I’m cold. It was 80-something degrees three or four days ago but now I’m freezing.

Happy October.

I had the opportunity tonight to volunteer at the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night event. About 4,000 people signed up to walk the two-mile route along the Willamette River carrying with them lighted balloons and a message of hope despite the sputtering rain and chilly temperatures. I’m glad I went and thankful to Jim who mentioned it in the first place.

So, in turn, I have both the Light the Night folks and Jim for forcing me to experience one of the first joys of October: wool socks.

Yes. On the very first day of October. Usually, the slide from barefoot and/or sandals to wool socks and boots takes a little longer. I figure the average is sometime around the 20th. No such luck this year. I wore sandals this morning to the kickoff of a local mayoral campaign and thought my toes were going to freeze off.

There’s nothing quite as comforting as new wool socks. Warm, smooshy, lovely wool socks. They’re like little hugs for your feet.

I’m a big fan of the Wigwam Light Merino Hiker. Pretty much anything from Wigwam is going to be phenomenal. And warm. They’re from Sheboygan, for crying out loud.

Fox River also makes a really super hiking sock.  And yes, I know $15 is a lot for a pair of socks but trust me on this: a good pair of wool socks when properly cared for will last you for years. Unless you live in my house in which case they will last you until you put them in the washer and they disappear forever. Fox River, by the way, is based in Osage, Iowa. I’m convinced that pretty much any sock that comes from a company based in the upper Midwest is going to treat you right.

The ones I picked up today are some sort of store brand (“Great Outdoors” or something) from Fred Meyer. They feel surprisingly similar to the Fox River hikers, but at about half the price. And they come in some fun colors, which is a bonus.

So, there you have it: the October Thought for the Day for October 2, 2011, is a nice new pair of wool socks. Apologies to those of you who are still hanging onto the tail end of summer.

And no, I get no free promotional socks. Not that I wouldn’t take them, they just haven’t been offered up yet. Who turns down free socks? Not me. I’m looking at you, Fox River and Wigwam.