bobad, I heartily endorse those mohair socks, too.

We are having a late fall this year in Ottawa; our first killing frost will probably be tonight. I can remember many years when we already had some snow by now.

If your house is chronically cold, you mind it less if you concentrate on keeping your hands, feet and back warm. Polyester fleece or sheepskin slippers can't be beat, and I also recommend an undershirt or camisole made of silk or that artificial stuff they use for both skiing longjohns and rope ... polypropylene, that's it. Wool is also good, but bulkier and sometimes unacceptably itchy. If your fingers tend to be stiff, acquire a pair of light gloves made without fingertips.