Ellyn Laub (Ellyn Laub/Courtesy )

So now I have a new activity that I love. It hasn’t gotten in the way of pickleball, which I play nearly every morning. Our community has an incredible class a few afternoons a week: water aerobics. The first time I went with a bunch of my pickleball buddies I had the most fun ever. The instructor is the best — always smiling, passionate, interesting and the best taste in music. I remember taking this type of class sporadically over the years, but I don’t recall it being as much fun.

Only problem was that after taking the first class, I found that my insteps, ankles and shins were a bit achy. I think that’s because of all the pounding and jogging and jacks we do, even with the buoyancy of water as a buffer. And so I began to research the problem. And wouldn’t you know it? Suggestions were made online to wear special water aerobics shoes for class. So I guess needed a new pair of shoes. Back to the internet, which directed me not to simply get water shoes one would wear at a rocky beach, but a pair that actually had an arch, cushioning and support around the instep and ankle.

But where to purchase these? Amazon is always a good beginning. Then there was DSW and a bunch of other sites. But I wasn’t yet ready to pull the trigger. Then one day I was in Target buying lemons for my morning tea and greens for my smoothies. And after checking out, it dawned on me that they have a shoe department. On a lark I went over to the flip-flop section and found an associate who pointed me to the cutest pair of lavender water aerobics shoes with good soles, great arches and cushioning that were exactly my size.

Excited with my purchase, I brought them home, tried them on again and put them in my closet next to my other athletic shoes. And my other shoes. And my other shoes. There on the floor all lined up were a few pair of pickleball shoes that I alternate, a pair of shoes expressly for aerobics class, another pair for power walking and yet another pair for traveling. Not to mention that I have two never-been-worn pickleball shoes still in boxes awaiting my older shoes to get worn down. And, of course, my golf and bowling shoes. It dawned on me that I’ve become the Imelda Marcos of sport shoes.

Not to mention how many pairs of regular shoes I also own — sandals, flats, heels, slip-on Keds and boots. Why so many? I blame DSW for constantly sending me those irresistible coupons providing discounts of at least $10 each. Not to mention the assortment of free bags I’ve accumulated because they’ve offered as them as promotions — yoga bags, gym bags, overnighters, coolers. Enough shoes and bags to choke a horse.

So then I decided to have a summer clean out, donating older shoes and bags. But still I do have a ridiculous variety of sneakers. I remember as a kid having one pair of sneakers that took me through punch ball, stoop ball, hand ball and volleyball and tennis and basketball and gym class and even just plain walking. What changed? Have we all been bamboozled by shoe companies to make us believe we need different types of shoes for different types of activities? I suppose so. Still, I don’t want to risk falling on the pickleball court or during aerobics classes or trip while power walking.

But I believed I was done truly done for the time being with my shoe purchases, feeling as if I was the best-shod kid in the neighborhood. Until I came home from the community center gym this morning, where they’ve told me that indoor pickleball will resume in the gymnasium within the next few weeks. So when I told Jeff the news he said, ‘Now you’ll need a pair of indoor pickleball shoes. They say court shoes like those used for basketball or volleyball are best for a gymnasium floor. Wonder where I can buy closet stretchers?