What Hat Are You Wearing Today 1?

[DJH]

I really like that hat David. Is that the original ribbon?

Thanks, John. The ribbon isn't original, the hat came with a pug (that I have on another hat) and this ribbon came via Tom Gomez.

Nice hat! Hello from across the river. Warm over here in VT too and looking like rain.

Thank you L2F. Was nice here all day until about 3.30 - been raining since. It will be a different hat for this evening.

David, that is a great looking Disney, fits good to you!

Cheers, Manfred!

Very nice. Is anyone able to read this as my'-lan? I've tried and can't seem to do it. I can say it out loud if I work at it. But it reads Milan.

Thanks Alan. It's My Lan all the way for me!

Great 5XCB for you today and even better family shot!!

 

[Ordinary Guy]

I echo the nice pics and hats dixon, not to mention the nice trips you have been on......

 

[DesertDan]

For those who might not have seen them, here are two links to two of these that have appeared on the Lounge.

Now that is a hat with ATTITUDE! Love it!

 

[alanfgag]

Chicago

No pictures of Optimo, or of my great visit with Joshbru and RLK, but I do have a few iPhone tourist shots to share.

Purple line to Howard.

The best pictures seem to happen when you don't mean to.

at Shedd Aquarium

 

[jlee562]

Yep, it's the black cherry. If I didn't have a list of other hats I wanted to commission in different colors, I'd have Parker make me at least three other styles with this felt. I just love it.

Another supernatural today-- yours is really fantastic-- this is the recent grab, right? It is downright extra-terrestrial. What a sweet color.

Halle's named after a clothing store, eh?

I love felts that "change color" under different lighting. That black cherry is so close to my Optimo it's spooky!

Yes, the supernatural is a fairly recent pickup, last month or so. Having a size 7 head leads to many temptations on ebay

 

[alanfgag]

waiting for the free entry to Adler Planetarium at 5:30!

Copernicus with hat.

Donna catching rays from the beveled glass entry doors.

Visiting Sophie at work.

 

[delectans]

Many thanks to all for your kind remarks!

Alan, what a wonderful set of photos from Chicago! Did you wear a hat? lol

 

[delectans]

Notes On Our Summer Travels Across Longitude And Time Zones (Part 2)


Heading out in the early morning again on our customary stroll across the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Park. August 7th.



Overcast, warm and very humid already.



Bronze sculpture holding grocery bags while she performed her morning calisthenics...



...as other enthusiastic early risers worked on their staff form.



Part of my morning ritual: A visit to my favorite corner eatery.



The Chef taking the Chinese doughnuts out of the deep frier.



Sesame flat bread on the griddle.



I always order the sesame flat bread and Chinese doughnut, served with a bowl of hot soy milk. With so many different Western, Pan-Asian and Chinese foods available at all hours, I find this little bit of constancy to be comforting.



Steamed pork dumplings fresh out of the steamer.

 

[delectans]

One cannot possibly be hungry in Taiwan, a foodie paradise, but just in case one finds oneself experiencing a sudden midnight craving, this eatery serves their delicious fare 24/7.



The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall park, in the Eastern part of Taipei, is a focal point of the city, with beautifully landscaped and maintained grounds.



Old cast-iron benches ring the perimeter of the park.



The imposing presence of Taipei 101 at every turn.



With our stomachs filled, we walk the short distance to the Guang Fu Morning Market.



Taiwan's morning vegetable and fruit markets are a feast for the senses. Most families buy their day's or week's meats, fruits and vegetables fresh from these markets rather than from supermarkets. There are also a bewildering selection of freshly prepared delicacies on offer, such as these "hand-made meat buns".



The morning's catch, fresh from the fishing boats of Taiwan's North coast.



Some of the most delicious steamed buns we have had anywhere in Taipei are found at this stand.



The flour is kneaded, the buns over-stuffed and steamed fresh every morning.

 

[delectans]

The fish vendors travel to the Taipei central fish market every morning at around 3AM to procure their fish, and some travel to the coast at Keelung to buy their fish directly from the fishermen as they pull into port before dawn.



One of several Pompano species found in the waters of Taiwan.



Snappers from the Family 'Lutjanidae'.



Fresh Longan, a very tasty tropical fruit.



Pitaya, also known as 'Dragon Fruit', an exotic and sweet fruit produced by a variety of cactus.



Mangoes at their peak. Much, much better than the ones we have available to us in the U.S.



I neglected to bring along my guidebook to the commercially available table-food fishes of Taiwan, so I will not embarrass myself with an attempt at species identification. Oh, what the heck, I believe these are Milkfish, apparently the only remaining member of the Family 'Chanidae'.



One of the many grouper species commonly available at the market.



Freshly made Aiyu Jelly, commonly served chilled with slightly sweetened iced water, and topped with a hint of lemon. It is made from the gelatinized extracts of a type of fig.

 

[delectans]

My favorite hot weather treat: Grass Jelly. Traditionally thought to have exceptional cooling or 'yin' qualities, it is derived from the leaves of a plant from the mint family.



Hard to take photographs when one is carrying bags of fruits.



What we find utterly fascinating is an uneventful part of every day life here.



Even the ordinary bean sprout seems interesting in this context.



Could this be a Formosan Mountain Dog?



Taiwanese Guava, white, rather than pink on the inside.



Bitter Melon and Taro root



Leaving the market. The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in the distance.



Young aerial roots of the Banyan tree.

 

[delectans]

The Sun still has not come out from behind the clouds, but it is warming up very rapidly.



Trimming and taming the verdant brush.



Old and new at sunset.



Taipei 101 aglitter. The tower's lights change colors on a daily basis.



Supper at a small, owner/chef run bistro with a Peter Rabbit theme. Novel and innovative culinary creations. Just a few steps off of Zhongxiao Road, in a quiet, small side street.



Zhongxiao Road is a bustling major thoroughfare, comparable in many ways to New York City's Madison Avenue, and it really comes alive after dark.


To be continued...

 

[Chepstow]

Alan and Al, wonderful photos, you guys rock this thread.
Al, what a great trip and so many new things to see!

 

[DJH]

A short while ago - Dobbs Cross Country

 

[mikespens]

Alan and Al, wonderful photos, you guys rock this thread.
Al, what a great trip and so many new things to see!

+1! I visited both great cities in the late 70's and it's great to be reminded again.

Al, I recall the dominate building in Taipei then was the Grand Hotel. Taipei 101 is amazing. Your pictures make me crave all the great and varied cuisine I got to try though out Asia. Hope you can walk off all the extra calories!

 

[Rodkins]

Looking sharp in that one David.

 

[Landman]

Alan, that is a beautiful Stetson!

Robert, what are you having done to the gun club? I'd love to see it when you're one.

 

[hatophile]

Super hats guys. That Stetson is one of my faves Alan.

OR today, cool and rainy here.

 

[Simonds]

This is another one of mine that I made, it's a brown heavy 100% cotton 8 panel.

 

[gtdean48]

Rainy weather, so I broke out the Road Master....if it clears up, I'll go to my VS ArtLite Pecan Wanderer for Fawcett Friday....