H is for Hats

What's the big deal about hats?  I am sure that hats are an important head accessory in other states besides Montana.  Cowboy hats and baseball style hats are two of the most common head coverings to be found in Montana.

During the spring of 1977 I splurged on a baby blue wrangler felt hat.  I wanted to be properly decked out for the upcoming Bucking Horse Sale. The Bucking Horse Sale is held in May.  Rough green stock is rode and sold at auction.  In years past it was an excuse for one large party.  People traveled from all over to attend.  I wore that hat proudly, convincing myself at least that this city girl looked pure country.

That summer I found what I thought were two young pups running down the street.  I picked them up and called a friend who worked at the pound to find out how to find them a home.  He told me they probably would not find homes.  So I decided to keep them.  I took them to the vet for a check-up and to see about their shots.  The vet said they were long haired dachshunds and both were pregnant!  

Tigger had a regular litter there were 7 pups.  Duchess had problems.  I took her to the vet.  He delivered one live pup.  As fall turned cold I brought the dogs in from the shed outside to the basement.  One morning I went to get them.  Coming down the steps I opened the door - there spread on the floor were pieces of baby blue felt, an overturned hat box and gloves missing a few appendages and many fuzzy fur balls.  I was furious - my new hat was tattered and torn!

I turned around and went upstairs to cool down.  My mom said, "You should have put it up."

"I had it up." I whined."They knocked it down and ate it."

Another slicer, tjkfirst, from the "Two Writing Teachers" Slice of Life Challenge left a comment on my blog. Her brother has the H Bar Hat Works here in Billings where I live.  Talk about a small world.  His company is on facebook and he says he has a one man hat shop specializing in custom hats!

Hats, every hat has a story, even ones long gone.