Hairdresser

Back in the mid to late 80s my friend gave me a home perm. She had done this 10 years earlier so she knew that my hair was very thick and took a curl very quickly. She used a very gentle formula and left it in my hair for half the recommended time.



It was a disaster. It was so tight. I had to live with it for a week since I couldn't get an appointment any sooner. I went to Toni's beautician Connie and she did a wonderful job without cutting too much. I've been going to Connie ever since, following her ffrom shop to shop. Even after I moved to upstate NY, Connie was my choice. I' ve since moved to New Jersey, but I still make the 120 mile round trip to Woodhaven. I used to stop in and visit my friend Grace, but she died last winter, a few weeks short of her 89th birthday. I still make the trip every 6 to 8 weeks for my touch-up and trim or highlights.



I have now found another reason for this trip, There is this deli in Woodhaven, Manor Deli, a few blocks from Connie. This deli has been in the neighborhood forever and is the best. They are a little pricey, but so worth it. Yesterday I bought some clam chowder that was so thick, it was a meal. I also bought some shrimp salad where the shrimp pieces are about 1/2 inch. I remember Arthur Godfrey's commercial for Lipton's Chicken Noodle Soup. He said there were actual pieces of chicken, they didn't just walk through the soup. But I digress, the shrimp didn't just walk or swim through the salad, there are actual pieces.



Of course, I have to get my two cups of coffee for the ride. Yes, I must confess, I drink and drive. Another friend suggested that I use a straw. That way I never take my eyes off the road. I just reach for the cup, bring it up to my mouth.



Of course, there's another reason why I stay with Connie. I've had saleswomen compliment me on my hair. My friends do too. She gets the color right and the highlights are perfect. The only problem is that sometimes I wait too long before appointments and the gray is too obvious. But she does a great correction. She will often make styling suggestions.



In addition to being a good hairdresser, she's also a good person. She had gotten a new tenant in her house during last summer. In the fall, the tenant was laid off. Connie and her husband reduced her rent and when they go away, Connie pays her tenant to walk Connies dogs. She also works once a week at a nursing home and styles the patients' hair.



How could I give up such a great hairdresser. I've had my share of bad haircuts. I think the worst was when the girl cutting my bangs told me always gets nervous cutting bangs. She was afraid of poking me in the eye.



Connie is a gem and as long as I can drive, I'll make that 120 mile round trip every 6 to 8 weeks.