When I get up in the morning, one of the first things I do is glance at myself in the mirror and assess my hair, which is usually an unruly mess. Curly hair has a mind of its own. If it’s a rainy or humid day, look out. Sometimes I think to myself what else can I do to help with this mess of a head? I know that there are things like these salon hair care products that could help. But at the minute, although I would love my hair to be perfect, I can kind of cope with it!
Are we never satisfied with our hair? We whine that it’s the wrong texture, color, too thin, or too thick! It may be too straight, or too curly. And if it’s the latter like me, then it can be a nightmare to deal with, so you never really feel satisfied. I should probably take my friend’s advice. She told me to have a look at places like Rank & Style (click for more) because apparently they have a list of the 10 best shampoos for curly hair, and if it can help me to deal with it better, then it will truly be a blessing in disguise. But I’m sure I’ll still find something to complain about. Maybe the Amish have the right idea not having their homes lined with mirrors other than in the bathroom or a hand mirror. I’ve considered that hiding my hair under a white prayer cap could have its advantages. And never cutting it wouldn’t be so bad-I think. The organic hair spray is also lately being used a lot as it gives you a gorgeous look naturally.
When women largely discarded wearing head coverings, the plain people became steadfast defenders of this time-honored custom, according to Stephen Scott.
Some very conservative plain people regard the head covering as an essential part of the women’s dress but do not fully base the practice on scriptural teachings. Others point to the Bible to explain why they both advocate and wear prayer caps. Certain verses admonish a woman’s head be covered in symbolic obedience to God’s order of creation. Some women feel it is so important that they wear a form of covering even in bed.
Plain people like the Amish believe the Bible teaches women should wear two coverings: her natural long hair plus something placed over the hair. A woman’s hair is saved for her husband alone and a plain woman is seldom seen in public without some kind of head covering. This practice was apparently widespread in Western society from ancient times until the late 19th century.
In most plain groups, the women part their hair in the center of their heads. My fabulous and dear mother used to wear her hair the same way every day: her long tresses parted in the center and pulled back into a bun. She never wore her hair down, except to comb it in private. I was shocked and grief-stricken when she was diagnosed with brain cancer and needed immediate surgery. Most of her hair was shaved off, then radiation and chemotherapy confiscated the rest. I’ve contemplated my hair falling out from cancer treatments and thought that losing it might be the most bitter part of the disease, which shows you what a vain person I am. But at least I’ve given up trying to straighten my wavy mass and look like my older sister, who of course has the straight hair I longed for.
To be fair: Not only women fuss about their hair. There are hair products galore available for men with thinning hair or who wish to change color. How about “bad hat hair,” the result of wearing a baseball cap all day? And then there is the question of why Amish men wear their unique haircuts and hats. I’ll have to delve into that subject another day. In the meantime, may you all have a good hair day!
A question: If you’re a woman, how would you feel about pinning up your hair and wearing a head covering? Any other thoughts on hair? Leave a comment and enter to win this pretty Amish-made Tea Towel and a copy of either Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster! USA residents only. Winner has one week to respond.
Congratulations to Rita M., last week’s winner of the charming Amish-made potholder, plus a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster! Thanks to all who left comments!
My hair is long, so I dont think I would mind having it twisted and pulled back off my face…
bearangel0@yahoo.com
Your hair sounds beautiful, Kathy!
Great books! I would love to win a copy of either Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!
I think I would like pinning up my hair and wearing a kapp. I love having my hair up! I also enjoy having someone do my hair! I love the tea towel!
I enjoy having my hair up too, Beth! Thanks for writing!
I actually wear my hair tied up s that wouldn’t bother me. The covering might though, but even if it bothered me if it was my belief to do so I would do it.
Thanks for your comment! Your hair sounds pretty. I often wear my hair in a mini ponytail. Maybe it’s time to grow it out again.
I would like wearing a kapp. angelachesnut246@gmail.com
Thank you for leaving your comment! It would be fun to try for one day …
As my husband & I visited Holmes County, Ohio to buy some apples, I mentioned to him that it would be great to be able to pin up my hair & wear a prayer cap on days when my hair needed attention…like a cut & color. I was tempted to buy one, but thought it would not be appropriate & especially since all I had packed were jeans. Of course, the underlying reasons for the prayer caps are spiritual!
Thank you for your insights, Linda! You are so right; the prayer cap Is just one component of dressing plain.
Been so long since my hair was long, I have a hard time relating. I have read Leaving Lancaster, and would love to read Pennsylvania Patchwork.
Thank you for writing, Deloris! I’ve thought of cutting my hair short, but then figure I’d have to keep going back and having it cut every six to eight weeks. Plus, it would just frizz! I’d be delighted if you read Pennsylvania Patchwork!
