BLING’S THE THING…and don’t forget the hats….
It’s all about the hats!
Girlfriends, girlfriends, girlfriends….Life in this busy retirement community would fall flat without girlfriends. Come to think of it, life anywhere would fall flat without our women friends. When you need a trusted listener, who do you call? When you want cohorts for a shopping trip, who do you call? Even when you simply want to share time over a cup of coffee, who do you call? You call your girlfriends. Of course. The more the merrier.
Earlier this week, the Girlfriends group where I live reached the magic number of 200 members. A party was in order! A party to bling up our name badges–including mine–which had just arrived in the mail. To add to the fun, we were supposed to wear vintage hats. Prizes in different categories would be awarded. Add a few bottles of wine, a little nosh, and away we go. It’s party time.
As you might guess, I have been so nose-deep with the publishing of Hopefully Ever After, writing this blog and writing new stories, that I’m barely able to keep track of all the goings-on in my community. However, my girlfriends didn’t let me forget about the bling party. But as for hats? Fugeddaboutit! At least for me. But some of the ladies really looked wonderful. In fact, we could have opened a vintage haberdashery 🙂
Robyn and Marsha in their beautiful chapeaux
And there were stories–touching stories–behind the beauty of the hats. Several belonged to moms who had passed away. I found it so lovely that daughters held onto a particular hat of their mother’s. What significance did they hold? Mostly the attachment elicited general memories of mom wearing and loving a specific hat. On the right, above, the smaller hat is from the ’50 with a net that goes down over the forehead like a close fitting veil. My friend, Marsha, lamented that she grew up too late for her mom’s hat to be in fashion. So she wears it now.
A particular hat caught my eye because it came with a “snood” attached in the back which is used to hold long hair in a bun-type arrangement on the neck. Carolyn, a new friend of mine, is the gal wearing the gorgeous black chapeau and certainly did it more justice than my photos did:
The head gear certainly garnered attention, but I can’t forget about the blinging of the name tags. My friend, Chris, who’s also in our book club, took pity on my inability to use a glue gun and decorated my name tag for me. I stood over her shoulder, watching. She’s good, but I heard her say “ouch” a time or two. So, thank you very much, Chris.
My nametag is now officially blinged.
You might have read another blog I’d written about the girlfriend’s group. We had fun that night, too, seeing how we could follow a leader and learn how to drum, not with sticks, but with our hands on drums we held between our knees. Who knew I’d discover rhythm? So although I’d never before belonged to any group without a “noble” purpose like raising money for a worthy cause, I must admit that once in awhile it’s good to just have fun. I think I’ll stick around and enjoy girl-time with my friends.
I bet we all have friends going back decades who are very dear to us. I know I do. But they’re not next door anymore. Not even in the next state! I’m lucky to have found women who are openhearted and fun. Most important, they want to make new friends in their new home. If you’ve got a group of girlfriends–large group or tiny, from years past or present–please share your stories right here. Girlfriends rock!
As always, thank you so much for stopping by. I hope to see you for the next edition of Starting Over.
P.S. I hope you’ll be on the look-out for HOPEFULLY EVER AFTER. It will be available for ebooks on Thursday, October 3rd and in print at about the same time, maybe a bit later.
Available October 3rd
Linda, what a great blog as usual. I have never worn a hat except occasionally a denim one in the summer when I walk to keep sun out of my eyes. Since I wear glasses I have never thought a hat looked good. But now I see young women with glasses wearing some really cute hats. My girls liked the derby hats a couple of different years. A year ago my grand-twins picked out the same hats I remember their mom wore.
But what fun your group is, and how inclusive. When I moved to this town house I’d hoped to find the same kind of group. Oddly I rarely see anyone. Many work and their garage doors go up when they leave and down when they return home. I walk every morning and see people outside the neighborhood who walk their dogs. I’m the only one just walking so the most we exchange is a good morning. And my writing group is the same. Spread all over town, of all ages, with many still working at busy jobs. But then I’m busy too.
Love your book cover. Know it was a labor of love and digging deep to write that book. Roz
Hi Roz – aren’t the hats great? I never wore one, except the knit kind as I was growing up in NY. And that was to keep me warm in winter! I do know how lucky I’ve been to meet such a lovely group of women here. But remember, many of them are retired so they divide their time up between volunteering in the community and having fun. A new hospital is opening here next year, and I know a lot of these gals will be volunteers there. Like you, I’ll still be working right at the keyboard. Read the next blog and see how I volunteer my time on Sunday…that labor of love continues.
I love hearing from you.
Linda
What a beautiful and captivating celebration. You are so fortunate to have this wonderful community of friends with whom to spend time and enjoy life.
I really do know how lucky I am to have met such a lovely group of women. Some are working, and like I do, and spend a lot of time away from the “fun” activities. But we find it easy to join in when we can. So, yes, life is good with friends. Thanks so much for posting.
Linda