My Dad used to tell my mom not to sit in the car in the driveway
too long after she pulled in even if it was just to finish
listening to a song on the radio.
We could never figure out why he had such an opposition to this
until he finally explained a woman in his neighborhood growing up
used to sit in the driveway, in her car, for hours at a time.
My Dad used to tell my mom not to sit in the car in the driveway too long after she pulled in even if it was just to finish listening to a song on the radio.
We could never figure out why he had such an opposition to this until he finally explained a woman in his neighborhood growing up used to sit in the driveway, in her car, for hours at a time. Everyone in the neighborhood, including my grandmother, used to whisper about “the crazy lady who sits in her car.”
My mother had several theories on this woman’s predilection for solo car sitting. First, she could be mad as a hatter. Second, she could be avoiding housework. And third, she could be finding the only peace in her day.
After attending the local meeting of the Red Hat Society, I have developed my own theory. Maybe she was over 50, tired of worrying about what people think, and wasn’t bothered by the rumors. She was out to have a good time, and if sitting in her driveway pleased her, then so be it!
Instead of sitting in their driveways, the over-50 female crowds in South County welcome each other into a sisterhood of Red Hat wearing, purple-dress donning, fun-loving ladies eager to finally let go of all convention and find the laughter in life.
If you haven’t seen them yet look for red hats, grey hair, lots of purple cloth, a wine glass in hand and mischief in their eyes. These are not the grandmas of old. They have gone public with their kookiness, finding others who will egg them on.
Gloria Strehlke of the local group the Stinking Red Roses explains it thus, “We’re finally at a point in life we can have fun. We get so many stares and happy smiles.”
Those might be worried smiles, Gloria. At her first meeting on Wednesday at Spero’s Restaurant, Gilroy resident Carol Harris showed up decked out in requisite red hat, a new, handmade skirt of special red hat fabric, and a very fashionable, fuzzy, red purse also handmade by Carol (she admitted her daughter had rejected the purse – no matter it matched the hat).
By no means retired, Harris found time to attend the meeting but outlined her plans to go to San Diego with the Gilroy High School Choir as the piano accompanist. Look for Carol and her red hat directing a production of Narnia with the South County Children’s Theater next season.
No meeting of ladies is complete without a Queen Mother. The leader of these Red Hat Societies is known as the QM and South County’s QM is Jan Busessing. Busessing goes about her duties with a smile and a wave (elbow, wrist, wrist – float queen style) making sure each newbie is greeted and introduced around.
All is not as gracious as the poem by which this red and purple craze is credited states…”and make up for the sobriety of my youth … and pick the flowers in other people’s gardens … and learn to spit …” Learn to spit?! Next thing ya know, these ladies will be heading down to House of Thunder to get a hog!! Where do I sign up?
If you wish to gawk at this wild and fun group of over-50s, your chance will soon be here as Bonfante Gardens will host Red Hat Society Day on Saturday, April 23; chapters from all over the region will try to out-color the botanicals. Just don’t stare at the ones sitting in the parking lot in their cars – they’re happy, leave it at that. Ciao for now.
