Category: square dance

Day 29 – A Picture of Me—On My Wedding Day
Gratitude · Memoirs · Mom · MY LIFE · My Thoughts · square dance

Day 29 – A Picture of Me—On My Wedding Day

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

One of my favorite pictures of me is on my wedding day, October 22, 2011. The sheer joy shines in my eyes. And here’s the reason why!

Back Story

My ex-husband and I separated in 2008. We divorced in early 2009. My best girlfriend, Kathi Raver, in square dancing died in November 25, 2009. My ex-husband and I did lots of fun activities with Kathi and her husband, Lin—we went to square dance festivals and dance together. We played games in each other’s homes. Also, we danced weekly at our three club dances.

After the first of the year, Lin called me asking if I would like to dance with him at the three club dances. Because we were friends before, the dancing moved into more of a relationship.

So, we officially started dating in May 2010 and married in 2011. It might appear that we rushed this, but Kathi had said repeatedly to me when my ex and I broke up to get over it—give it six months and go on.

Lin proposed to me on Christmas Day, 2010 in Branson, Colorado in front of my mom and my aunt—what a precious day that was!

Then he spent the year telling everyone at square dance festivals were at all over the country to come to our wedding! He evenly got up on the microphone at some and made the big announcement.

Our Wedding Day

Because of our love for dancing, we got married at the Albuquerque Square Dance Center. My brother and mom gave me away. He had two best men and I had eleven brides’ maids.

Lin, Our Minister & Larada
Lin & Larada with her brother and mother

Because of our multiple marriages my Episcopal priest couldn’t marry us, so we found someone on the internet, and she did a beautiful job, weaving our story into our vows, even referencing recovery quotes for me.

So, we had a short ceremony and a big dance party afterwards! Three hundred of closest friends attended with some flying in from Florida and Tennessee.

During the ceremony, I read Lin a poem I wrote for the occasion. Here it is:

Larada reading her poem to Lin - picture
Close up of Larada reading her poem to Lin
Larada Reading her poem to Lin!

It’s Here! Our Wedding

October 22, 2011

It's here!

Our life together starts today

The past is behind us
The future looms positively in our view!

I have labored over the words to say to you.
How do I find words to describe what has happened 
Between us

There is not a container to hold it 

We come from 2 rich, full lives 
a small town New Jersey boy and
a country girl from Colorado
Other places, other times
Other husbands, other wives

We arrive here today
From tragedy 
The loss of Kathi
Your dear former wife
And My dear friend

We arrive here today
From joy
In our newfound relationship,
Having been friends for years!
I knew you and liked you before
I fell in love with you!

Thank you for proposing to me
On Christmas morning, 2010
In front of Mom and Aunt Willie, 
My 92 year old aunt 
and 
making It official.

When You met My dear Uncle Tanky 
After you proposed, he took me aside 
And said he's the best!

I agree—I have no doubt.

Many of our friends here today have 
Told us that they will be glad when we get married,
So we would stop kissing and hugging each other
All the time!

I will never stop!
Each kiss and each hug heals my soul at a deeper level
I want more!

Lin, to me
You are a cool mountain breeze
Deer stopping by for nourishment & comfort!
You are laughter!  Every Wednesday night at 
     round dancing when you refer to the foxtrot 
     as the F word, I laugh deeply!

I know that the life we will start today 
Is rich
blessed
And oh, so good!

As I look out over
Our family and friends,
I know we have the support
And power to make this marriage
Become a fascinating adventure.

Today we become husband and wife
And some of you may wonder
"why?"
At our age.

Here's my reason—
I wanted to stand today before
My family and friends and God and profess 
     my love to you.
To me the sacrament of marriage 
Has a different value today!
I wanted the protection for us
That marriage offers.

I commit today 
To be Larada
Creative, messy, wacky and fun!

I ask you to be Lin.
Creative, neat, linear and goofy!

Together we form a "we"
That's dynamic!

I could site a long list of thank you's today, 
     but I want to thank you mostly for one thing—
     choosing to
Share the rest of your 
Life with me!  It's here!

After I read this, Lin played, I Cross My Heart, a George Strait song for me—George is my favorite.

Finally,

The joy on my face in the picture below shows exactly what this day was for me—the best day of my life!

Larada Horner-Miller on her wedding day - picture

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Feed Your Soul with the 19th Annual Hot August Nights!
Friends · My Thoughts · square dance

Feed Your Soul with the 19th Annual Hot August Nights!

Larada Horner-Miller2 Comments
The Hot August Nights 2025 flyer - feed your soul

Feed your soul! The 19th annual Hot August Nights Square and Round Festival is in the books and we had another success!

