I’ve only had one haircut since the pandemic began, and that was when my late husband and I cut one another’s hair.
So my hair is looking as sad as I am.
I’m reminded of Mammy Yokum from the Li’l Abner comic strip, which was about white countryfolk, and the line my family always quoted when we had particularly bad hair. Somebody in the Li’l Abner strip said Mammy looked like a floor mop, to which the fierce little woman replied, rolling up her sleeves:
Did yo’ say ‘flo’ mop’, dearie?
In my case, I think flo’ mop pretty well covers it.
This post is part of Linda G. Hills weekly blog hop, One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner or just like them, follow the link.
A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: Write about bad hair.
MA
Teagan Riordain Geneviene
January 13, 2021 at 9:18amCome on now, Marian. Can you imagine what horror I was expecting after that intro? LOL. For that matter, the horror that faces me every time I look in the mirror. o_O If you want to frighten us, you’ll have to try harder to look scary. 🙂
This is the perfect time to do fun things with hair. I put a raspberry (pink-red) tint on mine last week. Just temporary. It’s not as though anyone will see it. And it’s fun.
Take good care of you. Hugs on the wing!
Marian Allen
January 13, 2021 at 12:44pmThat’s a great idea, Teagan! I want to look like a fairy!
Barbara Barnard Greer
January 13, 2021 at 12:06pmGet daring, Marian! Color up with a rinse. Fancy up with a bow. Or, get brave and cut your own like I do. I bet one of the girls will PPE up and cut your hair for you. Fluff up your hair, smile ’cause this isn’t a scare party. LOL Love ya, BBG
Marian Allen
January 13, 2021 at 12:45pmI’ve been trying to work up the nerve to cut my own. Sara cut her own, and it looks adorable! What’s the best rinse for an odd color?
John Holton
January 13, 2021 at 3:16pmMammy Yokum had a pompadour, didn’t she?
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:02amShe did, indeed. But strict parallelism never bothered my family if a good quote was in play. 😀
RAAckerman@Cerebrations.biz
January 13, 2021 at 4:03pmAs soon as our pandemic rules loosened, I got me to the barbershop. 120 days was a bit much.
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:07amI don’t pay attention to the rules; I watch the numbers. Our county is a red zone, and was never what I would call safe. Not safe enough to sit in a room this close to other people who are shouting over the hair dryers. I’d rather be sad than intubated.
acflory
January 13, 2021 at 4:17pm-grin- Like Teagan says, you have to do better than that! No near scary enough. 😀 I’ve been wearing my hair in a ponytail since about June. In December I asked the Offspring to just cut if ‘straight’. I now have a bob of sorts that I still wear in a teeny tiny ponytail on the really hot days. I’m sure I look like a fright, but who’s going to see? -hugs-
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:09amNot many people see me, it’s true. I did braids today. It made me think of the times I grew my hair out for Locks of Love. When I was sitting with my Grandpa while Mom was in the hospital/therapy after her stroke, he asked me once who that “little gal who’s here at night” was. It was me, with my hair in braids for the night. 🙂
acflory
January 14, 2021 at 4:00pmI like braids! Haven’t had hair long enough for decades though. I may let my hair grow out again for winter and give ’em a go. 🙂
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 4:12pmMy hair isn’t really long enough, but I start high and work my way down my head, picking up bits as I go. It looks damn funny, but it gets my hair out of my face.
acflory
January 14, 2021 at 4:31pmAh hah! I’m afraid I don’t have the patience for such careful work. My pony tail must look incredibly silly but it’s quick and easy. 😀
Marian Allen
January 15, 2021 at 8:39amCareful work? Careful? A-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAA! 😀
acflory
January 15, 2021 at 4:50pmlmao :p All things are relative m’dear!
Dan Antion
January 13, 2021 at 7:35pmYou’re not scary yet – you got a long way to go. I’ve been getting mine cut less frequently than before. I have to hack away at the hair where it gets under my glasses. I don’t really care what it looks like anymore,
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:11amYeah, I do keep the bangs out of my eyes. Here’s another comic quotation Mom used that’s probably more appropriate to my current style: “You look like Gravel Gertie.” Remember Gravel Gertie? Bonus points if you remember the comic she was in.
