Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Dancin' the night away


When I was in high school, my mother enrolled me in a charm school sponsored by Sears at the local mall, and for good reason. I did not move with very much grace. The way my knees and hip joints are constructed has given me sort of an odd walk. My brothers teased me about it. They said I “plonked” and they would chant “Ling plop, long plop, lugga lugga blug blug.”

So, I have been somewhat uncomfortable in situations where graceful moment is required. Hence, my precious mother’s attempts to help me.

Last year I went shopping and found the perfect gown to wear to the cyber ball at Willow Manor,


but I did not actually have the nerve to put it on and attend the event. I was not planning to go this year either. 

The anniversary of my mother’s death 2 years ago is tomorrow and I was not exactly in the mood. 

However, when I read that Nigella Lawson is attending, I immediately decided that I would love to spend some time chatting with this wonderful witty woman, whose reports on NPR I have loved to listen to, and so I asked Danny (my lovely husband does not enjoy crowds) if he would escort me – he is a good dancer and he will make me laugh – and he agreed.



I suddenly find I have instant recall of all of the charm school lessons I learned on how to walk and hold myself gracefully and so I have refreshed the gown and am waiting for Danny to arrive.

After a dance or two, I am sure he will be lured away, and then I will go in search of Nigella (wherever Willow has stashed her).

13 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

I adore Danny Kaye...I wonder if he might treat us to his glockenspiel routine?

Yoli said...

Glad you decided to go after all and you are very graceful!

Helen said...

Mr. Kaye himself? How lucky for all of us! I loved seeing you in that beautiful pink gown, graceful and full of life!!

Helena said...

Danny Kaye was my dad's hero. I grew up worshiping his films! I couldn't think of a better date (apart from my one, of course!...lol)

Kathy G said...

What a beautiful dress! So glad you decided to hang onto it.

Willow Manor is very crowded this year. I hope you're able to find Nigella.

Paula said...

Oh wow! No wonder you don't comment in my old country hick blog. lol

Shaista said...

I have wonderful memories of Danny Kaye from childhood videos... glad you brought him!
Me, I only have eyes for Gregory Peck :)

Anonymous said...

I knew my date too, would be lured away, but alas, was the whacky weed that kept dear John Lennon busy to and fro-ing. I think he too eventually searched out Nigella to find out about snacks that fill that gnawing hole of hunger. Sort of left Danny Kaye and I to ourselves for a while, and he does dance divinely.
I'm glad you floated back in your beautiful pink gown to whisk him back onto the dance floor. You looked beautiful together.

Liz Rice-Sosne said...

You are so lucky to have danced with Danny Kaye! Loved your gown.

Oklahoma Granny said...

I'm reading this one day late so I hope you had a wonderful time at the ball with Mr. Kaye, who is one of my favorites by the way. And I'm thinking of you today.

Donna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Donna said...

Your little brother Andrew wants me to tell you that he remembers when you were going to the charm school and you use to walk down the street with a book on your head. He said that he walk next to you for support. He says that although he teased you he did it with love.

Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...

I guess I need to jump in here and say that I did not grow up in a toxic home with cruel brothers and detached parents who didn't care. We were normal kids -- not perfect -- normal. Everybody teased everybody (I don't think my sister teased me though!). We squabbled, we loved each other. Our family was and is wonderful -- not perfect--but wonderful. My brothers have grown up to be kind and generous men. I love them