Socks Key to Surviving Heat Waves

Fortunately, Calgary does not suffer the moist, oppressive heat of a Toronto summer. For the times it aspires to do so, though, I offer you the most important lesson I learned while melting in the sickeningly-sticky, only-in-its-own-mind centre-of-the-Canadian-universe city: the humble sock is the answer you seek.

(That, and the presence of wheels on an air conditioner the size of a small freezer should not categorize that unit as "portable".)

Of particular salvation is this four-step sock system:

(1) Soak socks in cold water so they are wet, but not dripping.

(2) Put socks on feet

(3) Dangle feet off couch or ottoman or bed so air can circulate around them

(4) Feel heat being wicked away through your feet

* Bonus points if you can point a fan at your dangling feet.

(Stuffing your sports bra with sock-wrapped ice packs works well, to — but that wasn't learned until after I had moved to Calgary.)

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