Sasee Magazine - February 2023

About the Cover Artist:

Chantal Tomiello is a French-Canadian artist who currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. Even as a young child, she always had a talent for drawing. Although her path did not lead her to be a full-time artist at first, she always yearned to paint. Over the years, while living her traditional life, she carved out time to paint. She started with watercolors, then oils, and now acrylics. She is selftaught, with the help of many classes, workshops, and books.

In 2018, she opened herself fully to her art journey when she retired from her traditional career to become a fulltime artist. Since 2020, she has been studying with renowned California-based artist, Nicholas Wilton. She explained her experience, “My association with his course of study has changed everything about the way I now see my art, my life as an artist, and the direction I am heading.”

Chantal’s work is showcased at Sunset River Gallery and all her works can be found at www.Chantalpaints.com.

“Living Well” February 2023

Contents

Volume 22, Issue 2

Living Well at Any Age by Diane L.Walters

Thrill of the Hunt

Sasee Gets Personal with Cissy Murdaugh: Member of The Lakes at Litchfield

A New Kind of Balance by Rose Ann Sinay

Georgia Beaver: Self-love is Self-care by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Ross It! by Rachel Remick

Tripping the Light Fantastic by Linda O’Connell

from the Editor

I believe that living and loving are action words that go hand in hand. Living well is not possible without loving deeply – especially when it comes to loving yourself.

In the spirit of honesty, I have decided to share with you my recent health discovery. After a lifetime of feeling random symptoms, I finally found out there was a reason. I have Hashimoto’s Disease – an autoimmune disorder that causes my immune system to attack the butterfly-shaped gland in my throat, the thyroid. Although autoimmune issues do not have a “cure,” there is a protocol to “manage” your symptoms, which has everything to do with diet and vitamins.

Since beginning this journey, I have learned an unbelievable amount about food and nutrition – and especially about the products produced in our country. How often do y’all read the actual ingredients instead of the marketed propaganda on the label? I encourage you to start for the sake of your future self.

I was never a big cook, but now I spend many hours in the kitchen making all my own meals. I’ve also been experimenting with baking and thank goodness I finally figured out pancakes! I used to be all about eating something quick and easy, but now I am all about fueling my body with something real and delicious. Learning how to make yourself, and your health, a priority is extremely gratifying.

Yes, my diet is strict right now until I find out what my body does and does not like, but the effect it’s had on my overall health has been life changing. All I know is the universe was looking out for me when I read that I could have coconut, honey, and sweet potatoes. Understanding and defining personal good health is certainly a process, but the feeling of finally figuring it all out is priceless.

Love yourself enough to not only learn how to live well, but to live your very best!

Publisher

Delores Blount

Sales & Marketing Director Susan Bryant

Editor

Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Account Executives Erica Schneider Gay Stackhouse Art Director Patrick Sullivan

Contributing Photographer Chasing the Light Photography Web Developer Scott Konradt

Accounting Gail Knowles

Executive Publishers Jim Creel Bill Hennecy Suzette Rogers

PO Box 1389, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 fax 843-626-6452 • phone 843-626-8911 www.sasee.com • info@sasee.com

Sasee is published monthly and distributed free along the Grand Strand. Submissions of articles and art are welcome. Visit our website for details on submission.

Sasee is a Strand Media Group, Inc. publication.

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material, in part or in whole, prepared by Strand Media Group, Inc. and appearing within this publication is strictly prohibited. Title “Sasee” is registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

2023 Lee Minton Signature Series

Branden & James: From Bach to Bieber Vocalist and Cellist

February 8, 2023

BRANDEN & JAMES bring the soulful timbre of James on his cello combined with Branden’s emotional and powerful vocals, creating a sound that leaves audiences feeling moved and inspired.

Since forming a duo, they’ve been touring around the world with their innovative, classically inspired pop songs, and their undeniable charm and wit.

Diego Figueiredo ~ Brazilian Jazz Guitarist with special guest vocalist Chiara Izzi February 15, 2023

GRAMMY nominated guitarist Diego Figueiredo is a virtuoso with an infectious, joyful feeling that will leave you amazed and happy. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover this incredible artist.

Diego is an extraordinary star among the world’s greatest jazz guitarists. His superb technique, timing and imagination have made him one of the hottest international names. He has very unique skills and his concerts have been a great success in more than 60 countries around the world.

Halie Loren Quartet Jazz Singer/Songwriter February 22, 2023

Halie Loren is an international, award-winning jazz singer/songwriter. Raised in Alaska, this Oregon-based artist brings a fresh and original perspective to time-honored musical paths, channeling her innate understanding of connectedness across musical boundaries to forge bonds with diverse audiences in North America, Asia, and Europe. A lover of global cultures and music, her repertoire is a multi-lingual one, including songs in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese and Korean as well as her native English.

