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Friday, October 28, 2011

The Costume

Life is one Big Costume Party. All of my Halloweens have been spent at studio dance parties, so I've always tried to make my costumes "danceable."

Halloween. A night of spooks or funny bumbling clowns. I must have been them all . What fun to apply clown make-up. Wearing the clown make-up above, no one knew who they were dancing with. Now that I look at the picture, how did they even know I was a female. Oh maybe it was the hat.

Witches are a hoot. Make-up can do magic and set the mood for any kind of witch. One year I was the "Dead Bride" and that make-up was gruesome. A white lacy dress was covered with dead flowers but after an evening of dancing, I was left with a white lacy dress. (And a floor of scrunched dry flowers) :)
I think the cleaning crew wanted to give me the boot!

This year I'll wear a spooky prisoner costume to give out candy (yes, candy. I ate it and I still have all my teeth) and then drop in at a neighbor's open house.

And what is your choice of costume this Halloween?
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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Desoto

I had written a post about DWTS that was on my blog for as long as it took me to make breakfast. When I re-read it, I was bored with the trivial, silly media coverage I had so haplessly fallen victim to. Yes, I love ballroom dance. It has been my life but is it fair to inject a vial of it onto my followers? Of course not and I thank you dear bloggy friends who commented on that dreadful post. It shows your loyalty. :)

I always feel I should be adding a grabbing of intellectual musings or if the post is about my mundane, at least give my followers a good belly laugh. The truth is, my life has settled into a blissful existence and it amounts to, "Oh yeah, tofu and toast with honey for breakfast. Then I walk with Cody." Oh come Manzanita, at least you recognize "boring" when you see it.

Because I no longer rattle around in the social realm, memories are my next post choice. The vintage car above is a 1929 Desoto, replica of the car my Grandfather bought before the depression. It was my source of transportation as a child. The heater left much to be desired so I would huddle up in the back seat under a horse-hair blanket with my dog Schnitzer and let the melodious hum of the engine lull me to sleep after an evening's visit to friends. Did you ever sit on a horse-hair blanket? It's almost like sitting on a porcupine's quills. But what the heck, it was warm, as a South Dakota's night "is not."

Sorry about inflicting dancing on you. I'll slap my computer keys if it happens again. :)
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The Respect




Today is my Grandmother's birthday (no, don't wish her B/Day greetings, as she's been dead for many years). But she raised me and I was thinking of how much I respected and honored her. Even when I was a young smart-ass who thought I knew it all, I allowed her the wisdom she had gathered in her many years.
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The man on the L is Len Goodman, one of the judges of Dancing With the Stars. Here comes the tie in of respect and age. Len is 67 and has danced ballroom in England (the source of ballroom) since he was 19. Len is a purist in the dance world. He's fair, honest and an encyclopedia of dance. I've always respected Len for his knowledge and fairness in judging.

Anyone who has watched DWTS is aware that the show is part talent and part popularity contest. The 3 judges are all professionals BUT a no-talent dancer who has fans, can stay in the show by phone-in votes. It doesn't seem fair to contestants with talent, but Hey, it's the rules of the show and the audience loves it. That's entertainment!

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Last night, professional teacher/dancer, Makim Chmerkovskly, lost it completely after hearing Len's comments on his dance partner and told Len he was too old to be judging. Then, with an egotistical, narcissistic attitude he said the show was "his." This maniacal statement brought gasps from the professionals because if Maks was all that astute about ballroom dance, he would recognize that his partner has minimal talent and it would take years of study to put her on any kind of professional level. BUT, someone with her limited talent could actually win if she had enough fans who called in.

Then Lacey Schwimmer, another teacher/professional announced to the press that the judges were making personal remarks about her dance partner, Chaz Bono. Very untrue. In fact, they were extremely kind to him.

Oh Dear, such disruptions in the paradise of dance is distressing. Or yea...... ME of little faith, perhaps it's all staged for the absorbed like me to further spread the word. And again, maybe it's not. Maybe it's just lack of respect.