Dan Antion
January 14, 2021 at 9:36amI do remember Gravel Gertie, and my mom often described people as looking like her – mom was a fan of Dick Tracy 😉
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:44amGive that man his bonus points! 😀
joey
January 13, 2021 at 7:54pmI wake up with worse hair every single day, and I see worse hair aplenty, but that is the saddest Marian I have ever seen 🙁
& HUGS
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:15amI am a sad Marian, indeed. Being out and about and seeing friends would probably help, but no can do. At least I had the first few months of the pandemic holed up with my best friend. I’ll just remember that. <3 Some poor folks don’t have that.
joey
January 14, 2021 at 7:15pmSo true. I really feel for people who are isolated and alone — like you <3 Am glad daughters drop in. What a thing it will be when we can enjoy others again.
Marian Allen
January 15, 2021 at 8:42amI’m old enough to be eligible for a vaccine now, so that’s going to happen. I’ll still have to be careful so I don’t carry an infection from Person A to Person B, but I’ll bet I’m not the first writer to say, “Hmmmm. There’s a story idea in there….”
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
January 14, 2021 at 9:34amI always cut my own – have for so many years I can’t remember the last time a salon in New Jersey did it, and we’ve been in California for over two years now. That picture on my blog is what it looks like. Lately I’ve stopped bothering, and it’s getting longer – it’s a couple inches past the collarbone – because I just don’t seem to have the mental energy.
It’s a learnable skill, probably easier when you don’t keep it too short. I have a bit of a natural wave when I don’t dry it, and that covers up mistakes, I’m sure.
Hang in there. Hot spots or not, you can expect the vaccine in a few months – once enough of us have it, things will get better.
Had my first covid test yesterday – the facility nurse called and asked to come up and do it; the alternative was 10 days of isolation! She poked too hard, then called to say we were both negative, but the whole experience was fraught, and of course they won’t tell you who or in what circumstances you might have been possibly exposed!
You’re the first to know: I’m the featured writer on Wellness dot come (http://writingandwellness.com/2021/01/13/featured-writer-on-wellness-alicia-butcher-ehrhardt/) and that photo is a lot more recent! I’d forgotten I was on Colleen Story’s blog today.
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 9:43amOooo, your hair is GORGEOUS!
So glad your COVID test was negative. Stay safe.
I’ll be over to Colleen’s blog to read your article. Any of your writing is always well worth reading.
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
January 14, 2021 at 10:00amThanks – it takes a bit of work, but the timing is perfect: when I have the energy, right after a shower (so the cut hair clumps).
One of our 90-year-old and over independent living residents is a gifted (and modest) amateur photographer. I asked, and she kindly walked around outside with me and took a bunch of pictures of which ONE turned out well enough for the article. Marion is a doll, and sharp as a modern needle, and walks rings around me on Maggie.
I don’t do many interviews, but Colleen has been very kind, so when she asked AND gave me free rein, I was grateful to her for the opportunity. You know how much I love talking!
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 10:28amI know what a beautiful writer you are; I can only imagine how marvelous it would be to visit with you in person!
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
January 14, 2021 at 3:06pmThe beautiful people live in my head; me, I’m ordinary.
We should get together by zoom or Facetime some time, if you’re open to a visit.
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 4:08pmI don’t want to take any of your energy or time. I would feel guilty. 🙂 <3
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
January 14, 2021 at 5:16pmLet’s do it some day soon anyway – we’re losing people all the time, and I’d rather not have regrets!
circadianreflections
January 14, 2021 at 10:25amI’m in your boat, Marian. It’s been a year yesterday since I was at the salon getting my coiffure put in shape and it was a pixie then. Now, with trimming it myself I’ve got sort of a lob\bob. Your hair looks fine even even all around! You do look sad though.
Time to find a headband or bow or something and cheer up your hair and you too! 😀💃🏻
Marian Allen
January 14, 2021 at 10:31amI have clip to pull my hair back and easy-on-the-hair elastic thingies to make braids and pony tails, but my hair lies flat when I pull it back; I might as well shave my head. I’ve had a pixie cut since I stopped growing my hair out for harvest. I miss the layers. Ah, well, the time will return.