Every time I sit down to unlace my shoes I can’t help but think of Mr. Rogers and his OCD-laden opening routine. Granted, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” wasn’t my favorite show growing up, but because it preceded Sesame Street, I tolerated it. Yes, the freaky puppet show (Lady Elaine Fairchilde and King Friday XIII) and that RC trolley (yeah, I see you working the switch, Fred!) were interesting enough, but the whole shoe changing bit during that melodic rendition of ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor’ was strangely mesmerizing.
Anyone that could turn their homecoming into a symbolic ritual of casual pageantry deserved some attention and respect. The whole idea of taking off the days work coat and shoes, putting them away, and throwing on a comfortable cardigan and a pair of deck shoes may seem a little eccentric now, but the idea of everything having its time and place was not lost on me as a kid. In fact, I was very particular about neatness and would often go into ‘Butler Mode’ to pick up around the house. These fits of perfectionism have subsided for the most part. In fact, I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I’ve shed almost any similarities to Mr. Rogers’ tidy wardrobe change.
What say you?