Where Did All The Hats Go?

If you look back at pictures of people in the 1950's it was very common for people to wear hats. But other than wearing sports caps today, it's not a normal part of society, why is that?

I read an interesting article recently that listed a number of reasons:

1. Cars became more popular in the sixties and people were inside their own car instead of walking or taking public transportation.

2. Society was changing and the younger generation was rebelling against formal dress and they didn't like wearing hats.

3. John F. Kennedy wore a hat when he became President, but rarely wore a hat when he was President. He was photographed frequently in those three years, but rarely wearing a hat. He did not like them. You can easily recognize his smile below, but the hat doesn't really look right on him.

4. The Beatles came to America in February of 1964 and they rarely had a hat on and they became the most popular band in the world. How could they wear hats when it would cover up their hair which they were famous for.  There were a lot of Beatle wigs sold, but not Beatle hats.

The combination of these four things led to the hat industry declining significantly. Are hats due for a comeback?  Anything can happen, but I wouldn't count on it.

What I really want to know is this: when did people stop using umbrella's? Around ten years ago our family helped my parents move out of their home in Edison, New Jersey and I believe we found 17 umbrellas there. Were they the last people to have umbrellas?

What Is The Most Popular Cereal In Your State?

 I'm always amazed at the number of cereals that exist and some that really make no sense at all to me.  A long time ago when our family visited Hershey Park, Pennsylvania we discovered it was two weeks before it opened. We went to the local supermarket and they had some of the oddest cereals I've ever seen. The one I remember best was, "Best Friends." I have never been able to understand how that could be a name for a cereal. A couple other cereals there were, "Freaky Fruits" and "Confetti Crisps."

This article I recently read lists the top cereals in each state, not by sales but by google searches. I'm not sure I'm completely convinced that's the most accurate way of researching this, but it should be close. It was done by the CPS Global, a nursing school.

Thirteen states had Fruit Loops as their favorite cereal and Cheerios and Rice Krispies and five states each. In New Jersey, the winner was Cookie Crisp, but I did read that Cheerios and Frosted Flakes ranked very high in my former state.  In Colorado, the winner was Fruit Loops and runner ups were Frosted Flakes and Honey Nut Cheerios.

Here are some unusual choices and the only state to pick these: 

Mississippi -Apple Jacks (I didn't know they still made these)

Alaska- Corn Pops (I have no clue what this is)

Arkansas-Honeycomb (I thought this was a song)

Wyoming-Frosted Mini Wheats (Thank goodness they are frosted)

Rhode Island-Fruity Pebbles  (Does that really sound appetizing?)

North Dakota-Special K-(Only 1 state?)

Maine- Raisin Bran (This is very good)

New Mexico- Honey Bunches of Oats (Really a cereal?)

Iowa- Cap'n Crunch (Still around?)

Minnesota- Wheaties (Only 1 state, I'm surprised)

Nebraska-Lucky Charms (I know their magically delicious, but I've never had them)

The four cereals I eat today are Special K with strawberries, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, and Cheerios. I used to eat Cocoa Krispies, but they are not very good for me. They were my favorite, but not mentioned on this list at all. Below is an old picture of me trying to get all the boxes of  Cocoa Krispies in a selfie. I think I had a great bargain for 6 boxes. It's a better picture of my nose and Yankee hat.

Can You Walk Barefoot Further Than He Can?

I only like walking barefoot in the shower and I don't go very far. Sure, I can wear socks and walk, but there's no way I would ever do what this guy just did. 

Eamonn Keaveney started walking from Istanbul, Turkey and walked barefoot to his hometown of Claremorris, Mayo, in Ireland. It was 4,228.94 miles and it only took him 369 days. In 2016 he set the record with about a 1,3000 mile walk across Ireland and in 2024 set a new record with a 2,200 mile walk. He also holds the record for going across Ireland on a Unicycle in five days.

He's a 34-year-old civil servant and he obviously loves his hobby. His challenges are a little bit different than ours. He explained, "I had thorns and small pieces of glass pricking my feet-near the end of the rip, a blackthorn caused an infection in my foot that took me off the road for a full week."

He met a lot of very curious and kind people who helped him in all different situations including when he was bit by a dog and need a rabies shot. If you wanted a safe bet, I would say that he's going to be on some long quest again once he recovers from literally being on the road for a year.

Occupations and Divorce Rates

I frequently get comments from young people that there aren't a lot of people married a long time.  I tell them that it has been very common for me to driver married couples for 20, 30, 40 and sometimes over 50 or 60 years.  Having just celebrated my 43rd anniversary recently, I have a few thoughts on this including the below chart which I recently read.

I am a number's guy and I believe that whatever the odds are the most important thing is your marriage, not your neighbor's marriage, your sister's marriage, or your friend's marriage.  Your success or failure is based on you and your spouse and unfortunately there are times that are beyond a person's control and divorce may be the best for both parties.

The chart is based on a five year study and came out two years ago.  The lowest ranking occupations were actuaries, maybe because they know that divorce numbers don't matter it's up to them? Just kidding, but who knows? Low numbers are showing for scientists, IT people, doctors, engineers, surgeons, dentists, and pharmacists.  I'm surprised by the number of professionals, especially dentists which I've heard in the past that numbers were high.

