I NEVER THOUGHT about my feet until they started to hurt. And since then, they haven't let me forget them.

Among the physical changes associated with aging, such as wrinkly skin, sagging chins, graying hair and body fat that seems to drift south no matter what we do, nuances in the foot department get short shrift.

Feet are just, well, feet. We don't see them when we look in the mirror. And unless we're wearing sandals, hardly anybody else sees them either.

But on one of those important milestone birthdays, my feet decided to let me know they wanted some respect.

Without warning, while on a beautiful walk during a celebratory trip, those two stalwart, reliable drudges of transportation began to radiate something new: pain. Decades of carrying me over hard pavement, dirt trails or burning sand, of being encased in nonbreathable nylons or strangled in high-heeled or narrow designs had taken a toll.

"Hey," was the message. "Pay attention."

That evening, I realized they had changed. Were those my feet? They looked like somebody else's, maybe my mother's. Perhaps that odd protrusion had developed gradually. But by the time I noticed, it felt sudden. And what was that sore spot?

That birthday walk was a turning point: Feet joined my list of "body parts needing regular attention." I visited the "footcare" department at the drugstore, investing eventually in toe separators, heel cushions, corn

removers, shoe liners and foot creams. I asked friends, I went online. But the pains continued.

Finally, I consulted a podiatrist, who confirmed the bump was a bunion and the sore spot a corn. Yes, over time ligaments loosen, muscles sag, feet widen and flatten and the fat padding on the sole of the foot wears down. It was true.

She also recommended surgery.

The second doctor I saw took a different tack.

"You don't need surgery," he said.

No list of products and, because the pains were mild, no medication. Just shoes with arch support and a wide toe box, preferably with laceup tops or straps across the instep. And orthotics — a term I had never heard before — from any local store to prop my sagging arches.

It worked. The pains and strains are gone, along with any strappy sandals, sling-back heels and cute little flats. But that's a small price to pay.

After years of ignoring their contributions, the least I can do now is be kind to my feet. I hope to be working with them for a long while.

Tips for aging feet:

Besides bunions and hammertoes, other common problems for aging feet are: fungus infections, prevented by keeping the feet clean and dry; bone spurs, or calcium deposits worsened by standing on the feet for long periods; dry skin, helped by daily application of lotion to the feet; corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.

Tips on buying shoes:

When you buy shoes, follow these tips from the National Association on Aging. Have feet measured; buy shoes at the end of the day, when feet are largest; fit your shoe to your larger foot; make sure there is enough space — up to half an inch — for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up; make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe; don't buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit; make sure the heel fits comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping — shoes should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.

Look for shoes that are solidly constructed, conform to your feet and have cushioned soles that absorb the shock of hard surfaces.

Try a lace-up style. A shoe that ties can be adjusted for better comfort and support.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM OFFERED: The AARP's Driver Safety Program, an eight-hour refresher course for drivers 50 and over, will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and July 16 at Veterans Memorial Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City.

Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. Sign up in advance by calling 650-780-7270. Advance registration is recommended. Completing the course may provide eligibility for a discount from your auto insurance company. Call your local senior center for information about AARP courses there.

For comments or story ideas, contact Joan Aragone at 650-432-4338 or fogbelt2@aol.com.