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Warning
by Jenny Joseph

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

I LOVE the ladies of the Red Hat Society! Love the red hats with their purple plumes & decorations. Here in Chicago, I've seen them around town for several years and envied them! I think I might now be old enough to join their society and have the honor of parading about town in a red & purple hat/outfit with fellow Chicago members of the society.

For those who don't know, here's a link to their website view link They've been around for at least 30 years that I know of. They are FABULOUS for the hats alone!

I saw and responded to a post earlier today about wearing high heels. INMHO, wearing a beautiful, red, flamboyant hat is SOOO much better on than trying to walk on those cute little torture chambers known as 3-inch spike heels. I don't know of anyone who had to go to a doctor/specialist for wearing a hat. But I know of several women who've endured (unsuccessful) foot surgery after years of strutting around in high-heeled shoes.