I was perusing downtown McMinnville last Friday as part of my weekly field trip habit to spark joy in 2023. I ducked into a new little shop on a side street full of an eclectic mix of candles, plants, clothing, artwork and the like when I spotted the hats. They were displayed on the wall in subdued colors of black, grey, and navy. The hats were wide brim with wire inside for personalized form with tops of a low, bent, wizard shape- not so high to be audacious but just high enough to evoke a bit of Gandalf or Harry Potter. Cool- but such dark colors.
Then in the next room, I spotted the red one perched on a coat rack above a trendy wrap. I placed it on my head. It was perfect. Now I am not one to buy conversation piece clothing but had to have this hat (aging gives you license to not care what people think.) It would be a bit of joy to parade around in and make me feel just a tad magical. Plus the wool blend and wide brim were a practical combination for the cold, rainy days of W. Oregon. It would also be a blank canvas for some pins I had collected with nowhere else to display.
I paid for my purchase and wore my red hat out of the store. People smiled. One lady called out from across the street, “I love your outfit!”
Maybe it is a magic hat.
P.S.
When I looked for a poem that celebrated red hats I found the Red Hat Society, an Internatonal organization dedicated to women over 50 who want live life to the fullest. “The Red Hat Society is a worldwide membership society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life. We support women in the pursuit of Fun, Friendship, Freedom, Fitness and the Fulfillment of lifelong dreams.” On their outings they wear red hats and purple clothing.
This poem is from the Red Hats of Manitoba…
A Red Hat Poem My hat I wear with great aplomb It makes me feel so bolder For though I’ve passed the “50” mark I don’t feel any older Than when I was a sweet young thing Just barely out of my teens And wearing out my platform shoes And wide bell bottom jeans. But now I have a purple frock It really is a shocker all finished off with “Big Red Hat” With ostrich feather topper. I know the colors really clash To me, it does not matter I’m proud to say, I’m in the club I’m a “50” plus “Red Hatter” Who knew it's a thing? Perhaps I will join. I've got the red hat. All I need now is some purple clothing to go with it!
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(The other old dog was 
with a gorgeous rust-colored coat tipped with white fur. With his pointy ears and mask, he was as cute as a red panda. Beyond the cute factor, we had some kind of connection. It was like his little spirit said: “pick me!” If there is some kind of commandment that said, “Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s dog,” I had definitely broken it. Regardless, I had to have that dog.
dog sling with handles (that he wears around his midriff all the time now) we had help him do his business and walk around. Sometimes he messed in the house. Luckily with several trips to the vet, figuring out the appropriate medications, and a little acupuncture, Bandit is now ambulatory and can take care of his personal needs on his own again. Although he has physical limitations and is in the house the majority of the time, he is back to being his happy self.
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
Dougan was adopted into our household when he was 8 months old. He was a hyper golden retriever – too much dog for a professional woman and her 10-year-old daughter that owned him before. There was no fenced yard at their house so he spent his days in a travel kennel waiting for his people to return from work and school.
and can never get enough attention and affection. I know because I have had them before. They live good lives out in my fenced yard in the country with plenty of attention. He has been kept company by Bandit, an adorable 9 year old Red Heeler that also has had a questionable past. We are kindred spirits as I too had some rough years in my youth.
Dougie is now over 12, old for a golden retriever. A few weeks ago I thought he was failing as he was refusing food and limping badly. I thought it was the end. Luckily the vet just pulled a few bad teeth and gave him meds his joints and for an injured ligament. We are happy he is back being his silly self. I see myself mirrored in him as I age.
It was 1967. I was 14 years old and a freshman in high school. The Beatles had come out with their latest album “Yellow Submarine.” Mixed in amongst other memorable songs was this one…
By Alanna Pass 