Over the last couple of months, I have become more aware of the toes on my left foot than I have been in the past. Having your toes sticking out of a cast for two months has that effect, I reckon. After a great deal of study and contemplation, I have come to the conclusion that, with the possible exception of elbow skin, the toes are generally the least attractive component of the human anatomy. That's not to say someone can't have pretty toes. But I would venture to say that if a person does have particularly attractive toes, then the rest of them is likely "Miss Universe" material.
There is a particular trait that seems to run in my family. The "Patricks" tend to have webbed toes. I am no exception to that rule. Not to the point that I sit around catching flies with my tongue, mind you, but I do have an extra amount of naturally occurring skin between my toes, sometimes going up as far as the first knuckle of my toes. Rumor has it that when I and my sisters were born, the first thing my father checked was for a sufficient amount of "webbing" between the digits of our feet. I do admit that having "Patrick" toes probably came in handy when I was learning how to swim.
I am happy to say that my ankle recovery has progressed to the point where I am no longer in a cast. It is probably with a great deal of relief from my co-workers that the toes of my left foot are, for the most part, generally covered. The tip of my big toe is still slightly exposed with my "walking boot," but I think that is much more tolerable for my friends here at work.
A few weeks ago, shortly before the holidays, I had my monthly appointment to read to a first-grade class at one of the schools here in town. I love this group of kids and I always look forward to visiting with them. One of the kids looked at my exposed toes and asked, "Why are your toes brown?" While I was in a cast, it was a little challenging to actually wash my left foot as much as I would have wanted. This was one of those situations when I wish I had been a little faster with the wit. I should have told the young lad, "It's because I didn't eat my vegetables when I was in the first grade. Do you eat your vegetables?" Instead, I gave him an honest answer, which may be the best policy, but not always the most entertaining.
So, from the bottom of my less than attractive toes, I hope you have a groovy day, here on the sunny side.