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THE SMARTS

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Promenaders?” Chrissy looked up from her homework, a confused look on her face. “Wow! Such a weird word! Wonder what it means. Mom, are you listening to me?” 

Julie, Chrissy’s mom, stopped preparing dinner and turned to talk to her daughter. “Yes sweetie, I’m listening. I know the word and you do, too. Just think about it for a minute, Chris. Anything come to mind?” 

Chrissy’s face was skewed in a bewildered expression. “It sorta sounds like that weird fruit, the one  with all the red seeds in the center which you’re supposed to eat. How bizarre is that … eating seeds? Ya know what I’m talking about, mom?” 

Julie laughed. “You’re thinking of pomegranates, Chris!  And yes, it’s a little strange but the seeds are really delicious. I’ll get some for you to taste. Now, back to your homework … ‘promenaders’. It’s a word you’ve heard before. Try again.”  

Chrissy absentmindedly chewed on her pencil, deep in thought, then smiled as though a huge secret had suddenly been revealed. “I know! Prom-en-ad-ers are teenagers who go to the prom!” And she burst out laughing at her play on words.

“Very clever, Chrissy girl, but not quite right. Wait … you’ve just given me an idea! Let’s see if this jogs your memory.” Julie dashed out of the kitchen and returned with one of Chrissy’s yearbooks. “Remember when everyone took square dancing in 6th grade?”  

“Sure, but what does that yearbook have to do with anything, mom? That was, like, ages ago when I was eleven. I’m fourteen now!” 

Julie rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know … you’re so very grown up now! Here, humor me and take a look at this picture. It’s from one of the square dances you used to go to. Read the caption.” 

Chrissy heaved an exaggerated sigh, took the yearbook from Julie and recited the verse:

*Then you all promenade with the sweet corner maid singing “Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Oh!”*

Chrissy’s eyes opened wide. “I remember that song! That’s the part of the dance when we strolled around the dance floor. Sooo, that must mean promenaders are people who stroll!”  

“There ya go, kiddo! You got it!” Julie exclaimed. “Process of elimination; just some of the ‘smarts’ we acquire as we get older – like grey hair.”

Chrissy jumped off the kitchen stool and raced down the hall to her bedroom.

“Hey … where you off to? Dinner’s almost ready” Julie called out after her. 

“I’ll be back in a second, mom. Just checking if I have any grey hair yet!”

NAR © 2023

I hope you’ll join me today
At The Movies
for another song and
a great video.
https://rhythmsection.blog/

30 thoughts on “THE SMARTS”

  2. I stopped colouring my hair when I turned 50. I’m quite sure that it does make me look my age, but it is what it is and I am what I am. That should be a song… As for dancing, I have two left feet.

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    1. Didn’t Popeye say that (I yam what I yam)?
      If I thought I’d look as adorable as you do with grey hair, I’d stop coloring mine in a heartbeat! I know it’s a gravatar but it’s a very cute one!
      I used to dance. Sigh.

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      1. The last time I danced, which was alone in the kitchen because the radio was playing some very good songs, my disk went. Again. I swear I have two left feet on my right leg.

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  6. We had to square dance every year in elementary school. Had a school-wide hoedown right before summer break. Our families were invited, for Pete’s sake. Every. Stinking. Year. Brings back some not-so-fond memories.

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    1. Haha!! Just like going to therapy … and I didn’t even charge you anything!

      We also had square dancing at school but not on such an epic scale as you! I seem to recall it was just part of Phys Ed and only for a few weeks each year. Maybe if it was more frequent I’d feel the same way you do!

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      1. Ours was an entire 9-week quarter of music class. Every grade performed for the audience, then the dancers (and that was every student) went into the crowd to select a partner from a different grade. We weren’t allowed to say no if we were chosen. Then we had to dance with someone we didn’t want to (who either had an unrequited crush on us or were people we didn’t like who chose us out of spite) to a song we didn’t know… in front of pretty much everyone we knew. It was agonizing and often humiliating. Now, I’d just laugh at the ridiculousness of it all and participate with good-natured acceptance. But at the time, I found it so stressful. There were a few years where I was chosen for every dance. (I’m also someone in the crowd who nervous speech givers make eye contact with then never look away. I must have a “safe” face or demeanor.)

        And now I’ve got a caller’s voice in my head singing out, “Allemande left with your corner, grand right and left with your own… Swing your partner round and round. Prominade home… Now do-si-do.” I swear every song had that series of commands in it. Yesterday’s ear worm was Centerfield by John Fogerty. Todays? This stupid call. Sigh.

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  10. How are you managing to pair your story here and @ TRS At the Movies?!

    I am sure this story will resonate with many, Nancy. And that photo…instant time travel.
    Loving the ending 😀

    Here’s to grey hair, cara!

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    1. To answer your first question, Nick, it’s been challenging and I’m probably not going to keep it up much longer, even though I do like to push myself. Some stories are older ones which I’ve tweaked to pair with TRS; others are new but either way it’s time consuming. Thanks for noticing! I truly appreciate it when someone makes a connection between two stories! ❤︎

      I got lucky finding that photo online and as far as grey hair goes … as long as Bill’s hair remains grey-free, so shall mine! 😂

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