Autumn Rambles Day 4: Hats
Adapted and used with permission from an online resource from Prayerbench.ca
Day 4: HATS
Reflection:
This is the season in Canada when you might need a hat to keep your ears warm on a frosty morning. Do you have a tuque to wear?
Now, when I (Rev. Gail) came to Canada from England, I had no idea what a tuque was! I soon found out that in Canada, a tuque (sometimes spelled toque or touque) refers to a warm tight-fitting, knitted cap, traditionally made of wool and usually worn in winter, though year-round now by some. According to Wikipedia, the fashion is said to have originated with the French and Metis fur traders, who kept their woollen nightcaps on for warmth during cold winter days. A toque is a national thing, but you might know similar headgear as a balaclava, stocking hat or beanie.
Hats keep our head warm or protect us from the sun, and beyond function hats tell a story of who we are. Apparently, there are over 100 different types of hats in existence.
Hats are also a perfect lens for appreciating cultural diversity. There are hard hats and turbans, bucket hats and kufi hats, berets and mathal hats, baseball caps and akubras, pilgrim’s hats and kippahs, top hats and sombreros. Keep your eyes open for non-human caps too.
It’s time to grab your hat and keep your ears warm. Notice hats on your autumn ramble. Make it a goal today to learn the name of one traditional hat from a culture different from your own.
Before you ramble today, take a moment to lean more about other cultures. Remember ‘We are ALL God’s children’. Here is a list of basic hat styles. How many do you recognize? Learn to name a hat from a culture different from your own. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hat_styles
Spiritual Practice.
As you step outside into the crisp air, take time to breathe in Creation. While you ramble: Breathe in crispness. (freshness for your soul) Breathe out hope. (a gift for the world.)
Sharing love through hats!
Take a look in your closet. If you have touques that you ono longer wear, consider donating them to Goodwill so others cam keep warm.
Here is a wonderful story of a couple of young guys who started a business sharing love through touoques!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FULcL9raPkU&t=7s&ab_channel=ToquesFromtheHeart
Happy Rambling, Rev. Gail