On the highest side of divorce rates are a number of careers associated with the medical field but not necessarily the top occupations. Telemarketers, machine operators, bus drivers, bartenders, are very different occupations than the other list. In some cases this may be people who are doing this part-time and not full-time.

The biggest question I would have in looking at this chart, how has money made a difference in divorce? I am certain if you looked at the average salary in both columns it would be a very significant difference and you might be able to conclude that more income leads to less divorces.  Of course that doesn't mean wealthy people don't get divorced, but maybe education and money are a big factor. Some of the highest percentages may also be impacted by work schedules being very different and causing problems in their personal life.

It was noticeable to me that teachers are not on either list. I found it an interesting chart and maybe you will also.

"America Runs on Grandparents"

I thought America runs on Dunkin' Donuts? I am sure there used to be a commercial like that, but this isn't about donuts, it is about grandparents.

Debra Whitman, executive vice-president for AARP actually said, "American runs on grandparents. They are really an economic backbone of our country that I don't think many people appreciate." There are 65 million grandparents in this country and 15% of them care for a grandchild daily or almost daily. The stats show that on average grandparents watch their grandchildren 500 hours a year for free.

My wife and I are grandparents of an amazing two-year old girl and we spend right now three days a week babysitting her together and the other two days I do by myself. All together we watch her maybe 35 hours a week and we have no regrets.

She keeps us very active, we laugh a lot like the picture above(not us) and we get a lot of exercise too. She gets to be around other adults and hear things and learn things in addition to what she gets from her parents. I highly recommend it and this was an easy decision for us when we moved across the country. We wanted her to have a great childhood, because not every child has one like she is having.

We are about to expand our babysitting operation.  Our granddaughter is months away from becoming a big sister and a big cousin.  At the beginning of the year we will have two new grandchildren and who knows how we will juggle it, but we will be available for all three grandchildren.

The AARP estimates the total value of the "grandparent economy," combining unpaid care and financial support at $904 billion a year. It's nice to be a part of something so large, but it's even better to be a big part of our granddaughter's life.

Short Stories From September 2026

HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY FOR THIS?

To me this looks like an old metal container that was run over by a big truck. My wife and I saw this in a rock shop and it's called, "Turquoise." The price on the bottom is $5,900.  Any buyers, I'll send you the address.

HOW DO YOU TURN A $50 BILL INTO A $20 BILL?

As many of you know, technology is not my thing, however, this story is pretty unique.  After getting a $50 bill as a tip I took a picture of it and turned it around to post it on Facebook and my blog. Somehow, I managed to come up with this picture, seriously. I wish I could turn $20 bills into $50 bills. I have no clue what I did, but this is the $50 bill I received.

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

I learned this month that Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on our Columbus Day? They have a big turkey dinner on Sunday and they are celebrating autumn. Do other countries celebrate seasons of the year?

"MORE TIME FOR YOU"

I have finished my second book, but it's been on hold. My second editor who was going to help me get it on Amazon suddenly got very sick and she's recovering.  Hopefully, this fun, easy to read book will be out in October.

A SPECIAL RIDE ON A FAMOUS TRAIN

At the end of the month my wife and I spent a few hours at the Colorado Railroad Museum with our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.  The famous Thomas The Tank Engine was there and we all took a ride around the museum facility led by Thomas.  Pictured below is the entrance/exit to the partially indoor/outdoor museum. Our two-year-old granddaughter could have spent the rest of the day playing with the small trains and train tracks.

SHE HAD WHAT ON HER FACE?

Our two-year-old granddaughter told my wife that she had shmutz on her face. It's German for dirt. She's heard her mom say the word.

MY FAVORITE RIDER COMMENTS IN SEPTEMBER 2026

I picked up three guys at 4 am who were on the way home from a fun night. One said, "My son is sitting next to me." I said, "How old is he?" He said, "20, I'm very proud of him." The father sounded young and I asked, "How old are you?" He said, "28, I started  young." I answered, "That's why I'm driving you home."(38)

I was driving "J" and asked if that was short for "Jay". He said, "No, I had to change my name on the app from Jacob because Uber drivers kept telling me bible lessons about Jacob."

The 911 operator told me, "Recently I spoke with a 3 year-old on the phone. He was taught to call 911 if his mom had a seizure. He couldn't talk that well, but he was able to get an ambulance there quickly."

The couple had big smiles and she said he was, "Like a walking golden retriever." He said he was, "A dog in human form."

I asked him how he met his wife and he said, "I walked into a friend's party and I saw her and time stood still. It was love at first sight."(Married 10 years)

I told the guy from Idaho about the two sisters from Idaho last month who I told they should have at least given me a potato. He said, "I should have had a potato for you." Another guy said, "I looked at their picture a second time, I used to date a girl from Idaho."

"We were in Hawaii during the hurricane with winds of 160 mph. We heated our coffee on a barbecue grill."

"If someone tries to explain to you what Japan is like, you won't get it. I went to a professional baseball game there and at the end there were no crumbs on the ground."

