Shoes ; Feet and Walking.

These are my very comfortable, sensible, expensive walking shoes. I don't wear shoes that are not comfortable BUT almost a month ago I got a very sore right foot ( after walking ) for no apparent reason. I put up with the pain thinking it would go away. It didn't; it lessened somewhat but was always sore by evening. It was worst in bare feet and especially standing on tip toes. My sturdy walking shoes, because they were splinting my foot to some extent, were the most comfortable to wear. Last week I went to the doctor who ( took my money ) and referred me on to a podiatrist. I had to wait till this morning for my appointment. Oh, how I wish I had gone 3 weeks ago.
She was excellent and friendly and funny. I have metatarsalgia ( which just means sore foot or sore toe joint ). Apparently as we age we lose the fat in the ball of our feet - I didn't know that! ( maybe it gravitates up and ends round ones middle.) I probably stood on a stone or something right on the sore spot ( the joint out from the 4th toe on the ball of the foot ) and it has enflamed it and made it angry ( and me too ) . So to rest the spot and keep my foot off it while walking she made this felt insole with the part cut out over the sore spot.

It is washable ( and she said dry it with the hair dryer after a shower !!! ) and keep it on as long as possible - hopefully till I see her again next week.
 I was a bit worried how fat it would make my foot but the padding is all underneath so it will be fine because  this weekend we are going to our niece's wedding and I have these new flat pretty red shoes to wear.

 Part of the weddding is on grass so they had to be flat. I have worn them once before and they were comfortable ( and will match my red bag and the black things I intend wearing. )
I will have happy feet ; Well happier than they were anyway.

* I emailed Norton Help about the problem I was having installing my paid for new antivirus and got a very helpful reply back. Thanks! They even credited me with the unused portion of my previous version; so I am very pleased.