After a four-hour nap this afternoon, I’m revived enough to write this blog post. Here’s how the weekend went.

Preparing on Friday

We met Sheri Pastian, the new treasurer, at the Wells Fargo at 10:15 am to add her to the checking account. From there we went to her house and loaded up the supplies for Hot August Nights. Then we had a jovial lunch at Panda Express and met the rest of the committee at the danc e hall to prepare for the weekend.

This year we had only six of our eleven-man committee, but these six worked smoothly all weekend. It was amazing. We blew up beach balls for the Beach Party we do every Friday night. We did minimal decorating with two clusters of helium balloons on each side of the stage. Also, we put up schedules and other necessary signs. Ready or not, here they came!

Our first event started at 3:00 PM—the Welcome dance. Mike Hogan started the afternoon off, and dancers enjoyed him as usual. Mitchell and Chelsea Thompson cued the rounds and warmed the floor up.

Then we broke for dinner.

Friday Night

Our Beach Party square and round dance party has started Hot August Nights for nineteen years and no one gets tired of it. People came dressed in shorts and beach attire and a laid-back attitude.

What a fun night we had dancing to Mike Hogan and Mitchell Thompson. Because of my nerve damage, I didn’t dance every tip and every round dance, but I did a couple tips and more rounds than I thought I could, but when the music started to a favorite round, it was hard to not jump up!

Dancers greeted us warmly and asked lots of questions about our move to Panama. Their care and concerned warmed my heart.

As usual, we ended the evening with root beer floats. I love this because people sit and visit and make new friendships and rekindled old ones. Laughter and hugs filled the hall.

Saturday—Daytime Fun

Saturday morning started off with a rounds workshop and then an introduction to waltz. I helped at the registration desk and had a fantastic visit with members of our committee. The round dancers dominated the morning, and usually I would have been on the floor learning the level four cha-cha Mitchell and Chelsea taught. Again I had to refrain from overdoing.

During lunch we enjoyed a hearty conversation with our staff about promoting square and round dancing and their future. Mike, Mitchell and Chelsea shared personal experiences and wisdom. I love this time we’ve created each year to sit and talk with professionals in the field about the two activities I love!

After lunch Mike Hogan started the afternoon off with thirty minutes of High Energy square dancing. I couldn’t participate, but what fun it was! As the time went on, he increased the speed of the music, so the dancers ended up dancing at 150 beats per second.

Watch how Mike stood while calling one of the high energy tips: https://youtube.com/shorts/Rh4dVdv-5eA?feature=share

He ended the session with one of my favorite songs, Fisherman’s Luck.

Then we enjoyed an hour of singing calls where we had the pleasure of hearing Mike’s beautiful voice. The afternoon ended with an hour and half of plus workshop. I was able to dance a little and enjoyed the review of different square dance calls and the challenge.

Lin and I ended the afternoon by taking Mike and Denise Hogan out to dinner and talking square dancing more. However, they are close friends of ours, so we enjoyed more conversation about our lives and families.

Saturday Evening

The Hard Working Hot August Nights Committee - feed my soul
The Hard Working Hot August Nights Committee

I love Saturday evening at our Hot August Nights dance because our committee wears our beautiful club outfit made by Mary Jo Smith. I hadn’t worn a square dance outfit for over a year, so it was a pleasure, even though I’ve gained weight and my pettipants fit too tight!

Early in the evening, we celebrated three birthdays with one man celebrating 89 years! I love the tradition of the birthday celebrants standing up and the other dancers lining up and giving them a hug and a kiss! What fun!

Women lined up to give hugs and kisses to the birthday guys - feed my soul
Women lined up to give hugs and kisses to the birthday guys

Most of the dancers dressed up for the evening, so it was a kaleidoscope of colors. What a wonderful evening we had with great dancing and lots of laughter. I didn’t dance as much as Friday night because my leg hurt. I visited with friends and enjoyed the music and the calling.

Later in the evening, I did danced one tip where the men wore our petticoats. Usually I have an extra petticoat for Lin to wear for this traditional craziness, but they’re all packed up, so when we got into the square, I took mine off right there. When the music started, the hilarity started because some of us changed dance positions dancing the opposite one. I have never laughed so hard in my life—good, clean fun!

For one of the tips, Mike did the calls and Chelsea sang the song—an Adele tune—and it was awesome! https://youtube.com/shorts/8s0sAM2YplQ?feature=share

The night again ended with root beer floats. Mike and Denise entertained a group of us with their disastrous story of their time Mike called for us last and their rental car nightmare. Yes, it was funny today, but not then, I’m sure!

