Big Hair. I've got it. I walked with Blair to the library on Saturday and found (or if you believe in a higher power, "was led to") a book called Curly Girl: The Handbook. Tagline is "More than just hair...it's an attitude."

Well, it's something. After reading it, I have decided to give a go to freeing my curls. All my life, I have battled curly hair. My mom and my sister both have ramrod straight hair and I'm forever envious of silken tresses that fall easily into place, or can be combed back into a ponytail.

Not moi. If there's the smallest amount of moisture in the air I frizz up like a puffer fish under attack.

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Updated on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 11:08AM by Dena Harris

My friend Ed has two daughters, ages I think 9 and 11. He called me last night about six and I heard the screams and laughter of about 5 pre-teen girls. "Dena's on the phone," said Ed, and all the girls shouted a chorus of "HI!"

"What's this about?" I asked.

"The girls are playing Denaball," Ed replied.

I have no memory of inventing a game called Denaball, so I took the bait. "And what, exactly, might that be?"

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I gave blood yesterday. I'm fortunate in that a church two blocks up the street from where I live holds a blood drive every three months. It's the most convenient thing to just walk to the church, give, and walk home.

The doors opened at 3 and I arrived about 3:10. Still, I was#8 in line. Not to worry--I'd brought a book of Truman Capote essays to occupy my time. I selected a metal folding chair at the end of a row and opened my book.

"Oh, you brought a book! That was so smart."

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Blair works for Hanesbrands and he never calls me from work. We're just not the kind of couple who chit-chats during the day. Work is work, and we'll see each other when we're home.

Which is why I was curious, yesterday, when I left a meeting and turned my cell phone on to see that I had a message waiting from Blair's work number. I punched in my voicemail code and listened to his message. His first words, delivered in a tight, tense tone, sent a shot of fear down my spine.

"Hey. Huh--you're not there. I need you to call me at the office just as soon as you get this message."

Layoffs? Sick relative? Worry raced through my mind. Why would he be calling? Then came the follow-up sentence.

"They're giving away wedgie-free panties and I'm not sure what cut or color to get you. So... call me."

Wedgie free panties? Wedgie FREE panties?? I almost crashed the car, I was laughing so hard.

I do so love that husband of mine.

Guilford College, a Quaker based liberal arts college in Greensboro, is hosting its 18th annual Religious Emphasis Week. Last night, my neighbor and I attended a free lecture on The Heart & Soul of Islam, presented by Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the world's foremost authorities on Islam and Islamic science and spirituality. For the record, he also most likely knows more about Christianity than most Christian scholars.

The talk was fascinating. I can't begin to explain the level of intelligence that oozes from this man. You can't let your mind wander for a moment while he's speaking or you'll be lost. He jumped from poetry to history to theory to present-day political agendas in the blink of an eye to make a single point.

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