The cover page photograph on today's Spotlight Section of the Rocky Mountain News ("Toe Touches") is a close-up image of someone's toes with nails colored red and decorated with cute little flowers. In my humble opinion this is just about the most unappealing cover page I have ever seen.

Let me admit that I am not impressed by sizzling new swimwear, or fresh & funky toe-nail styles, or the whole phony fashion scene. Being informed that a pedi (new word for pedicure) may cost between $28 to $48 or that I could get an 80-minute luxury treatment for a mere $80 at the Brown Palace impresses me even less. Of course I would have to pay more for embellishments, rhinestones and French pedis, and that's only reasonable. If anyone has the time and money to waste on a "pedi" then that's okay - but not me. Let someone else join the clamber for artificial toenails.

My feet are important to me; but not worth the time or expense of doing more than the basic maintenance I have been doing for about 60 years. I use my feet to walk on, run on, swim with, and to kick things. I care a great deal about my feet and hope they continue to serve me well for a few more decades.

However, I am not completely opposed to new ideas. Perhaps I need to move with the times and adopt a style that "suits my mood." Not the "diva glam" or "bling" of course, but just a simple and functional treatment that lets me mow the lawn in confidence without worrying about the neighbors who may look at my feet and think me old-fashioned.

I eschew the bright colors, the floral patterns, or the new trendy French styles. No, as far as color goes, I prefer totally natural, wet-grass, green chlorophyll tones. This is subtly applied while mowing the wet lawn in an old pair of well-worn but comfortable Tevas. Instead of glitter I can use specks of dark green grass cuttings sprinkled on my feet when I empty the lawn mower bag of cuttings into the industrial-sized plastic bag. No need to spend time in a salon.

Today I tried this new idea. I think it is trendy, yet understated, colorful yet not garish. I call it my Summer Lawn Style. (See photos.) This may not gain wide acceptance but it is inexpensive and easy to change to match my mood. Note the small green ribbon which compliments the chlorophyll tones. Ribbon is relatively inexpensive and available in a multitude of colors. Mine came from some Christmas left-over stuff in the basement. Of course this is my new summer look. I do not mow the lawn in winter and will have to think about my options when the weather turns colder.

One's feet are a personal thing and I wouldn't want to try and influence others with my personal likes and dislikes. Of course, if a foot scout sees the accompanying photos and thinks my feet could grace the cover of a newspaper or fashion magazine I am open to offers. I am looking into insuring my feet in case this should happen.

I should add that the waste management employees who drove by this afternoon seem to be impressed.