writing

As I started my blog today, I was going to write about something else entirely. I started my tale by explaining my favorite coffee when my mind was catapulted to one of my favorite scenes from “You’ve got mail”. You know the scene…when Kathleen Kelly is at Starbuck’s laughing to herself remembering Joe Fox’s description of people feeling like they made a decision by ordering their coffee. (of course, she didn’t know it was Joe Fox and he didn’t know it was Kathleen, and oh….watch it again….so wonderful).

It was right then I realized that is was Nora Ephron and her lovely movies and screenplays that made me feel like I too could be something great. Ms. Ephron is one of the major reasons I began blogging. Whenever I feel I can’t do it, or don’t have anything to offer or contribute, I remember watching “Julie and Julia” and thinking (like Julie) “I could do a blog. Yeah…I can write”. The first time I watched “Sleepless in Seattle”, my husband got up from the couch, put out his hand, and started to dance with me. I never tire of “When Harry met Sally”. Every time I watch it I hear my father’s laugh, even when he’s not in the room. In fact I just introduced my 15 year old daughter to that movie last month.

Whenever I saw Ms. Ephron on T.V. doing an interview or read an article on her or by her, I felt like I was watching or listening to a friend. Yes, I know I am about to turn forty – I still believe that a little fairy dust goes a long way. She was funny and honest and articulate and intelligent, something I strive to be. All of her character’s resembled a part of me, or someone I knew.

The world has lost our beloved Nora, although she is never far away. Head on down to your local video store and you will find her there on the shelves ,waiting to share her stories.

Whenever I see a box of Chiclets I smell perm solution. Especially if I am lucky enough to come across the fruit flavored kind (I LOVED the purple Chiclets). I know what you are thinking….perm solution? Yes. Perm solution.

When I was a young girl I would stay with my grandmother in the summer. Every Thursday she would go to the hairdresser and then the grocery store. The salon had yellow leather chairs, hooded dryers as far as your eyes could see, Good Housekeeping magazines circa 1970 and the chatter of all the latest gossip and newest recipes. I was fascinated by all the pretty ladies who were doing everyone’s hair. Their nails were done, their hair just so, the coolest shoes (I was short so I tended to look at people’s feet, and am still obsessed with shoes). All the ladies getting their hair done were always getting perms. Hence the perm solution. The Chiclets…well, you see that was my treat. This was a big deal, my own pack of gum! I didn’t have to share if I didn’t want to. It was awesome. Especially because the boxes turned into musical instruments when emptied.

I realized today that my love affair with the hair industry began back then, watching my grandma relax and be pampered. It was probably the only time that happened for her. She was an amazing woman who always had time for everyone, be it a helping hand, a listening ear or her gentle smile. She always had a spring in her step after the hairdresser as we made our way to the grocery store. On the ride home, I would be in the back seat of her Cadillac, listening to her sing along to the radio, smiling down at my box of Chiclets and catching the lingering scent of perm solution.