June 3 was a Red Letter Day for hair

Photos above: Me, after appointment; masked stylist Amy Bowe and me; the wild hair.

It took more than three months but a Red Letter Day arrived on June 3 with my hair appointment at Smiles, a beauty salon in Eldridge, Iowa.

I couldn't wait to get this mop cut off!

Hair? Essential services? One and the same in the minds of many, many women.

Every woman I spoke to the last few weeks knew exactly what I was talking about. For example, while shopping earlier this week I mentioned I was busy on Wednesday "getting my hair done." The store owner was enthused: "My appointment is June 9!" she replied.

I was on time June 3 and carried a mask into Smiles, where I have gone for the last two years. Salon owner Nikki Tuftee had fielded my call many days ago, and noted the earliest open appointment was Wednesday.

Tuftee and stylist Amy Bowe both wore masks at my visit. The salon was sparkling clean and had a central station for hand sanitizer and masks. I could see several improvements on site. Client chairs were located at opposite sides of the salon.

My hair is very thick, coarse, and pretty darn grey. I'm still getting it colored, and plan to continue that practice for the next several years. There is so much hair that I look like one of the Three Stooges in humid weather.

My last appointment was March 1 and the salons subsequently closed across the nation. I muddled through that interim, coloring my own hair and trimming bangs.

It was with great relief that I met my new stylist, Amy, and settled into the salon for a transformation. According to Amy and Nikki, business is steady. A steady stream of female customers came to the salon, one at a time.

"Tell me we're not an essential service," Nikki said, shortly before she helped another client rid herself of "COVID" hair.