Thursday, November 10, 2011

Hats Hats and More Hats

Boy, we never expected so many of you to send so many cool hat pictures, so we decided to extend the contest to Saturday.   Then on Sunday, a day of rest, we will set down and post all the hat pics and let you all vote.

So there is still time to get your fave hat pics in. 

Since I cannot enter (My Vickie told me so) I am going to put up one more picture of our families most valued hat.  This hat belonged to My Vickies grandpa who was one of those kindest, most giving man ever.

My Vickies Grandpa was a fisherman, he loved to fish and this was his fishing hat.  It now hangs on My Vickies moms wall as a reminder to his loving family of what it means to be generous of spirit, soft of heart, hard working, kind to all, and to live in joy. 

My Vickie remembers two great things about her grandpa that she wants me to share with you.

1.  When she was young and would go to her Grandpas house, they would all go down into the basement living room, move all the furniture out from the middle of the floor, turn on the TV to "The Lawrence Welk" show and he would dance with his little grand kids.  Sometimes he would have our feet on top of his feet and waltz around the room and as we got older, he would lead My Vickie through a rousing spin of the polka.

2.  When My Vickie went on her very first search, and made her very first find after two days of wilderness hiking through the remotest area in the San Juan's in Colorado, the first person My Vickie wanted to call and tell all about her adventure was Her Grandpa.   A most momentous time in her life and the person she wanted to tell most (besides her mom) was her Grandpa....the man she has chosen  to pattern her life after.  The giant of a man she called Grandpa Bailey. 

And that is the memory behind the hat that I wear today.   A memory that still brings tears to My Vickie's eyes.  

I have been blessed to be in a family with such strength and love as a legacy.

Have a great day and be sure you let us know you have made entries in the contest by leaving a comment.   Tomorrow I'll make a list of the ones we know of.  We don't want to forget anyone so check in and see that you are on the list.

Thanks
Bert
Boy do I love it when the fall leaves fall.....

29 comments:

Scooter said...

Hey Bert!
Wow, this has been a really fun event! I've been having a ball seeing everyone's entries. I love your hat...it looks so good on you and it has such wonderful memories of a special peep. Thanks for sharing Your Vickie's feelings about him. BTW: I'll update the Blogville Community Calendar to show this continuing through Saturday. :)
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

GOOSE said...

Love Love Love the hat! One of MOM's greatest passions is fishing, oh does she love it.
I will admit I don't fully get it. She always tells me I'm not much of a fishing dog. I like to run and explore and that means splashing at the water's edge (I don't get in above my ankles). I don't like it when she is standing in the middle of a stream or river so I bark and bark for her to come back. But still even with me "scaring" the fish she still takes me.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful memories.
Blessings,
Goose

Anonymous said...

Hey Bert!

I did it!

I posted all about wearing a hat! I'm not sure but I hope that I qualify!

Thank Your Miss Vickie for sharin some great memories!

You ALWAYS look very smart in your hats!

I sure am glad that your back, your cat really scares me!

woos, Tessa

Angus and Molly said...

Hey Bert....we think you're one handsome dude! Love the hat pictures. You look like a very happy poochie :)

Unknown said...

Cool hat! My Daddy is a fisherman and his hat is not that cool! And wes loves the story about your Vickie's Grampa - such wonderful memories!
Kisses
Nellie

rottrover said...

Hi Bert!! Your hat and the story behind it are the best!!

-Bart and Ruby

Finn said...

GReat stories, what a special man and a special hat!

Sage Marie said...

Hi Bert!

I was so excited about your hat challenge that I just had to post a few pics of me in my favorite one! Hope you like it! www.sagemarietheairedale.blogspot.com

Love,
Sage Marie

The Army of Four said...

Bert, you look GREAT in your Vickie's grandpa's hat! I think he'd be proud!
Play bows,
Zim

Scrappy Angel said...

I LOVE to stand in the rivers up to my belly and FISH, so I really LOVE Grandpa's hat with all the fishing flies attached! Very special...Your Vicky is very fortunate to have such wonderful memories!

Brando and Bogart said...

Likin' the hat, and the touching story that goes along with it.

