁hey don't reveal whether or how those diffe rent peoples are being welcomed and received: those who are in our schools; those in the inner cities, those in the suburbs; who are moving from urban to suburban parishes; as well as in those who are calling for a home in a church in which they have lived as "visitors" for too long a time.
    These old but, to man只seen1ingly new Catholics (blacks, Hispanics,
and Asians) bring gifts of j oyf吐cele brati on ， of holistic gatherings, of welcoming communion, of a deep and abiding spirituality that have enabled them to
get through the "rough places and the straight." They bring feelings and emotions
that frighten those seeking to control the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
They bring a challenge, for they are the ones that knock on the door at lnidnight
saying, "1 aln here; 1 cannot be turned away; 1 will not be turned away. Feed me,
nourish lne with the body and blood of Christ, but realize that 1 do not come
empty-handed, a clean slate to be written on by others, but 1 COlne with hopes
and fears of my own that need to be shared, lifted up, and blessed by the church
as true and authentic ways of being Catholic."

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Lloyd Wright

    On a hot summer Sunday after the morning service at the little
country church where every neighbo r attended, the ladies were preparing
for a church picnic. 1he men had set up a long table on sawhorses and
the ladies spread sheets over the table. As the children played the men
sat around and talked. The ladies took fried chicken and potato salad
along with all the trimmings from their picnic baskets and set it on the
table. Kyle and Elsie had been sitting under a shade tree watching the
rest of the children run and play. They both were secretly wishing they
could join their friends. Elsie now was wearing leg braces and could use
crutches to drag herself around. Kyle noticed their dads had moved off
away from the other men and were having a private talk.
    The afternoon passed quickly as well as all the fried chicken and
potato salad. It was then time for the men to get the ice cream freezers
which had been sitting in the shade packed in ice. Kyle ate his home
made ice cream so fast it gave him a head ache. When he mentioned it
to Elsie, Ellie was standing close by listening and told him.
    "That's what you get for being a hog."
    She then ran off knowing that her sister and Kyle could not
follow and catch her. After the dessert was finished, it was time to put
everything away and pack up to go home. It had been a great day for
everyone.
    That evening a丘er all the evening chores were complete, the family
sat on the front porch listening to the sounds of the approaching night.
Kyle sat on the edge of the porch and let his legs hang off of the edge.
As he sat there, he swung his crippled leg trying to regain the strength
in it. He could now put a little weight on it. His parents were slowly
swinging and enjoying the cool of the evening. Finally, Kyle's dad broke
the evening silence when he said.
    "Mr. Tucker told me Elsie would be going to school this f过1 and
Ellie will be starting school. He has been watching how Molly has
carried Kyle to and from school and so has the other neighbors. He
knows where a pony cart along with a set of pony harnesses is located.
1he blacksmith has an old cart in an old storage shed and is willing to
fìx it up and give to us. Another neighbor has the pony harness and has
no need for it. He is willing to give it to us also. Mr. Tucker thought
maybe Molly could be used along with the cart to carry the children
to and from school. He was wondering if we would be willing to see if
Molly would let us harness her and hitch her to a cart. He suggested if
we agreed to try it, he would talk to the blacksmith about any necessary
repairs to the cart and then bring the harness and cart over to try out.
You know Kyle, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try before school sta口s and
see if Molly can be used to pull the cart. It will give her time to get used
to it. You know Mr. Tucker was nice selling Molly to you for ten cents.
If you could give his girls a ride to school everyday, it would give him
more time to work in the fìelds."
    Kyle sat quiecly for a moment. He could just visualize in his mind
Molly pulling the cart. He thought it would be fun and he would enjoy
Elsie's company going to school. Kyle then replied.
    "i would like to try Dad. Do you think Molly would really pull a
cart?"
    "i don't think it would hurt to give it a try. It sure would help them
out." His dad replied.
    Kyle's mom quickly agreed.
    One week later, Kyle and his dad had just finished putting a load of
alfalfa hay in the barn when Mr. Tucker came rattling in the driveway
in his old pickup truck. He had a little pony cart hitched onto the
back of the truck and a harness for a pony in the truck bed. After he
squeaked to a stop by the barn, he got out and shook Kyle's and Mr.
Wyatt's hand.
    "If you have time, let's try this harness on Molly and hitch her to
the cart." Mr. Tucker said.
    Kyle put Molly in her stall and she was soon harnessed. 1he collar
and harness fit perfectly. Molly was led outside and hitched to the pony
cart. Molly seemed to be a little nervous with the harness on her when
she was first hitched to the cart. Mr. Tucker took hold of her bridle
and led her around the barnyard under the watchful eyes of Kyle and
Fetch. Molly was at first kind of skittish but soon acted as if she had
done this before.
    "Let's give Kyle a try driving her with the reins from the cart." Mr.
Wyatt said.
    After Kyle was safely onboard with the reins in his hand, he spoke
to Molly and she pulled the cart like she was enjoying it. Fetch was
walking along by her side and watching Molly's every move. Both men
agreed Kyle should practice with Molly in the barnyard for a week
before he ventured out on the road. 1his would let Molly get used to
pulling the cart and give Kyle experience in driving her.
    One week later, Molly pulled the cart to school with Fetch checking
on her all the way. As Molly pulled the cart down the road, she was
under the watchful eyes of Kyle, Fetch and all the neighbors. One day
as Kyle drove Molly down the road, he saw Mr. Tucker standing out
by the road waiting for him. When Kyle stopped by Mr. Tucker he saw
Elsie and Ellie sitting on the ditch bank.
    "Are you ready for a couple of passengers?" He asked.
    Kyle readily agreed and the girls were soon tucked safely in the
cart along side of Kyle. Mr. Tucker followed along behind on a horse
to make sure all was well. He soon found out he was not needed. Kyle
and Fetch had everything under control except for Ellie's scolding of
Kyle about his driving of Molly.
    When school started again, the sight of these children in a cart
being pulled by a pony and a watchful dog trotting close by became a
daily sight. Fetch would stilllead Molly home after the children arrived
at school. In the afternoon, he would be seen faithfully leading Molly
back to school to bring the children home. 1his was the beginning of
daily ritual during the school year.
    The men in the community got together and decided a shed should
be attached to the woodshed at school for Molly and Fetch to stay in
when the roads were muddy and the weather was bad. This would
allow Molly and Fetch to make only one round trip a day during bad
weather. They all donated material for the shed and hay and straw for
Molly.The teacher agreed to have the older school boys help unhitch
Molly in the morning and hitch her back to the cart in the afternoon.
this proved to work out great. All the children enjoyed helping care
for them and that they were fed and watered. Molly and Fetch soon
became a part of the school. The students liked caring for them so
much they would wish for bad weather so Molly and Fetch could stay
at school during the day.
    Weeks led to months and months led to years. During this period
of time, Kyle had regained enough strength in his leg to walk without
crutches. Elsie could stand on her legs but still required crutches to
help her along her way.They both agreed how lucky they were. 1heir
childhood friend, Bobby, was free from the iron lung and was now in
heaven.
    Molly remained a faithful and gentle pony but was showing a litde
gray on her muzzle. She had regained a little of her eyesight. She still
had to depend on Kyle and Fetch going to and from school. She could
fìnd her way from the barn to her water and could see just enough to
keep from running into large objects. Fetch still had to keep her away
from the barbed wire fences.
   

