It is September and I don't know what to write. I like this month --some favorite people were born in it-- but the heat is lingering and leaves still cling green to trees. When all sensible topics are exhausted, I usually go straight for the gub'ment --but believe I've done that elsewhere, so I will write about, eh, my socks. Ok, maybe my hat too. And perhaps close with a lyric I heard decades ago that has not lost its novelty. Surely that's enough for a scholarly essay and enough said.
We are emerging from a very hot summer. But yes, we triumph! And I come away from it with something to wear, something that shouts all the pent-up sounds my poor sun-grilled emotions would like to inflict upon this season while my beloved California is still a drought --a drought that is on fire!
True, they are cartoon noises, not actual violence, but latently --with trousers and shoes-- and overtly with tucked-in pajamabottoms, they give me great pleasure, printed with such
onomonopoetic words as Kapow, Splat, Whack and Zaaap. They are an excellent product of the Sock it to me company, which also makes Cockadodoodledoo socks...
...and moustache socks (oh gosh have you ever tried to type in this position?)...
...but, best of all, like my Einstein socks (from Socksmith)...
...and Spock Socks (from Threadless)...
...they arrive each Fathers Day in June by post from my beautiful, intelligent Daughter who knows me so well. Another favorite thing is a hat from my Son. It is a very classy hat.
It has got a lot of use lately. Three days ago I visited my doctor about something alarming --recently revealed by my receding hairline. He got out his spray-can of liquid nitrogen and chased me around the room with it. He only caught me twice but it was enough cryotherapy to cause complaints of temperature plunges two buildings away. It left me with a frozen-head thing that panicked children and stampeded cattle. Yes, I live in the wild west --an enterprise full of strange history and outrageous misfortunes-- but a prescient son provided crainial coverage that spared this region further trauma.
As to "Favorite Things", a charming song from
The Sound Of Music, I, like Audrey Forbes-Hamilton --a comedic character I enjoyed 35 years ago and can't find anymore-- invariably confuse the lyric with
Berthold Brecht's. Threepenny Opera. My attempt: When the shark bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling down, I think of a few of my favorite things and Mackey's back in town.
A cooling, pleasant and happy September to all.
You've provided new sock dimensions that I never knew existed. I never previously thought much about socks, probably because mine are bland, smelly, and holy. They're not holy from being blessed by the Pope. They're holy because I buy the cheapest ones I can find at Walmart.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, no one comes bearing gifts of socks for me on Father's Day.
After recovering from the initial shock of seeing them, I began to like those pink socks with the polkadots and cartoon noises. Just don't wear them in public without shoes. They might attract men in white suits with nets. Of course, you could probably outrun them if you don't have shoes....
The Einstein socks are perfect for you because you're a thinker.
I don't know much about hats, except that I get strange looks when I wear my cowboy hat here in Tennessee.
As usual, my comment is senseless and too long.
Neither sense nor length are critiqued by this blog, but fun is always welcome. You qualify, Jon. Do Tennesseans still prefer raccoon hats over cowboy hats? I had a Davy Crockett hat when I was a kid and would still prize it had it not recovered and been released back into the wild. As a longtime wearer of white crew-socks, I recommend the various sock companies in this post. All excellent products so far. I love wearing flashy socks now even though I never thought I would.
DeleteWhen I read Jon's admonition ("Just don't wear them in public without shoes"), why did I immediately picture red high heels? That would certainly increase the fashion statement :)
DeleteDear Jenny! Pursuant to a gentlemens' agreement, I never question Jon's holey socks nor he my unholy ones. You picture red high heels because some theological points rest on uncertain, er, footing.
DeleteFortunately Audrey Forbes Hamilton is being repeated here. And despite knowing many episodes of To the Manor Born very well we watch with pleasure. A year or two ago I also watched her in a documentary about restoring an Elizabeathan manor. And she was as charming as ever.
ReplyDeleteLove your socks and your hat. And sigh for the frozen scalp. Himself goes through that regularly.
I envy your opportunity to enjoy that series again. The comic chemistry of Keith, Bowles and Thorne is so delightful. Don't know which episode my misremembered lyrics came from --and would be astonished at any close resemblance to my reconstruction --but recall they were great fun.
DeleteYour wonderful socks are so much better than a silly tie, and you look so debonair in that hat.
ReplyDeleteHaving Irish skin, I have been a victim of the sting liquid nitrogen too many times. When I make my appointment, the staff knows to order another gallon.
So glad that Mackey'is back in town.
Thank you, Arleen. Liquid nitrogen --not a very pleasant treatment. It is far more friendly as a gas.
DeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteI'm not sure which I like more: the socks, or the idea of a sock-selling company calling itself "Sock it to Me." Now I have no choice but to research said company to buy some of their fun garb. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the head-freezing. Not nearly as much fun as an ice cream induced brain freeze. Keep wearing that hat, dude!
Happy weekend!
Since receiving flashy socks over a succession of Fathers' Days, I too appreciate these companies. Their products are certainly prettier than the white crew socks to which I was long-addicted. Even dudes need to feel pretty sometimes.
DeleteA great month to you and what fine socks indeed. Greetings to you!
