Hats

I think I have always been interested in hats of all shapes and sizes.  Sun hats; school hats; beach hats; party hats and even the Queen's hats.  I have written three "hat" books and I have even made hats myself, including a white satin top hat for a bridegroom.

Once on a trip to Paris, my mother (the Grandma of "Grandma's Hat" fame), went into the well known "Christian Dior" shop and came out having purchased a beautiful green straw hat, which she wore with pride, for many years. That one certainly suited her auburn hair! Her only regret was that the label was on the inside! How we used to tease her.

My Grandmother owned a fashionable boutique which catered to the rich and famous, as well as a few "royals", during World War 2. As a young child, I spent many happy hours playing in that shop, with buttons, baubles, bows and wonderful silk flowers, which were kept in cardboard boxes. I also spent time in the back of the shop, behind a heavy velvet curtain, with the ladies at their sewing machines. They were in charge of alterations and I was in charge of picking up pins as they fell to the floor. For this task, I was given a magnet and a special pin tin. A real job for a six year old.

But my best time of all was when Granny closed the doors at the end of the day. Then I would carefully wash my hands and sit on the pink satin stool in front of the dressing table with its triple mirrors and try on some hats! Oh, how the staff laughed at my poses and of course, I played up to my audience. Some hats were obviously far too big for me but many were not. The cocktail hats were often quite ridiculously silly confections of ribbon, lace and feathers, much like the "fascinators" of today. Sometimes bewitching, I suppose, and fun to try on but they don't seem to serve any real purpose.  I wonder if men find them attractive?

"A Hollywood actress, trying on a hat in a shop in Beverly  Hills, asked the price.  Upon hearing it, she exclaimed,

"Why, that's ridiculous!"

"Madam," replied the saleslady, "So is the hat!" "

                                                                   - Hedda Hopper.

Rosemary Kahn

A Thought of our Father / Grandfather

Yesterday, 8 November 2014 was the English date that marked the first year after the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Prof. Vincent Louis Granger. It has been a difficult year without him. He lived a good, full and productive life and was an important part of our lives. Though he is no longer with us, he lives on through the many varied and important lessons that he taught us and a wealth of wonderful memories.

In the last few weeks of his life, he read half or more of the new book "Relationships" which was almost ready for publication. Sadly, his health made it difficult to complete reading the book so we will never know his thoughts of the full story. It is heart warming to know though, that he enjoyed what he read and wished us every success in this book. We hope that you, the readers, will enjoy the book as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to the final product and will let your friends know about it too.

Remember, remember the 5th of November….

Photograph courtesy of Shear Success Photographers

Yes, that day has rolled round once again! Guy Fawkes night, which marks the downfall of the Gunpowder Plot of 5^th November, 1605, when a group of Catholics, including Guy Fawkes, tried to blow up London’s Houses of Parliament. It has been celebrated in Britain ever since, and later, in the British colonies.

In Australia, the sale and use of fireworks was made illegal during the 1970’s. Sensible people, the Australians. They thereby protected countless animals from a night of terror, as well as saving money. There is a time and place for wonderful firework displays, but not in one’s back yard.

Here in South Africa, the meaning of the celebration has been largely lost or is ignored, but fireworks are allowed in certain designated areas. In Cape Town, where I live, many of our beaches have been set aside for tonight, as well of some of our sports club’s parking areas. People may gather in those places to light their crackers and their bonfires. However, year after year there are huge complaints afterwards, regarding the litter left behind. I suppose it is hard to clean up in the dark.

My father remembers that, as a child, own his father would bring home fireworks for them all to set off, under his strict control. At that time there was a firework factory on the Cape Flats and all the “cafes” and small corner shops sold them very cheaply. The Cape Coloured community loved Guy Fawkes Night and they even made up tuneful songs which they went round the streets singing, very much like the carol singers do, hoping to raise money to buy their fireworks.

Even today, many people choose to ignore the recent restrictions and continue to set off their fireworks at home, in the suburbs. Loud bangs and the whizzing noises from rockets may be heard all over the city, terrifying household pets and small children.

I suppose this year will be no different, but I for one, am praying for rain!

Rosemary Kahn