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Savvy South Carolinians: Alan Sheppard
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 10:44AM 
Just because I can, and because I was recently telling Nostalgic Nana how much I prize my hairdresser, and because I know you'll like him, allow me to introduce Mr. Alan Sheppard, sole proprietor of Tha Cut'n Shed in Leesville, South Carolina.
Once a month I drive sixty miles round trip to have my hair cut and colored by a man I consider to be one of the best working in the Midlands of South Carolina. It's been my routine for many years.
As maybe you can tell by the distance, this place is out in the boonies. Rural, y'all. Alan's customers gladly do the driving. There are no walk-ins (the shed is not visible from the road) and appointments are made well in advance.
How rural is it? Well, let's just say you may want to have Dan'l Boone on speed dial in case you get attacked by a b'ar. Here's how it looks on the final approach to Alan's salon shed:
I could have my hair (my best feature by far) done closer to home, but not like this, and not for the very reasonable price Alan charges.
The Bride Wore What He Made For Her
Alan has been married for thirty-five years to his lovely wife … she for whom he made every component of her wedding ensemble. As in, he designed and sewed it. Himself. For her to wear on the day she married him.
He learned to sew while in the Navy.
If I asked TG what I wore on our wedding day, he would say "A white dress." And he'd be right.
But Alan Sheppard can describe every last flounce, frill, and furbelow on the outfit he made for his girl ... right down to her shoes -- which allegedly had ribbons that laced all the way up to her knees -- and even her hat, which had a picture-frame brim.
He also put together her bridal bouquet.
"We were flower children," Alan offers by way of explanation of his unorthodox behavior. It's so cute! And romantic. I'm all about that.
Anyway, when I get all the way down that road I showed you a while ago, this sight greets me:
A possum may or may not be on hand to point the way but I know to turn left.
My Kingdom For A Pine Forest
Tha Cut'n Shed is like the Isla de Muerta: it can only be found by those who already know where it is. And I know where it is. But in case I forget, there's a handy arrow.
The shed comes into view right about that time. Alan's green truck too. Which, I don't know why it's parked there because his house is apparently just down the lane ... but the trees are so thick I've never seen it. He may actually share a camp back there with Dan'l Boone.
The shed's wraparound porch is chockablock with Alan's beautiful potted plants. He especially loves to grow cacti.
But he's equally fond (who wouldn't be?) and protective of what grows wild at the forest's edge, like these vivid roses.
Alan's an inveterate shutterbug just like me. We're always talking amateurishly about photography.
He rides motorcycles for weekend relaxation, not at all like me. Perish the very thought.
This day Alan had gone down to the main road to get the mail. He beat me to the door and struck a pose, said to say "Hi, y'all!" to my readers.
Color Me Back The Way I Was
My appointment got underway and soon it was time to wait while portions of my hair slowly turned a different color.
We got to chatting as we are inclined to do and Alan told me about a customer who has been teaching Inuit children in Alaska. She was home for a short time this week and came to see Alan and brought him an Eskimo Yo-Yo.
For real! He showed the toy to me and it's all kinds of adorable. Mukluks made from genuine animal skin and fur. Shhhhh! Don't tell PeTA! It'll be our little secret.
Alan has even learned how to use them. There are YouTubes of real Eskimos doing this.
In due time Alan had once again restored my hair to a happy state of shiny darkness. My own brand of easy glamour.
Good hair is a significant part of my identity.
Farewell Till Next Time, Friend
I settled the bill, made my next appointment for August 27th at 1:15, said bye to my friend Alan, and went out into the sweltering afternoon.
And admired my hair in the rearview before leaving, and even took a picture.
Yes, I am vain. You will have to deal with it.
It's partly Alan's fault because he makes my hair look so good. Better than I can ever do myself.
As I drove away, this was my path:
And as my car's tires took to the familiar ruts in that path, I thought as I always do of how grateful I am for my hairdresser … his expertise, his professionalism, his respectful manners, and his kindly friendship.
