Monday, March 24, 2014

Are Your Socks Too Tight?

The date says spring, the snow to come says differently, but I am doing OK
Photo



I have read quite a few books about the Kennedys and one of the things that impressed me was how the family would sit down to a meal and discuss what was going on in the world and how each person could make it better.   Everybody was encouraged to be part of the conversation, including the youngest child. 


When the stars align in the right way, we also like to sit down to a family meal.  It is not always easy as life is busy and the grandchildren's activities are varied and many.  However, recently most of us were able to get together for my daughter's birthday.  Our conversations were not as cerebral as the Kennedy's, but we touched on subjects that seemed important to us; like how does one wear their socks.   For the past few years, my granddaughters have worn different patterned socks on each foot. We all agreed that was a bold statement about being individuals and we praised them for having their own style. Listening to all this, I never thought that "my" sock habit would come under scrutiny, but then I saw my daughters glance down to my shoeless feet.  A look of horror and disgust came over their faces. What great fashion faux pas had I committed now.?  My socks matched; they were clean; there were no holes.  They were warm and comfy and I thought acceptable in the presence of company.  However, it was not the socks that brought criticism, it is how I wear my socks" that seems to be their concern.  I wear them loose at the toes and to their reproaching eyes, it is not acceptable.  Who knew?  I turn my toes up, I like to stretch out; I like wiggle room; I want my toes to live free.  Apparently, this is "gnarly". I listened to their objections, pulled them tight, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.   So now, after this deep conversation, I realize that when my children tell me they are coming over, I should pull my socks tight, or they might be making one of  those 
"What's going on with mom?" calls.

I never thought that my socks would give me away.


58 comments:

  1. That is so sweet and adorable and I even know what you are saying!

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    1. We all become ancient to our children, even though we think we still got it.

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  2. I always thought that one of the pleasures of growing old(er) was that one did not have to worry about things like fashion. I am thinking of things like old men whose trouser waist-line is just under their chin. I accidentally wore unmatched socks recently - imagine my surprise when I discovered an identical pair in my sock drawer!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Never fold your socks from the wash when the lights are dim, Bazza. Yes, I fold the wash, and yes, both my hubby and I have worn unmatched socks on occasion.

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  3. Your approach to sock wearing is absolutely sensible. Socks are our servants, not the other way around. I also wear socks inside out, because I don't like the end seam.

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  4. "Tis time to pull your socks up, Arleen!! Hehehehe!

    Just to nark them...I'd go out and buy a larger size and wear them when the younger sock fashionistas came to visit. Make sure they're very loose with lots of room to move! And make sure the younger folk notice...and you plead total ignorance! ;)

    I read just about anything and everything about the Kennedys and Jackie. I find it all extremely interesting.

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    1. Even 50 years later and all of them gone, the interest in the Kennedy family has never waned.

      Lee, I can't wait for a month from now when my toes will be free of all constraints and will be doing a happy walk in flip flops.

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  5. The best thing about it is that you can re-arrange them back to gnarly as soon as they've all gone home. Gnarly socks for me too.

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    1. Molly, gnarly socks are comfy and at this point in life, comfy is what it is all about.

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  6. I guess you must listen to your children so they won't worry, but since both feet, toes, and socks belong to you, I think you should be able to whatever you want to with them.

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    1. I do, and will continue to do so, Inger. They just like to pull my chain.

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  7. I don't wear socks more than once or twice a year. And, when I do, they have to be loose. No strangled toes here...

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    1. Toes should be free to roam, of course, it is better if they are connected to the feet.

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  8. If the only thing your kids can criticize is how you wear your socks, I'd say you're in pretty doggone good shape. Since none of our kids are fashion plates, either, they don't say anything about my less-than-stellar dressing habits.

    Oh, and I'll have you know, we sat around the dinner table with our children when they were growing up, too. Just like the Kennedys. Of course, our topics of conversation tended to get a little... earthy... at times. As in flatulence kinda earthy. Or burping kinda earthy. And corny jokes kinda earthy. Oh well. So we weren't like the Kennedys. At least we laughed a lot.

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  9. I am in pretty doggone good shape for the shape I'm in, Susan.

    Our dinners are all about having a good meal and a good laugh, just like your family. We always have fun with a lot of kidding when we get together. I am often a target and I love the attention.

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  10. So there you are, for you :pull your socks up’ is not just a saying.

    Kids, we can never get it right, can we?

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  11. Now you've got me wondering how correct my socks are, or not.

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  12. It's the tightness at the top that bugs me. Why do they make them so they cut-off your blood supply?

    The big rule in my house is that we ALWAYS eat together at table for lunch and dinner, and the times are never varied.

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  13. It would've been worse if they thought you were wearing furry looking socks when you were sockless! I love hearing stories about your big, fun-loving family!

    Julie

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    1. I write what I know, Julie. One of the reasons that 8 enjoy your posts is that you do the same.

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  14. LOL! Toooo funny!! Kids. I would've said: "if you think the way I wear my socks is bad, you should see my underwear". That might have stopped them in their tracks! hehehehe. Well, your toes are nice and comfortable....when the kids aren't around.

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    1. When my mother would have her hair done, she would sometimes wear a pair of silk panties on her head when she went to bed at night. At least that is what she told me when I went in her bedroom in the morning.

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  15. I like happy meals and good conversation.

