The Paradox

Thanksgiving on The Hill

2011-11-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

My mom's side of the family has the tradition of always getting together the Saturday after the Holiday. So, yesterday we met on the Hill to celebrate Thanksgiving. It's always better this way because no one has to rush from one house to another AND we get a second night of eating GREAT food. Patrick and I were late getting there, like usual, but we stayed A LOT longer because it was pouring down rain. Had a lot of fun visiting with family and looking forward to Christmas and "Dirty Santa".

Baby Shower

2011-11-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

Karla, Shelley, Tiara, and I have all been friends since Oak Elementary School since we lived within a short bike ride of each others house. We met Heather in college as she was Shelley's roommate but have made her part of our little gang. We had a baby shower for her at Shelley's Mom's house. I wasn't planning on coming because I was sick with strep earlier that week, but they made me feel guilty and showed up anyways. I'm so proud of Heather and all she has accomplished. She works two jobs and goes to school at University of Memphis. She's going to be a great Mom and I know that baby is going to be spoiled this Christmas.

Mom's 50th Birthday Blast

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

At the Square Dance tonight, we surprised Mom with a 50th Birthday Blast. Everyone was wearing black to "mourn" the loss of her youth. The only way to keep Mom from coming early to set-up was to get Aunt Shelia to come and help us out. She called Mom on Tuesday and asked her to come out for a little "Girls Night". They ended up getting out there a little before 8:00pm and boy was Mom surprised.

The hardest thing for both Karla and myself, was to keep it from Mom. Several times we both almost slipped and brought it up in front of her. She is really hard to surprise especially since she always comes out early to set-up.

Here is Glinda helping her through a line dance. Mom even cried during the announcements when she was thanking everybody for coming out. Of course, that led me to start crying too. Top Spinners has the best members! It really is just one big family!

Hunter Keller Comes to Town

2011-10-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hunter Keller came into town... we had a lot of laughs, called a few dances, drank a few beers, and made a little money.

On Thursday when he got into town, we called out at Top Spinners. Had 5 squares on the floor and even had dancers from Arkansas and Mississippi. The next night we went to dance at the 49th Mid-South Festival.

One of the reasons he was in town was so we could go to Nashville and record songs for the 2012 Platinum with Royal Records. www.royal-records.com We met up with Jerry Story on Monday at 11am when he met with the lead guitarist. Ate some lunch and headed over to the studio to watch the magic happen. Over the next several hours, the musicians created song after song right in front of our eyes. It's a cool feeling hearing perfection and having them say "I know I could do better, let me try it one more time." Jerry went ahead and put a couple vocals down that night and we headed back to the hotel to eat and practice our song.

For the first time in the 25 years of Royal Records, someone other than Tony and Jerry put the vocals on a track together. Hunter and I did "Cadillac Ranch" and "Young Man's Game".

Back at home, we have a Jack O'Lantern Conest. Mom won first place and the rest of us vowed to never carve a pumpkin again. We had 9 in the contest, which was a lot better than I thought. Sometimes when I come up with these ideas, I never know how they will turn out. Hunter called the dance by himself and everyone seemed to have a good time. They are tired of my jokes anyways.

After 11 days in Memphis, and calling four dances, I know he was ready to go home. But, it was fun hanging out with him! We won't see each other again til April at the Callerlab Convention in Nashville.

Electric Cowboy

2011-09-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday nights, they are teaching line dances at 7:30. It's ladies night, so they get in for free but it's only $3 bucks for guys and $1.50 longnecks. I've learned several dances and it's been nice to see how someone else teaches lines. Plus, a couple beers and dancing... what could be better?

www.electriccowboy.com/memphis/

Grand Squares - Memphis

2011-09-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

So, I said earlier this was my first dance calling sick, but that's not true. A long time ago when I was still in high school I called a square dance party for a Girl Scout group when I had mono, of course at the time I was calling I didn't know that.

So tonight was my second time to call sick as a dog. And the dancers did a fantastic job. Last week was a little shaky so I was worried this week because we had so many people out last time but they came back strong and ready to learn. I taught the line dance, "Something Easy" to the song "Love, Done Gone" by Billy Currington. We are slowly getting there with the lines. We know 6 line dances now as well as one couples dance and the Cotton Eyed Joe.

We are also starting a new class on Thursday nights at my Eads club. I'm hoping for two squares there but we'll just have to wait and see.

Shelby Farms Greenline

2011-09-17T22:49:00.001-07:00

Today I took the bike out for a ten mile ride on the Greenline at Shelby Farms.

http://www.shelbyfarmsgreenline.org/

Shelley & Brian were with me and it's surprising how out of shape we are. Shelley and I use to ride around the neighborhood for HOURS on our bikes. Sometimes to the gas station, or Tiara's house, or the green bridge near Ellendale Park.

Anyways, I really like the Greenline. Today it wasn't busy (I'm assuming because the Cooper Young Festival). But, what a great way to connect the city…gives Memphis something to be proud of. Taking people like me, who wouldn't usually ride, and putting them out in the city with other Memphians. Lowers the crime rate, raises property values, gets inactive people out of the house, and allows people to come face to face with neighbors.

Friday, September 16th

2011-09-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Top Spinners had their first cook out at Tonya & Larry's house. It was a great night of laughs and eating. I am so proud of the club and how all the members have come together. No politics, no drama. Got there close to 7:00 because I was late leaving work and had to go pick up drinks. Had over 30 people scattered throughout the house and patio. It was misting for awhile but never pouring. After dinner and dessert, some people began watching football, others played dominoes, but Karla and I decided to make s'mores with the fire pit in the backyard. Once the misting stopped, we set-up the speakers and pushed the patio furniture to the side and did line & square dancing. Had 3 squares on the patio. Everyone left around 11:30. You know it's a good party when the whole way home you talk about how much fun you had. Good times!