A Pic A Day 11: There's no place like home

[sk66]

I think journalism is a good place for this one.

When soldiers get back from deployment (or some other significant trial) they will sometimes throw their boots over wires or into trees etc. The story is that it's an allusion to Dorothy's red slippers and that originally they would paint the boots red. Now, I think it's "I'm home and I don't need/want those boots (job) anymore."

[Jim Bryant]

There's an isolated radio/receiver site in Northern Germany that has a tree full of boots thrown up in the branches and limbs by departing soldiers.

[Bruce A]

I believe some drug dealers do this outside their homes. A bit like someone hanging their shingle.

[sk66]

There's all sorts of theories/reasons you might see shoes on wires...but I feel like the soldiers returning from war has more "meaning." Maybe it's personal... I guess you have to know the story behind it for the image to have much meaning, but that's pretty common with journalism pics.