A Winter Walk on National Hat Day

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inLadyBudd, National Hat Day, Podcasts, Sunday Evening Reflection, The Book Dialogue, WinterTags:, , , , , , ,

January 2023 is a great time to start reading!

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to set yourself up for success and make reading a priority. Reading opens a whole new world of knowledge and engaging stories. It helps us to expand our minds, gain a better understanding of the world around us and enhance our creative endeavours.

My sister, Sarah, hosts the podcast, The Book Dialogue, which came out of our love of sharing books and stories.  Today, we met on National Hat Day to discuss the books that we have on our 2023 “to be read” stack of books.   We invite you to join our unscripted discussions on books, poetry, and philosophy on The Book Dialogue! 

“Some hats can only be worn if you’re willing to be jaunty, to set them at an angle and to walk beneath them with a spring in your stride as if you’re only a step away from dancing. They demand a lot of you.”

Neil Gaiman

Celebrate National Hat Day on January 15th by wearing your favorite hat and telling the story behind it. Invite friends to join you in wearing their favorite hats and telling stories or challenge them to make their own hats. Give away hats to those who need them, or those who would appreciate the sentiment. Learn the history of different hats and share photos and videos of your hat collection on social media with the hashtag #NationalHatDay. National Hat Day is a fun and whimsical way to celebrate and enjoy.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

44 thoughts on “A Winter Walk on National Hat Day”

  2. You know what? I am already jaunty as I see you both wonderful sisters so joyfully again. Thank you for your broadcast tip; I will try to find time to listen to it, as the most excellent advice I have ever got are three things: reading, reading, and reading!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I think that I will prove him wrong with the new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley, which has been named one of the Best Poetry Books for 2021 by the Guardian. I am now reading her introduction, which has been very interesting. I understand that she brings to light elements that have never before been translated into English. Will keep you posted!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I am delighted that you like my hat, Klausbernd. I found out about National Hat Day a few years ago when I received an e-mail listing all the days of celebration. Every day has an event. For example, January 17th there are four events:

      1) International Mentoring Day (fosters a global understanding of the mentoring movement throughout the world)
      2) National Classy Day (celebrate those who are graced with the ability to live their lives with class, passion, and who are driven to share it with others)
      3) National Bootlegger’s Day (Self-explanatory)
      4) National Hot Buttered Rum Day. (Self-explanatory)

      I confess, I simply cannot keep up with it all, but it does show that humanity loves to party and create moments to celebrate.

      Sending many hugs and love to my dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  6. I love hats! I love the quote as well. Today I’m going to wear my least favorite hat- a beanie to shovel the driveway, sidewalk, and a bit of the street.

    I’ve read two books already this month. I’ve started strong we’ll see how long I keep up my reading. I go through phases of reading a lot and not reading books at all.

    It looks like you had a lovely day for your walk!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Well done, Deborah – 2 books! Congratulations. Sarah and I would love to hear what you are reading. We have had rain for several days in a row. This was only a few hours break before the rain came back and is still going strong throughout the week. I am not complaining because this water will be needed during our summer months. Vancouver does have snow days, but the rain comes back and the snow is soon gone. Some say that the rain is Vancouver’s best removal strategy over the snowplows. LOL.

      As for reading phases, my problem is that I get sidetracked by books. They are my “shiny things” that I can’t resist, so I start one, then start another before the first one is finished, and then when I see another, I cannot help myself YIKES.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. LOL! My Mom is like you with books. I don’t do that very often.

        I read Dan Antion’s last book of his 3 book series so I’ve finished that series. Then I re-read Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. #1 Grandson, my son, and I all read this one together at the request of #1 Grandson so we can all talk about it. During his research into the American Revolution he’s followed threads down the rabbit hole, …he’s discovered pirates, and explorers.

        Now, I’m reading the 7th book in a Sci-Fi series I’ve been reading by Joshua Dalzelle.

        And, a little bit of winter poetry. We three have been sharing winter and pirate poetry on and off this month.

        The latest pirate poem Big Baby Boy (my son) sent us was Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee by Mildred Plew Meigs. It’s such a fun poem. I loved her lyrical sense of rhythm and what the heck is a squizzamaroo?

        LOL! TMI? 😂 Happy Hump Day, Rebecca!

