Go Fish Galvez

Okay, now don’t get funny.

Back in the day, thongs were shoes—no, that’s too generous. They were sandals. Well, not exactly. Foam-soled, with one rubbery strap between the great and second toes, and all of a buck or two to buy.

If you stepped on anything pointy, though, you were in a heap of trouble.

So there’s that.

Later, these soles of summer came to be known as flip-flops, but back in the day, when I was still straightening my hair but just before I started wearing false eyelashes, I remember we called ‘em thongs.

Of course, now when I hear the word “thong,” I get this creeping sensation in an unmentionable area, coupled with a compelling need to adjust my shorts.

But (no pun intended), speaking of thongs, I just love The Company Store, don’t you?

Their little make-believe houses are always so clean and crisp. And free of cat hair. And empty Vienna sausage tins—gotta love those generic little meatlogs! (Just kidding.)

Alas, if I’d had even a couple of extra dollars in my pocket a few weeks ago, at least a few of which weren’t technically already the property of Citibank Credit Card Services, or if I were more adept at suppressing a guilty conscience, I would have gladly plunked down a few of those questionably acquired greenbacks to purchase one or more of those gaily colored beach towels.

Anxious as I am to get going on down to Galveston (you were just waiting for the Galveston connection, weren’t you?), these bits of festive island fun made me wistful yet cheery just lookin’ at ‘em.

And how about those fabulous sheets?

Oh, my God, the thread count alone probably would have saved me a summer’s worth of exfoliating cream while still requiring regular beatings on river rock to soften those babies up! But oh, the patterns and colors are just so fabulous! And the prints—cute little fishes, wee palm trees, pink flamingoes, and the highlight, of course—thongs! Er, I mean flip-flops (sorry).

Finally, there was one more item I was hoping to buy. And who could blame me?

With June 1st just past, the timing would have been perfect. Hurricane candle holder, anyone?