Just because. Not because it made sense. Not because there was a lot of forethought. Not because I'm going through mid-life crisis (I've done that). Just because...I was in Michael's buying paper stock for a project. Going through the checkout stand, I was waited on by a very nice woman with short red hair. I liked it. I complimented her on her hair and found myself saying, "I've never been a redhead. I think you've inspired me!"
An impulse was born. I ran the idea past Scott and the girls. My husband has always been supportive of my "hair-brained" ideas. The girls, on the other hand, gave me mixed reactions. Courtney just smiled and Kendall thought I was nuts, but said if I changed my hair color, I should be a brunette. (I've done that). I'm not sure why I asked for opinions. I had made up my mind walking out of Michael's. I called my hairdresser, Louise. I let her know at the next cut, it would be color time too - red! She asked me to send a photo of the color I had in mind. Do you know how many shades of redhead there are!! And every woman I saw online had alabaster skin too. I'm not so lucky, but knew I was going through with it anyway.
And so it was - on the day before Thanksgiving, I became a redhead. I came home a little in shock because of the drastic change, but Scott surveyed the new locks and gave his approval. The next morning, however, when I walked into the bathroom and saw myself in the mirror again, I was ready to speed to Safeway, buy a mousy brown color and douse the flames! But I didn't have time to change my hair color before we left for Thanksgiving dinner with family - and the unveiling of my new do. Frankly, the only person I was worried about was my 14 month-old grandson, Ben. If he ran away screaming, I might have to head for mousy brown before seeing him again! I passed the Ben test, although while feeding him, he was studying me very carefully. But then again, he's a cheerful, risk-taking little fellow (takes after his Nana B), demonstrated by the delight he got and gave as he pranced around the room with a plastic bowl on his head. He definitely upstaged me!
Other family members were wonderfully indulgent about the new look. My brother-in-law even told me I didn't look as tired! Thanks, Jon!
Today, I took pics of my new locks for the record. And if you're asking whether these photos have been retouched... You betcha! I use the same magic lens cream for my own photos that I do for others who wish to defy time a little longer.
I'm not sure how long this impulse will last, but for now - I'm color coordinated with my cat, Calvin. And as Jenny Joseph said in the last stanza of her poem about growing old:
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple. (Hair, just like my grandmother's). BonnieKingPhotography.com
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