Exotic Liras

At the beginning of summer I keep my toenails sandal ready with an annual professional pedicure. My finger nails get the same treatment but sans the coat of paint. With washing dishes and household activities, I see no reason to dolly up my finger nails with a ravishing red. Practicality reigns.

Before we left for our holiday to South Africa, I hoped to fit in a pedicure. It wasn't to be. Time ran out and an indulgent pedicure became a non-essential. Instead, I slipped my red nail polish in with my toiletries. I'd slap on a coat of paint when I got to the other side. Sure enough, our first day in South Africa I sat on the back stoep at my parents' place and painted my toenails classic red. That would have to do.

M's parents' had planned a girls' night in and a boys' night out as part of the 80th birthday celebrations. What a delight when I learned that the girls were being treated to a spa night at home. A personal pedicure and manicure for five of us. I enjoyed sipping wine, eating nibblies and chatting while I waited my turn for a luxurious indulgence.

At first I hesitated and requested a clear paint for my finger nails. Next I thought: I'm on holiday, if I don't paint my fingernails now when will I ever paint them?

M sometimes still reminds me that I didn't bother to paint my finger nails for our wedding day. He's right I didn't. I went totally au natural. Once in our early dating days he commented that I didn't need to wear nail polish to impress him. He didn't care much for a woman to spend too much time beautifying herself. Come our wedding day, I took him at his word. Apparently, his comment didn't apply to a day as auspicious as our wedding. I missed that memo.

Anyway, I digress.

I looked again at my nails and decided to take the plunge. Painting my finger nails is a sure sign of being on holiday. And so 'Exotic Liras', a dark pink paint, found its way on to my finger nails too.

M's been a total honey this holiday, happily washing the dishes wherever we happen to be so that I can get extended life out of my painted nails. They looked great at the formal birthday luncheon offset against white table linen and silverware. They look pretty and feminine tucked into green grass. They are a little out of place in the bush (but I'm happy to be off washing dishes duty; drying dishes does them no harm). And soon they will be offset against white beach sand.

Exotic Liras on my finger nails: the epitome of a summer holiday.