Living Well at Any Age

by Diane L.Walters

When I rounded an aisle at Walmart, nearly colliding with a man’s overflowing cart, I heard, “Dad, you almost ran over that little old lady.”

“I’m not old,” I objected, laughing good-naturedly. But later, I thought about the girl’s comment. I’m seventyfive, full of energy and ambition. Although I’m no longer considered “middle-aged,” I’m much too young to be old.

When we reach sixty-five, we’re often lumped into the “elderly” category. The word is outdated in most circles, but some newspaper writers haven’t gotten the message. I read, “An elderly woman lost control of her car and ended up in a ditch on Capital Avenue.” Later the article said she was sixty years old. Elderly?

According to developmental psychologists, there are stages of old age just as there are stages of childhood. One source says the young-old are between fifty-five and sixty-five years of age. Middle-oldsters are sixty-six to eighty-five, and the old-old are those over eighty-five.

Gerontologists can label us young-old, middle-old, or old-old, but they cannot assign expectations to our ages. Some fifty-year-olds are sedentary, some eighty-yearolds still mow their lawns. Whatever our age, whatever our physical challenge, we can continue to live well and enjoy our lives (Yes, Virginia, there is life beyond middle age–and Santa too.)

While laugh lines decorate my formerly flawless complexion, and arthritis symptoms flare up when I over-exert, I continue to live fully. I enjoy hanging out with my friends, my adult children, and my pseudoadult grandchildren. I’m comfortable with the routines my husband and I established long ago. I look forward to going to work at the part-time job to which I returned after retiring at a “normal” retirement age. I’m also pursuing my lifelong dream of writing.

We have a responsibility to future generations to live enthusiastically, with a “glass half full” not a “glass half empty” attitude. It’s not always easy to remain positive,

of course. As we traverse the path of senior-hood, we encounter some bumpy terrain. But like other life stages, we will discover how to do-aging by doing it. And maybe we can help others along the way by sharing what we learn.

A dear friend, who recently passed away at one hundred and four, taught me about aging well. The week before she passed, Margie told me she was ready to leave this world, “Whenever the good Lord is ready to take me.” She added, “In the meantime, as long as I’m here, I’m going to keep on laughing and learning and loving.” And that’s just what she did.

Someone once observed, “Old is twenty years older than me.” When we were twenty, we thought fifty was old. Fifty-year-olds might consider seventy-five to be old. Margie thought I was a mere youngster. I asked the seniors in my weekly positive thinking group, “When does old age begin?” Most believed you are old when you reached ninety-five. Sally added, “It depends on attitude–how you see yourself.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

Well, I see myself as being in the adolescent stage of old. I’m a bit rebellious about conforming to standard age-related behavior, and I’m busy living life, making mistakes, but doing things my way (like Frank Sinatra once sang). I’m still dreaming and planning for my future, a future filled with laughter, learning, and love.

In other words, I’m not yet a “little old lady.” I’ll let you know when I’m ready for the title–possibly in another twenty years.

Diana L. Walters continues working part-time at a retirement facility enriching the lives of seniors. She’s had a number of devotionals and Chicken Soup for the Soul stories published.

Gets Personal with Cissy Murdaugh:

Member of The Lakes at Litchfield

Q: When did you move to the Grand Strand?

My husband, John Murphy, and I lived in Fayetteville, but we spent a lot of time traveling to the beach for vacation. We loved to shag dance and enjoyed the atmosphere here. In 1996, we decided to live our best life and bought a lot in Willbrook Plantation.

Q: Why did you decide to relocate to The Lakes at Litchfield?

After the passing of my loving and outgoing husband, I didn’t want to stay in our big house by myself, eating alone, and taking care of all its maintenance. One of my widowed friends told me his move to the Lakes was the best move he could have made. I came to tour and knew this was the place for me because I would have a sense of community as well as the ability to dine with others. The living arrangements were enticing as well. I adore how spacious my cottage is and that I can still have a view of the creek off my porch just like I had at our Willbrook house. This place and these people are the best support system!

The Lakes offers so many activities, which is another reason I moved here. My favorite activity is playing bridge with my group of friends. We also participate in Happy Hour every week and go out for lunch together. Most recently, I have begun learning how to play another game called Mah Jong. Our neighborhood is also wonderful to walk in, but when the weather does not permit, I also have my stationary bike and weights I do in the sunroom. I certainly like to stay busy and on the move!

As an only child and previous business owner, I have always been very self-reliant and a thoughtful decision-maker. Even after dating John for a year and a half when he asked me to marry him, I told him I’d think about it, and 10 years later, I finally said yes. We both laughed about that for many years, but honestly, I think I’m both types now, depending on the situation. Some things I like to keep the same, such as going to Quigley’s on Sundays to visit with friends at the bar as well as Ten-Buck Tuesdays for their delicious baby back ribs. Although I have a general weekly routine, I do appreciate when I’m offered the opportunity to do something random and exciting!

