My First Red Hat Adventure!

Do you remember thinking that certain things belong to older women?  For me, the color purple was one of those things.  Yep.  All things purple were for little girls and older women and I certainly did not put myself into either of those categories.  Period.

I remember the "purple passion pit" bedroom in the house that was bought in '92 - purple walls, drapes and carpet.  Oh my.  It had to go immediately.  I didn't own a single purple article of clothing nor was there anything of that color in my house.  Seriously.  I literally ran from all things carrying anything remotely close to -shhhh - purple.  Have I made myself clear?



After moving to Dallas, I distinctly remember attending a musical down at Fair Park and there were two rows of Red Hat ladies in attendance.  They looked like they were having such a fun time but there was that dang purple again.  And RED.  Are you kidding me?  Red on this head?  I was told from the time I was oh so small to stay a long way from wearing red.  At least I like red, I just didn't wear it.  I watched them for awhile and then the show began and my attention was diverted elsewhere.  I think it was a seed.  Honest.

Fast forward about 10 years and I have found myself drawn to the color.  It has been used in both of the mystery quilts I published the last two years and I'm even buying clothes that are - oh yes - purple, lavender, and every shade in between.  What is up with that?  I simple adore purple now.  Perhaps I should reinvestigate those wonderful ladies who looked like they were having such a great time.  There is still the whole red hat on red hair thing, but perhaps I can get past that one and bask in the gaiety of the silliness of it all.  I'm willing to try.  Now what?

I found a local chapter via their website and asked to be considered as a member.  After a bit of time, a happy dance was done in my house.  I actually got invited to attend a meeting and see if it is a fit.  Oh my.   First things first -- order red hat!  I decide on a fascinator to start with.  Gotta work into this slowly.  Perhaps I should research this a bit instead of going into it completely ignorant.  I discover that the whole organization is based on a poem by Jenny Joseph entitled, "Warning."  The first four lines are:  (I'll publish the whole thing as soon as I hear back with permission.)

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,

And I shall spend my pension

on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals,

and say we've no money for butter. . . .

 Please take the time to look up this LINK to a youtube video of Jenny Joseph reading the writing in entirety.

So, it's official.  I am wearing purple.  Am I old?  I'm not ready to admit that just yet.  There is still a lot of craziness in this body and a lot of life I still wish to experience.  Queue The River by Garth Brooks.

I bet you are wondering just what all this rambling is about.  Me too.  Focus Deb, focus.  So, I needed more research and came across this quote.  Okay --- I'm good with it all now.  It just took few more years for the creativity to rise in me.

Add caption

All of that brings us to today and this post.  The Big D Re-Gals is having an event to make a video all about Red Hatters and I'm going.  Am I scared?  Hell yes, but I'm crazy enough to go and see where it takes me.  We are meeting at a business where one of the members, Jenn, is employed to create a video.  Nothing like jumping in with both feet - right?

As I arrive at the correct street, I really cannot locate the building until I look up and see quite a few women in red and purple exiting from their vehicles.  This must be it.  Oh, once I look past the cars, I see the balloons near the door.  Yep - here we go.  Thankfully, Queen Cynthia is there to greet me right away and she is so very gracious at making sure I get introduced to everyone.  That helps so very much.

It also happens to be the charter's 15th birthday party so --- cupcakes for all!!  Ooooh, first sweets for me in awhile.  Yum.

Getting together once a month means a few minutes time just to say hello and "what's up?"  These social times are so important in building lasting friendships.  It is enjoyable to watch the interactions of these women who have known each other for quite awhile now.

 Don't they look divine?  See the one woman who is reverse colors?  That is Spycee and I've now learned that it is her birthday month so voila, red clothing, purple hat.  Oh I have so much to learn.

It's time to start working on the video and Cynthia goes first.  Everyone else gathers around to hear what she has to say as she tells the history of the charter and some fun Red Hat facts.  I take advantage of this moment to learn a bit more.

Taking turns, groups of 1-4 go into the green room for their turn to share stories and thoughts on the Red Hat Society while everyone else watches and comments from the main room.

The original charter members gather to share the beginnings and I am absolutely amazed at the fact they have been together for 15 years.  That is just so awesome - kind of like our diamond gals at retreat.  Super special.

As the video session starts winding down (and, yes, they even let me into the video room -- I told you they were crazy), I start wandering the room a bit.  Fonda and I spot a hat on a table and are enchanted with how fabulous it is.  There are feathers and bling EVERYWHERE.  Spycee (a.k.a. Jean) sees us looking at it and comes over to share that it is hers and the story of how it came to be in her possession.  What a classy lady.  Without a moment's hesitation, she switches from her purple hat to this one and oh my -- I hadn't seen the butterfly to begin with as the hat was turned on the table.  WOW.  So crazy cool.

Pictures are being taken around the room -- memories being made.  I get in on a couple for fun.  Vickie's hat is simply divine. Oh to be able to pull this off as good as she does.

We have finished up with most of the video and it's lunch time.  The vote was for a sack lunch and everyone gathers around the table to visit and share fun stories.  I get a chance to ask a few more questions and Cynthia makes sure once again that everyone knows who I am.  What a gracious hostess she is. In case you haven't notice --- THIS ROOM appears to have been decorated specifically for this event, but no - it's always this incredible.  It's perfect and everyone just looks right at home.

With a birthday cupcake to finish the meal (yep I was bad and thoroughly enjoyed one -no regrets), all that is left is the final group picture.  We all gather together in the green room for just that and then suddenly kazoos are playing happy birthday all around for the May gals.  I'm one of those and have to say I've never been kazooed to before.  What a truly fun and interesting ending.  Thank you all so very much for letting me be a part of this super fun day.  I'll see ya'll in July.

I couldn't pick which one I liked best, so both pictures are here.  Enjoy.  (Psst - I LOVE that they all crossed their legs the same way.)