I thoroughly enjoyed this piece about your mother's hair, Janis. My stepmom was similar. Although not a vain person, she was a court reporter and had a very narrow view of what was an acceptable appearance for court. She went to the hairstylist every week to create a beehive on top of her head. She thought her look was sooo professional!

After she sold her business and no longer had to be seen in courtrooms, she stopped going to the salon, except for the occasional cut. It was such a shock to see her with straight, barely-combed hair that was gray, rather than her signature chesnut-brown. I could never get used to her new unkempt look.