August 19, 2025

A Hat Chat

A covering for the head; cap, chapeau, bonnet, lid, topper, stove pipe, bowler, derby, ten gallon, sun, pith, helmet, straw, Panama, bearskin, beaver, tam, skull, turban, overseas, ear muff, fedora, wimple just to name a few. And they come in leather, linen, cotton, mesh, plastic or wool. Hats sprout ears and grow braids They whirl helicopter wings and twirlagigs. They dispense beer.

I once knew a woman who had 45 to 50 hats (45 of which she had only worn once) and filled a special closet just for her hats. I know a man who has many hats, probably because he thinks wearing them makes him look young, especially if worn backwards.

Why do people wear hats? To make a statement. Anti-vaccers want you to be healthy again. Sports fans support teams and help win games. To show respect. I always had to wear a hat going to church , while Dad took his off. Grampa tipped his hat to women and graduates throw them in the air in exultation. Some wear hats on bad hair day, others when there’s no hair at all.

And so the reason I wear a hat … to keep my head warm. Now that’s a novel idea.