random thoughts – Day 2,291 (Tuesday) – dancing memories

Prepping for barre work.

The new Tuesday dance plan was activated today when I met up with some long-ago dance friends (circa high school) during their weekly dance session. With a recording of the old dance studio music playing, eight of us did the Denishawn barre and center work, followed by many dances.

Musical memory and muscle memory ruled the day and got me through. At the barre, there were shaky one-legged balancing holds where some strength needs to be rebuilt. I nearly always remembered the music, and if I didn’t think about it too much, muscle memory kicked in and the movements took over. When the muscle memory was spotty or if it was something I hadn’t ever fully learned, I had seven dance pals to follow. One even called out the steps on a dance I wasn’t familiar with.

We ran through a lot of the repertoire. In many cases, I remembered the costumes we wore back in the day more than the dance itself, which is on brand for me. “Creation” featured metallic silver leotards under black capes. “Tales of Vienna Woods” had light green dresses with flower chains diagonally across the torso. “Chopin Preludes” (Opus 28 No. 20 followed immediately by No. 7) was a maroon leotard with a maroon wrap skirt.

We did dances with tour jetes and turns for which I didn’t fully trust my recently wonky left knee, the steadiness of my feet, or my ballet slippers on the slippery floor. We danced soft, quiet dances that required lots of control and still broke a sweat. There were dances with quick footwork and spins that made me dizzy. It was glorious. It felt like home. Several hours later I was a little sore, but in a good way. Tomorrow I may be sore in the barely can move way and that will also be good.

Baby chain saw!

In other exciting news, before going to dance, I visited Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and bought one of the tiny, adorable chain saws for pruning that StepDad told me about. It even comes in its own little hard case. Now I need a free and dry day so I can try it out. Yard work fun times are ahead and I can hardly wait.