I’m going back to school later today. I’m taking another class through The Villages’ Enrichment Academy. I’ve taken several over the years and found them to be helpful.
I took my first one about ten years ago. I learned how to do magic. Brady and Eva were nine and seven at the time. I taught them a couple of tricks. Our entire family went to Myrtle Beach about the same time, and we had a talent show. I did a few tricks and recruited Ruth to be my lovely assistant. All good magicians have lovely assistants. Their primary job is to distract the audience when the magician messes up. Ruth was very busy that night.
The two of us took several dance classes through the academy. The first was a Cha Cha class. We’d been watching Dancing with the Stars and thought dancing would be a good workout. The workout part was true, but the dancing didn’t go very well. Ruth wanted to lead. The fact of the matter is that when couples dance together, the guy leads, and the girl follows. Being a born leader, Ruth didn’t follow. When the instructors corrected her, she just got angry with them.
The same thing happened when we took a Country Partner dancing class. She wouldn’t follow. It wasn’t that she couldn’t, she just wouldn’t.
The two sessions of line dancing classes that we took with some friends went much better. We weren’t required to touch each other, and she moved about as she wished. She exercised her independence in the line dancing class. She was more comfortable freewheeling on her own.
I’ve taken a variety of classes over the years: dancing, magic, Tai Chi, several computer classes, life after death classes, pod casting, writing, and taking photos with your phone. I’d never do that in Michigan, but I live differently in Florida.
Ruth would have said the same. She’s taken all kinds of art classes. She excelled in watercolor and pen and ink. I have several of her creations on display in both Michigan and Florida. Her biggest critic was herself. If she didn’t like her work, she destroyed it. If she was happy with part of a painting, but not all, she’d tear off the good part and discard the bad. I’ve several pieces of work in her Florida portfolio. I think this “color test page” is a work of art itself.
I’m starting another writing class this afternoon. It’s a new offering called Your Life Story in Photographs. The course description reads:
Remember that box of old photographs under the bed? Don’t know what to do with them? Grab a handful of those old black and whites (but they do not have to be old or black and white) and bring them to this class where we’ll look at ways to tell your life stories by combining images and words. You’ll also learn how to look at photographs with an eye for story. No previous writing experience is required for this fun, hands-on class.
When I write my blog I usually start with an idea, and when I’m done, I look for a picture or photo to accompany it. I rarely start with an image. This will be a new approach and, hopefully, open several new ideas.
I may even take a look at the pictures Ruth has painted for inspiration. I’m always on the lookout for new stories. She saw things that I didn’t see. She was into the details of life while I’m more of a big picture guy. I’m working on my visionary skills because I can’t defer to her any longer when I’m looking for inspiration. I need to do a better job of taking in things as they come to me.
When I signed up for this winter’s classes, I chose two writing classes, the one I start today and a second called Writing the Tough Stuff. I have some experience writing about tough stuff but I’m looking forward to gaining a new perspective. I found that listening to other points of view to be helpful. I jiggle my memory that way.
I considered broadening my experience by taking one of the thirteen wine or fifteen beer tasting offerings, but I took a pass. I have absolutely no interest in Learning How to Speak Dog, so I passed on that as well. I did sign up for Cardio Drumming. It starts in mid-February. By that time, I’ll be well on my way to shoulder replacement recovery, and I’ll be working on building my strength. I hope to be able to hit a golf ball more solidly when I’m fully recovered. Drumming on something may be a good way to let off some steam in case I fail.
Time will tell.