A casual friend of mine came by my work when she was running errands Wednesday morning - we used to be close but have drifted apart - and in the course of our conversation she asked if I had heard about their house fire. I had not. Her husband's leg got burned.

"Oh no!" I said. "Did his clothing melt to him, or was he wearing blue jeans?"

"He was wearing blue jeans. His whole foot would have burned, though, if he hadn't been wearing wool socks."

As it is, he may have to have surgery on his leg, but it could have been much much worse.

I may be a fiber snob, but it's because every time I put on an acrylic sweater I worry about what would happen to me if it caught fire.