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One night at the Cape all of us went to Baxter’s in Hyannis for dinner.
It was a beautiful night as we sat watching the ferries come and go in the harbour.
Not sure what everyone ordered to eat but no one was talking and I’m assuming it was all good.
I do remember that Mark got an enormous Fisherman’s Platter that looked incredibly good,
no, it was ‘call your cardiologist before eating’ good.
He gave me a fried scallop that was roughly the size of an Aussie cricket ball which I split with Pamela.
It was so good I had to go back up to the counter and get a side order for us to split.
I’ll never learn.
It was such a beautiful night that I suggested we walk Main Street in Hyannis and check out some of the shops.
While the womenfolk were looking at Cape Cod jewelry,
Mark and I wandered over to a leather store across the street.
The rich, earthy aroma walking in was almost narcotic.
I love the smell of leather.
Mark and I were immediately drawn to the hats hanging on a wall in the back of the store; there were porkpies, fedoras (ala Indiana Jones), top hats, baseball caps and one very special hat that I somehow missed.
Mark asked to see a now familiar hat on the very top row.
“Check it out, mate. It’s an Akubra made in Australia,” He said,
as he showed me the inside label of his hat by the same maker.
I loved the hat he was wearing when he first showed up at the house and now I knew why.
He asked the price ($85) but by now Pamela and all the girls were standing next to us ready to go.
I wanted to buy the hat because I really liked it and I wanted to offer a showing of solidarity to Australia.
Alright, the solidarity part was my brain making up bullshit but I really loved the hat.
I could hear Pamela in my head saying, “You Have Enough Hats!”
I’m thinking now there was a reason I didn’t get it.
Move forward in time to Logan Airport on the Sunday Maureen and Mark were leaving.
Pamela, Hannah, me and M&M were standing at the gate, all of us knowing what was coming next.
Mark patted Moe on the bum and said, “Alright. Let’s go. Let’s get this done.”
Probably some of the hardest words my friend has ever had to say.
The Tear Factory was now open for business but before it closed, Mark took off his Akubra and placed it on my head and gave me a huge bear hug.
“Take care of this for me until the next time, buddy.”
Translation: How Michael got his very first Akubra.
You never forget your first.
I don’t know much about the road ahead of me but I do know this; the next Akubra I put on my bald noggin won’t be from some leather shop in Hyannis, Ma.
I’m thinking someplace much more exotic . . .
Like Queensland, Australia
Reminds me of my eternal quest for a 1940′s USN lobsterman’s cap.
By the way, you can use any photo you like.
Don’t sweat attribution. Just enjoy them.
That’s what they’re for.
.-= Frontier Former Editor´s last blog ..In the tradition of forgeries and conspiracy fantasies . . . . =-.
i have many hats i’ve purchased on holiday – which seemed a great idea at the time, but are now relegated to the far reaches of the closet… i suspect your new acquisition is going to get a lot more use! wonderful tale…
.-= daisyfae´s last blog ..Into the porcelain ether… =-.
[...] Filed under: Uncategorized — Frontier Former Editor @ 10:10 pm Michael provides us with a delightful essay on hats this week, and it reminded me of the hat I’d like to [...]
I love that leather shop as well but I knew about the Akubra so of course you were not going to buy one.
Besides, you don’t buy one of those in the USA.
They’re not real. (don’t you know anything?)
You can only acquire one from an Aussie, then you know it’s the real deal.
Only then are you allowed to wear it.
You guys look so small in that chair and you look quite mischievous too.
The hat was never coming back to Australia ~m, that was decided the day we bought it.
After we walked out of the shop I said to Mark, “You’re going to leave it with Michael if it fits aren’t you?”
All he did was smile.
You were meant to have it, otherwise it would never have fitted now would it?
You do know that everyone except you, knew you were getting it, right????
Although I missed your posts, it sounds like you had an extraordingary vacation from life.
congrats my friend, on the new Akubra as well as the rest of the smiles that (I hope) are still plastered on your face.
still…it’s lovely having you back
That pic is hilarious…. ya look like two little boys – up to NO good. Kinda disturbing a little, but funny none the less!
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Exercise your Artistic Empathy =-.
Aw, now that’s a true bud. Or, mate, should I say? I didn’t know you were getting it.
I don’t know nothin. So, you’ve got to write it all up!
And the pic is great!
What a great friend Mark is! It’s so touching…..now you have the real deal!!! I have a feeling you’ll have that hat forever! My friend Kacie, was in Australia for the month of July and had the best time. She’s a teacher who is in her 20′s and each summer she travels…..she has her own bucket list. This year it was Australia and teaching in China. She’s on her way home now! She sent incredible pictures. She spent a week on a catamaran on the Great Barrier reef. Cool, eh? Enjoy your Akubra!
Awesome picture, by the way!