by Donna Swagerty Shreve
Being the mother of four and a stay-at-home housewife, Mom was always trying to save money. After her white blonde hair had turned to a light brown, she splurged and started going to a hairdresser to return to her blonde self from when she first got married. She considered the service a luxury yet it made her feel so much better when she did.
In 1959, Dad and Mom had decided to take the long ride up to Ureka from Stockton to visit Dad’s grandmother on his mother’s side. Ida Palmer Aldrich was a force of nature even in her later years. She had strict standards and expected all in her family to conform to her standards.
Mom’s next hair appointment was scheduled to happen after the trip and Mom felt she needed a refresher sooner so she would look her best for the visit. Her roots were showing and it would give away her indulgence at the hair dresser. Mom’s brother Ronnie had married Lorraine who felt she was quite good with hair. She changed her hair on a regular basis and felt she could do Mom’s hair and save her so much money.
Mom readily agreed and they set up in our home’s kitchen. Lorraine used the usual techniques she used on her own hair. What Lorraine did not know was that Mom’s hair was dyed as it was not that far off the color sought. Lorraine stripped Mom’s hair with a bleach type substance and then tried dyeing it the wanted color. Mom’s reacted by showing two different very different shades of color. The older hair came out bright orange like one you’d see on a clown’s wig. The newer hair was a much different color that I can not remember because it was difficult to get beyond the bright orange. Her hair also had a different texture. The orange section had the consistency of straw. There was no way not to notice. It was quite hideous.
Mom was horrified and Lorraine was so apologetic. Mom did not want to upset Lorraine but it was hard to hide her horror. Lorraine quickly packed up her materials, said her apologies one more time and left. In desperation, Mom called her usual hair dresser and explained what had happened and how she needed help before the trip that was just a day away. The hair dresser agreed to meet Mom after hours at the salon and redid her hair and hid most of the damage. She explained to Mom what had happened to create the orange color and how Mom’s hair never needed to be bleached.
We took the long trip to visit my great grandmother and it was the last trip we took we before she died at age 91 in 1965. Fortunately for me, I had some one-on-one time with my great grandmother which I will save for another story. Mom learned a valuable lesson about trying to save money. Mom continued with that hair dresser until the hair dresser retired. She had become a friend and had truly save the day.
522 words
1/27/23
Swagerty-Aldrich Family Web Site 