I have taken to wearing hats.

In the summer I wear a dignified Panama hat, when it rains, I choose a wide brimmed waterproof Fedora, and in the winter I’ll be wearing a somewhat toned-down version of the classic Indiana Jones hat.

I like the wide brims of these hats and the way they keep the sun and the weather out of my eyes – all very practical points.

This is what I tell myself anyway.

Truth is, I like to look different, to be seen, to be remembered. “Hey, you’re the guy with the hat!” Is what people say. I smile and say “yeah I am” and we move on from there.

So… it’s an affectation, I know that and accept it.

However, it makes me visible.

At an age where the most you can hope for is to be the wise one, the work horse, or that gray figure who is always there, wearing a hat makes you a bit different, adds a bit of style.

It makes you visible when the danger is in fading away.

So, as for me, I’ll continue to wear a hat, maybe put a small feather in the brim.

You know, to keep the sun out of my eyes…