Alan Sheppard is a savvy South Carolinian! To me he is in fact a godsend. I consider myself blessed to be among his cloud of happy customers.
I wish you a blessed weekend! And good hair.
Reader Comments (13)
He must be good for you to drive that far. What a fun place to have a beauty shop - I love the trees and flowers. And your hair looks great!
Have you written about him before? This is really weird, but I'm sure I've read about Alan somewhere before. That whole thing about making his bride's ensemble is eerily familiar.
Back in the late 80's I went through a hairdresser phase. I had a guy with a ponytail and thinning on top who was a genius. I looked forward to my appointments for days.His salon was in a converted garage attached to an old lady's house. I often wondered about the many visitors that frequented his salon. Then one day I found out he was the boyfriend of my neighbour's sister. The neighbour was sure he was a drug dealer. My days of sytlin' hair were short-lived after that.
So, the mukluks in action look similar to that of Maori pois, which I used to do as a young girl. I have since lost the knack. This video shows several kinds of poi action, you'll need to watch most of it to get to the long poi. Let me tell you, getting that second set of long poi moving is a real trick, which I never quite mastered.
Oh, and your hair is gaw-jus and so is Alan. And the drive. And that sky looks like an Oregon sky. Although not today, because it's grey all the way.
Mari ... Alan and his shop are one of the best things that have ever happened to me. He's just the best. I pray he never retires ... although he's 60! LOL
Sue ... yes, I wrote a post all about Alan three years ago! You may have read it when you were trolling the archives! I'm sure I could never do those mukluk yoyo poi thing so I will leave it to the experts. And if I ever have to find a new hairdresser, I know I'll never find another Alan. He is wonderfully unique. The drive out there by itself is a treat! You know ... the sky and all that! Even fun on a grey day. Always something to see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hu2g5h0hNM
You must watch the pois, Guess I forgot to paste it.
I had the same thought as Sue: "Why does Alan's story sound familiar?" I assumed I had either been told about him or you'd blogged about him previously. Two points for the latter!
I admire the dedication of driving sixty miles for a haircut. Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's all guys, but if I had to drive sixty miles to get my haircut I would probably look like this guy. But you know, without the beard. Because that would just look silly.
Great story and you look Marvellous.
Sue ... those look like the same doodads! I can't walk and chew gum at the same time so I guess the whole thing is out of the question for me! But I like to watch!
Kev ... I do love my faithful readers. You've stuck with me through thick and thin! But as to your Charles Manson lookalike ... too scary to contemplate. And you know what else? If I didn't drive to Alan's for my hair care, I WOULD look like that guy! Without the beard, of course.
Irene ... thank you luv!
Well, it's WELL worth the drive if you can even FIND a decent hairdresser these days! I Love you hair and the Photo!!!!
What a Beautiful hidden place! He seems like a Really nice Guy!!
Happy day sweetie!
hughugs
Heck with the hair dressing; I love the rural venue!
Donna ... ain't it the truth? I have driven that far before, years ago, to put my hair into the hands of a man who knows what he's doing ... and I would do it again. Some things are worth the effort and that's one of them. Happy day to you too, luvvy!
SF ... I wish I could describe the way the wind sighs in all those pines, and the peace and quiet and fragrance of it. It's divine. Every time I go, I stand on that porch for a minute and just listen. It's wonderful.
Great article, and what a cute shop and interesting stylist. Our hair is something we just can't fool around with. I had some bad experiences years and years ago. I have long hair and it seems that all they wanted to do was "CUT CUT CUT".
I finally learned how to trim my hair myself, so I never went to a beautician again until a couple of years ago when trying to cover the incoming gray was more than I could handle at home. I now have a great lady who does nothing more than cover the gray, keeping my hair exactly (and I do mean exactly) the way it looks normally, my God given color. She trims when necessary and doesn't go crazy. She's great. But her shop isn't as cute as yours.
Alan (and btw, he spells his name correctly) did a very good job on coloring your hair! It has a natural look and that is perhaps the reason you drove all that distance to the shed. You hair looks darling!