I have real long hair it usually is pulled back. Or baby fingers are gonna pull it out to I have no hair. LOL Would love to win.
Blessings
diana
joeym11@frontier.com
Ooh, it sounds so pretty, Diana! Thanks for commenting!
I know if I was raised like the Amish I would not have a problem having my hair up with my kapp. Now that I was born English that makes it a little different because I feel that your hair needs to be worn the way that you feel most comfortable about it. I don’t think that it should be covered. I believe that I would be able to wear the kapp all the time because of what it reminds me of all the time.
Thank you for your comment, Lisa! Someday, I’ll figure out exactly how to wear my hair comfortably …
Pining it up would be ok because I do not like it hanging on my neck. would also like a little slower pace. Would love to win either books.
Thanks so much for your comment, Bonnie! If you haven’t read either of my books, I hope you will in the future!
My hair is nearly down to my butt. I have had it very short, and of course long. My favorite is wearing it long. With that being said, I love it down or pulled to the side with a braid. I honestly do not think I would like to have it wrapped up in a bun hidden away 🙁 I like to take advantage of long hair styles, curls one day, naturally straight the other, braids, half up, clipped up, and more. I have been teaching myself many types of braids, so recently have been on a kick of braiding it over my left shoulder lol
Info@Imaginary-Bee.com
You sound like you’re having fun with your hair, Elizabeth! The longest my hair would ever grow was to the middle of my back, and then, because of its curl, it shortens. Thanks for writing!
Right now my hair isn’t long enough for that. It would keep it out of the way when you’re working! Loved Leaving Lancaster & would love to win PA Patchwork & that beautiful towel. Thanks Kate for the opportunity!
lorrainealx@hotmail.com
Thank you, Lorraine! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed Leaving Lancaster!
I keep my hair short so that I do not have to “fool” with it.
I think that I could let it grow long, if I had to wear a prayer cap.
And, you are right. We should all try to live without mirrors…at least for a week. Great topic!!
Happy Fal!!
Elaine Shorb
tinkerbell2by2@gmail.com
Hey, you could be onto something, Elaine! A great topic! No, I’d never make it through the day without a mirror. Who was it who said Vanity, thy name is woman?
I guess as women we all worry how our hair looks to others. Mine grows fast and top does not stay pretty long unless cut again…I would like this pretty tea towel and the book-have not read them yet so either one would be great to read…I like the amish stories. I didn’t know the mens hair cuts of the amish had a story, will be waiting to read about this.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Thanks for writing, Paula! I would love it if you read both of my books! Glad you like Amish stories! Leaving Lancaster was a free e-book last week across all formats and is still only $1.99.
Hey ! This towel is pretty I I would love to have it ! My hair is thick & course , if it were long enough I’d love to try it ! Faye Simer.. xstitchgranny2000@yahoo.com
Thanks for your fun comment and for entering the contest!
I wear my hair very short, ,mainly because I feel it looks better that way and it now almost white. I have never bothered with coloring because I only have to look at it when I comb it. If anyone doesn’t like it, they can look at something else. I think it would be hard to hold a prayer cap in place, I’m not sure.
I like your attitude, Phyllis! And you’re right about short hair turning white; it looks good!
debbiemosley44@hotmail.com…….my hair has a mind all its own.wether its long or short it does what it wants to do
Your hair sounds like mine. It’s a blustery day today, so going for a walk this morning wearing a baseball cap was my best option, even if not a fashion statement. Thanks for writing and entering the contest!
My hair used to be long and straight. I used to part it in middle and pull it back in a big brat. If it was still long, I don’t think I would have a problem wearing a prayer cap. Thanks for the chance to win this cute towel and one of your books!
rcourts@twc.com
Thanks very much for your comment, Tammy! I take it that you took the plunge and wear it short now.
I keep my hair long, and mainly in a braid or a pony tail. It is easy to do household and garden tasks without hair in my face. Our 14 yr old daughter has never had her hair cut. Mainly due to the fact that it is feminine and what God has blessed her with. It is not seemly to cut it. She wears it mainly in a braid or a pony tail. I believe it helps keep her modest and feminine, even when doing farm chores! lol….. While short hair does look nice on many….I do think that it changes how a woman feels about themselves when it is very short. They seem to be more competitive and busy. But what is INSIDE a woman is what really counts! A head covering? It would not bother me.
Thank you for your lovely description. I appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment!
I haven’t worn my hair long since my children were little, little fingers kept pulling it. Since my radiation treatments I have nothing but waves all going in the direction they want to, so would be great to cover it up with a kapp and not have mirrors. Lol
But thankful getting it back. Love the towel.
May your hair grow back far more beautifully than it ever was and your body becomes stronger! Thanks for writing!