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Very engaging video, Rebecca and Sarah! Good luck with “Beowulf,” fantasy fiction, and the other great reading you will both do and discuss this year — with or without a hat on. 🙂 (“The Cat in the Hat”? Probably “been there, done that.” 🙂 )

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Many thanks for joining Sarah and me on a winter walk, Dave. I decided that I would start 2023 with a huge leap into the unknown with two translations of Beowulf. The recent translation by Maria Dahvana Headley is my first read. The New Yorker, in an August 31, 2020 article by Ruth Franklin, stated that “Maria Dahvana Headley’s revisionist translation infuses the Old English poem with feminism and social-media slang.” How could I resist! Then I am embarking on Seamus Heaney’s New Verse Translation that was published in 1999.

      The Cat in the Hat is the epitome of elegance (LOL)!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Well now, your delightful video has me signing up for the Book Dialogue! Let’s see where you take me! I live in Northern Ireland and the temperature was just below freezing this morning when I went for my walk, so I had one of my warmest bobble hats on. Unfortunately, I’m not as photogenic as you, so no pictures! National Hat Day sounds like a wonderful idea. 🏆🌹🌹🙋‍♂️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am delighted that you will be joining Sarah and me on the book dialogue, Ashley. We would love to hear what you are reading. I have never heard of the term, “bobble hat” so I did some exploration and found that it is a knitted hat with a tufted woolen ball on top. The origin of the bobble hat seems to have come from the French word pompon, which translates to “bobble” which means “a small ball of fabric.” More amazing to me was that historians date the bobble as far back to 790 AD to Scandinavia in the Viking era.

      In Canada we call “bobble hats” – a toque (also from the French), which is defined as a close-fitting knitted hat, often with a tassel or pom-pom on the crown.

      I continue to learn and learn and learn…. Many thanks for adding excitement to my day!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Shey, for sharing our walk and celebration of hats! I was looking up quotes on hats and came across this one from Frederick the Great: “A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.” Sending hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. You two sisters are delightful!
    How fortunate to have each other. How fortunate I am to get to see and hear you together!
    Rebecca, you are jaunty plus!!!!
    Sarah, I can see your virtual hat. Its low crown and medium brim are in a taupe straw. The hat band is green and gold. Just lovely! Ready to tuck spring flowers into.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. How fortunate we are to have you join us on our walk, Resa. A friendship across the miles is a powerful force that brings a sense of belonging that breaks down the barriers of time and space. Sarah loves the hat that you created for her. Only a few more weeks until the daffodils appear. Sending many hugs!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Lovely post! Lovely sisters! Winter is a great time for reading!!! I have not read Beowulf since my college days. We did have to read it out loud in class as part of the assignment. Many moons ago, but I still remember the readings!!!

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  14. Hahah…. Sisters for sure! So many similarities; voice, gestures, laugh – wonderful to watch and hear.
    And your hat, Rebecca is gorgeous. The various positions were all lovely and suited you!
    Well done to you both.

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    1. Carolyn – many thanks for joining Sarah and me on National hat day. We made it back from our walk just as the rain came back. I just found out that February 10th is umbrella day. Always a good thing to have in Vancouver during the winter. You always give a lift and smile to my day. I love wearing hats.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Rebecca, you have just ‘hit a little nerve’ in me. I adore umbrellas and have a small collection.
        The most recent one was bought whilst at the Van Gogh Alive exhibition – featuring the Starry Night print.
        I will enjoy greatly your February post, I’m sure.

        Liked by 2 people

  15. This is such a FUN CONVERSATION and I see by the comments that many others enjoyed the happy conversation. I used to have quite a few hats for different occasions, but I looked in my closet and cupboards and found none at all. A big loss, I must say! I think I will have to invest in a hat, just to have one in my closet. I think a hat in my closet would encourage me to walk in the very colorful places around my beautiful city block. I am off to look for and find a hat to enjoy, if not in the yard below, then up on the walkway around the penthouse! !

    this

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    1. Sarah and I have so much fun meeting up to discuss books over coffee and tea. I remember a time when we always wore a hat when we went to special events. And remember the gloves that would go with them!!! Such elegance and sophistication.

      Liked by 1 person

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