Saddle Shoes, Anyone?

Where I live kids are going back to school tomorrow. That's why they look so depressed today -- another vacation spoken about in the past tense. Another essay on what I did last summer -- should I make up an Amazon adventure or stick with the standard archaeological dig near the pyramids? Who's the new teacher and, most importantly, what's that mystery lunch on the cafeteria menu?

I actually liked going back to school -- well not to math and science classes but I usually found social studies pretty interesting. Of course, it was always presented through a Catholic school filter so I can't vouch for objectivity.

Alright -- enough educational kissing up. The real reason I liked going back to school was the shopping. There were the mandatory pens, notebooks and other school supplies. But for me -- a bonus. Every September I was the lucky recipient of a new school wardrobe. If the plaid skirts, navy blazers and penny loafers were supposed to inspire me to greater academic heights I missed the point -- sorry mom and dad -- but I sure looked good struggling through my multiplication tables.

Recently, I've been thinking about how I'd love a pair of saddle shoes. Must just be that time of year.