Red Hats

Today I did my duty to God, the Queen and the wolf cub pack...

I spent this afternoon scrapbooking with the ladies of our local Red Hat Society. Now - to join one of these, you have to be over 50 - but these ladies are well over 50. Most are in their 70s.

Some of them join me for my monthly card class at the lodge - but there were a few new faces today. I'd made it foolproof - everything was cut and done for them...all they had to do was put it together. No cut and paste - just paste. lol

Its amazing to see everyone work. There are those that want to follow the example explicitly - and it will end up looking exactly like mine. There are those that no matter how many times I explain it, they won't understand what I mean by "stick this piece of paper here" - and it will end up looking a little haphhazard, but great. There are those who insist on doing it *their* way and *their way* only - and it will end up looking like a very unique creation.

And there are women like Margaret.

Margaret sat with her papers in front of her and refused to do anything. When I came by her table to 'help', she looked at me and said - you can put the glue on there. I said - you want me to do it for you?? And she looked at me quite plainly and said - yes.

I don't think she was incapable - she's just a little bossy. The lady beside her, who I have seen as a patient and can have her ornery days as well, started to give her heck. They promptly got into a bit of a fight and I had to stifle my laughter.

Then when I was done the page and had moved on - I heard her say: Did she stick that awful tag on it? So I sighed my most patient sigh and turned back to her table. "Did you not want that tag on there?" Well - no. She thought it was awful. I playfully told her - well, next time, you'd better do it yourself! I caught the eye of another Red Hat and she snickered at me.

The matron of the lodge picked up something else as an option and she seemed appeased by that. It was declared 'good enough'.

But when all the ladies had gone...and the room was clear except for the matron and I, Margaret was still around. I don't think she wanted to leave. She made a loud comment from across the room - do you think I'll show anyone this picture?? And we replied - full of patience - of course you should! But Margaret didn't leave...Margaret just wanted some company. She threw back a few more half hearted comments and they bounced off our grins and finally Margaret finally headed over to her walker and bid adieu.

I would bet money (and I'm not a betting woman) that Margaret is back next time too. And when I wander the halls in a few weeks - I bet I'll see Margaret's picture up on the shelf beside her door...with that photo she didn't think she'd show anyone.