Normal to you, normal to me? Nothing alike, I’m sure! I want to share a poem I wrote a few years ago about why I dance, then I end with one I wrote on March 27, 2020, in the midst of our unusual world!

Why We Square Dance—Why I Dance It’s a Friday Or A Saturday night A dance night! The week lasted for eons grueling I had my work face on for five days and I kept going. I finished this week Exhausted! My family needs drained me I am wilted, ready to dissolve into bed! But it’s my dance night. I breathe deeply, I know! I select my square dance outfit. What do I feel like tonight? Red or turquoise Southwest design or frilly lace? The familiarity of my weekly dance routine takes over Systematically I put on my outfit As each layer goes on, my perspective and energy level changes! First my hose With a deep breath, I release part of my stress Then my pettipants Oh my, it’s going—another deep breath my top and skirt My goodness—a glimmer of hope my belt A smile slowly crosses my lips Next my matching petticoat and shoes Yes, I sigh with relief Finally, my club badge To identify who I am— A square dancer! A spray to finish my hair a touch of lip gloss A final look in the mirror A pirouette and a spin crinoline flowing I am complete! My exhaustion replaced with anticipation! The drive to the dance hall becomes a time tunnel a vacuum a timeless space void of the demands of this world stress free relaxing Either soft music in the background or a compatible silence or a casual conversation A bridge between the world out there with its demands and the dance world with its pleasures! Friends greet me as I enter the dance hall—my dance family The music starts I step onto the dance floor and I am free! The carefree child within me spins round and around claps her hands and Shouts for joy! I am free! The tip starts, and I am safe to spend two hours In sheer joy and ecstasy! I drop the world’s cares and concerns, at the door, kicking them out of view! So if you have problems in your world, join me and leave them at the door! If you are angry or sad The magic begins when you show up and dress up! The music starts and I step onto the dance floor! And then the real magic takes over! Cares melt down my shoulders and flitter away on a breath giving a lightness to my step Sorrows cluster together and ride away on an angel’s wings. Music playing I am surrounded by dear friends I step onto the dance floor It is a safe place and I am free! That’s why I dance! Copyright©2015 Larada Horner-Miller
As I juxtapose these two poems against each other, I realize the loss I’m experiencing. My husband and I have had a couple of years with limited dancing because of health reasons, but I remember in 2015 when I wrote the above poem, we would dance three times a week. Then we often went away to weekend events that started on Friday evening with a dance, dance all day Saturday and Saturday night and Sunday morning. We were dancing fools!
The world I face today in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic differs drastically from our normal life.

I Want Normal Again March 27, 2020 I want to dance To laugh To hug To live! I want my life back! This disruption has created havoc Distance Isolation I want my old life back, But not at the expense Of loss Of risk Of stupidity Of you I love my normal life Lin 14 Asher Lane Jesse, my cat The richness of community Friends Family Branson The ranch My brother And friends Sixty-six years Full and rich I count my numerous joys And I submit to the world’s needs! To my elderly neighbor To my high-risk dancing friend With a double lung transplant To the stranger I want to consider I submit; I must or perish, But as I say this, I yearn for my life back! In my nightly dreams, I spin off of Lin’s hand We promenade around the square I hoot and holler on an allemande left I relish each hug in the "thank you" circle When it is safe, the next time we dance, I will hug you From the depths of my soul And will be made new In your touch But for today, I kiss my husband We hug and snuggle We touch And it keeps me alive Those dreams Sustain my spirit Today And I wait for the day For normal to return!
As I compare these two poems, I mourn the loss of dance right now–the movement, the activity, the music and our friends! And I’m going to be oh, so careful on the return! How do you keep six feet apart when square dancing? How can you wear gloves and masks and dance? Do you change gloves after every tip? And no hugs? Hugs are a big part of it for me!
What does your normal life look like? I’d love to hear about the activities that feed your soul.
~ RELEASE PARTY of Flippo’s biography streamed on Facebook Live — TBA! Be ready! Door Prizes, the inside story, Flippo song bytes & interview clips and more!
~Whitey & Gladys Puerling, playful friends of Flippo’s, created a Fan Club. I thought it would be fun to recreate this group. Would you like to join the Marshall Flippo Fan Club Facebook page? Read interesting posts about Flippo’s life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/328325644382769/
~DO YOU WANT AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? Visit my web site and you can order a book on the homepage: https://www.laradasbooks.com