My hair is short and wavy. It usually waves in the opposite direction of where I want it to, so a head covering would probably be convenient. However, I usually find hats and such very itchy.
Thanks for your comment! You made me chuckle, Susan. Which side does my hair part on? The side it wants, unless I tame it with bobby pins.
My hair has been short for years. I would love to win the towel and a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
Of course I accept your entry, Mary! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Most women worry about their hair. As for me, I keep it short and simple. I am a low maintenance type of person. So to put a covering over my hair would not bother me. If my religion required it, I’d do it without a second thought.
Love the towel. Thanks for the chance to win. God Bless.
donnac.taylor@hotmail.com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest, Donna! I like to think of myself as a low maintenance type person too, but I should ask my husband …
Good Morning! I wear my hair long and also wear a headcovering during waking hours. I’m a New Testament believer and after MUCH study and prayer could not find where we were supposed to discard the covering that Paul spoke about in 1 Corinthian 11. I don’t wear a kapp, but I cover with a veil.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you for your interesting comment, Betsy! You sound like a wealth of knowledge in this area.
I love the dish towel and would very much like to win a copy of Leaving Lancaster or PA Patchwork as I have never read either one of them. I have 200+ Amish books and have enjoyed reading every one of them!
Thanks for writing! If you have 200 Amish books and none of them are mine, there is something wrong with this picture! I hope you get a chance to read one of mine soon
Growing up, I enjoyed wearing a chapel veil or a hat to church. Wearing a scarf on windy or rainy days was a must do also. I wouldn’t mind having a head covering.
Martha
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Martha, for your comment and for sharing an interesting snippet of your history! Good luck in the contest!
Please enter me I would love to try your book …glhicks69@Yahoo.com Lee Ellen Hicks
Dear entered, Ellen! Thanks for visiting my blog!
I would love to wear a head covering I think life would be so much easier for me .
Thanks for your comment, Hazel! I agree, in many ways life would be easier.
I have the most coarse,thick and straight hair in the universe! My sisters and brother have beautiful hair and I was the unlucky one. I don’t know if a head covering would be for me, but I suppose it would be a blessing to hide my hair. It is suppose to be our crowning glory, but mine is full head weeds!! Lol!
You gave me a chuckle, Anonymous! Some days, growing dreadlocks seems like a viable option.
I have long thick hair. I always have it off my neck. I would love to keep my hair pinned up all the time…although I don’t think I would like wearing a KAPP. That would make my head to hot!!
Michelle zalomom@gmail.com
I’m jealous, Michelle. Long thick hair sounds luxurious. Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest!
I have short hair. But, I could wear my hair up. It’d save me a lot of time in the morning.
Amber_Horton@yahoo.com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest! I’m hopeless with a hairdryer …
I have short hair. But, I could wear my hair up. It’d save me a lot of time in the morning.
Amber_Horton@yahoo.com
I have short hair. But, I could wear my hair up. It’d save me a lot of time in the morning.
Amber_Horton@yahoo.com
I use to have long hair and curly/wavy but now it is straight as a stick and SHORT. I honestly don’t like it straight but will not hold a curl anymore thus I keep it short. Would not mind wearing the cap.. Would love to win this already have Leaving Lancaster so would love the other book. Thank you for the offer and God bless Patti in VA — pag1936@yahoo.com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest! Someone told me that when I started having children my hair would go straight, but not true!
I had always had long hair until I diagnosed with a cervical spine disease that affects my head and neck. I could not just cut all of it off, so it was a little at a time. My hair stayed below my shoulders for quite a few years because I had cervical spine surgery. Then when I had the next surgery and there was a medical error, I now have to wear short hair . There are many days I wish for long hair. Thank you for sharing this giveaway and please enter my name.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you so much for your comment, Barbara. You sound like you could write a book about the traumas of having to cut your hair short, and much more. Prayers to you
Hi, My hair is short but I used to have it down to my hips, until I turned 50+. It was so much easier to deal with like that-no curling irons etc. I totally understand why the Amish and some Mennonites wear head coverings. I believe it also keeps them humble. Thank you for this giveaway, please enter my name.
Hugs,
Noreen
werhis3@gmail.com
Thank you for entering the contest, Noreen! There’s not a lot of humility going around these days and I’m as guilty as the next person. I’m also clueless when it comes to curling irons …
I have had my hair long and also short, now it is in the process of growing out long and I’ve quit coloring it.It is coming in silver at the temples, should be interesting.I wouldn’t mind putting it up if it was long enough. I wear a handkerchief when I clean so a prayer cap shouldn’t be hard to wear. I would love to win the teatowel. I have read both of your books and can’t wait for the third one.ora_dietrich@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for your comment and for entering the contest! I can’t wait for my third book to come out also! I particularly cover my hair in the garden after a run-in with wasps and your idea about wearing one when cleaning is good.
