Hats

by Anita Benedict

Some days I need to put on my thinking cap and get down to writing. And speaking of hats, they are one of my favourite topics. Many people know by now that I

have an extensive hat collection. I love my hats and actually am quite sad I can't wear them at work. I have a few work hats, but they are just so functional.

My first hat was a Halloween top hat from the dollar store. Black with Halloween themed lace down the back I was excited it fit my head! I called it my F-it not bucket hat, it fit so F-it I was going to wear it. Yes, I received strange looks, smirks with "nice hat"; and I just said "Thanks, dollar store, it fit." I still get strange looks when I wear a hat, mainly because they are unusual. I helped at an electric car/bike show and added a bike pin with paper electric bolts to my hat. It fit the theme.

I recently overheard a woman saying she liked hats but couldn't wear them, she looked funny in them. I figured somewhere in her past someone teased her or told her that she shouldn’t wear a hat. I suggested she get a hat, put it on her head, and voila, she could wear a hat. Never mind what the judgy people say, if you want to wear a hat, find your style or if you like the hat just wear it.

I have been blessed with a friend who feeds my hat addiction. Hubby of course just shakes his head after years of me growling about his hundreds of ball caps. I now see so many wonderful hats at work. Ball caps, sun hats, bucket hats and lovely straw hats. I make sure to compliment each one.

I also am fascinated by fascinators! Those dainty little feathery, floral masterpieces just sitting on the side of a lady's head as if by magic! You may see them at a wedding, or afternoon tea parties. The ladies in our church have started wearing them and it is fantastic. The Noel New Horizons have been hosting tea parties for their volunteers. I was invited to the last one and many of the ladies had made their own fascinators, it was fantastic.

My next adventure will be watching a Dragon Boat Regatta so I bought a very lovely dragon from Barite Designs 3-D Printing, a locally owned business. I shall find a way to attach to my hat.

Besides a fashion statement, hats are a wonderful thing to keep the sun off in summer and your body warm in winter. So a tip of the hat to hats! Never be afraid to wear one.