HEADGEAR

Some years ago when I was employed in my final job in a television newsroom, I decided that Friday would be Hat Day.

I began wearing a different hat from my extensive collection all day each Friday and soon others in the newsroom chimed in with their own.

It was silly.

It was fun.

It caused conversation.

It was Friday, the end of the week.

Now I offer up cartoons on Fridays so I can not continue Friday Hat Day.

But I can give you an idea of what it was like and show you how I have had affection for hats my whole entire life.

It started in my youth.

My extreme youth.

My mother made the early costumes.

A majician, complete with cape and top hat

Prince Charming, for some school play

A melancholy conventioneer, on the set of "Hello, Dolly" in Hollywood

A happy hippie, cruising Indiana in his MGB

Weird, that I should don such a hat, but it was hot in Phoenix

But still a formal portrait was taken there, for a Christmas card

And a less formal portrait, for a Halloween party

The Beaner and Timmer with us in Grand Junction

waiting for the train back to Denver

Where we got crazy

Don't laugh at this one

That's a Stetson, bought in Dallas

Celebrating New Year's Eve in Guadalajara

Watching the sunset in Puerto Vallarta

Austin, Texas - in a sailor cap???

Visiting California, in a different one

Stylin', at the edge of the Grand Canyon

Getting older now, at a friend's Memorial Service

But still a Dapper Dan

Or an old cowpoke

Or a pseudo Frenchman

Or someone hiding from the law

Still trying for that elusive tan

But is he a pirate?

Or just Bad Santa?

Only the hat can tell for sure.

Happy Hat Day!