Katy--Missouri

Katy and her parents were on vacation in Wyoming when this picture was taken. Katy's in 4-H and working hard to earn her first horse. All little girls should have a horse—and it looks like she's ready for one.

Oh, by the way: her hat features those awesome "stampede strings."

Dean—Kansas

I met Dean one evening about four years ago when I was out walking. Since then, we’ve run across each other several times and developed a fine friendship. I suppose I’ve seen him a ka-jillion times out on one sidewalk or another, and I’ve never seen him without his hat, without a smile or without his little dog, Lucky. We always pause for a “…how ya’ doin’?” chat.

Once I saw him driving away from the grocery store. I didn’t know he could drive a car, because he has MS or MD; I can never remember which. That doesn’t keep him from doing what he enjoys: walking Lucky two or three times a day. Dean and Lucky will stay out about a half an hour at a time or until Lucky gets tired. Then he jumps up onto Dean’s scooter for the long ride home. Lucky is blind.

What a world we live in! Lucky can't see, Dean can't walk; but they can go around the block together! Dean and Lucky make life inspirational for the rest of us, don't they?

Darling—Washington State

One of the most fun blogs I’ve run across is Tracey’s at Carpenter Creek. She’s always got something interesting up her sleeve. (I think she must have two sleeves, cuz she has more fun and wacky ideas than the Spanish Inquisition.) It's a great blog.

She has some good-looking kids, too. And she knows what to do with the business end of a camera. So natcherly, a pretty girl and a good camera always go well together. She sent me these pictures of her daughter, Darling, who wears a Hat quite well, don't you think?

Mike with mike—Missouri

My oldest grandson Mike is an actor and performs regularly with Christian Youth Theater. This picture was taken immediately after the play/musical Tom Sawyer, makeup still in place. Mike played a secondary character this time, and if you look closely, you can see the mike taped to Mike’s right cheek. He earned the coveted “Screwball Award” for adding a little levity to his role. But you can trust me—his proud granddad—he’s no screwball. The kid knows what to do with a mike. Aptly named.

Yes, every hat has a story, and this hat appeared in six performances on top of my grandson’s head—not to mention rehearsals. Mike made it look good, didn't he?

"PacMan" and "C"--Connecticut

When I began blogging 4 years ago, Wordwhiz is the first blog I put on my blog roll. Since then, we've become good friends. She said, "I want to play, too!" and sent me these neat pictures of her two teenaged kids.

"For some reason," Wordwhiz said, "my 13-year-old son 'PacMan' has a fascination with the beatnik generation. Not too long ago he and his sister "C" put on these hats. The transformation from small-town-kids-next-door to far out, groovy hippies was captured on film—or should I say, digital memory card?"






Every hat has a story and in this lower picture Jack Kerouac's stories come to my mind.

Wordwhiz has another son who wears a military helmet. Pray for him. If he hasn't gone overseas yet, he will be going soon. Oh, and give Wordwhiz a visit. She's terrific—and she knows how to write.

Jamie Dawn--Arkansas

My blogger pal-ette Jamie Dawn took a five-day driving trip with her dad, brother, and son to enjoy the World's Longest Yard Sale. It’s 450 miles up and down Highway 127 from Alabama to the north part of Kentucky.



The day was a hot one, so her dad bought hats to provide shade from the scorching sun. This picture was taken at Noccalula Falls; Gadsden, AL last August. Jamie Dawn's son passed on his grandad's offer for a hat, but agreed to take this picture of his mom, grandad, and uncle—looking "ridiculous."



Jamie Dawn, her dad Jim, and her brother Jason