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MY HusBAND's CALLING Is MY CALLING Too

    I once had an interesting conversation with a woman whose husband
had enrolled in seminary to prepare for ministry. "He can take
classes all he wants, but I didn't sign up for the preacher's wife thing,"
she said. Since she didn't believe her husband would actually follow
through, she went on to tell me she planned on humoring him until
the day his calling affected her. And if that day ever came? Well, sh e'd
just cross that bridge when she came to it.
    He is still in school. She is still in denial.
    I'll never forget the response of the youngest woman. She was a
mom of toddlers and was obviously distressed. "The hardest thing for
me is everyone wanting a piece of my husband and not acknowledging
me in the least," she said. "I feel like the person in the background
who is only here to take care of the kids so he can be free to take care
of everyone else."
    I was grieved by her raw response. All I wanted to do was wrap
my arms around that girl and assure her she had it all wrong. That
she was an integral part of her husband's ministry. That her calling
in that season was her children. That no amount of public success
possibly mattered if her heart and home were in shambles. The sad
thing is that I've met many more like her in the past fifteen years
during my own life as a minister's wife. If anything, this has intensified
my desire to embrace and encourage women whom God has
charged with supporting the men He has ordained to proclaim His
Word.
    The fact that I just typed that last sentence still baffies me. You
have no idea how surreal it is for me to be writing this book. There
are many of you reading who have been Christians as long as you
can remember and always knew you would marry a preacher. Many
more of you grew up as the child of a minister and swore you would
never marry one yourself, only to find yourself eating your words.
Some of you have pursued callings to various vocational ministries
and met your mate in college, seminary, etc. Some of you married
men who were already serving in the church.
    And then on the lunatic fringe are girls like me whose life and
marital background weren't exactly resume worthy.
   
   

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The Hostage Taker

    Have you ever met somebody, girl or guy, who you really didn't want
to hurt. They seem fragile. The "hostage taker" takes this fragile state to
the next level. They may actually make statements such as, "If you break
up with me, I'm going to kill myself". These are the guys who always seem
to have some kind of drama in their lives and you get sucked into rescuing
or "being there" for them. I'm not saying that it's inappropriate to help a
friend out, or to be supportive of a boyfriend.
     The challenge comes when a person becomes so involved in the other person's problems that they lose sight of their own needs, responsibilities, and boundaries. When a person threatens to "kill themselves" if you make a choice to leave the relationship, don't take it upon yo urself to "save" him. Don't take it upon yourself to be his counselor, pastor, or parent. He needs some serious help. He may be using this threat to keep control of you, to get attention, or because he is seriously depressed and suicidal. Do you want to be the one to find out if
he's serious? As mature as you may believe you are, this is an adult issue that
needs some serious guidance and intervention. You are not the person to
help the boy, and it's not fair of him to put that kind of pressure on you.

    Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world) but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what Gods will is his good) pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of
yourself more highly than you ought) but rather think of yourself with sober
judgment) in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4
just as each of us has one body with many members) and these members
do not all have the same function) 5 so in Christ we who are many form
one body) and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different
gifts) according to the grace given us.

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Doggone It

    Just beyond Sibley's business district lay a city block square

grassy area called The Dog Park. I don't know why; dogs in those

days were not taken somewhere to romp with other canines and

fetch sticks or balls. Dogs had the run of the town-much to

my dismay.

