Monday Musings: Birds, Bobs, and a Television I Can Tolerate
We’ve been in Vancouver for a week now, and it’s been exactly the kind of break I needed. My daughter and I escaped to the forest one day, and I soaked up every minute of it. There’s something about being among the trees that settles me almost immediately, and whenever I’m up here, I try to get as much of that as I can. We breathed in the cool air, listened to the birds, and used the Merlin app to figure out which birds were making all the noise.
I also got my hair cut into a bob. Which I haven’t worn since probably my late forties or early fifties.
My hairdresser here in Vancouver is very careful and precise, which is important because when your hair is thinning, every strand matters. A few careless snips can take months to recover from so I can’t go to someone who’s casual about that.
We talked through all of it…my face shape, hair texture, the thinning, and what might actually help, instead of just sounding promising in the chair. At one point, I told him I didn’t want to look like Little Lord Fauntleroy. He looked vaguely confused, and that’s when I realized the reference may have expired with my generation.
For years, I’ve added layers in hopes of creating more volume. This time, we did the opposite. He cut it blunt, straight across, so you don’t see through the ends as much. He only took off about two inches, but it feels like a completely different approach. I’m still playing with it, but I think I love it. Or at the very least, I’m not standing in front of the mirror feeling like my hair looks straggly. We briefly chatted about going even shorter but I chickened…maybe next time.
We also did something this week that I don’t think we’ve done in more than 24 years. We bought a television.
I realize that sounds completely unremarkable, but it felt strangely significant to me.
I grew up in a house where the TV was broken for a long stretch. The screen didn’t work, so I remember sitting on the floor as a little girl listening to Bewitched and trying to figure out what that funny little sound was. I knew Samantha was twitching her nose, but I couldn’t actually see it. Eventually, the television got fixed, and we’d watch Star Trek together as a family on Sunday nights, but that was about it. My parents read. I read. Television was never the center of our home.
The TV we have in California was handed down to us by our son about 15 years ago, when he upgraded and realized we didn’t even own a smart TV. That tells you pretty much everything.
So walking into a store and actually choosing one together felt deeply out of character. I cared less about the technology than I did about how it would look on the wall. I didn’t want a giant black rectangle looming over the room like a modern monument to poor decorating choices, so we chose a Frame TV. I suspect I’ll appreciate it even more once I can make it pretend to be art.
Which is apparently what happens when your design preferences finally overpower your lifelong indifference to television.
My daughter and I also spent some time browsing the Sephora sale in person. I don’t know if this is universal, but every Sephora I walk into has the same overpowering smell. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t enjoy being sold products I already know I don’t want, which is why I usually prefer shopping online. But it was more fun with my daughter because she has a much higher tolerance for retail chaos than I do. The place was packed, and I was reminded very quickly why I like to click “add to cart” from the privacy of my own home. Still, I did manage to replace a few things. You can see my other favorites in this post.
So that’s been my week: forest air, a new haircut, and discovering I apparently do have opinions about televisions after all.
I love the new haircut! 👍
The new haircut looks great!
I think your hair looks chic and beautiful! I love it and your style.
Your hair looks so much better
Jennifer- I love your new cut, but then I always admire your hair. I have worn a bob for too many years to count, yes probably since the days of perms!
I get your adventure in the forest. We are headed to the southern OR coast tomorrow. It is where we find peace and relaxation.
I enjoy your sense of humor.
Be well!
Your new hairdo looks great. I too have thinning hair and your minoxidil oral has slowly been helping. Thank you for that. What’s left of mine is curly. A daily barometer 🙁 It looks best with a blow out but if there is any humidity it’s a waste of time. So I go curly most of the time.
We leave next week for Japan and a cruise from Tokyo ultimately landing in Seattle. Packing is proving to be a challenge. We’ll be walking quite a bit in Kyoto and rain? Then on the cruise dressing up a bit most nights. On to Alaska where it may be wet and cold. Trying to pack light? That ship is sailing fast.
Have a fabulous trip Cristi!
Great new haircut!
Sounds to me like you had an awesome week, spent with family and that is what’s most important. I, too, have a very low tolerance for shopping malls and crowded stores. Add to cart works best for me.
Love the haircut! You look great and youthful! I have a similar haircut but a darker version. My problem is I have a colic at the back top that splits my hair and seems to be coming out more since my hair is thinning. I have to tease it a little to cover up the split. That part I do not like. Any suggestions?
I do not…ladies, any ideas?
Love love your haircut. A keeper!
Love your new hair cut!
Sounds as if you had a lovely week, for sure! Well, perhaps with the exception of your Sephora trip. Jennifer, I love the Bob haircut on you! And yes, it’s does make your hair look thicker. My husband and I bought a “smart” TV three years ago and just now feel we know how to operate it. Things change so quickly these days!
Have a great week, Jennifer
I remodeled my kitchen recently and my main request was a frame tv. I love it ! Also your new haircut is fabulous
I love the bob! It looks very good on you. Very youthful!
The stinky Sephora must be a universal thing. I’m on the East Coast and I’ve given up on going in person to a Sephora. I can’t bear the overwhelming, perfume-y smell. My local Athleta did a renovation and the first time I walked in, I had to walk out for the same reason. Luckily there’s another Athleta not far that does not pump out scent into the store and I will only go to that one.
The Best Buy where we bought our TV smelled almost as bad! I didn’t know they pumped out the scent. It makes sense. I thought it was a result of what’s on the shelves!
Haircut looks great- ✅
Forest bathing is a thing. I am lucky to have my own 100 acre wood.😉☺️
You are so lucky
Hi Jennifer, I do love your Monday Musings! I also have fine, thinning hair and will be going on Thursday for a cut. I had let my hair grow a bit in preparation for a trip to New Zealand and Australia – I wanted to be able to put it up because of the warm temperatures. But now it’s time to go back to a bob; last cut I told my hairdresser I wanted to grow out the layers, and this cut should complete that mission. Your hair looks great!
Thanks. I have several more cuts before all the front layers are gone. Hopefully I don’t get impatient.
Great hair cut. Looks beautiful on you.
I can understand your feelings about television, I have a television which isn’t connected to the internet or satellite dish, I use it to watch DVD’s, I don’t like the offerings from the broadcast channels here in the UK, I like nature programmes and occasional topical broadcasts, some of which I can watch on Netflix.
There is so much more to do than watch TV, read a book, go for a walk, sewing, knitting, gardening, spending time with family and friends. There is far more to life than spending every evening watching television.
Love your hair! I’m in the same boat as you with fine, thinning straight hair and in the process of growing out layers. It is not for the faint of heart. We bought a canvas TV last week and love the art. I hope you enjoy yours. It brings so much interest to the room.