“I'll have what she's having”
Photo Credit: Pinpple.com
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I went red last week. Something I never do; a spur-of-the-moment decision made the minute I stepped into the beauty salon.
“Hey, I'm running just a few minutes behind, are you good to wait?”
I slowly finished what was left of my sandwich, trying to look interested in my iPad, while stealing side-glances at the hair of the woman who sat in the chair I was about to occupy.
Could it be? Could I just have stumbled upon someone with the perfect shade of red? The one color that seems ever elusive when it comes to getting it
just right
Over the years, I've logged many miles in the salon chair, have colored my ends folded over bathroom sinks, attempted highlights in the middle of the night when I should have been studying for college exams, and root touch-ups at a girlfriend's house after a little too much wine.
I've had pixies, bobs, perms, all one color, stripes, straight, and long hair tangling in hot-rollered waves down my back. A rich autohairography or triumphs and failures
Photo Credit: IHappyYouHappy.com
“I never do this, but I have to say I absolutely love your color.”
“Ahh .. thank-you so much. It's been one of my favorites.”
“Forgive me for asking, but is there any sort of hair etiquette that I should know of because I'm about to ask if I can copy yours?”
She smiled
“I mean, I promise not to stand right next to you if we run into each other at the grocery.”
She laughed
It never fails to surprise me, this hair journey. Over the years I've had girlfriends who are fiercely protective of their hair; they're “like this” with the hairdresser, and have memorized their custom color shade; level 7 with hints of copper and gold
They don't veer; they can't be swayed
Same cut, same color; forever and ever, amen
When it comes to hair, I've never been a forever and ever, amen, kind of person.
Though admittedly, there have been seasons of restlessness when I've wanted to be. Looking for a bit of comfort instead of to the things within my control. In the unchanging level 7, with hints of copper and gold, a signature lip gloss or scent
I'm reminded of the old cliché that it shouldn't mean anything. It's just hair. But when it goes awry, I realize in more ways than one, that it kind of means everything
We pray our children will remember their roots. We read the latest news knowing history always repeats itself. Old friends look us up, and we remember the pacts we made as kids ice-skating on a frozen river to
never to change
There can be comfort in the unchanging
Though there can also be freedom in the shift
Photo Credit: MovieSpotParty.com
“Oh, no Loves; what have I done?”
“It's fine; your hair is fine.”
“In the bathroom, it looks orange.”
“It's fine; the whole thing is fine.”
“But in the bedroom it's .. idk .. is it pink?”
“It's not pink; it's just fine.”
“It'll fade, surely it will fade after a few washes?”
“It's fine; your hair is just fine.”
I have a girlfriend who fast-tracked to become a manager at the company she worked for. Winning people over with her quick wit and engaging spirit. But there was a time when also she realized a part of herself was starting to dim because what she truly wanted was to open a yoga studio
Her level 7 with hints of copper and gold, was management. It was her signature. Certainly she was successful, and liked it enough, but no longer felt she was being true to her soul
Photo Credit: Unknown
“Don't surrender all of your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn't true anymore” ~ Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
— —
I saw a picture of her the other day, with a huge smile in front of a class she was teaching, at her own studio. Her always blond hair; now brunette.
It's a new color for her, and I couldn't help but wonder if she too was jarred, even just a little bit when she got home. If the hue caused her grief in the morning as she brushed her teeth at the bathroom sink while her kitty played in the water, looking up to see a brunette staring back
I wonder if, a few days and a few washes later, she thought
“Huh, I could get pretty used to this”
Early August, when summer produce season is at its high point, is the perfect time to enjoy cucumbers in as many ways as possible.
These, straight from my parent's garden, made the lightest and most refreshing of salads.
Mixed with onion and sea salt and then chilled, the cucumbers take on a slightly softened, yet crisp texture. They're a great side, either on their own or on top of a bed of greens
Enjoy!
xoxo
ps: Related from food52 .. The Secret to a Not-Bland Cucumber Salad
— — —
~ Adapted from Martha Stewart
Cucumber and Dill Salad
Ingredients
- 3 medium cucumbers, peeled and very thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 tsp sea salt + more to taste
- 2 Tbsp white or red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
Instructions
- Toss cucumber and onion slices in a large colander with 2 tsp sea salt. Place the colander over a bowl to catch draining liquid and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. The cucumbers will shrink considerably as the salt releases their moisture.
- Rinse cucumbers and onions under cold running water to rinse off the salt. Set aside to drain thoroughly, about 20 minutes.
- Toss drained cucumber and onion with wine vinegar, dill and a pinch of salt, if desired. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours more until ready to serve.
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