I'm glad I gave my Grandmother the respect due her AND she was a pretty dang good dancer too.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011






Today is my Grandmother's birthday (no, don't say Happy B/Day as she's been dead for many years). But she raised me and I was thinking of how much I respected and honored her. Even when I was a young smart-ass who thought I knew it all, I allowed her the wisdom she gathered in her many years.
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The man on the L is Len Goodman, one of the judges of Dancing With the Stars. Here comes the tie in of respect and age. Len is 67 and has danced ballroom in England (The source of ballroom) since he was 19. Len is a purist and knows dancing. He's fair, honest and an encyclopedia of dance. I've always agreed with him and honored his judgment.
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Sunday, October 23, 2011

Uncle Oliver

I grew up during the 30's on a farm in South Dakota. Evidently my Mother dropped me off at her relatives when I was a tiny baby and returned many years later. In lieu of feeling abandoned, I was grateful for a wholesome upbringing, surrounded by caring, non-judgemental people.

As the Great Depression slumbered in the cities, all the siblings and their spouses (with the exception of my Mother) worked 80 acres of black fertile soil to feed them and others during this time of starvation.

Uncle Oliver was married to Aunt Dutch, my Mother's youngest sister. At my earliest recollection, they were still courting and I remember them holding hands and kissing when they were alone. After their wedding, Oliver moved his horses from his parents farm, to my Grandparents and with that came a pony for me to ride.

Aunt Dutch and I would get in the Ford coupe with the rumble seat and head over to Oliver's parents farm for honey. His Mom kept bees, who she declared, maintained perfect health. She'd catch 3 or4 bees and put them in her stocking. They'd buzz around and eventually sting her. She'd say this bee venom was like a shot of health. I never doubted it because she was still keeping her bees at 108.

Uncle Oliver and I had many conversations from the spiritual to the sublime as I was growing up. What a treasure to have someone like Oliver as a teacher.
As times got better, they moved to their own farm but never had kids of their own. The picture above is from their farm that I inherited. I no longer have it, but memories serve me well. Whenever I eat honey, the bees in the stocking tape rolls in my mind. :)
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Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Evening Thoughts

Dear Bloggy Friends:

Do you use POST OPTIONS when posting on your blog? It's so handy. Click on it..... located on the Left bottom corner. I usually write my post at night, set the options for the next day at 2 AM and wake up to it already posted and catch followers on different time zones.
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Today I had to go to a tiny town by name of Whitehall in Montana. (Sounds so British). But in truth, it doesn't even have a stop light. They did recently put in a 4-way stop. They THINK big. :)
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Are you a one-book-at-a-time reader? Or do you begin 5 or 6 books and read from one to another? Would that be called multi-tasking-reading books? I start reading many books and usually drop the pitifully boring-books. I'm doing two re-reads (from ancient times and enjoying every minute). Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor and Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. History does repeat itself.
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I have 2 dance classes going. East Coast Swing and Country 2-step. I had wanted to take videos at the beginning and again after 6 weeks but the students were going to smash my camera so I nixed it. Mob rule. :) I had to teach myself the 2-step from a tape so I can teach the man's part. Both classes are progressing but no Fred and Ginger at this point.
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Are you betting people? Let's see your money. I bet that no one can watch this video and NOT get the tune stuck in their brain all day.
That's all that is on my brain. Adios Bloggy People.
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Friday, October 14, 2011

Pay it Forward Blogfest


Hello Bloggy Friends
This post is my contribution to the "Pay it Forward" blogfest. I'm going to give you the names of three blogs I enjoy following.
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I have an enormous admiration for Zara's blog Gypsy Village . It is a blog of exquisite taste and sophistication, featuring fashion, travel, gardening and sometimes food. She leans toward exotic designs from Pakistan, Arabia and India. Pay her a visit.
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Zara's other blog is Retro Lounge. This attractive blog features retro items from lifestyles from the 50's to the 80's. Her latest post headlines Piet Hein Eck, a Dutch designer of furniture, lamps, unique wallpaper, and ceramics.
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Mellodee Musings is a blog of varied interests and surprise themes. Often the themes are cleverly centered around words of a song, of which Mellodee has a vast storehouse of titles. Pay her a visit and be amazed because you never know what you'll find.
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Adios my bloggy friends. Have a Readable Week-end, reading blogs and ice skating (in case your autumn departs and your weather turns frigid.) Ha, perish the thought!
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This linky list is now closed.



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