    While I'm in awe of the varied animal kingdom throughout

the planet, I prefer all creatures great and small in their natural

habitat, which is to say not up close and personal with me. I'm

going out on a limb here to state that I'm not fond of dogs. I

don't fully trust them. I dislike being sniffed, slobbered on,

and clawed from feet to waist as the animal climbs my jeans

to say hello. I make no apology for these admissions. I have a

right to my wariness, as canine lovers do to their admiration

and fascination.

    Maybe it's because the dogs I encountered as a child did

not endear themselves to me. My earliest memory of being

frightened by a dog was in Ashton, so I would have been about

six. The dog belonged to two bachelors whose last name was

Gaster.

    Once when the family was coming to visit, the oldest child

said she couldn't wait to see my pets. What to do? I purchased

two fish, which Grace and her younger sister, Sarah, named

and fed while they were here. Goldie and Sunny had the usual

life expectancy of fish and were not replaced. By the next time

the kids visited, they'd forgotten about Granny's pets. Except

for thinking the gators in the pond out back were pets. One, we

named Snappy.

   Living here on Worlud Pond, with a woodland preserve

behind it, is like having the Discovery channel on a panoramic

screen. There are birds of prey: owls, hawks, eagles, vultures, and

osprey, and water birds of all kinds, including a lunatic limpkin

that screeches day and night. Sandhill cranes strut their stuff

in pairs or quartets, often with fuzzy chicks toddling behind. In

and around the pond are gators, turtles, otters, toads, snakes,

swamp bunnies, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, the ubiquitous

lizards, and a host of frogs that set up a mighty chorus than runs

from dusk to beyond midnight and from spring to fall. We've

seen a mother bobcat and two kittens, and coyotes have been

spotted. We've witnessed a gator take down a large bird or two.

A gator has, on occasion, wandered up to someone's front door

and we once saw one sitting by our mailbox by the road. Yes; we

waited before picking up the mail.

    Our first year here, Grace discovered a baby gator in the

water. She named it Flower Linnet. As babies are wont to do,

Flower had a growth spurt and, at about twelve feet in length,

became a nuisance. The gator wranglers arrived to cart her

away. Grace still believes that one of the many gators that have

come and gone since is Flower, her gator.

    After school and on weekends, Shirley and I played school;

we were the teachers and our younger brothers were the

students. Before long, though, real school and playing school

became boring. We moved on to other activities and plodded

along, awaiting Christmas vacation, and then Valentine's Day,

Easter vacation, and, finally, the last day of school.

   Report cards in hand, showing that we'd passed to the next

grade, we raced out the door, shouting, "School's out, school's

out; Teacher let the monkeys out. No more pencils, no more

books; no more teachers' dirty looks."

    Off we scrambled once again, helter-skelter into summer

fun: playing outside long after dark, picnics, the 4 th of July, and

the County Fair.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW F ROM H EEL TO TOE

    If you don't have any foot discomfort at all, you're at a huge

advantage. But don't congratulate yourself just yet: you must take

steps to ensure that you don't develop any problems. Here are the

most common problems affecting women who wear fashionable

shoes on a regular basis.

    THIS IS a misalignment of the joint of the big toe. Health care specialists often refer to this condition as ((hallux valgus," which is a fancy way of saying that the joint of the big toe (hallux) is bent outward (valgus). It is the most common foot disorder among women. The base of the big toe enlarges and angles toward the second toe instead of facing straight ahead. It's caused by abnormal pressure placed on the big-toe joint because of excessive pronation and ill-fitting shoes. There is also a genetic component: a history of bunions tends to run in families.

    To treat corns and calluses: Same as above: change your shoes. See a medical professional to determine the best course of action. She might

trim the corn or callus (you should never do this yourself). Over-thecounter

corn pads are available but avoid medicated pads, which have

acid that can burn the skin. If coms and calluses don't go away, you

probably need orthotics or over-the-counter inserts.

    PRONOUNCED: Plant-R Fa-she-1-tus. This condition causes sharp heel pain that usually presents itself first thing in the morning when you get

out ofbed and stand for the first time after having had your feet elevated.

If that happens to you, it means that your plantar fascia is overstretched,

injured, or inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is often confused with

heel spurs, an overgrowth ofbone in the heel, but heel spurs are actually

a response to plantar fasciitis.

    Plantar fasciitis affects women and men in equal numbers, and is

seen in both the athletic and the sedentary. Factors that may lead to its

development are being oveiWeight or gaining weight; excessive pronation;

wearing shoes without arch support; exercising more than usual

or engaging in any physical activity in which you impose excess pressure

on your heels; standing for long periods on a hard surface; or just getting

older and having the plantar fascia lose much of its elasticity.

    To avoid or alleviate foot pain, switch to better shoes that do not

force your foot into an unnatural position or shape. Otherwise,

over time your naked foot will come to mimic the unnatural position

or shape of the shoe, which is not only highly uncomfortable

but also horrifying to look at.

    A landmark study for the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle

Society in 1993, coauthored by Dr. Carol Frey, demonstrated that

almost all women wear the wrong shoes. 26 There were 356 healthy participants between the ages of twenty and sixty.Among her findings:

    • Eighty-eight percent of the women in her study wore shoes

that were too small.

    • The average woman wore shoes that were too narrow by a

half inch and too short by a half size or full size.

