I had the loveliest and most beautiful friend when I lived in Australia long ago. She was American but had Mexican and Spanish blood in her veins. She dressed very simply but with the utmost style. She would sometimes wear a bindi. It looked most natural and beautiful resting there on her luminescent olive skin. Up above those perfectly shaped ruby red lips. I wished then - and all these fourteen years since then - that I could pull off the wearing of such an adornment but always felt I would look absurd.

And then, two weekends ago, I did it - I bought one of my own. I do not know if I will ever leave the house with it on. But I own it. And I will rock it right here in my house if I have to. And think of lovely Brenda. If only I knew how to find her again...