Tiles, concrete, or foot huggers!

Tiles, concrete, or foot huggers!

…It may sound like nothing to you, but it really matters to me, so let me tell you a bit more.

The older I get, the more the little pleasures count. One of mine is having warm feet — especially during this stretch we jokingly call the 'Philippine winter.'

I'm told it's in remission now that I've lost 56 kg, but I've had type 2 diabetes for a long time, and because of that my feet can get really cold and uncomfortable — especially on Philippine floors.

I honestly can't decide what's better. The white tiles laid in every room of our home in Southern Cebu, concrete floors, or 'foot huggers' — meaning a warm, cushy pair of indoor slippers.

Until recently it was so hot that going barefoot was no problem at all — more than no problem, it was cool and lovely. Then the rain started, kept coming, and the temperature dropped sharply.

Suddenly my feet were cold, so I retreated into the fleecy slippers I brought from the UK.

But there's a problem!

I like the white tiles, but I think my wife made one small mistake: she should have picked something less slippery. Over the years I've fallen not once but several times, getting far closer to the floor than I ever wanted.

Luckily, thanks to a misspent youth doing competitive judo several times a week, I think I know how to fall without breaking a wrist or a hip — but I'd better not speak too soon.

Tiled floors can be dangerous, especially when something's been spilled. So far only my pride has been bruised, so I count myself lucky — lying there staring up at the ceiling, feeling pretty foolish.

I'm also considering concrete floors. Our second home, a humble farmhouse in Bohol, already has a nicely finished concrete floor. It's definitely less slippery — but colder, and nowhere near as cosy. So why not just wear slippers in both houses, you ask?

The trouble is, these slippers seem made for a near-arctic climate — places like Siberia or Finland where the Northern Lights are an everyday sight.

A few seconds after I put them on, my feet get so hot I have to take them off again!

I'd love to hear what you think. Flooring, keeping warm, and staying steady on your feet as you age — what works for you?

I'm sure a few trolls will spot this too — the ones with no party of their own, so they come and rain on someone else's. But a few grumpy comments never hurt anyone, so even if you're a troll, feel free to say your piece.

I write on my blog almost every day, and I'm always hoping to gain more followers and friends.

Thanks for reading,

Kevin