    • Eighty percent reported significant foot pain while wearing shoes.

    • Seventy-six percent had foot deformities, with bunions and

hammertoes the most common.

    • Fifty-nine percent wore uncomfortable shoes every day.

    • Seventy-nine percent had not had their feet measured in the

last five years when buying shoes.

    Even the women in the study who did not have pain or deformity

wore shoes that were too small.

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The Psychological Key

    Meeting the Writer Half-Way
   
    All well-conceived roles have psychological truth, but it
does not follow that they are all unlocked with the psychological
key . I hope Maria Lebiadkin had a psychological truth even
though I approached her physically.Characters from Congreve
to Coward have a believable inner life for all their
comedy of manners, and Brecht's. characters are not made
two dimensional because the actor keeps a certain detachment
from them.The best route to Juliet may be through her
language, you might get Richard lll via his hump, and God
alone knom how Shakespear-e arriwd at them, but hundreds
of years later they totally pass the test of mndem psycho-
logical scrutiny.
     To be able to trust the playwright is half the battle. In
the best instances the playwright has already done most of the
psychological groundwork, and the actor has only to go halfway
to meet him/her, rather than build the entire road alone.
     ProvidJed actors work honestly, they can be the best litmus
test of the psychological truthfulness of a piece af writing. If
a writer has made an unbelievable link between one moment
and another for the sake of a neat plot or joke, or in order to
be controversial or sensational, the actor will be quick to spot
it. It is a question of survival. Trying to stretch the audience's
belief every night in an all contrived scene feels a bit like
walking a frayed tightrope over a plunging gorge. We need
that bridge to hold.
    The actor can eventually get to a place where he/she
knows the character better than anyone, including the writer,
but it is vital to hold on to an objectivity about where the character
fits into the whole;
    When I worked with John Berger and Nella Bielski on their play .
A Questilm of Geography and had to play a sane where I was arrested by
Stalin s heavies and torn from my son, Nenas. one contribution was
to give me a white scarf to wear. It must be that scarf worn in that
 way and no other. I never quite understood it,but I recognised it
 I had come full circle. back to Liubimovand his physical clues.

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The red shoes

    The red shoes were perceived by others as excessive and inappropriate for a young girl in mourning for the death of her mother, but to Karen, "nothing else in the world was so desirable." Her story reveals the tension between appearance and sensation,between the visual and the tactile, between image and sensation. Shoes, of course, offer bodily pleasure and so, according to Elizabeth Wilson, "gratify women's highly developed sense of touch and pleasure in their own bodies.
    The effect of high heels on the body has been the origin of much speculation and controversy. When American women imported them from Paris, they created a scandal.The Massachusetts colony passed a law: "'All women, whether virgins, maidens or windows, who shall after this Act impose upon, seduce or betray into matrimony any ofHis Majesty's male subjects by virtue of .. . high heel shoes, shall incur the penalty ofthe law now enforced against witchcraft, and the marriage shall be null and void." This fear of the seductive power of stilettos has been traced to the shoes' effects on the female body. In The Sex Life of the Foot and Shoe, William A. Rossi delineates are various ways
the high heel "adds new dimensions to the sensuousness and sex-attraction of a
woman." The high heel elongates the leg and increases the arch of the foot, making itappear smaller. It raises the buttocks (as much as 25 percent, according to Harper's Judex) and curves the back, pushing the chest forward. lt also "feminizes the gait by causing a shortening of the stride and a mincing step that suggests a degree of helpless bondage" that "appeals to the chivalrous or machismo nature of many men: " Added height may also provide women with "a psychological and emotional uplift that enhances sexual attraction. The arched foot, for sexologist Alfred Kinsey, more simply and directly indicates erotic arousal: "Curled toes have, for at least eight centuries, been one of the stylized symbols of erotic response." (Now we know why Barbie is always smiling.) Men have also periodically donned high heels to enhance their sexual attractiveness. King Louis XIV popularized them in the sixteenth century when male wearers discovered that "Louis heels" enhanced the muscles of the calves, making them seem more "masculine" in their short pants and hose.
    Theorizing with the shoe commodity can only be accomplished in postmodemity
because of the kind of rationality that has come to invade its circulation, in this case. as museum artifact. Chancterizing this "rationality" must entail an emphasis on information and pedagogical exchange. On an advertising flyer for membership. which includes a gift of the book All about Shoes, the museum declares: "Shoes have been with us for millennia and are intriguing sources of information about human identity. ... Fascinating infonnation about shoes in history, titillating shoe trivia and wonderful full-color photographs are brought together in this educational and entertaining book- providing hours of enjoyment for the entire family " The museumt's pedagngical impulse to provide
information and act as an educational institution endows the shoe commodity with
new material signincance. What is the semiotic value of this new material signification? It's the value of differen.e.

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Women's Sandals - How to Shop Women's Shoes?

As with any clothes, a fine of pair of sandals is really essential to glam up the outfit. But with all shoes, what looks and feels comfortable to the user is the crucial deciding factor. While some women give utmost priority to style and personal appearance, other women give much priority to the comfort factor. In fact with regard to sandals, comfort counts more than style as style sometimes risks your foothealth. So far, style and comfort are equally important to stay in fashion without spoiling your foothealth.

