Red Hat Ladies?

  The arrival of the "Red Hat Ladies" is an assurance that Fall is here.  Not to be confused with the lovely ladies of the organization of the same name, the "ladies" to which I refer are flowers.  The Coast is covered with the bobbing heads of the flowers which have a tendency to pop up unexpectedly in the oddest of places.  One never knows where there will be a splash of red (and sometimes pink or yellow.) Ditches, fields, well-manicured lawns, woods and, lo and behold, even flower gardens can be blessed with the sudden beauty of the lilies.  

  These lovely flowers can go by the name of Guernsey Lilies, Nerine Lilies or the common names of  "Red Hat Ladies" and "Naked Ladies". The latter is due to the fact that when the flowers bloom, they have no leaves thus being quite bare.  Since the cluster of blooms have been said to resemble a lady's hat, it was assumed that was all she wore! The name "Naked Lady" stuck and now when some stranger to the area overhears locals referring to the blooms, they might be in for quite the shock.  Just imagine overhearing the following conversation!  

"Hey, the Naked Ladies are here so I guess Fall has come." 

"Do you mean the Red Hat Ladies?"

 "Yep, did you see Old George's field?  There must have been a thousand of them out there in all their glory!" 

 "Nah, I'll have to drive over and take a look.  That must be some sight!" 

 "It sure is.  They are all out there waving those hats around like crazy!" 

  Needless to say, Old George's field might become the gathering place for a lot of fellows hoping to catch a glimpse!  Won't they be in for a surprise when all they find are happy flowers gently blowing in the breeze.

  It always makes me happy to find the "Red Hat Ladies" bobbing their hats in the soft Bay breezes.  Fall is here and Old Man Winter is just around the corner!