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  16. This post makes me smile - thank goodness we have family to keep us up to scratch! I love my socks, they are comforting and keep my toes warm. They are only annoying if, as Crow says, they are too tight at the ankle and leave a rubber band mark on your skin. Go gnarly gal!

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  17. Good grief! Your daughters socking it to you over your socks. Sigh! Tell them to lighten up and relax, just like your feet do.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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    1. It will all come back to them when someday their children will do the same to them.

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  18. Free the toes! Free the toes! Your family is a bit too judgmental and needs to appreciate the importance of free toes. (Hm. That sounds like they're being given away. Like "Buy two pairs of socks and get free toes!!") ;)

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    1. Lexa, it is the little things in life that matter, even our smallest toe.

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  19. It is so important tohave your parents appear normal.

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  20. Ha Ha ~ in the comfort of my own home wearing my socks with out shoes seems to be something like dust mopping ~ as I oft look down and see animal hair and dust balls stuck to them ... probably wouldn't go over well at the dinner table sock talk either lol

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  21. You just can't win. I'm a sock wearer in the winter and never have thought much about how they're supposed to be worn. Now I know!

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  22. Still Smiling... my Princess T also wears mismatched Socks as her Fashion Statement, which is fortuitous since we always seem to have Sock Orphans after I do Laundry! *winks* As for me, I go either barefoot or in Okabashi Flip-Flops most of the time so I have Tarzan Feet and I suppose that is not exactly Fashionable or Attractive, but, oh well! *LOL* If I'm going somewhere Special I often throw on my Gypsy Cowgirl Boots and nobody can tell I don't pamper my tootsies! Thanks for coming by for a Blog Visit.

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  23. Hello Arleen,
    Well, this post gives a whole new dimension to pulling one's socks up!

    We love the idea of wearing mismatched socks as we do the wearing of brightly coloured patterned socks. This all adds to the joyous variety of life as well as giving a good insight into personality traits. We think that Freud would have a lot to say about our particular socks!!

    Whatever, it is so good to be surrounded by the young who never fail to keep us up to date. And, in this case, can ensure that you never make a sock faux pas!

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  24. Hi human, Arleen,

    If I was wearing any, I would laugh my socks off, my good human friend. Actually, my human's socks are mismatched because I like to chew on the random ones. I know he likes that.

    Very good and sock it to me! :)

    Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!

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  25. I usually sneak and wear my husband's socks. I would be soooo embarrassed if I were in the room with your family.

    Happy Birthday to your daughter.

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  26. I have already commented here, but I wanted to stop by and thank you for following my A to Z. Have a nice day!

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  27. Dear Arleen, yes, who knew that loose-fitting "comfortable" sock would bring on the gnarly look! Like yours, my toes like wiggle room. Years and years ago--back in the 1940s and early '50s--when my dad came home each evening from his construction work, he'd sit down, take off his shoes, and I had the distinct honor of going over to where he sat, kneeling down on the floor, taking the end of each sock between my fingers and pulling the sock, wedged against his toes by sweat, away from his toes so as to free them. It was a ritual each night. I'd tug the socks away from his toes and then he'd wiggle them and sigh and say, "Oh, Dodo, my feet thank you. And I do too!" Such a good memory. Thank you for helping me recall it. Peace.

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  28. That is hilarious!! I think it's awesome and you should let those toes breathe! :-)

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  29. Took a trip back by to the sock hop ~ just to say "Hello" :)

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  30. I'm pretty sure my socks fail any test, though they are matched, whole and clean. I've never thought about how the toes fit. I've been missing something all these years.

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  31. Thanks for visiting my blog! How does a headless man scream? I imagine the same way the headless man on that Sleepy Hollow show manages to walk around without bumping into things... lol

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  32. Hilarious! What conversations we have with our children. I could just imagine them looking at your socks and you trying to explain why you like to wear them that way. Like you I like to let my toes breath too and move around. haha
    At least they didn't catch you with your jeans on backwards like I experienced this week. haha Never dull even at our age.
    Love
    Maggie

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  33. Who knew your socks would betray you?!

    Pearl

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  34. Dear Arleen, this post goes back to late March. I'm wondering if you've been ill or if your life just got hectic. If you have been ill, I'm so hoping that your health is getting better. I'm sending you my best vibes, thoughts, prayers. Peace.

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  35. Dear Dee,
    Thank you for your concern. I have not written in awhile because I have not been feeling well and the stresses that brings. I hope to get back soon, but meanwhile I try to read other's blogs and comment.

    I love to blog and so enjoy the connections I have made with interesting people around the world. It has been a wonderful adventure and I will be back soon.

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    1. Dear Arleen, it's so important that we listen to our bodies and cherish them and thank them for letting us know that we need to stop and simply be. I'm glad you are taking time off. Please continue to be gracious to yourself. Peace.

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  36. Hilarious! I too am a toe wriggler and proud of it!! Sorry to hear you're under the weather. Hope you feel better very soon. X

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  37. About time you pulled your socks up and got with the program, old girl.

    How silly the young are.

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  38. It is our generation that is entitled to make all rules about socks. Younger people should be taught this in infancy, or college --whichever comes first.

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  39. It is a good thing to sit together for meal and discuss. But in this fast going world it is different to keep all of them under one umbrella. In my house each one will eat in one one time!

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  40. Well, at least you wear socks! My mom is almost always barefoot when I visit her at home. She doesn't have nice feet anymore, so I sometimes wish that she would wear socks. I've never asked her to though, and I doubt that she would even if I did ask.

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