Such controversial opinions often mislead many women in selecting the wrong pair of shoes for them that finally leaves them with sprained ankles and blisters. As sandals are available in hand in different styles from comfort givers to the style giver sandals, preference varies from an individual to another. So, one should be highly conscious with regard to the selection of women sandals. With few guidelines to follow, this article will surely help you in finding the right pair of shoes for you that satisfy both your comfort and fashion needs. So, read the below mentioned are some guidelines;

• Look for sandals designed with high-quality materials with a little blend of synthetic fabric. Such shoes will allow free ventilation for your feet and let them breathe freely inside the footwear thus avoiding any moisture formation and shoe-odor.
• Prefer shoes designed with waterproof materials that like canvas and gore-tex for casual wear. Canvas and gore-tex shoes are highly waterproof and thus last longer.
• Consider the occasion for which you want to buy sandals. If it is for party wear, then go for a fabulous pair of any sexy high heels or stilettos that will drag a heck lot of attention at you. A cool pair of flip-flops, thongs, or slide sandals will be the ideal choice if it is for casual wear like walking on the garden or strolling on the beach sides.
• Shop for footwear that matches the color of most of your outfits. Such footwear will go with many of your outfits and thus save your money. Black is one such versatile color that goes with all your dresses and gives you a charming appearance.
• Finally, make sure that your shoes snugly fit your feet. Improper fit like little loose or tight footwear will hardly affect your foot health thus leaving with a bunch of foot disorders like blisters, corns and calluses, sprained feet etc.

Clara Havisham pens fashion articles for Shoecapital on all about shoes from the wide variety of models to the latest trends. Read more on Dress Sandals at Shoecapital.com.

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Women's Sandals - What You Need to Know About the Black Dress Sandals

Imagine this scenario: you are preparing for an night out, and you would like to look your best, but you don't have to be over dressed at the same time. You'd like to be comfortable, but you don't need to be too casual either. You would like to look cool, picked up and confident. The weather is warm so you select a black and silver outfit, short sleeves and breezy, black slacks. But you're wondering as to what you should wear on your feet? Pumps are just too heavy. They're not comfortable enough, either; you'll just end up dancing. You don't need to wear those dress lofts either, as they look too professional. You search through your collection of women's sandals again and find them! Just what you need for the night: your black dress sandals!

These sandals are perfect. They look good and dressy, though not too fancy at the same time. They are cozy, but without looking very casual. They are going to help you in staying cool in the warm evening and will be good for moving around if you have to go up on the dance floor. The issue is now solved! Every woman should have two black dress sandals. The fact of the matter is that black shoes are easily the most flexible of all. They are the perfect color for those times when you want to look dressed up, but also works very well for a more fun and casual look.

Sandals are also great in between shoes. When you don't like to wear something heavy on your feet, you can choose sandals with as little or as much coverage for the weather, or what your personal taste would tell you. If you like those thin, strappy sandals, then you will find black dress sandals just right for you. They can even be your basic flip-flop, but with flickers or flowers or a dash or color in a posh, sheer material. Even with a lot of feet exposure, you can look dressed just as well.

A black boot sandal gives much more of an impression of a boot, as it provides much more coverage and goes around your ankle, and possible even up to your calf. The only difference is that it has straps or buckles or other features of sandals, and doesn't cover your foot fully. When you need something more dressier, you can select black dress sandals with little of high heels. You can get great-looking, strappy black pumps if you want to really get the attention of people around you.

Take a look at the shoes that you have in your collection, and ask yourself: "Do I have all of the sandals I need?". Make sure you have those super casual and cozy flip-flops for beach outings, women's sandals that would match your daily outfit and two black dress sandals for those night outs with friends. If you have all of these, then you are good to go!

Dori Thompson is an expert on women's sandals and footwear. To get more information, visit Sandals Shoes Women.

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The Best Place to Shop for the Latest Fashions of Womens Sandals Is Online

Womens sandals is a very broad term for footwear because of the many styles and fashions that are available. The best place to shop for the latest styles and fashions is online because of the hundreds of shoes store obtainable at your fingertips.

The definition of a sandal is a light open shoe that is held on by straps around the ankle or across the instep. They are most popular during the warm weather seasons and are designed with different sizes and styles in mind to not only go with your outfit but also fit your personally. There is a all kinds of footwear being sold in stores and online everywhere and what most people look for are the womens sandals.

Sandals are not only the most popular but are also the most functional when it comes to footwear for both casual and formal attire. Throw on a pair of flip-flops to run errands, work in the yard or to go hang out at the pool. And for more formal occasions such as weddings you can always find a classy elegant pair of womens sandals in both flats and heels that will stand out in a crowd and show off your style. And if you are into the more funky styles such as bold bright colors, different and unique or the latest fashion runway trends then shopping on the worldwide web is your best bet for finding the perfect pair of Sandals

The height of heels in womens sandals is also designed in that way to give off a certain attitude of the wearer. The Flat ones make is easier for a person to walk and move comfortably because it is easy to balance using the flat heels. While high-heeled ones give off a certain air of confidence making the wearer walk more elegantly and proudly.

If the latest trends is your style check out the NY fashion runways you would not believe the collection of the craziest womens sandals I have ever seen that are all the rage right now. And you don't have to spend a fortune to get the latest styles. Browse the online stores many have the various designs and styles that have been released in the market at affordable prices From slip-ons, high heels, Ankle-strap, Knee-length straps,Ribbon laces, casual to elegant or funky and crazy, Owning beautiful shoes should be the right of every woman. And beautiful shoes can still be cheap shoes.

