Did I Miss a Hair Appointment?

With the wild and wooly winter weather we have had in the past months, my thoughts have gone to old familiar places.  Let's start with one of the new catch phrases that has come out of Covid.  This actually applies to all women (and I am sure some men - not trying to be sexist, God Forbid!)  The Speaker of the House made headlines for it.  Okay ladies, you know what I mean . . . "Essential Services".

I would certainly like to know who designates what is essential and what is not.   Obviously food and medical care are essential.  Electricity and other utilities are essential.  Police and Fire Departments and personnel are essential.  These are no brainers.  Eating out?  Definitely essential to those who own restaurants and are trying to hold onto their businesses.   

Who on God's green earth decided that seeing your hairstylist is NOT an essential service?!!?  No woman would ever designate a hair appointment as nonessential.  Definitely not a women who has crazy stripes going down the center of her head and/or gray hairs springing up everywhere to haunt her!  

It all takes me back - both the snow storms and the whole "essential services" debacle - to about 27 years ago.  We had plenty of warnings about severe snowstorms heading our way.  But, let's be honest.  How many times have you listened to a weather report, hunkered down for the big storm, got the kids excited about a probable snow day only to have the whole thing fizzle out.  Politicians and weathermen (and women) are the only professions I can think of off the top of my head, where you can perform your job incredibly and outrageously poorly (not sure that is grammatically correct, but you get my drift) and get paid to do it!  And sometimes a lot of money for a long time!j

Well 27 years ago, we got those warnings.  My husband (silly man) suggested that I stay home.  Is he crazy?  I had a hair appointment scheduled!  My usual routine for hair appointments is that I go along for significant periods of time and suddenly wake up one morning with unruly, uncolored and impossible hair!  I don't know when it snuck up on me, or if there are evil elves that play games with my head in the middle of the night, but there you have it.  I had an appointment and I could not and would not miss it!

So, I set off to the salon which was 45 minutes away with at least two kids in tow.  I got there, got my hair done and noticed some snow as I left the salon.  Okay, maybe it was a little more than some snow, but I could handle it.  Doc had made me take his truck with four wheel drive "just in case".  The snow got heavier as I got closer to home, but no big deal, until . . .  I was only a mile from home and had to come to a complete stop.  The snow had drifted across the road in front of me and it was as high as the truck.  I was not going to admit my error or defeat, so I turned around and headed to the road south of our house.  It was like I was in a different world.  Not a snowflake on the road!  And then I turned up our road and to our driveway.  I was staring at snowdrifts that were no less than six feet tall.  I actually had difficulty locating the driveway. 

So, I called Doc and told him there was no way to get 1/4 of a mile up the drive.  From his vantage point in the warm cozy house it looked fine and I was exaggerating.  I was given instructions to put the truck in four wheel drive, back up a little and gun the engine!  OKAY, even though I disagreed, I did as I was told.   Two days later, when the farmers pulled the truck out of the middle of the farm field that I buried it in, I finally stopped saying "I told you I couldn't make it!"  Doc has never stopped reminding me of that day every time we get a storm.  

You know, if I had to do it again, I would.  I am thankful that God is there to help me out of some of the messes I get into.  I just wish he would help politicians and weathermen(women) do a better job so I could trust them a little more.  Enjoy the season, God gives us snow, rain, warmth and cold all in due season.  No matter what the weather, remember to stay humble.  Have a beautiful week.