Well, let me tell ya, pickin’ floors ain’t easy like pickin’ apples, no sir. You got all sorts of stuff to think about. Like, whatcha gonna be doin’ on them floors? If it’s just for walkin’, that’s one thing. But if you’re gonna be jumpin’ and runnin’ around, like them young’uns playin’ volleyball, well, then you gotta get somethin’ strong.

I heard tell of this rubber stuff. They say it’s real good for cushionin’ your feet. Like walkin’ on clouds, they say. And it’s tough too, made from old tires and such. Imagine that! Tires on your floor! But they say it works real good, specially for sports. Keeps them young’uns from gettin’ hurt when they fall. This rubber, they say it comes from a tree, some kind of Amazon tree, the rubber tree they call it. Fancy, huh? And they mix it up with other things to make it strong and bouncy. That rubber flooring, it ain’t just one big sheet, oh no. They put down different layers, some for cushion, some for keepin’ things steady. Gotta make sure it’s just right for all that jumpin’ and landin’.

Then there’s this wood stuff. Real wood is nice, looks all fancy and warm. But it’s a pain in the neck to take care of. Always gotta be polishin’ and worryin’ about scratches. And it can be slippery too, if you ain’t careful. But they got this other wood, they call it laminate. It looks like wood, but it’s easier to take care of. Comes in boxes, all them planks ready to go. And they even give you a little book to tell you how to put it down. Imagine that! Do it yourself, they say. But I reckon I’d still need help from my grandson, that boy’s strong and knows how to do these things. You can find the laminate flooring in rectangular form, they come in a box with around ten pieces.

Now, if you’re tryin’ to match up some of that laminate, you gotta look close. See, the sun, it changes the color, makes it look different. So you gotta find a piece that matches the old stuff, not the new stuff that’s been sittin’ in the store. It ain’t like matchin’ fabric for a quilt, that’s for sure.

Then there’s other stuff too, like that plastic stuff, they say it’s real tough. And that linoleum stuff, like what they used to have in the kitchen, remember? All sorts of choices, makes your head spin. But it all boils down to what you need it for. And how much money you got in your purse, that’s important too!

For volleyball, they say you need somethin’ that’s got some give, but ain’t too soft. Gotta be able to jump high and land safe. So maybe that rubber stuff is the best, or maybe that laminate if it’s thick enough. You wouldn’t want somethin’ too hard, like just plain plastic or concrete. That would be tough on the knees, specially for us old folks. I tell you, these young athletes, they need good floors. Gotta protect them knees and ankles, so they can keep on playin’ and winnin’ them games.

• So, you got rubber, for bouncy and safe.
• You got wood, fancy but fussy.
• You got laminate, looks like wood, easier to handle.
• You got plastic, tough as nails.
• And you got that linoleum, like from the old days.

Pickin’ floors, it’s a whole heap of trouble, but you gotta do what’s right. Think about what you need, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what I always say. And remember, a good floor is like a good pair of shoes, gotta be comfortable and last a long time.