The colors are also great way to express your personality. Does it match the outfit, standout, compliment the outfit or give it a stylist graceful look. And the Hugh selection of colors offered is amazing. From you basic reds, white and blues to purples, pinks, leopard prints or multicolor they are all there right at your fingertips.

Samie Ryan marketing consultant, blogger, writer
About my favorite services and place to shop on the internet

My favorite place to shop for shoes is www.stylishplus.com

They give women what they want -Cheap shoes, fashion boots, women's sandals, Women Boots, bridal shoes, that are also great looking, versatile, and comfortable to wear.

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Selecting Comfortable Walking Sandals for Women

When it comes to comfort combined with style, there is no feminine footwear that can beat the sandals for women, especially in the summer months. Many women today prefer sandals over shoes even for walking due to the world of convenience that accompanies them. However you will have to put in some extra care while selecting the walking sandals, as even minor discomforts can put you in severe pain subsequently.. The basic prerequisites of such footwear are adequate support and correct fitting for maximum comfort on long walks.shoes even for walking due to the world of convenience that accompanies them. However you will have to put in some extra care while selecting the walking sandals, as even minor discomforts can put you in severe pain subsequently.. The basic prerequisites of such footwear are adequate support and correct fitting for maximum comfort on long walks.

The Comfort Factor

Generally the walking sandals for women are so designed that they provide required levels of comfort on all kinds of surfaces. The features that determine comfort include the cushioning provided, the supporting material in the sole and area of feet left open to the air.sandals for women are so designed that they provide required levels of comfort on all kinds of surfaces. The features that determine comfort include the cushioning provided, the supporting material in the sole and area of feet left open to the air.

Sole: The soles must be hard enough to walk on rough surfaces with adequate flexibility to roll with your feet and to absorb the shocks. Hard soles are preferred by those who want to experience bare foot walking even while putting on a pair of sandals for safety. Polyurethane is a favorite sole material for all kinds of sandals due to the comfort, durability and better grip that it provides.

Cushioning Effect: The amount of cushion provided in your walking sandals determines the level of comfort that it will offer. It must be borne in mind that too much of cushion padding is not a convenient proposition for long walks as many women find them more irritating than comforting.walking sandals determines the level of comfort that it will offer. It must be borne in mind that too much of cushion padding is not a convenient proposition for long walks as many women find them more irritating than comforting.

Design: The best part about your walking sandals is that they leave most parts of the feet open for ventilation so as to avoid sweat accumulation during long walks. The amount of area left open is thus another factor to be seriously considered when selecting walking sandals for women.

Getting the Grip

Sandals must provide adequate grip even during brisk or fast paced walking. The adjustable back strap is the hallmark of all kinds of sandals. While thick straps are good for the grip, there are some models which come with a number of thinner straps that add to the elegance and permit ventilation while still maintaining the hold firmly. The only thing that you need to watch out for is that the straps do not bite as it can become a major impediment while out on a walk.hallmark of all kinds of sandals. While thick straps are good for the grip, there are some models which come with a number of thinner straps that add to the elegance and permit ventilation while still maintaining the hold firmly. The only thing that you need to watch out for is that the straps do not bite as it can become a major impediment while out on a walk.

The Right Arch Support in Walking Sandals

The arch support is an essential feature for any footwear as it has a huge impact on the body posture of women. Thus the walking sandals for must give adequate arch support on all surfaces. This can be checked out by twisting the feet in standing position while buying a new pair.

Durable Pair for Rough Use

When you buy sandals for walking be sure that they will be able to last for long as you are going to put them to quite a bit of rough use on a daily basis. This factor is not so important in case of the sandals that are meant as party wear or for simple outings.buy sandals for walking be sure that they will be able to last for long as you are going to put them to quite a bit of rough use on a daily basis. This factor is not so important in case of the sandals that are meant as party wear or for simple outings.

There is a wide variety of options when it comes to stylish and elegant sandals for women that are available commercially. However, when buying for the specific purpose of walking you will have to ensure that they provide the desired level of comfort and support at all times.

John is sales manager from sales manager from www.stylishplus.com visit his website to see more women's sandals.

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How to Get Teva Womens Sandals on Sale

Looking for Teva women's sandals on sale? People everywhere are looking to find the best deals on these very popular and fashionable sandals. I have looked around and have found some great deals so thought I would write an article about where to go to get these deals.

So why are Teva Sandals so popular?

After reading so many other peoples reviews in shoe stores, it has just reinforced my own feelings about why these sandals are so popular with the young and old alike.

• They are so comfortable.
• Excellent value.
• Great for people who might have high arches and wide/narrow feet with the adjustable straps.
• Very fashionable.

I decided to research the history around these interesting sandals and was surprised to found out that they were originally made to be amphibious utility sandals. Wow, they have come a long way since then.

The inventor Mark Thatcher's idea, was to make a sandal that was ideal for wearing around water. Mark was at the time working as a rafting guide in 1982. He found that sneakers would become heavy once they were wet and take days to dry out, And thongs would slide off his feet easily. So lucky for us, these sandals were invented.

So how do you find great Teva Women's Sandals Sale?

There are a few stores that sell these sandals online. Some of them offer discounts and some of them simply have prices that are low. A few offer free shipping, and if you need to for what ever reason return your sandals, return shipping is free too.

