Some pleasures are for rich folks only. It's like the sign at the amusement park: YOU MUST BE THIS TALL TO GO ON THIS RIDE. Poor folks don't fly first class. Nor do we drive Lambos, sit courtside, wear cashmere, eat truffles, or own anything haut.
But there are just dozens of genuine pleasures that rich and poor can share. And I don't mean the big obvious ones -- love and kids and ice cream, sleeping in late, and the smell of rain on hot pavement. I am talking socks. Is there -- I put this to you in all seriousness -- is there a better below-the-ankle feeling than putting on a new pair of socks?
Quick side-bar here. I wrote putting on just now because that's what I do to socks. I put them on. Most people do -- until they get inside a book. Bruce Jay Friedman, the American humorist, enforces what he calls the "2 dons" rule of literature. And it has nothing to do with the Mafia. When I come across a scene where someone dons a coat, says Mr Friedman, I sigh and keep going. But if it happens again, I close the book. 2 dons and you're out.
Back now. Really, what is not to like about new socks? Apart from the crisp, clean, freshness and overall good vibe, there is no pressure with socks. If you spend a lot of money on new shoes, you feel compelled to like them (unless of course you are rich; which is the point here). If the shoes start to pinch, or if on second thought they don't look as cute at home as they did in the store, you're stuck. You have to wear them or feel guilty. But if you change your mind about your socks, so what? For 8.00 you can get another dozen pairs.
The reason why new socks are on my mind is that they are also on my feet. I am wearing a pair of virgin grays right now, ankle length, cotton poly lycra blend (I am totally making this up) a gift from Imogen. Happy Birthday, Daddy, she said, holding out a plastic bag and smiling shyly. I got you some socks.
I thanked her and donned a pair immediately.
9 comments:
But socks always get holes in them and that's depressing. The rest of the sock is good, but the hole makes it useless. And how many people actually sew anymore? I say we should rebel against socks. They don't last long anyway.
But that's the point. Rich or poor, you can throw on a new pair of socks when the old ones get holes. Much harder to replace an Aston Martin. Being rich really helps then.
And being American you can have even more fun since there socks are far cheaper than in Brazil, here a couple of half costs $ 2.00 and the cheapest.
The question is, each country or each person has a cheap way to feel pleasure in life, my love is my family.!
Thanks!
Yes, family is good too. But you're stuck with family even after they get a hole in them, or wear out.
I feel guilty about throwing the old socks out, because of one little hole. It's creating garbage. Socks are meant to make you feel guilty.
Canadians have the best socks in the world! SOCKS to be Aussie when you're looking for good tootsie warmers.
Thanks for the tee hee!
comon we all know socks are over rated they sssssssuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccckkkkkkk hows with me yah
socks are over rated and should'nt be in catuloges
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