A love affair continues ... with socks!

A new pair of Balega socks feel great!

Socks in a special drawer: Organized with critters on some styles, other styles for cold weather,
half-sized nylon sockies for certain shoes and several pairs of athletic socks.

     I've got a love affair going with socks: Clean, colorful, comfy socks.

    (This has continued for years, luckily, husband Steve just puts up with it.)

    I have a dresser drawer especially for socks and it holds styles for summer, winter, and seasons in between.

   Some socks are for around the house but also when we are out-and-about.

    Some are for certain shoes. Many pairs of mine are for athletic shoes as I work out five days a week and also plan to do a 5K race. Seasonal pairs are for Christmastime; others have critters on them.

    I have socks for when I substitute teach in local schools. I have socks for when we head out to lunch or dinner, usually outdoors somewhere.

    I have socks for subzero temperatures, and little bitty socks (sockies) for warm weather. They are also in several colors; warm comfy socks for my alma mater, Iowa State University, are red-and-yellow, of course.

    Socks were invented millennia ago, according to several online sources such as shosett.com. This type of clothing can be traced back to cavemen, 5000 B.C. Romans later laced their feet, and ultimately sewed the laces together in a type of fitted sock. Socks designed to be worn with sandals were traced to ancient Egypt. Egyptians used a weaving technique called naalbinding (300-500 A.D.)

    The first woolen socks were found in Great Britain, where they were used to protect feet from the cold winter days.

    Longer socks were developed in the Middle Ages; they were held up by garters. This piece of clothing became normal, especially for the gentry.

    The first sock knitting machine appeared in 1589 England. Queen Victoria did not like the socks produced by the inventor, William Lee, but had a better reception in France. The first stocking factory was located in Rouen. Eventually, socks for the common man were made of wool, and the gentry wore socks of silk.

    Also at about this time, the term "socks" was derived from the longer word, "stockings."

    Nylon was developed in the 1930s and famously, nylon stocking were worn by women. These same nylons were a hot commodity when they were rationed during World War II.

    Nylons were still popular when I grew up in the 1960s but I just have one pair these days. I can't remember the last time I actually wore nylons.

    Socks are one of the most-desired clothing items in homeless shelters. I do try to buy socks made by companies that give back to society. The pair I'm wearing today, Balega, is one (https://balega-socks.implus.com,) as are Bombas (https://bombas.com).

    A socks bonus: They always fit!