Thursday, January 15, 2009

Small pet alert

So, it’s another freezing cold day here. On days like this, we get “Small Pet Alerts” which remind owners of cats and small dogs that they should stay indoors, lest they freeze. Did you know that once the temperatures reaches –25c with the windchill that exposed skin can freeze in less than 20 minutes? Once you get down to –35, it will take less than 10 minutes. The forecast for today is –25 and tomorrow is –30, so that will be fun.

I’m amazed to see a very large number of people here on campus walking outside without a hat, their poor ears exposed to air that literally burns. Hats are so cute and fun, I just don’t get it. We have vendors here on campus who sell 100% wool hats with fleece lining from Nepal, like these:


and they’re only $15. I bought one for each of my kids and they are the best hats they’ve ever had. They also have mittens that look like little animal puppets. So cute.

Most of the time, I wear a hat like this:


I bought it years ago and, even though I’ve bought several hats since, this is still my favourite. It covers my ears, is very warm and doesn’t do a number on my hair. When I dropped Maggie off at daycare earlier this week, one of the little guys in her class said, “I like your cowboy hat.” Hmph.


I also have a hat like this (not in pink):


It’s more for weekends, because it can give an amazing case of hat head.


There are a million different styles of hats and each one says a little bit about the hat-wearer:


Confident, warm. Wears a great hat, then pairs it with Uggs, which leave her feet cold and wet.


Skier. No-nonsense, practical, athletic.


Criminal.




Elementary school teacher. She also wears a puffy coat and sensible shoes.

More money than brains. Running from PETA.



From Alberta. Those rosy cheeks and perfect teeth are authentic.
So what's your hat style?

13 comments:

Flibberty said...

I love this! I have a ridiculous hat with ear flaps and a fur lining and guess what . . . I forgot it at home, so my ears will freeze and hopefully my husband will make sure our small pets don't go outside.

Pickles and Dimes said...

I don't wear a hat to work. I laugh in the face of winter! (I just didn't want to have flat hair for the 37th day in a row.)

When I take Shorty out at home though, I wear a stocking hat that advertises my brother-in-law's business, the huge-ass scarf I knitted that is the warmest thing ever...and a criminal ski mask. It's black. I look like I'm about to rob someone...of their WARMTH.

Jess said...

I think you answered your own question. Hats are a battle between your hair vanity and your desire to stay warm. Clearly all those bareheaded people have made their choice.

Misty said...

1. Forget I ever said I wanted to be a Canadian. Socialize healthcare can't stand up to -30.

2. Forgive me for saying it was unforgivably cold here last night at 27 degrees. I stand corrected.

3. Love the hat pictures. You are so clever :) I don't actually own any hats other than one for the beach. Heh.

Fiona Picklebottom said...

I don't often wear a hat, but I have lots of them in all different styles, because I am one of those people who actually look pretty good in a hat. Possibly even better than without a hat, though to be honest, looking better than I normally look isn't all that difficult. If not for the hat-head thing, I'd probably wear a hat all the time. I like your plaid weekend hat. Also that last one from Alberta, except for the flower thing in the front. I'd totally buy that hat and remove the flower thing prior to wearing.

Saly said...

" Hello.

Hello.

Do you like my hat?

I do not like it.

Goodbye.

Goodbye. "

That's what all the hats remind me of. It is 1 degree farenhjeit here today. BRR!! I wore my down coat, hat and gloves. My hat is more of a beany style, and is striped all shades of pink and brown.

Nowheymama said...

I have a very warm winter coat from my in-laws that has a huge hood. I've been wearing that.

Chantal said...

LOL I love this post. Very funny. Currently I wear a useless toque that my husband bought for me at La Senza last year for Christmas (cause La Senza is known for their amazingly warm winter gear). I think it will find its way into the goodwill pile this spring. Maybe sooner if this cold keeps up.

Not Your Aunt B said...

Loved your post. I have a 20's style grey wool felt hat that is lined and has a black flowery thing on the side (but not too big). I love the $15 nepal hats. Where did you buy them?

LoriD said...

Bea - I got my hats here on campus (where I work) from a vendor that goes around to colleges, universities and hospitals during the winter months and community events (carnivals, fairs, etc.) during the summer. He has some great stuff. His company name his El Tambache, but he doesn't appear to have a website.

Kristin.... said...

I don't wear hats. And I live in Maine. I wore one out of desperation on Sunday so I could be outside with my kids. I hate hathead.

Blog said...

I like a good toque. ;) I rarely wear hats, though....

Erin said...

I wear a uniform to work (HI WORKING CLASS!), and even my WOOLY HAT has my uniform label on it. Which I find a bit irritating. It's actually a CARHART wooly. Could I BE more masculine? Sheesh.