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Vickie's Grandpa sounds extra special sweet! Lucky lady!!

Charlotte said...

Cann't take my eyes from you - it's so romantic you between the falling leaves! And this lovely memory about Vickys grandpa - what a warmhearted good night story for my.
Send you nice dreams, sealed with a kiss Charlotte

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Hey BERT ... you look Tee-Riffic in your Vickie's TREASURED memory Filled Fishing Hat. SIGH

I am really lovin this hat thingy.. Butt you gotta go see little Tessa who is REALLY IN a hat.

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Bert (and your Vickie), what a wonderful hat and even more wonderful memories. Your grandpa sounded like a great man. Thanks for sharing with us. We loved the bit where he would dance with you on his feet Vickie. My Dad did the same with me when I was a little girl (Stella and Rory says that was in the olden days). No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Sophie said...

Awesome hat, Bert! I put up some photos in yesterday's Wordless Wednesday of Lola being forced into a hat :)

Road Dog Tales said...

Bert - Your Vickie's Grandpa sounds really special. We're not surprised she has a Golden Retriever 'cause we couldn't help but think how much her Grandpa sounds like YOU and lots of Goldens we've met -"generous of spirit, soft of heart, hard working, kind to all, and to live in joy." You sure do that hat proud!

About Dad's SAR training. He mainly trained with Contra Costa SAR in CA with Jake & Gracie. But Jake washed out (not the right temperament around kids) and Dad just didn't want to do it without him 'cause Jake really loved the work and he would have felt bad leaving Jake home and just training with Gracie. Dad loved it, too. He lived in Park City, UT for several years but didn't do SAR training there. But he complains every day that Mom made him move to the East Coast ;)

The Road Dogs

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

Bert, you wear all hats well!

What a special memory of your Vickie's grandpa. What a wonderful man he must have been. Thanks for sharing him with us.

We plan to post our pictures Saturday.

AROOOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

P.S. Rose Bud says "hi"... you have to remember that she tends to be somewhat flighty. You never know when or where she's going to show up! I'll be sure to let her know you miss her.

NCmountainwoman said...

What a sweet, sweet story. The fishing hat is indeed a treasure.

2browndawgs said...

That is a great hat and a great story. Grandpa's are the best. Still miss mine.

KB said...

I love the story of your Grandpa. Wow, what an honor for Bert to wear his hat. And, what wonderful memories.

I didn't know that you'd searched in the San Juans. They're my favorite place in all of Colorado (probably because it's so easy to get completely lost in them :)

Backcountry Brodie said...

I is sorry to repawt we has not been werking on the hat pikshure. You see, the leaves do be falling like snow now and efurry free moment I is out there with mom snoopervising her raking up the leaves. They fall much faster than she rakes. Mom is not amused.

Dexter said...

Hey! That was a great story for sure. I put a big post it out for momma to get my hat photo in. We shall see.

Slobbers,
Mango

Anonymous said...

Ha Bert! You look so happy in that big pile of leaves :D Luv luv luv your special Grandpa's hat! What great memories you have of him :) Made Mom tear up too. Hugs from her.

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Bailey Be Good! said...

That's definitely some hat, Bert! And what wonderful memories it holds for the family!

I really enjoyed your hat challenge -- there are so many wonderful hat pics! :)

Woofs & hugs, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

HoundDogMom said...

Bert, that looks like it was so much fun. We should have looked for some pictures maybe we can still send one in today since you extended the contest. We think we might have one or two hat pictures. Have a Great Day. Sniffs, The HoundDogs

Dexter said...

Hey Bert! We posted our hat photos. It was kind of a rush job, but I think mine came out quite nicely.

Slobbers,
mango

bichonpawz said...

We posted ours too...a little bit on the hurried side, but hope it's ok!! You look smashing in your Vickie's special memory hat. Although, we think that you would look positively perfect in ANY hat!!
xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

Sagira said...

Grandpas are the BEST. My mom had a hard day yesterday crying a lot because she misses her Grandpa so much. He always loved Thanksgiving and it is the hardest holiday to make it through without him. This will be our 3rd without him here. :(