This is the West

When people talk about "the West" they're not usually talking about California, but we are in fact pretty far west out here, and glamorous Hollywood images aside, there are plenty of folks who live and breathe Western style.

This very nice and very patriotic lady sells handmade toys and needlework at our farmers' market, and she always has the greatest hats. She seemed pleased when I asked if I could photograph her in this one, an enormous cowboy-style hat covered with buttons and pins. She took it off to show me the ones on the back, then put it back on for the picture.

Click the image to see it blown up – and I'll send a special prize to the first person who can identify the person on the button peeking out from behind the brim.