On the Road

My musician husband often tells our daughters, who are also musicians, that playing music has the additional benefit of allowing them to visit new places and meet people they would not have otherwise. That sentiment is true for me as a dance caller as well. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to call dances for an outdoor church event on the grounds of a beautiful Byzantine church in San Luis Obispo. Last night, I traveled to the historic adobe fort in Taft and called dances for about fifty high school students. The event was sponsored by a local ministry in the town, Higher Impact, which provided the venue, dance calling and a lovely buffet for the students. None of the students had ever experienced a Victorian style social dance before, but they worked hard to come up with costumes for the event and danced with enthusiasm. One of my great delights is sharing with new groups my passion for bringing people together through social dance.

Victorian Cards

In the Victorian Era, many ladies used their leisure time to create paper crafts to give as gifts and mementos to friends and family. When I have the opportunity, I enjoy browsing through antique stores in search of old photos and cards. For me, they tell stories. Some of the post cards that I have purchased have intriguing messages. I bought an old autograph album (with the back cover missing) that was full of poems. Antique photos are my favorite, and I have many that were handed down to me from my grandmother. Old photos tell stories of love, adventures and family. I sometimes copy these old photos and cards and incorporate them into gifts for family and friends, adding my own twists and changes, using their stories to make new memories.

Writer's Group

My two daughters have always had a fascination with mechanical typewriters and have purchased several at various garage sales over the years. For them, there is just something satisfying about putting down thoughts, dreams and stories to the clickety clack of typewriter keys. Of course, the mood for writing can be enhanced by a row of candles, a vase of sunflowers, a string of pearls and perhaps sealing wax to close up a letter to a special someone. But probably nothing is as inspiring as having a group of friends who want to read your stories – friends that love you and love writing stories themselves. They understand the desire to write, the hard work of the process and the sweet success of a well-received story. My girls and I have been in a “Writer’s Group” for over five years with lovely ladies who inspire, encourage and cheer each writer on. Just about every month we meet to share laughs, food (lots of that!) and the stories of our lives.