The young couple are engaged with plans to marry in two years when she finishes her masters. She said, "He made me wait and he can wait for me."

From Chicago: "I was driving one night with a heavy foot and got pulled over. In the back seat I had some blankets and several mannequin heads. As the cop approached my car he drew his weapon and told me to get out of the car. Another officer pulled up and they searched my car and then realized they were just mannequin heads and we had a good laugh. He gave me a warning and told me to slow down."

                                                MORE RIDER COMMENTS

She: "We were at a wedding and at the end a guy went into the picture booth by himself  and had a picture taken with these big lobster claws."

She: "Life is what you make of it. Art makes the world a better place."

From the UK he told me, "People in the north are more accessible in the UK."

He: "I didn't think I'd ever see Georgia with the championship. It may never be done again winning two consecutive ones."

He: "My step-brother just started playing for the Buffalo Bills."

She handed a very small brown envelope and inside it had a sticker that said, "You are beautiful." There was also a colorful, shiny message that said, "I AM ENOUGH," and a handmade chain that said, Clear Your Mind. She explained this by saying, "I like to give strangers games." It is now part of my museum.

I asked the woman what kind of work she did and she said, "I'm actually a doctor, an orthopedic surgeon." I asked her why she said it that way and she said, "I'm an unassuming person and some people are surprised I'm a doctor."

She: "I'm an OBGYN and I deliver babies in the hospital that Taylor Swift was born."

He worked in Los Alamos, New Mexico for six years and told me, "I have a PHD in nuclear engineering. 

He: "Hong Kong is the New York of the east."

She was in town to help her friend get ready for a theme wedding. She said, "It's like a Greek Mythology wedding with a fairy look. The groom is going to be dressed as Emperor Palpatine from "Star Wars", but creating the fake wrinkles is a challenge."

He: "Thailand is known as the land of smiles."

High school coach: "I'm just trying to get them to have confidence in themselves."

The dentist moved to Colorado and said it was very easy to get a license here, but very difficult to do in Texas. "For Colorado I just had a couple clicks on the computer and I had a license." 

He: "I'm kind of famous, I'm the third baseman for the Savannah Bananas." 

From India she asked me something no one else has ever asked, "What are your three favorite books?"

The woman's name was Charlie and she said, "I was named after my grandmother."

He tried to teach me how to say cheers in Eastern Europe which sounds like, "nah zdro vyeh". Finally, he gave up and said, "In German they say "prost" for cheers."

The young woman asked me, "What advice would you give someone who wants to make more friends?"

My three riders told me about the motor scooter clubs they belong to-"We are in a Vespa scooter club and some of us for 25 years we ride around and socialize."

He: "I have Irish twins, a boy and a girl who are 5 and 6."

THANK YOU TO THE THREE RIDERS WHO GAVE ME THESE EXTRA BILLS

 Albania, Poland, and the Euro bill.

I PICKED PEOPLE UP THIS MONTH FROM: Ukraine, India, Venezuela, Senegal, Mexico, Peru, United Kingdom, Philippines, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Columbia, Abkhazia, 

I DROVE PEOPLE WITH THESE UNIQUE OCCUPATIONS: 

Plasma Physicist            Former political reporter                  Nuclear Pharmacist

In Radioactive Waste Management           Energy Developer                   911 Operator

Practicing Chinese Medicine for 20 years            Operations person for IT company in India

Professor of Aerospace Engineering          Commercial Transportation Director

Project Manager Chicago University         Grant writer           Human Resources for QVC 

Private Chef Business in the Outer Banks    Marketing Director for Art Museum

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT ME AND MY CAR:

Therapist: "I went out for pizza and I came back with the meaning of life. This is your superpower, you're giving people a rare experience."

"Thank you for starting my day on a sunshiny note."

"Honored to be part of the 17,000 plus passengers! Keep spreading joy!

I said to them, "You got a vacation in Hawaii." He replied, "Yeah, but I don't have a museum in my car."

"Are you a big time traveler?"

"You get to see the different slices of life."

As I was talking to her she thought, "This guy should write a book."

"This is a great way to wake up in the morning."

"You're passing on the good."

"I love your passion."

"The world needs more kindness."

"Thank you for sharing so much."

"This could be a showcase car."

"Definitely an experience."

"I appreciate you, you have everything here."

"I know this was going to to be an excellent ride as soon as you pulled up."

"This is a beautiful thing."

"I love your car."

"Your car is amazing."

"Glad you enjoy what you do."

"This was the most enjoyable ride."

"This was amazing, incredible, a unique experience, a pleasure."

"I really appreciate you, you're really cool."

"Thank you for the stories."

"You're the most memorable driver I've ever had."

"You are very entertaining."

"You're a sweetheart."

 Looking at the mannequin, she said, "She has a compelling gaze."

"You're living your best life."

"You made this fun."

"Very inspiring that you've been married 43 years."

"You I trust."

"You're the best."

"This was a wonderful ride."

"I really enjoyed this, it was the coolest Uber I've ever been in."

"This was the most unique Uber I've ever been in."

"This is crazy."

Wild.