All,

I was happily wearing my blue wig (generously donated to me by Southern Mom two years ago) all day Saturday. During Endymion, she was getting a bit loose, and before I knew it, she was off my head. So as not to be K screaming, “who took my wig? They’re NOT throwing them from the float!” I grabbed the head sock thingy and my wig and admitted defeat. DAMN.

I turned to CS aghast. My hair was slicked back and stuck–it’d been socked too many hours and I didn’t have a brush. CS could see my situation and lovingly and without hesitation offered me his knitted cap and traded for Ms. Blue Wig. Wow! To complete the ensemble, I gave him the pink boa I’d just caught off a float. All was well in the world. Endymion riders threw like it was the end of the world and everyone was happy. Did I mention CS had drank a bottle and a half of wine by himself by this point?

The parade ended, and we all go back to our friend’s house. CS, again, graciously and selflessly loaded the car with pots and beads and coats and ice chests and, oh, Ms. Blue Wig. We gave the pink boa to a friend visiting from D.C. I am sure that boa has stories to tell!!

Then Monday rolled around and we were heading out to Orpheus. And I realized Ms. Blue Wig was <gasp> MISSING!!!! ohmygod! This was awful! I searched my car and trunk, called Pete to see if it was in his truck–he’d driven our BBQ pit to and from the parade route, and called friends to see if it was with them (which I was adamant it WAS NOT). No one had seen her. ALAS. I didn’t even want to wear her for Orpheus, but the thought that she was GONE from my Mardi Gras experience was too sad to contemplate.

So ALL NIGHT, people, I BADGERED CS and scowled at him and would not let it go (yeah, you know me and know what I’m talkin’ ’bout). So FIRST thing when we get home, I’m all, “so, where’s my wig???” And CS is all, “it’s with my coat–I haven’t seen it since Saturday night either, and I am sure it is here. CHILL OUT.” Then moments later with a smothered chuckle he says, “oh, well, here’s my coat.” Of course, NO MS. BLUE WIG!!! Dammit.

Now I am good and angry. So, of course, I’m all, “well, go check my car again.” I am now working in my head a sad eulogy for Ms. Blue Wig. He’s outside for three long minutes and finally comes inside with a Sav-a-Center bag and says, “Apologize.” Ms. Blue Wig was safe and sound and not even too tangled!!! So I willingly apologized–and called him all kinds of heroic and endearing names! But that wasn’t enough. He, deservingly, wants a PUBLIC APOLOGY–not only to those who witnessed my scathing treatment of him, but also to EVERYONE on the parade route tonight. Well, that I could not do.

So this will have to do: CS, I apologize. I truly thought Ms. Blue Wig was gone. And you never lost faith. I am humbled by your strength and ability to put up with my pestering. You are a good man. Indeed.

To those of you who know Ms. Blue Wig, you will of course rejoice with this GLORIOUS NEWS!!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!!!!

-Nola (and Ms. Blue Wig)

Note: This was originally an e-mail sent on 19 February 2007.