Anna And Claire’s Hat

I have often mentioned how I am lucky enough to have the greatest barber in the galaxy providing me with tonsorial splendor here in Berthoud. Anna Kaye Martinez-Hernandez. She works out of the Rustic Rose Beauty Lounge right there by the Berthoud Post Office.

During the hour plus hair-care event every month I get to do a little astral projecting while Anna goes to work on the beard.

In between visits I do not trim the beard because I so enjoy the experience of Anna chipping away like Michelangelo on David.

But before she gets to the beard, I spend the first half hour upright in that old school barber chair, while she slowly and carefully buzzes, shaves and then massages my chrome dome with her homemade essential oils.

Note, this is not the first time an Anna was involved with a bald headed man with an earring.

But given that movie came out the year I was born, it’s time another Anna gets the spotlight.

Over the two plus years I have been sitting in that chair as her regular customer, she has also provided invaluable services as a therapist and confidant. Anna knows all of the secrets.

But Anna has always been a reader so, of course she has read my novels – each inscribed – and even read WTLLM as part of the inner circle that enjoyed it as it developed.

Anna is also one of the chosen few that has received one of the inscribed limited editions of The Claire Trilogy (before it grew into The Claire Saga) cap. Made famous in the opening photo by Claire herself.

I also have one that I will wear on occassion.

There are a few still in existence floating around on heads in different parts of the country. Indeed, some have made their way across borders and overseas. But I will leave that for another blog.

You see, Anna has taken her hat with her on a Alaskan cruise, where she has wisely donned her cap strategically to establish the backstory. And provide some clues.

You see, after establishing that she went on an Alaskan cruise, she sent me this cryptic photo.

Was this a Rorschach test? Or a ransom demand?

It does suggest that the hat (and maybe Anna) has(ve) been kidnapped and is/are being held for ransom somewhere in Alaska.

I feel somewhat responsible. After all, I can see how some Alaskan desperado would spot the now famous headdress and decide to make a move on the open Alaskan seas. Or worse, if they recognize Anna from my earlier blogs, they could be torturing her for all of the secrets we have shared in that Barber chair. Anna is a vault. She would take my secrets across the veil. A Barber’s Oath!

I just hope Anna has come to no harm during the adventure.

I still have three hats – one red, one white, one blue. So they can keep the hat.

But Anna is irreplaceable. I mean, who else can change me back into human form before that last week of September when I must engage the public in book related events?

Well, given the spotty communication lines between here and our northernmost state, it will take me some time to get to the bottom of this. I will leave no stone unturned until Anna (and her hat) are safely back in Berthoud.

Stay tuned.

Well, now I need to get back to reality.

You fine, five readers get your skates on and attack the hump. Wave at Friday in the distance.

I’m going to cuddle some kitties, make my rounds and contemplate Anna’s hat misadventure.

And if any of you happen to possess one of Claire’s Caps, tread carefully. They are a hot item.

But whatever we get up to, let us make today a great one.