There will be dancing...
...uh oh
“Come! You MUST come,” said my friend, who, at last count, had 60 coming to a New Year’s Eve party.
“There will be dancing!” she exclaimed as though that would seal the deal.
Dancing.
On a very long list of things in which I am incompetent, dancing is in the top 10.
I learned of this deficiency in grade school when the dreaded dance recital loomed. My best pal, Jacie, and I wore grass hula skirts, and I tried to stay in sync with the hand gestures and gyrations.
I am so glad there is no video evidence. I feel for kids today who have all these imperfections documented and preserved for family archives.
I grew from the hula skirt dance skit, moving into Tanglefoot Cottage ballroom dance classes taught by the ever-graceful Lois Penn. Fortunately, we were not stuck with partners, as the boys would move to the right after each dance. I remember sweaty hands and red faces, but not the lessons.
In my 30s, I used to go to the downtown YMCA. I'm unsure what possessed me, but I signed up for a Jazzercise class. I walked into the packed room surrounded by mirrors and picked a spot in the back row. I was trying to follow along, figuring as long as I was moving, it didn’t matter if I was doing the steps right.
The trim, petite, ponytailed instructor shouted her commands and then screamed:
“SWITCH!” and the class turned, almost in unison (me being the exception), and I found myself at the front of the class.
As I type these words, the Rose Bowl Parade is being televised in the background. There’s a lot of happy dancing, all in unison,
My now husband remembers us both being guests at a fancy dinner party in the fabled Younkers Tea Room in the 1980s. This was decades before we became a couple, although we occasionally ended up at the same parties, nodding in recognition from across the room.
He swears we danced that night in the Tea Room, but that underscores that the only way I would have agreed to do so would have been in the kind of state when one does not remember the next day what was done or said.
Dancing aside, I was looking forward to the New Year’s Eve party, having all holiday gatherings and merriment canceled from December 21 when we first tested positive for Covid. It would have been a wonderful time hanging out with old acquaintances and rekindling friendships.
Alas, we both tested positive again, even though I’d been clear the day before. No party, no dancing for me last night.
Next year. But I still won’t dance.
Reminder: The Okoboji Writers’ Retreat is now accepting enrollments. It will be held September 22-25. I’ve booked 6o speakers, including ten who will be part of an all-new track on songwriting. Tackle that memoir, novel, or essay, or come if you want to find out how to start a project. All skill levels are welcome, from beginner to professional writers. We have publishers, two literary agents, and so much more.
An early bird discount is available until January 15 (refundable until September 1). Save your place. We’ve had to cap enrollment each previous year.
Yes, many speakers are booked, but it ensures the workshops will remain small.
Why not come? Seriously, why not? If money is an issue, some scholarships are available.
Take a look at the speakers coming. You will be blown away.
https://okobojiwritersretreat.com
Our Monday Zoom Lunch sessions with Dartanyan Brown will resume on January 8, from noon to 1 p.m. Subscribers receive a Zoom link on Monday mornings. As of last night, he is our newest columnist with the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Those familiar with the Des Moines music scene will remember the jazz musician, while others will remember his byline in The Des Moines Register. I cannot wait to read and hear the stories in his column, My Integrated Life. He has archives that include a lot of music and interviews. His first effort is a podcast with Luther Allison, a Blues legend.
Please welcome Dartanyan!
I highly recommend subscribing to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup column if you don't already. It features commentary by over 40 professional writers who share an interest in the state.
Here is the roundup from last week:
Happy New Year. I hope you are well now. Too bad about the COVID-19 hitting you. Take care. I had COVID last Feb. 22 on my 80th birthday. I had had an early Birthday party on Feb. 19th with 60 people so I did not miss a party. Yesterday we went to a brunch. Our friend has to cancel her party because she got COVID-19 for the second time. She had all her shots and did get ill for 10 days and did take medications. So the party was Jan. 6th. I helped clear the tables. She said when we all left she was heading for a nap so still not OK. She still had her Christmas tree up and decorations. Have a great 2024. You can dance in your living room with your wonderful husband. Take care. Come visit Arizona Palm Creek. We have many dances here. Happy Sunday to you. We are having wind, rain and clouds today. There is a baseball game going. I do not know if they will play in the rain. Ever Onward.
I hope you are feeling better soon.