Some days you just have to put on the Hat and remind them who they’re dealing with.
I’m much happier with my idea for a new series now that I’m finding my rhythm. Rather than putting my feelers out for completely random Fun Facts, I’m going to let each post lead me to the next. I think that adds to the excitement… for me, anyway.
So, I was led to Hats in my last post, and I found something interesting about theories on the history of the Witch Hat.
There were at least 3 to choose from, but I favored this particular Fun Fact:
In medieval Europe, women were in charge of brewing the beer and ale, and they were called Alewives. They wore distinctive tall hats, often pointy or conical, and this enabled them to stand out in the crowded marketplace.
As men began taking over the brewing industry, alewives were (conveniently) accused of witchcraft… hence their hats became associated with the stereotypical pointy witch hat.
It sounds like those men were playing dirty. Not everyone agrees on the story, however. Some say that the Alewives started producing cheaper ale that had been manipulated, diluted, or in some cases tainted… and that some consumers were getting sick. This led to accusations about their ‘evil’ concoctions (eye of newt and bat’s tongue?).
Regardless of whether or not this Fun Fact (theory) is completely accurate, it’s an interesting tale. And as I thought about this whole witch hat thing it occured to me that there may be Fun Facts for ALL KINDS of different Hats.
I was going to say not to worry, that I had no plans of boring you with a bunch of hat trivia, but as I stared at the bottom of my paragraph – mind completely blank – I made the decision. Hats it is!
Perhaps just one more hat Fun Fact will lead me in a new direction (fingers crossed). At the very least, doing a series like this enables me to write on the spot, or extemporaneously (thank you dear thesaurus), so it’s a good brain exercise. My hope is that you also find some pleasure from it all.
As for my illustration, I really think it works. I would have liked to spend more time on her hat… I don’t like how it lays on her hair… but once I get it in my head that I am done with something… I am D.O.N E… done.
Anyway, I think you can see by her eyes (and maybe the outfit) that this petite little Alewife is trying to seduce one of her brewing competitors with a pint of her ‘special’ ale.
“Bottoms up…”
I think that’s about all for now. Thank you for viewing/reading, I hope you enjoyed something here!
Until next time,
Peace & Love!
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.” -William Shakespeare
a sprinkle of faith 
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