I love to wear my hair short, the shorter the better. As I say, no muss, no fuss.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you very much for your comment and for entering the giveaway!
I wear my hair usually in a short bob which looks good on me. I don’t really like long hair and when my hair grows too long I wear a ponytail or one time I got it put up in a French twist which everyone loved. However, If I needed to, I would love to wear a cap like the Amish. Would love to win your contest too – the towel is beautiful and would love your book Leaving Lancaster as I already read and loved the other one. Thanks for this opportunity. Mary Lou K flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for your comment and for visiting my blog, Mary Lou! I’d love to have you read Leaving Lancaster!
My hair is thick and wavy, and truly, if it was longer, I wouldn’t mind putting it under a cap. It is a pain, and it grows out so fast that if I could, I would put it under a cap. Thanks for the chance to win, Kate.
Debbie Rhoades
ReadingMama922@gmail.com
Thanks for your comment and for putting a smile on my face, Debbie! You sound like me.
After having short hair and frequent cuts every five to six weeks, I am letting my hair grow. Perhaps I would enjoy having it pinned up under a kapp, having it off my neck as I am used to. I would like to be considered for a copy of your novels. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Thank you very much for your comment and for entering the contest, Kathleen! Good luck in your endeavor to grow out your hair!
Right n my hair is down to my waist I have been growing it for locks of love. I did it twice before , I wear it up most of the time anyway I don’t mind wearing a kapp but sometimes something on my head triggers migraines . Thank you for this contest I would love to read Pennsylvania Patchwork as already have Leaving Lancaster. Be Blessed vcprincess@comcast.net
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest! What an incredible blessing, to grow your hair for locks of love! There can’t be many more generous gifts. I’d love to have you read Pennsylvania Patchwork too
Kate, when I saw this post I just had to laugh! I’m one of those who is blessed(?) with naturally curly hair, and there are times I’d love it if I could just stuff it all under a hat or kapp, especially on humid days. My hair just gets frizzier and bigger as the day goes on. Thanks for the giggles!
Nancee, you do a great job taming your hair. I’ll have to get your secret! The other day, after I’d just washed mine, a friend said, “You should always wear your hair like that.” I laughed because my hair will never look the same way twice.
I think it would be great to wear a hair covering, if I could continue to keep my hair relatively short. When I wake up in the morning, my hair is sticking straight up on top. It would be nice to cover that up, until after my shower. I wouldn’t want to have to have long hair, though. Too much trouble.
may_dayzee@yahoo.com
Thanks for your comment and for entering the contest Long hair does take a long time to dry, especially in an Old Order Amish home, w/o electricity.
My hair is medium length.I always have a bad hair day so covering with a “Knapp” would be a good thing !
Rita
godskid91@gmail.com
Thanks for your comment, Rita! If you always have a bad hair day, no fun! Maybe that’s one reason I enjoy wearing a hat. Of course, when I take it off, my hair looks worse!
I don’t think I could wear a head covering. Every time I try to wear anything in my hair, such as hats, headbands, clips etc. I develop a very bad headache. Don’t know why but perhaps if I had been raised to wear something on my head at all times it would be different now. Don’t know, but I would love to win this very pretty hand towel as well as either of your books. Thanks for the opportunity!! Blessings!! estamaelaughner@yahoo.com
Thank you very much for commenting and entering the contest! May your headaches go away and stay away!
Now that I have grown my hair out, I find it easier to take care of pinned up. As for the head cover, it would take me awhile to get used to it.
newdawn6@comcast.net
Thanks for leaving a comment, Lisa, and entering the contest!
I have longer hair and i pull it up a lot so that wouldn’t bother me but I think the kapp would bother me especially in the summer. I sure hope that I win. Sharma Darby.
Thank you for your comment, Sharma! I’ve wondered about wearing a head covering in the summer’s heat. My dermatologist would love it and encourages me to wear a hat in the sunshine.
My hair is long enough for me to sit on the ends. It is also very fine textured. I usually wear it in a low ponytail to try to keep the tangles out, When I do any yard work or cleaning, I pin it up on top of my head. I wouldn’t mind wearing the kapp but would think it very hot in the summer. Donna d.brookmyer@yahoo.com
Thank you for your comment! Your hair sounds beautiful, the opposite of mine.
My hair is too short to pull back….When I try to grow it out longer, it does grow out but not down…really thick but it’s what God blessed me with so will just have to live with it. Thanks for the opportunity to win…..Linda
dmcfarl101(at)juno(dot)com
Thanks for your comment, Linda! It’s taken me a long time to accept the curly/frizzy blessing God has given me. I admit, the thankfulness part is not always there …