You need to know where to find these stores among the large number of sites that sell sandals. The best thing you could do is let somebody who has done all the research, find the best deals, And point you in the right direction.

So if you want the very best prices and deals go and check out Teva sandals on sale here.

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Cheap Shoes and Women's Sandals - Shop for Spring and Summer New Arrivals

Shopping for women's sandals and cheap shoes is great.

They can give away so much about a person's personality and character. With the many styles and fashion these days' women's shoes include something for everyone. And with spring and summer almost upon us what better reason is there to update your wardrobe with the new season's arrivals?

This year as in the past, women's sandalsare at the top of our lists. Heel sandals, flats, wedges, flip flops, and much more. A bold and bright colorful shoe seems to be leading the pack this season in all the styles of sandals. Prepare to put on your favorite pair of sexy heels, peep toe platforms, funky colored wedges, in all those glorious bright shades. Such as the greens and blues that is predicted to be the next popular colors...but also still popular are the pinks, turquoise and reds, and lets not forget the new design styles that are very popular, embellished with rhinestones, studding, and animal prints. The sky's is the limit when it comes to women's sandals.

Hot picks for flat women's sandalsare the Gladiator style flats with multiple straps that circle the ankle, such as the Yoki Bianna Sandal, the colorful Qupid Lana-98 Fuchsia, or the unique Qupid Athena-416A Camel Leopard. Also the classic flip flops continue to be a top seller with its comfort style fit that is perfect for everyday wear. And with the bright and beautiful colors available you can now match them to any outfit in your closet.

Hot picks for the elegant and sexy look are of course the women's high heel sandals. You can find a multitude of styles for any occasion such as weddings, proms, formal affairs, and a night out on the town or any other occasion that comes to mind. The most popular this season are the high heeled women's sandalsembellished with beautiful rhinestones that give the shoe a chic elegant look such as, the All New Blossom Studio-57 Turquoise Women Dress Sandals, or the graceful Lasonia S4416 White Women Dress Sandals with rhinestone

Hot pumpswill always be a favorite, from the basic to the bright colorful platform styles. That is designed with attention to detail. They come is many different heights from low heel to stiletto, closed toe, open toe, even the new popular tear drop toe such as the Bamboo Magarita-02 Fuchsia Patent Women Platform Pumpswith the sweet little teardrop cutout. Depending on your tastes, women's pumps come in all styles and colors to meet your personality. Such as your basic Black and whites, to bright pinks, greens, blues, and even your exotic animal prints

For the hot casual look in women's sandals, Wedges will do the trick and are also on top of the new fashion trends. They are the prefect fit for your spring and summer outfits you can fine the sweet and sassy ones to fierce and bold to match your dresses, shorts, Capri's, jeans or anything else you have in mind. They come in a Hugh selection of styles, colors, prints, and with your favorite types of heels such as cork, wood, covered, in sold colors, multicolor, and are designed for all day comfort wear.

Shop for spring and summer new arrivals, you can find all the above mentioned women's sandals at shoeocean.com online. Or just enter the type of shoe you are looking for in the search bar, such as Cheap shoes, women's sandals, women wedges sandals, ECT...

You will love the new arrivals and now is the time to shop.

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Shopping Tips for Women's Sandals for That Special Occasion

Are you planning a special occasion? And need the perfect pair of shoes. Then you should start your search online. There are shoes for every style and occasion from sexy strappy high heel women's sandals for party wear or a night out on the town to plain yet stylish flats for a walk on the beach. The popular one seems to be the new styles of gladiator flats that are highly comfortable yet stylish to complete your outfit and give your summer separates an exotic twist

Women's sandals for a special occasion, does not necessary mean high heels and stilettos. There are a whole range of different styles to fit your need, although they are the first choice for fancy affairs, they would not be a fit for say a beach wedding or a company picnic. For these events you should choose a comfortable flat or wedge shoe that will still show off your fashion tastes.

And trust me there are plenty of trendy stylish ones to select from at affordable prices that will stand out in a crown.

Below are some shopping tips that will take you through some buying guidelines when shopping for footwear more easily in less time.

Search the web for the shoes your are looking for:

Heels, pumps, wedges: Stiletto, peep-toe, and more: With so many trends and styles of heels to choose from there are also many things to consider.

Short women may want to avoid T-straps and ankle straps they can visually cut off the leg and make you look shorter. However, did you know an ankle strap can actually make thick ankles look narrower by adding the coverage of the strap?

Thin stiletto heels: are very Sexy and flattering but are designed more for formal affairs such as weddings, proms, or a night out on the town. However if you are looking for that eye catching gorgeous or chic style then stiletto's are the way to go.

For office attire: the thicker the heel, the more comfortable you'll be and the more businesslike your overall look will be. Such as the many styles of Women's fashion boots, ankle boots, or pumps that are available.

A tapered toe: gives a slimming look overall, but women with large feet may want to avoid very pointy shoes because they have a tendency to make your feet look even bigger. Platform Pumps with a oval-shaped toe or square toes are comfortable and fashionable and will make larger feet appear smaller:

Flats: Is the perfect footwear for the spring and summer seasons with narrow pants or cropped pants, with short skirts or long skirts. If you want to wear them with mid-length skirts, choose flats with a slight lift in the heel or a wedge heel.