ReplyDeleteMost kind, and greetings in return! Your life-affirming blog and my flashy socks have had a positive effect on my disposition.
DeleteLove those socks! My daughter is a funny-sock wearing member of the human species. I on the other hand find that the fibres inside the socks - which are necessary for the patterns on the outside - always get caught in my toes ... so I had to give all of mine away ... too bad, I could have mailed you a boatload of cat- and Christmas-themed ones.
ReplyDeleteSympathies on getting caught by the doctor. Kudos to son for the smart hat. And I smiled and smiled at the thought of your childhood Davy Crockett hat crawling away!
I find I suffer toe-snag only with Einstein and Mustache patterns. The Threadless Co. offerings are engineered away from this problem. Daughters are certainly wonderful and instructive --they expect us to behave civilly-- and reward us with funny socks. Let us wear them proudly.
DeleteYou have such a fashion flair. But I really thought your final lyrics were going to be from Tan Shoes And Pink Shoelaces. Yours fit well enough but still I suffered a bit of a let-down.
ReplyDeleteOh my, hadn't thought of Dodie Stevens in a long long time, but what a fun song! Should have got a big Panama with a purple band when my raccoon cap went gamey. Thanks Emma!
DeleteYou sock collection may be the most impressive I've seen. Such flair and panache.
ReplyDeleteThe hat is very handsome. I have just recently acquired a similar head dress. One of my friends said "Oh well, no one looks good in a hat." (that is not true, by the way) A second said "You look Cuban." You wear your hat well. I intend to do likewise.
Thanks Tom. We could do much worse than look Cuban. They are a handsome people. I wore a Tilley broad-brimmed hat throughout my 35 years as a gardener, then retired and went bare-headed. I will not repeat that mistake.
DeleteThank you for your September wishes, Geo., - here autumn starts a bit stormy, a slight chill ilies n the air and first leaves are falling down - and, a speciality of Berlin's streets with alleys of trees, in our street many oaks - we are awakened by the plop, plop of acorrns on the cars..
ReplyDeleteSoon here it will be time to wear warm socks - though I do not have so vivid ones as you. At least one pair has a big "L" for "left" and "R" for right - maybe to prevent morning confusion.
Dear Brigitta, I love the idea of socks marked L and R and could avoid many wrong turns if I had a pair to consult. Your city sounds lovely this time of year. Here, we are being careful under oaks because they are shedding branches this dry year along with acorns.
DeleteLove your sock collection Geo. Great hat, by the way. All in all, a post brimming with socks, good will, and smiles....one doesn't find such a combination every day. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you ghost moon! People don't always remark favorably on my ensembles, but now I am encouraged. Clearly, they will take me more seriously than if I wore nothing.
DeleteI was partial to argyle back in the day, loved the clash of dark suit pants with the bright colors. A panama hat suits you well, though you might think about a straw boater from May to Labor Day.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to stay here in the Emerald City for a few weeks, maybe I'll see the body, just oozing life, and someone sneakin' round the corner.....could that someone, be...?
....one of my favorite things, and then I don't feeeeel so baaad! Could be. Or could be Mack The Knife, yikes. Must get those two songs straightened out!
DeleteMind blowing song mashup you've got there, mixing meters and everything! If that's not worthy of a new pair of socks, I don't know what is.
ReplyDeleteI like the hat very much.
I like the hat too. And yes, I deserve socks. Socks are a happy ongoing reward.
DeleteOkay, here is the deal...I love your socks. Once in a while i throw things on like funny socks and cause a stir when I emerge from our house. My only response to comments has to be "I know, I look like a clown and I LIKE IT!" :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I'm proud to encounter another flashy-sock-wearer, always.
DeleteAnd here I am, writing about a pair of socks for tomorrow... Why do you always beat me to the good stuff?
ReplyDeleteI, too, have had a few things burned off. Ain't modern medicine grand?
Pearl
That's ok, Pearl, there's no end of good stuff to be written about socks. I'm here writing about meteorology this evening --an uncertain activity as I suspect September heat and modern medicine have burned off my brain.
DeleteGlad to hear you have survived the heat, and I do hope that terrible drought ends soon. It's heartbreaking to think of all the fire destruction in California and other places out west. I was home for a couple of weeks in August, and our eyes and lungs were smarting from the smoke of California's fires.
ReplyDeleteYour socks have me in stitches, Geo! I definitely would wear the Spock ones! And I got a laugh out of your last post on names! Bad name choices always make me think of Ima Hogg; but her life turned out rather well despite her unfortunate name.
We're enjoying a lovely, cool Indian Summer in Victoria, B.C. Lots of beautiful flowers and gardens everywhere. I'm wiped out from walking all over the city; but now I've got "Mack the Knife" stuck in my brain! Nothing like a brain worm when you're thinking of going to sleep! Have a good one!
Thank you Blue! Your September sounds wonderful. But be warned, once you combine lyrics of "Favorite Things" and "Mack The Knife" they will never leave you alone, not ever.
Delete"When the shark bites, when the bee stings - Shark? Oh my God! I've strayed into The Thruppenny Opera!"
ReplyDelete(Audrey F-H)
Ah, Audrey F-H, a favorite alumna of "...Manor Born". She strayed into many hilarious places!
Delete