Sunday Morning Fun

Traditionally Sunday Morning at Hot August Nights is a blast, and it was this morning. Because everyone is tired yet exhilarated by the weekend, the dancers come ready to have fun for the short hour and half session.

This morning, we did scatter promenades, air raid and much more as people laughed and enjoyed the time left in this magical atmosphere of a weekend festival.

Mike, Chelsea and Mitchell continued to inspire all of us with their talents and friendship.

When the time ended, we all received lots of hugs and well wishes. After we cleaned up, we had our traditional feedback meeting where we listed the Pluses for the weekend, the Deltas (what needs improvements) and then the remedies. Mike and Denise joined in, and we gained from their objective observation.

To celebrate our triumph, we ended up at Fuddruckers for lunch and more friendly conversation. I will never forget my farewell to Denise. She said, “Longtime friend” which I loved. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to them because of our deep relationship.

So, folks who don’t square and round dance—you are missing out on deep friendships built on a love for an activity that feeds your soul!

If you’re interested in learning more about square dancing, here’s the place to go: https://livelivelysquaredance.com/

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Got a Friend Who’d Love Marshall Flippo’s Story?
Dancing · Marshall Flippo · My Thoughts · square dance

Got a Friend Who’d Love Marshall Flippo’s Story?

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

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After Six Month I Still Can’t Dance: Oh My God!
MY LIFE · My Thoughts · square dance

After Six Month I Still Can’t Dance: Oh My God!

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment
Despair - six months

After six months, I still can’t dance. My podiatrist and physical therapist agree, and on top of the nerve pain, not dancing’s killing me! Such despair! Here’s why!

Recently

Last night we dropped by the Sweetheart Dance at the Albuquerque Square Dance Center to see friends— I still can’t dance. I tuned out the music and the dancing on the floor and concentrated on talking to my friends. Such despair! Then today, we just spent the afternoon at the dance hall for the Annual Membership Meeting. I’m on the board that runs the dance hall. Afterwards a large group went out to Sadie’s for dinner and that delicious social time we all enjoy! I looked at people sitting around the table, seeing some who I have known for decades and some just a few years! But dear friends!

So why can’t I dance? The dog attack happened six months ago—the wound has healed! But the nerve damage persists. I have peroneal nerve damage that runs from my foot to my butt. A couple months ago, my podiatrist warned me if I got kicked in a square, I could erase all the work we done so far over the past few months to diminish the nerve pain. And because of the CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, the pain could escalate and gets worse.

Then, my physical therapist told me last week when I questioned him about square dancing that I could injure my ankle with any rotating movement of the foot.

So, six months since the dog attack, I still can’t dance! If you don’t know me, you may be wondering why this one thing is so important to me.

Let my poetry answer the question:

“She Was Born Dancing!”

On June 26, 1953, my folks left
their thirteen-month-old son with Millie, 
     the family babysitter,
to go to a square dance in Trinidad, 
     fifty miles away. 

Mom danced one tip that night— 
She was nine months pregnant 
     with me.
They left the dance early 
     feeling something was about to happen. 

Early the next morning 
Mom had labor pains 
     that made her stagger across the floor. 
It was time! 

The fifty-mile trip back to Trinidad 
     and the hospital
     was made in record time. 
At 10:30 a.m. I was born. 

Dad went downtown to buy cigars 
     and ran into a fellow dancer 
     from the previous night. 

Dad announced his good news— 
     a new baby girl! 

Remembering Mom at the dance 
     the night before, 
the only comment the stunned friend 
     had to make was, 
“She was born dancing!”

Larada Horner-Miller, This Tumbleweed Landed, (Horner Publishing Company, 2014), 11-12.

So, I treasure my legacy—she was born dancing! The majority of my life has spun around dancing of some kind, and not dancing for SIX MONTHS has tortured me! Six months!

Here’s another poem describing how I feel when I dance:

Lin and I dancing at Texas Stampede, Dallas, TX - six months

Why We Square Dance—

Why I Dance
It’s a Friday night
	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 welted	
	and
		am ready to dissolve into bed!

But it’s my dance night.
	I breathe deeply,
		and 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 routine
	takes over

Systematically I put on my outfit
	and
		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
Then my top and skirt
	My goodness—a glimmer of hope
Then 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 lipgloss
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
	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

I love the preparation, the anticipation and then finally stepping on the dance floor, the music and the dance!

Finally,

I hope these words of mine in poetry form have expressed my deep love for dancing and square dancing specifically. And hopefully, you can sympathize with me for not dancing for SIX MONTHS! Yes, enduring the pain has been grueling, but this loss resonates in a different category!

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This Tumbleweed Landed

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