I'd rather be lucky.

My main project yesterday was to get a haircut. I didn't want just a haircut, I wanted a goooood haircut. I have never had a problem when Krl insists on returning to one particular stylist, and I have been pretty understanding when on rare occasions she has changed for one reason or another. Some people do "some things" good. Change style, and they might not be nearly as good.

For many years, I had my hair cut in Sweetwater by a man that was a few years my senior. We attended church together all our lives, I new his family, he knew mine. We were friends. Use to I would walk into an office where his daughter worked and she would look at me and say, "You need to go see my Daddy and get a haircut!" Usually I knew I was in need of a haircut, but couldn't resist the opportunity to spar with her. Eventually she would tell me, "My Dad is the best barber in town!" To which I would reply, "If he is so good, why does he have to do it over and over again!"

Over the twenty plus years he cut my hair, we developed an acquired level of trust. I didn't have to tell him what I wanted. I just sat in the chair. About the only thing he would ever ask was when sideburn styles changed if I wanted to change too. His shop was "old school". Hot warm towels, hot lather and a straight razor. His skill was being able to cut your hair where it looked good, even if you went past when you should have returned for another haircut.

This friend was the victim of a fatal accident long before his time. I miss Kenneth. Not only for his skill, but for his friendship and conversation.

For several years, I have been a man without a barber, so to speak. When I was at the jobsite, if I could get in with a local lady I would (she only cut hair a half day on Thursday and all day Friday). Other times I might be driving along and see a shop and just "drop in". When I was in Abilene I began to patronize a barber who was recommended by a dry cleaner we use. At that time there were two barbers there, but one has since quit. AC, the barber I used, would cut your hair and style it and it looked good! He didn't use the towels, hot lather and straight razor though. He said that was another service at another full charge! My problem was I could never duplicate his work at home. Once I wore a hat or cap, or once I showered, I was pursuing an elusive "styling". In addition, usually in two or three days, I looked like I needed a haircut! If you were going to the prom, a wedding or some other function you wanted to look good at, he was your kind of barber. About the past year it seemed like he had lost his rabbits foot and I wasn't really satisfied with his work. I would ask him to really give me a short haircut and I would receive his standard cut.

Yesterday when I left the house, I was intent on changing barbers. I made a big circle and was eliminating possibilities when I realized I was gradually circling and closing on AC's shop. I guess subconsciously, there is security in familiarity. I was blocks away from AC's shop, sitting at a traffic signal when I glanced to my left and saw a barber sign. I changed lanes, made the turn and pulled into the parking lot. I walked in to find five barber chairs, but manned with a single barber. I was suspicious about what I might have stumbled on to. The barber looked like a throw back to days gone by. He was wearing a crisp white barber smock. I didn't have to wait, I sat down in his chair straight away and he asked me what kind of cut I was wanting. I think it was much to his relief when I told him I needed shearing. Off my ears, out of my eyes, off my collar, sideburns mid-ear. I told him I couldn't always get to the barber shop regularly so I wanted it short. By the way, part it on the right! He went to work, and was very quiet. I began to talk to him and he gradually entered the conversation. It was almost amazing, he was familiar with where my seasonal work is at, and it turned out he knew many of the families I know. It seems he grew up in San Angelo and Wall. Conversation then turned to where I was raised and when I told him, he said I might know his uncle. The name didn't seem familiar, but I was thinking current residents, he began to talk about traveling to Roscoe when he was a child and visiting his cousins. When he mentioned his cousins name it turned out one cousin was a classmate of mine! Small world!

I like for a haircut to look nice, but I also like a haircut that feels good. I felt like I was going to be pleased with this mans work. It was about this time that he removed the barbers apron, I thought to clip the hair on my neck. You can imagine my surprise when he began to lather my neck with hot later! Next came the straight razor and that familiar sound as he perfected the "edge" with the razor strap. Across my neck he shaved, up and over the ear and finally the sideburn, to the other side repeating his ritual. There is something about a straight razor. This experience just kept getting better. Next came the moist hot towels! It was very relaxing. The next thing really took me back a long time. He had slipped on one of those old hand vibrators with the springs that attach it to the hands and he began to massage my neck and shoulders. That was a piece of heaven!

Best part is, my haircut appears to be excellent! I think when I get out of the shower, I can comb it and be out the door. That is great because I'm a wash and wear kind of a guy!

My computer is still suffering from hickups. None of this started until the ISP made some changes. I was a little suspect when the ISP strongly suggested their customers go to the Microsoft website and download all essential updates and patches available for our software. About three times during each computer session I have to shut down and reboot. There is some weird stuff going on!

I am taking on a new job. Going to do a little consulting. It is going to be different from anything I have done before. It is exciting. It could be from a few days to a few weeks or I guess as long as I am benefiting the business. I'm probably going to begin Tuesday, as Krl has a doctor appointment Monday. They have given my the flexibility of doing three days a week or doing half days six days a week. I think I may have to get my feet on the ground before I know what my schedule needs to be. Best part is, I can do this in addition to what I am doing!

Today's project, weather willing, is the yard. The front yard isn't in need like the back yard. I don't know why. All of the winter and spring fertilizer and chemical applications have been exactly the same. The only thing I can figure is the sprinkler heads are different. The front yard has the directional or full circle sprinklers, while the back yard has the large gear head rotating sprinklers. Anyhow, if I can do it, I'm going to scalp the yard!

Well, make it a good day and we'll take the next two off!

FATHER, help us not to get comfortable or to settle for familiarity. Expand us.