Still–Tom would come home with these pretty basic cuts.  I knit, sew, and make all manner of things.  I’d cut hair in the past, with happy results.  Finally one day I looked at Tom with his fresh Rudy’s coif, and said, “Babe, I could totally do that.”  So I got a haircutting kit at the local drugstore (on sale for $25), with tolerable shears, a cape, and a buzz-clipper with various attachments.  I’ve been cutting Tom’s hair for a few years now, and he’s never looked better (if I may say so myself).

Tom admires his new cut, reflected in the chrome clippers.

And does Tom cut my hair?  Yeah, um, no.  Definitely not.  But when I see my haircutter Missy, I make sure to show up early for my appointment and watch her technique.  I ask her for advice about how to deal with…what shall we call it?  Tom’s growing “sunscreen hole” (as Claire affectionately says).  And the advice is freely given.

Cutting hair is not for everyone.  Yes, it’s “just hair,” but it grows right out of our bodies, and is curiously connected with our sense of self.  Bad haircuts are not tragedies, but it is nice to avoid them whenever possible.  But if you are clever with your hands, a bit crafty, have a good eye, and perhaps have someone to advise you in the art, and if your “cut-ee” is thoroughly willing, then why not try cutting your family’s hair at home?  It saves money, is rollicking fun, the tips are great, and it’s one more step to happy self-sufficiency.

There are lots of tutorials online.  This little video is sort of dorky, but it’s pretty much exactly how I cut Tom’s hair.

Thanks to Claire who took all the photos for this post!