Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. The Ked's slip on does come in narrow and is what I have been wearing for years. However, I now develop very painful knots like stone bruises when I use a shovel wearing them. I am going to have to go to a more heavy duty sole. Neither the Trekkers nor the Ladybug Clogs come in a narrow (A) width. The clogs do come in a B width and there is a Tractor Supply nearby so I am going to check that out tomorrow and see if they could possibly work. If not, the Trekkers will be the next thing to try.

I use Oxyclean for that and similar problems regularly. I might not work but at this point you don't have much to lose. You could also try one of the strong enzyme cleaners made for this problem. I have one that claims to eat up stains even after they are set. Or you could give it the old 1--2, first enzyme then rinse per instructions on the bottle, then Oxyclean in a pan with the hottest water available. I have one of my hot water tanks set for 150 degrees and that is usually hot enough. If you take the pan to the kitchen sink you have even hotter water available from the microwave or stove. Just don't use chlorine bleach because it eats rubber.

I have been meaning to tell everyone about the things I wear on my feet since December to keep them warm. Now I can! Foot Duvets! My best kept secret! I had never heard of them but my sister for my birthday in October gave me a pair of foot duvets. She got them at Restoration Hardware in St. Louis but I think they have locations elsewhere or you can also shop online. These things are like slippers but look like blimps. LOL They aren't for walking around but for wearing in bed or while sitting. They don't have any support in them. They are the softest, nicest things I have ever put on my feet. They are down filled and the insides are sooo soft. I have Raynaud's Syndrome and if I don't have something on me feet in the winter I have incredible pain in my feet. I used to wear small anklets all the time but found them too binding and would kick them off during the night only to have to get up and put them back on when my feet get cold. Doesn't help that my bedroom is the coldest room in the house and my bed is situated against 2 outside walls. These foot duvets are so light that you aren't even aware you have them on your feet. Your feet stay warm but don't overheat. They are light as feathers - no kidding! I can't wait to get into bed so I can put them on my feet! I even plan to wear them in the summer because my feet still get cold even then. I wish they made them for hands because I sometimes I have to wear mittens to bed to keep my hands warm so I won't be in pain. They are very roomy and large. I don't think they cost very much or my sister wouldn't have purchased them for me. Wonderful things for keeping feet warm and would be great for the elderly. I wish I had these for my Mom when she went into the hospital because they kept her socks on and she got her first bed sore on the heel of her foot. These would have prevented that. Give them a try if you can find them. Your son's cold feet will love you for it. Anne

I was always just like you describe--hated shoes, hated buying them, resented the money I had to spend on them, absolutely detested wearing them. Had never had a truly comfortable pair of shoes in over 55 years. At any given time, it was rare for me to have more than about 3-5 pairs (one dressy, a pair or 2 of sandals, a pair or 2 of sneakers. Like you, my feet are over 1/2 size different from each other. Then I had a foot problem and made a visit to a WOMAN podiatrist. Not only did she help the immediate problem that sent me to her, but she evaluated my feet--they're basically shaped differently than most of the population--and she recommended a couple of brands of shoes. Now? I LOVE shopping for shoes, love wearing them. I'm more comfortable in them than out of them now that I have great shoes that fit well, and I don't mind paying $50-60 per pair, because I know I'm getting my money's worth--in both comfort and quality (the first pairs I bought at her recommendation, over 3 years ago have been worn a lot, but still look like brand new). Guess my point is, maybe finding the right brand of shoes for your feet might make a difference to you. This is one branch of medicine where I believe it's important for a woman patient to see a dr. who is a woman--not only do they know the medical info, but they undertand fashion concerns as well, and can give really good advice. If you could find a brand that is as comfortable for you, as I have--might be worth spending a few $$$ for a podiatrist visit? Good luck.