Dance Floor

Have you ever started a project and straight from the git-go, 
everything went wrong. I don't mean a little glitch here and there
but I do mean "everything." That's what is happening right now
in my garage, as I'm setting up another studio.  

First of all, the structure itself is nearly 100 years old and 
would welcome a wrecking ball.  (Actually the house would 
too, but that's another story).  What we did to the garage, we 
did it twice because nothing worked the first time. The maple 
dance floor is half finished and driving the young floor installer 
crazy. Well, I guess I'm the one who is driving him crazy because 
if there is one thing I really know, it is dance floors.  It is the 
dance floor I had designed for the Bozeman studio and my son 
so graciously took it apart. (Does muttering to himself count?)
My header for the past couple months is the dance floor, as 
it waits patiently for installation. 

Is that the pinnacle of optimism, building a dance studio at
age 85? I'll be teaching Bliss Work to Senior Ladies.  I've 
been studying it for the past year by Skype and the beautiful 
teacher wants me to teach it here. It is the chance to help older
women as I have been helped by Bliss so I am eagerly approaching
this new endeavor in my life.  I will also have the 2nd part of
the class a jazz class. Older ladies STILL like to dance with a
little hootchy cootchty wiggle. LOL

But what the heck, who cares what goes wrong because I have a
new Happy Pill.  It's called Boost by touchstone essentials.
Ingredients: Pouchong Tea Extract, Arabica Coffee Bean 
Extract, Cocoa Powder Estract. Rhodiola, Rosea Root, and
Garcina Cambogia fruit. WOW now that's a boost!

"Oh Dang!  There's another problem you say?  Who cares? Just hand me mah happy pill and go fix it. " 

S is For Shoes

Posting for the April A-Z Blogging Challenge. Today is S. My theme is Flamenco

S is For Shoes

If a Flamenco dancer wants to do footwork, she needs proper shoes. Not always the sexiest or most attractive shoes, they are definitely the sturdiest. Flamenco shoes are made in Spain. If you look at the above photo, you see the bottom of a shoe displaying a thin piece of rubber on the sole so you can stop quickly and avoid sliding. Little nails are driven into the toe tip and the whole heel, making it solid little nail heads. This produces a slight noise but it isn't sharp like a tap.

Until a beginning student is positive that Flamenco dancing is for her, my advice is to wear cowboy boots (all Montana people have them) and not rush into buying Flamenco shoes. Cowboy boots give the needed support and if you notice, men dancers wear a snug fitting dress boot. When a student purchases Flamenco shoes, I know she's hooked. Ole

Carmen Amaya. Notice her use of Pitos (finger snapping) and her lightening footwork.

I'm Thinking of Gratitude This Morning

Howdy Bloggy Friends,

I'm sitting at my new monitor with my overly-generous green drink. (Got a little carried away this morning with the green leafy stuff). I am extremely grateful for my life. I have everything I want or need. That means, my wants are fairly simple. I surround myself with furniture and objects that add only to my comfort. I've never been one for style, design or "what's in."

I turned my garage into a studio with a floating maple dance floor that I designed myself. This was not a "want," but a need. I have always needed to dance. I tell my students to put the music inside of them and the result will come out in the form of dance. It's absolutely amazing what music will do in your life. I am so grateful for good knees, a strong body and hips that still move in any direction!!!!!! Dancing may not be your passion but be grateful for whatever it is. Grab hold of your passion and embrace it. In the end, it's what really matters.

My daughter found the following video on YT. This woman is 107 and still follows her passion.

P.S. During the day hours, when many people are online, this has some pauses. When I watched the video in the evening, it was perfect and it really is worth watching. :)