MUSIC AND DANCING
OH HOW WE LOVED TO DANCE, my husband and I
We danced the Waltz, the Swing. The Cha-cha, the Fox Trot,, the Polka, or anything else that the band played. We danced anyplace, at the Dance Hall, the Grange, a friend’s party. the Moose Lodge, when alone in our living room. Where ever there was music.
Almost any kind of music. Loved the Big Band, Small band, Country, Rock and Roll, light classical, show tunes, or the Twist.
Before we were married and were just dating, Saturday night was date night. And we were going to a dance with a group of friends. Getting all dressed up in those pretty dresses. No blue jeans for us, then. They were for wearing only to an outdoors event. Full swishy skirts, with crinoline petticoats were “in” for the teenagers. But the young married women wore fancy dresses or skirts and blouses. Our shoes were bright shiny colors, sexy straps and 6” spike heels, The guys were in their newly designed polyester “leisure suits”. With tight fitting legs and bell shaped to the hem.
It was the beginning of those Fabulous Fifties when we married. What a sight we were. Dancing and twirling around to the music. So closely snuggled together as the music played a slow and dreamy tune.
The first years of our married life we lived in a small country town, barn dances were held at farms. Yes in Barns. The group playing always had a fiddler, and it was not uncommon for a square dance to break out. People brought their whole families including children. No one was too young to step on the floor and sashay around. Little girls standing on their father’s feet while he held her in place were a common sight. Grade school kids getting their first boy-girl experiences and learning social graces that will give them a base for life.
Refreshments were provided by the women bringing homemade treats from their kitchen. Cakes, pies, cookies, small sandwiches, and plenty of punch was in a bowl on the table. Some of the more daring went to their cars for their adult liquid refreshment.
It was not uncommon to change partner’s a lot as we all were friends, or relatives, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, or neighbors. All ages, sizes and shapes mixed together on the dance floor.
An occasional jealous husband/ wife/date would raise a ruckus because of an overzealous dance partner, and maybe even a yelling fist fight would break out. They were quickly escorted outside to continue, while onlookers were feeding the frenzy. Something to keep the phone lines busy the next day with the wagging of the tongues, just added to the occurrence of a GOOD barn dance.
Then we moved to the city, as we grew older the dancing grew with us. At one time we organized a group of couples and all took dance lessons together. By this time we were interested in learning actual steps and different styles of dance. This is where we learned the Waltz, Cha-cha, Swing, Fox trot and other styles. It gave us variety and form to our dancing, which had been mostly a version of two-stepping around.
We went to clubs for dancing to the music of a current band. Home parties usually included a stereo for music and a small area to dance.
As we continued along in our life we never lost the desire for a good dance. I recall one time we were on a road trip with another couple in our motor home. The friend was driving down the highway and the song “Alley Cat” came on the radio. My husband jumped up, grabbed me and said. “may I have this dance Ma’am?” And we danced in the small area between the dinette and couch. Couldn’t resist the beat of the music.
On on our 50th Wedding anniversary we danced to the Anniversary Waltz, in our living room without another soul around. Still in love and so safe and secure in each other’s arms.
We had another 4 years together, while our dancing became few and far between, we still managed to get in a few steps now and then. The next winter he passed away, and left me with beautiful memories. I wish he had been there for his funeral. I know we would have had music and danced.
A really nice story and I am sorry for your loss. But oh the memories you have and written them down for us to picture. You painted the picture but there are grammatical things that need attention. Have you heard of “Hemmingwayapp”? Enter this link in your URL, once in the website past a copy, you might consider small sections of your writing first, at the very top left. I like to place the cursor in front of the H in Hemmingway and press a number of times which will leave some blank lines, then paste. You will see two boxes at the top right WRITE EDIT. Edit is the default and you will be given error, suggestions, and misspelling as described in the texted that is displayed below where you paste. Good luck! It really helps me and I work it out pretty good with my writing! 🙂
This is just beautiful. Really enjoyed it.
Hi – Love, love this story! I want to make a few suggestions that I hope will help. I am not an expert but, in reading your work the flow sometimes seemed choppy. For example in your opening paragraph you say ” We danced anyplace, at the Dance Hall, the Grange, a friend’s party. the Moose Lodge, when alone in our living room. Where ever there was music. ” You could say ‘ We danced any place- the Dance Hall, the Grange, a friend’s party, the Moose Lodge and alone in our living room-where ever there was music.” Another example – in your line ‘The first years of our married life we lived in a small country town, barn dances were held at farms. Yes in Barns. ” Maybe you could shorten it so it would read easier. Maybe say something like ‘The first years of our married life we lived in a small country town and dances were held in barns!’
Thanks for the input. This is my first attempt to write, so need all the help I can get.
Congrats then for beginning!
Beautiful, I enjoyed reading your piece. This reminds me so much of my grandparents, they loved to dance. Very well done.
Thank you. This was my first try at writing. Your comment means so much to me. I will write again.
Well told, I was really brought in by the names of the dances, it helped to orientate me to the time and place of the story. I don’t know you, but can see you and your husband gliding across the floor in a snuggle close enough to take you through so many years together. I’m sorry for your loss, but happy that you and your husband danced until you were parted by circumstance. Keep writing, you have a natural talent!
Thank you so much, you have given me hope. This is my first attempt and I have a lot to learn
Unlike one of our classmates, I like your style of writing. It’s your voice and it felt honest.
Has a nice flow. Yes, there could be some edits made — everyone needs an editor! — but I really like this story and, at times, it had the musical pacing of a dance. Good job!
It sounds like you and your dance partner had a wonderful journey together. Thanks for sharing this leg of it.
As someone who has a strong passion for dancing (and a husband who does NOT..haha), I was envious to read of such memories! You two had something very special and I am glad you shared it with us. I too am sorry for your loss but would also like to congratulate you on those 50 years..amazing! I look forward to hearing more stories.