Daily Prompt: Let’s Dance

What are your earliest and fondest memories of dance?

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Ah, dance. I love to dance, always have. I think I came by it honestly through my parents. They both love music and I remember when I was very young watching my mom and dad dance the ‘Big Apple’ or the ‘Jitterbug’. They would be dancing and laughing and having such fun! Those were the dances of their youth and they loved them.

I remember having a small record player when I was a kid. I would play actual vinyl records! I know I’m aging myself, but that’s ok. To this day I love vinyl records, 45’s, albums, for a while I even had some really old 78’s. (If you are too young to remember what they were or looked like, google them! Ha-ha)

When I was a kid, I would make up my own dance moves to my records. I’d work on them for weeks till I got it down just right. I would never sing though, because even back then, I knew my voice was not made for singing! I knew the songs by heart though, and my dance steps. And the rare times I knew no one was about I would try singing them along with doing my dancing. But I would never sing in front of anyone.

My parents loved to have me do my little dance routines in front of company. I think those were the only times I wasn’t shy! I would set my record player up and strut my stuff. The adults would clap and laugh and ask for more! I was in my element.

As I grew older I was taught how to waltz by my dad. We’d go out as a family to the bar and crank the jukebox up and my dad would waltz with me around the pool table. Those were fun times!

When I moved to Texas, of course I learned how to Texas Two-Step. Me and a girlfriend would go to a place in Ft Worth where they had a huge dance floor. We’d buy our first drink and sit at a table and it didn’t take long for both of us to be asked to dance.

I remember the first time a cowboy type asked me to dance. I warned him that I had never danced the two step and he was risking his fancy cowboy boots to my feet. He didn’t mind, he said, and off we went. He slowly showed me the basics and within minutes we were going around that old oak dance floor like we had been dancing together for years. Those were fun days back then. He never failed to ask me to dance every time my girlfriend and I went there.

I still love to dance, even though I rarely do anymore. But sometimes I crank up the music in the house and just go for it! My dog Sam is barking and chasing me and the cats look at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I laugh and just keep twirling! Sometimes, life is good.

25 thoughts on “Daily Prompt: Let’s Dance”

Great, upbeat post, made me smile! And I have a confession to make: I do that too! Dance by myself when the spirit falls on me 🙂

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JackieP says:

February 27, 2014 at 1:35 pm

sometimes you just got to move to the music! 🙂 Thanks tiny.

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jitterbug, two-step, – and square dancing…a little polka at the Elk’s halls on weekends.
Billy Bob’s?

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JackieP says:

February 27, 2014 at 1:56 pm

I have been to Billy Bob’s several times, but this place I believe has been closed for several years. My parents taught us kids how to polka. lol…my dad being German.

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I’m with ya on the “yes to dancing” and “no to singing”. I will belt it out occasionally, but I have to be really happy and really far away from listening ears! Enjoyed your story today.

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JackieP says:

February 27, 2014 at 2:17 pm

Thanks Sammy! Yeah, before I sing I make sure no one is around!

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Great post Jackie, i think we all love to dance, it is part of us to move to music. I do it all the time as there is music playing all the time here. Though some is more danceable than others. As kids we were all taught the old time dancing and it was a lot of fun. The Texas two step sounds fun.

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JackieP says:

February 27, 2014 at 2:59 pm

Oh the Texas two step is fun. If you can keep up with some of the dancers. Thanks Michael. True some music is more easy to dance to. But it’s all good if it gets you up and moving.

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Every once in a while I play all my favorites on You Tube and rock out! You brought back memories of my beloved 45s. 🙂

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JackieP says:

February 27, 2014 at 3:00 pm

thanks Frances! Glad I could help. Yeah, I go on YouTube a lot and play my old favorites. 🙂

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Ahhh, something new I didn’t know about you. 🙂 And what a fun post. This put a smile on my face today.

When the rhythm gene was passed out, I was off chasing bunnies, because I didn’t get it. I can’t dance at all. Not even by myself or around the house. I took line dancing lessons once, and simply could not get the hang of it. It was so embarrassing, I had to quit. So, you go on and dance for the both of us. 🙂

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JackieP says:

February 27, 2014 at 4:37 pm

Maddie!!! I need to email you soon lady. 🙂

Yeah, I love to dance. Short legs and all. haha! Aww, you don’t have any rhythm? Don’t worry, it’s ok, I can dance for us both. Course maybe everyone was nice and never told me I didn’t have rhythm either! hahaha!

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