Zumba "GOLD"

"Gold." We all know the true connotation of the euphemism "golden years." It is just an expression for _ _ _   _ _ _.  

GAC zumba classes are separated somewhat by abilities----but the participants in the “gold” zumba have several obvious characteristics. List below only includes today’s glaring differences.

• Wal-Mart matchi-matchi apparel out numbered UnderArmour 
• No mid-driff flesh visible
• FitBits worn by a few but not a single Apple Watch (What Medicare gal has the eyes or finger dexterity for that??) 
• Knee brace, ankle brace and wrist brace all seen, on the 2^nd row alone. 
• Uptown Funk blares, but it’s the “clean” version. 
• Toes tap to “all the right junk in all the right places….but the places are a lot closer to the floor than they once were. 
• More smiles than sweat---just making it through the door each week is a feat.

from a birthday card received a few years ago

When one is closer to the end of their life than the beginning, the truth of Psalm 73:26* resonates in a Zumba Gold room. It’s what keeps me going and smiling.

* My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I Could Have Danced All Night....

I Could Have Danced All Night.......but I didn't want to. I wanted to sleep. Why is it when one is trying so hard to sleep that those musical thoughts "throb" in your head---like a broken record. 
Instead of "spreading my wings to do a thousand things I have never done before," I think of a thousand things I need to do----and at 2am, who is going to be awake to respond?

I know God is awake, so I ask Him again---to lull me to sleep. But....it was if I had slipped my "tap shoes of impatience" on and was"tapping away" on the sheets.
I know "impatience" is not one of my strong suits, as my kids have reminded me, but the wee hours seem a hard time to begin to practice that virtue.

But God.......in His perfect timing brought thoughts to mind needed for tonight's teaching---which as any teacher knows---lessons are mainly for her.

Hopefully, I will "dance" tonight as I teach His truths.

It's all about the........

For "most" women "it's all about the shoes." Designer Shoe Warehouse makes sure we know, "Shoes Say a Lot About You - Say Something Great." In line with my lone pair of Skechers I was welcomed as the "next shoe lover" in line, though all the ladies behind me with their teetering stacks of 6+ shoe boxes, fit the bill better than I. 
Shoes. So many styles. So many specifications. Athletic---running, racquetball, golf. Dress--stilettos, pumps, flats. Casual---wedges, flip-flops, boots. 
OK, so I don't "do shoes"---I "do comfort" and most styles, especially new ones, are beyond me. Regardless, shoes are "all about" an individual's choice. Some more important than others.
"Dance" shoes are important choices, especially in the "dance" of life. Some shoes are better left in the closet. 
Today's choices....

• ballet---white silky slippers of grace 
• tap shoes---black patent capezios of impatience
• zumba gray laceups---for pounding out frustrations
• walkers---with pink laces for pounding God's truth into my head to keep me spiritually "in the pink"

....which will I choose? Actually, before noon today, I had tried on all of these and had to make myself throw a pair deep into the back of my "cluttered" life closet. (I like neighbor Lynda's reminder, "gallimaufry--an exhuberant hodgepdoge." (CA 5/10/15)

The dances may change and the shoe wear may vary..... but our "Partner" is steadfast, unchanging, eternal.  (Lamentations 3: 22-23, Jehovah the Eternal One) Because....it's NOT all about the shoes, it's all about Him!

Dance 101: a primer

I knew as 2015 began* that not only would I be "dancing anew" with the Lord but that I was somehow going to share this unique, "new to me" dance. That "many might see." (Psalm 40:3)

Thus, a Summer Refreshment class for women seeking to "Dance with the Lord"---a book study of When Wall Flowers Dance by Angela Thomas to blend with our own lives as we don our dancing shoes.
For me, each "new" dance can require a return to the ABCs of a life of abunDANCE. (John 10:10) or the basics of Dance 101---

How basic is this "chocolate reminder" to "Dance with your heart" or as I interpret it---"Dance with the One who holds your heart."
* Blog References click here to check out 1/31 Dance to the Music or 2/28 A New Dance

Signposts

Signposts. Sometimes they are hard to see, aren't they?
God's word offers so many signals, signs, and guidance for life. Yet, sometimes in a hard place, I'm not quite sure of God's will on that particular situation.

I would like signs as clearly posted as the ones offering directions for this week's VBS kids at First Evan. Wouldn't you?
Maybe the answer was reflected in the entrance sign.
Enter here.

Entering into His Presence is the "signpost" for the best place to start---His Presence is base camp for the Christian who seeks to gain strength and power to move on up in his/her spiritual life.

Home Again!

2015---T-Cups "take" Natchez. Trip #15 May 26-29

NOT to be confused with "red hat" gals---ours were color co-ordinated.

What a great trip---thanks to Peggy, our fearless & fantastic leader

....friendship, fun and of course ---food.

T-CUPS' Girl Trip #15

And.....so we go......on girl trip # 15----tho we know not where, until today's BIG reveal. I think OS but this year for girls trip # 15, our fearless leader has not given us a clue or answered questions so......I'll let you know when I return.

 T-Cups Trip #8 to Snug Hollow, KY 2008---the year before my cancer journey. These gals were part of my nursing team.

A friend loves at all times, (Proverbs 17:17)

Sunset Symphony: The Finale

After 39 years, Memphis in May's Sunset Symphony performed for the last time with Mei-Ann Chen conducting the Memphis Symphony Orchestra

A great event for our city will be no more.

Why? I haven't a clue. This year was one of the "best yet." (J. Hezlep) Thanks Auto Zone!

From the air show by the Commemorative Air Force sponsored by Southern Airways.....

.....to Kallen Esperian songs, the Central High School chorus and Richard Todd Payne leading us in the tradition of the late James Hyter with the   sing along.

....to Senator Lamar Alexander's Memphis Music Medley at the baby grand. Ending, he stood to play his concluding songs----the crowd rose with him, not to mention singing "Love Me Tender" and other familiar songs as he "tickled those keys"....

.....to the glorious sunset by the mighty Mississippi, 

where patriotism is always the "main focus" and each branch of service, as always, was recognized and thanked as the symphony played "their song" which.....

....always makes this memorial weekend event so special.

Fidelity Investments and Metropolitan Bank even added expanded fireworks closing for this finale.

My question is still this....why is this the final year for "our" Sunset Symphony? Isn't it participatory enough for the MIM board? (Go Memphis, Commercial Appeal, 5/22/15, p.19)

Post Postings

After the Memorial Day weekend, I will go back to the previous unfinished blogs and post pics from South Dakota. I did add L's fave, pic to Pebble Beach post---5/13/15.

Brotherhood

Naysayers asked....

You're going to do what? Travel for over 2 weeks by car? Share a room as you go? 4 adults with 1 bathroom? Do you think you'll still be speaking when you return home?

We did it all---it was great!

We drove and ate our way across America. Loading and unloading our Toyoto 4 Runner many times was a full time job for our men!

The trek included spectacular and diverse scenery, coupled with unbelievable discoveries and mixed with lots of fun----even in the midst of snow in 3 states along with unseasonable low temps in all, a tornado in 1, a traffic jam in San Francisco and a blow out in South Dakota.

We were not only speaking, we were still laughing!!!

For Buddy and Charlotte, it was 17 states in 17 days---for us just 16, as we started our jaunt in TN and returned with 5,890 miles logged on our odometer.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers (and sisters) to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)