Sandals are my favorite:

There's nothing sexier than open toed women's sandals with a cute summer dress; nothing more completely comfortable but still high fashion than a pair of funky or bold flat women's sandals. and nothing that turns a casual outfit into something special like a pair of beautiful women's boot sandals.

They come in several styles and show more skin on your feet, making your legs look longer. For sexy women's sandals with heels, follow the same suggestions for pumps and high heel shoes. Then there are the casual sandals, like flip-flops, you'll most likely want to consider whether or not the style will be comfortable and easy to wear: like the new trend gladiator style sandals.

cheap shoes: always search for the bargains. Online you can find high quality stylish versatile, and comfortable women's sandals at affordable prices that will allow you to purchase several pairs for every out-fit in your closet.

Samie Ryan via:http://fashionwomensandals.blogspot.com

My favorite place to shop is Shoecoean.com they offer the best prices and the latest fashion styles and I love the new "Hot Picks" they update weekly.

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Women Sandals

The latest designs in women sandals

There's nothing quite like the breezy feel of wearing women sandals on a warm day. People around the world rejoice when the winter weather finally winds down and gives way to spring and summer atmospheres and temperatures. Feet are just happier in sandals! There is a free, liberated feel to finally being able to put on some strappy sandals after a long, cold winter. The warm sun on your skin and feeling the breeze between your toes is hard to describe, but it's definitely a hallmark of summer and a more relaxed vibe in the air.

Women sandals are also essential to a woman's spring and summer fashion looks. Sandals look great with just about any warm weather outfit, from shorts to crop pants to skirts and dresses. Even a casual jeans and tank top look can be completed with women sandals. They are essential at the beach, the park and at that summer barbeque.

There are many different types of women sandals to choose from. From dressier looks to the classic flip flop, sandals easily run the gamut from dressy to casual. Grab a pair of sandals with a slight heel and pair with a sundress or a cocktail dress for a breezy evening look. If you'd rather skip the heel, a wedge sandal can be a nice compromise.

Sandals come in a variety of brands, styles, shapes and colors. The most popular colors for sandals include brown, black, tan and white, but of course sandals can come in any color of the rainbow. When pairing them with an outfit, they can be chosen in a color that is in the same color family as the rest of the outfit, or you can go in the complete opposite direction and and choose a really standout color to make the sandals the focal point of your outfit. It's a matter of personal choice, but there is definitely a type of sandal for every preference and every personality.

While sandals are primarily thought of as a spring and summer fashion component, there is a way to rock your sandals in slightly cooler weather and still stay comfortable. Have you ever tried the socks and sandals look? It is a look that started in the Pacific Northwest and is still worn by both men and women there in the cooler autumn and winter months. Pairing socks with sandals allows the feet to stay warm and protected but still allows some of the freedom and airiness of spring and summer sandal fashions. This look works best with more rugged sandals like Tevas or sandals by Keen. You can experiment with different color socks and opt for a color that matches the sandal, or go completely in the other direction and go for as much color contrast as possible.

No matter what type of sandals you prefer or how you wear them, there's a perfect sandal type for your personality. Experiment with different looks, and don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

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Womens Sandals - Get A Sneak Peak At The Hottest Summer Sandals

    Summer is quickly approaching. It's time to put on the summer sandals. There are so many options available for the modern woman today. It is important to have a few different types of sandals in your closet. Every woman should have a thong sandal, a flat sandal, and a sandal with a heel.

    Thong Sandals Can Be Worn For Any Occasion Every woman needs a basic thong sandal. They are easy to put on and can be worn with a variety of different outfits and be worn to a variety of different events. The thong sandal can go from being worn with a bathing suit at the beach to a sundress for barbecue with friends. The great thing about a thong sandal is the sheer variety. Thong sandals come in a variety of colors and now manufacturers are adding charms and decorations to the top for added style. I like having a rubber thong for the beach and pool and a leather thong sandal to wear with shorts, dresses, or even jeans.

    Tall Gladiator Sandals For The Active PersonWarmer weather usually means more time outdoors; being active. A pair of walking sandals is crucial. You want a sandal that is comfortable, practical, yet stylish. Gladiator sandals in particular offer this to the wearer. Look for a flat gladiator sandal that has straps to hold your foot in place securely and provide the comfort you need to enjoy a day outdoors.

The Evening Espadrille Sandals

Every woman needs her "going out" pair of sandals. You need these for date night or just a night out with the girls. In this case you want something with a heel. Summer tanned legs are meant to be shown off and heels make our legs look long and lean! If you are not comfortable in a traditional heel, espadrille sandals are another great option. You still have the height in an espadrille heel, but a wedge can be easier to walk in if you are not used to heels. However if you enjoy strutting your stuff in a heel, I say embrace it. A strappy heeled sandal can make any outfit. A typical summer sundress looks instantly dressier for a night out on the town.

    In terms of color, basics are the best way to start. The great thing about summer is basic doesn't have to mean black. For summer sandals, silver and gold are excellent basics. They go with everything and the metallic colors show off summer time tans. A neutral color for sandals, such as tan, can also be a nice option instead of white. White can tend to get dirty and look really awful by summer's end. A neutral tan color sandal, especially when worn with a dress or shorts, will blend with your skin and give the illusion of longer legs and more height.

    Variety is the spice of life. Keep this in mind when shopping for your summer sandals.

    Click here [http://www.sexysandalshoes.com] to get a sneak peak of the hottest sandals.

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