Golden Slippers

In the winter of 1978 I ordered a pair of shoes from a Bass Pro Shops catalog. I was planning a trip out west with my buddies and I needed a pair of casual/hiking shoes. We were going to spend a week skiing in Colorado, then a week sightseeing and visiting in California, followed by a week in Arizona and Texas. The shoes I ordered were Rocky Gore-Tex Walking Shoes. They were comfortable, waterproof, and had lightweight Vibram soles. And they were very durable! So durable in fact that we still wear them today. I say we because the whole family wears them! I wore them for years as my casual shoes. They've been coast to coast, Alaska to Mexico, and scaled mountains and toured caves. When they got too scruffy and worn for wearing in public, I only wore them for non-public errands and to ag businesses (farmers don't care what your shoes look like). When they became too tattered for that they became the family chore shoes. They sit on the rug inside the back door and every morning I slip them on to bring in the paper. They slip on and off without untying. They are worn by others to feed the dog and cats, take out the garbage, fill the car with gas, bring in the mail, go up to the attic, get something from the garage, and other assorted activities. The biggest problem with them, are the cracked soles - - you can't wear them in the rain or you will get wet socks. They have become legend in our house. I've thought about throwing them away, but they are still too useful. And they don't make this style anymore. So we still use them.
Our "Golden Slippers."

Daughter #2 modeling the "golden slippers"

GOLDEN SLIPPERS

Oh, my golden slippers am laid away
'Cause I don't spect to wear 'em til my wedding day
And my long tailed coat, that I love so well
I will wear up in the chariot in the morn.
And my long white robe that I bought last June
I'm goin' to get changed 'cause it fits too soon
And the old grey hoss that I used to drive
I will hitch him to the chariot in the morn.

Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I'se goin' to wear
Because they look so neat.
Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I'se goin' to wear
To walk the golden street.

Oh, my old banjo hangs on the wall
'Cause it ain't been tuned since way last fall
But the darks all say we'll have a good time
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.
There's ol' brother Ben and his sister, Luce
They will telegraph the news to uncle Bacco Juice
What a great camp meetin' there will be that day
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.

So, it's good-bye, children I will have to go
Where the rain don't fall and the wind don't blow
And yer ulster coats, why, you will not need
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.
But yer golden slippers must be nice and clean
And yer age must be just sweet sixteen
And yer white kid gloves you will have to wear
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.


And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. Deuteronomy 29:5