Catching Up

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A friend and colleague in the Philippines sent me this picture the other day after I had asked about the process of getting a hair cut over there. The place where one goes for a haircut in the Philippines is called a “parlor” where haircuts, pedicures, manicures, facials, and a variety of hair treatments are available — along with this treatment, whatever it might be! I wonder if she’s strapped down by that big orange band to make sure she doesn’t run away? Anyhow, the picture was too good to pass up without passing it along.

The Utah Jazz are in the process of loosing game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. I’ve got the game on TV in the computer room with the sound turned down low mostly for noise. It’s turned quite chilly and there’s a frost warning out for tonight. My boss complained today that she had put her tomato plants out too early and she needed to bring them back in tonight. We haven’t even bought the tomato plants, yet! But Nina has the garden bed all ready for them.

Last week we were in North Salt Lake and after Church on Sunday we’ll drive down to spend the night and the Monday Memorial holiday. We’ll go to the cemetery on Sunday afternoon to put some flowers on Trevor’s grave. The cemetery will be awash with flowers and remembrances. It’s worthy of some pictures. Maybe my little Sony point and shoot will be back from the repair center by then?? One can only hope.

The picture reminded me of the haircuts in Japan. I really enjoyed getting a haircut over there. The barbershop was not far from our house and over the three years we were in Japan, the barber got to know me fairly well. He spoke no English and my Japanese was limited, but that didn’t get in the way. The normal haircut included getting shaved (literally everywhere on my head and neck where hair was not supposed to be) preceded by several hot towels. Then came he haircut followed by a head and upper body massage, more hot towels, and lotions designed to sooth and smooth the skin. All this for about $50. I’d expect the same treatment here (if I could find it) would be significantly more expensive. So, I go to Great Cuts for Hair on senior citizen Wednesday so I can get my few remaining hairs cut for $6.00. No fancy stuff … just five minutes and I’m done and that’s good enough for me.