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Dorothy Copus Brush Red hats galore! When was the last time any of you women readers
wore a hat? Or gloves? Can you remember how dressed-up you felt?
If you do remember any of these things, even dimly, you must
be at least 50 years old or older and that qualifies you for
membership in the Red Hat Society. This group came into being because a fun-loving
California woman found a red hat in a thrift shop. She purchased
it for a friend as a gag, but soon after that she ran across
that poem titled "When I Am An Old Woman" written by
Jenny Joseph. Many of you must be familiar with the lines in
that poem that say, "When I am an old woman I shall wear
purple/With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me." With the red hat and poem in mind this woman
approached a group of friends who also found joy and freedom
in being over 50 with an idea. Shortly after that, they all went
out for tea, each dressed in purple and wearing a red hat and
gloves. That first venture where they flaunted their unconventional
costumes was so successful it became a regular event. Before
long they were dubbed the Red Hat Society. In no time the idea spread from California,
and chapters began appearing across the country. Members found
red hats were not abundant, and they scoured the shelves of second-hand
stores and antique shops in search of the elusive red chapeau.
They added accessories, matching gloves, shoes and purses in
red to complete their outfits. For many, their luncheon excursions
brought back the days when they were little girls dressing up
in their mother's clothes. The only reason for the Red Hat Society is
to have fun. There is no formal structure or meetings, just a
time to dress up and eat lunch out. No casual T-shirts or jeans
for these outings. Purple dresses and red hats are the only requirement. These women do not fear age. They are beyond
trying to impress anyone, but they are definitely not finished
with life. For more information on the national group check www.redhat.com
society. The pencil came on the scene around 1565,
and even with the move to computers pencil sales have remained
steady. A Duke University engineering professor, Henry Petroski,
wrote about the pencil, "It can be erased, sharpened with
a penknife, requires no batteries, needs no ink supply, and is
cheap." He puts paper clips on the list, too. Zippers will
definitely be with us for a long time. Death is called unconquerable. Sadly poverty and the resulting mass starvation
in the Third World will remain the same at least for the next
20 years. Both traffic congestion and noise levels will continue
to distract us. |