The Girl With The Flaxen Hair

Summary

Delores Ward Napier Leslie, a retired television and radio personality known as Del Ward, has transitioned to living at PineGate Senior Home in Macon, Georgia, where the Covid-19 lockdown has unexpectedly changed her iconic red hair to a natural flaxen color, reminiscent of the girl in Claude Debussy's piano prelude inspired by Leconte de Leslie's poem.

Abstract

The narrative focuses on Delores Ward Napier Leslie, a prominent figure in Central Georgia's media landscape, now residing in a senior home. Known professionally as Del Ward, she is recognized by her unique sign-off phrase "Trody Trow" and her fiery red hair. The Covid-19 pandemic has not only confined her to PineGate Senior Home but also led to the closure of its Beauty Salon, forcing Del and other residents to manage their hair without professional help. Del's natural red hair has turned to a flaxen color during this time, which her friends find fitting for her age. This change evokes the image of the girl in Debussy's musical piece "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair," which was itself inspired by a poem by Leconte de Leslie. The story underscores personal transformations and narratives that emerge from crises, particularly how such events can reshape individual identities.

Opinions

Delores is remembered fondly by the public for her media career and her distinctive sign-off phrase, indicating a strong community connection.
The closure of the Beauty Salon due to the pandemic is seen as a significant inconvenience for the residents, affecting their routines and self-image.
Del's hair color change from red to flaxen is perceived positively by her peers, suggesting a preference for natural appearances that align with aging.
The author draws a parallel between Del's hair and the Debussy prelude, highlighting a shared Scottish ancestry and a poetic connection through the poet's last name, which is similar to Del's.
The narrative reflects on the broader impact of national crises, noting that such events can lead to personal stories that transform lives and perspectives.

The story of a friend of mine now in retirement.

Photo Courtesy of Jim Sanders

Twice widowed Delores Ward Napier Leslie after a long and successful career in television and radio now lives at PineGate Senior Home in Macon, Georgia.

Her professional name is Del Ward. Everyone in Central Georgia over 40 years of age knows her from her long public career.

If she goes out on the town, people often greet Del using her radio and television sign-off phrase “Trody Trow”, then tell their connection to her. She always responds graciously to them. But she will never tell what her sign-off phrase means.

During our recent lock-down during the Covid-19 crisis, Del, like every woman in PineGate, is affected because the Beauty Salon is closed down, so they must wash and set their own hair.

For those ladies who usually wear wigs over their natural hair have parked their carpets during this period. Dels’ hair is natural, not a wig, but it is Red.

Red hair was her natural color, but as she grew older, something perplexed her. Maybe her hair would turn White like her grandmothers did when she went from Red to Grey.

Del kept hers Red throughout her life until the lock-down came.

During the pandemic, with no style shop open, her hair changed color, not to White but Flaxen.

Her friends commented on it and how they liked this natural color and how it looks more natural for her current age.

I remembered the famous song “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” by Claude Debussy. It is a lovely Prelude to an innocent and naïve Scottish girl. Originally for the piano, now played on several instruments.

The Debussy prelude was inspired by the French poet Leconte de Leslie’s poem La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin.

Del is of Scottish ancestry, as was the girl in the poem. Notice the similarity of her last name and the poet’s last name.

Out of every national crisis comes stories that mutate our time and our lives. This has been a personal one.