all join hands, circle to the south...

i seem to have inherited parts of both of my grandmothers. one loved to dance. the other loved to share food. it is the places where those two things coalesce that i feel rooted and alive. this past weekend, i snuck away to dare to be square, a dance weekend, that was held outside of nashville. oh, it was a delight to be around old time music and dance. i've missed that community in recent days. and we ate well too. many things coming from the farm where the dances were held, or just down the road - turnip greens, sweet potatoes, squash soup, autumn goodness...

it felt healing to take a breath. to reconnect heart and spirit and body. i've been doing a lot of thinking in school. a weekend of dancing let me use my brain in different ways. honestly, much of it felt like a dream. 

dare to be square offers workshops specifically for square dance callers. although i'm not yet a caller - perhaps aspiring - i went to workshops where methodology was discussed. beyond just enjoying dancing, there were opportunities to analyze how callers orchestrate fluid dancing with clear, well-timed directions. and this reminded me of being in school. at the moment, my reading isn't for mere pleasure, but with a constant analytical attitude - observing and critiquing how scholars frame their arguments and approach their subject matter. sometimes its an exhausting practice. but its valuable. and it forces me to be deeply present with whatever is before me. kind of like a square dance caller has to do. 

i picked this book up along the way (which i am mighty excited to read): hoedowns, reels, and frolics: roots and branches of southern appalachian dance by the wonderful square dance caller, phil jamison. i can recommend it wholeheartedly. 

as i return to the rhythms of routine, i am grateful for moments of dancing. for the reminder that dancing is a part of me. and i'll find it wherever i go.