Q: How do you define what a “healthy” life is for you personally?

When I’m at home, I adore spending time with my 2 cats that I rescued locally, Boogie & Dixie. I also still enjoy going to the beach to walk or sit and relax while listening to the waves. Staying active in my church is also very important to me as well as helping others. As you can probably tell, I am a very extroverted person, so I like interacting with others, in fact, you might say I require often interactions with others. The Lakes provide that aspect for me because there are so many welcoming people here; it feels like another family.

The Lakes at Litchfield 843-353-6040 • 120 Lakes at Litchfield Drive • Pawleys Island, SC 29585 • www.lakes-litchfield.com

Q: Do you participate in any types of activities that help you continue to live well?

Q: Are you a go-with-the-flow person or do you need to create a routine?

A New Kind of Balance

by Rose Ann Sinay

Once upon a time, I ate chocolate and cake, and ice cream by the pint or a partial dive into a gallon. Purchasing two bags of chocolate chips, one for baking and the other for snacking, was normal. Frito chips and clam dip, deep-fried mozzarella sticks, and Twinkies were just a few of the staples in my food groups. My salivary glands were activated by simply typing these words made of sugar, cheese, and carbs.

Calories, like time, catch up with people (except those lucky people with a type A metabolism), and I was front of the line. Middle age had crept up on me while I had been enjoying the excesses, and all that junk food was padding parts of me that didn’t need it. Rubenesque was not “in.” Cholesterol was the thing to watch. Grown-ups eat vegetables roasted with a drizzle of olive oil, not drowning in salad dressing. It was all about balance; I’d never been balanced.

“You can eat everything you want in small portions,” my doctor advised. “Cut out the bread. Wrap your tuna salad in lettuce leaves,” she suggested with enthusiasm. “Drink a glass of water when you are hungry. Have a bite or two of those rich foods you can’t pass up, but eat it slowly and enjoy the heck out of it. It’s all about moderation and balance.”

Unfortunately, I’d never been balanced. It was a skill I needed to learn. I did try to stay within the guidelines of healthy eating, but I found myself wanting to dip my carrot sticks in caramel and fudge sauce. I decided to try the popular no-carb diet. I ate cheese, meat, and lots of Dr. Atkin’s pretend “chocolate bars.” I whipped heavy cream with sugar substitute and plopped a dollop (larger than the cup) on top of my coffee several times a day. I gloried in bacon and eggs four days a week. The pounds melted away, and for a while, I convinced myself that I felt healthy.

Suddenly, I started craving broccoli, cauliflower, beans–any kind of rabbit food. I could have them on the Atkins Diet but only in small portions. I had to laugh at the irony. So, mother nature stepped in. That balance I never had asserted itself. I thought about the effects of yo-yo dieting, of eating mostly carbs, of eating no carbs. Slowly, I began to eat like a grownup.

No one tells you that managing weight gets harder as you

get older. I finally understood what I needed to do, and now, my caloric intake limit had taken a plunge. Yet again, I had to adjust. Was this healthy-eating thing ever going to get easier?

Last week was a real test. My favorite holiday party of the year at a five-star Italian restaurant was approaching. I spent most of the day of the event getting ready. It was one of the few times of the year that my husband donned a suit, and I applied full makeup. My dieting enabled me to get into the dress I had purchased for the party last year and never wore.

My husband and I arrived at the restaurant and found our place at a table. The white lights of a dozen decorated trees radiated Christmas cheer. I checked the individual menu at my place setting. It described the special five-course dinner, and I feared a five-pound gain as I calculated the ginormous caloric dump. My new/old dress began to tighten around my waist without lifting a forkful of food to my mouth.

My anxiety eased when the waiter served the I’ Antipasto: a lovely poached pear, mixed lettuce salad topped with sliced grapes, Pecorino cheese, and a drizzle of lemon dressing. Healthy and light; I ate every bite.

Next came, Course II Primo... a house-made pasta (oh my!) with grilled sausage, roasted tomato, and Tuscan kale. And, more Pecorino cheese–am I in heaven? I ate very slowly. I loaded my fork with a piece of sausage, a thick layer of pasta, and a liberal number of vegetables in one bite. I remembered my doctor’s suggestion and let the forkful sit in my mouth, saturating my taste buds. I wished I could ask for a doggie bag for what I would leave on my plate.

As soon as I was done, it was time for I Secondi: roasted salmon encrusted in whole grain mustard and braised New York strip steak in a Barolo wine reduction. Think protein. Lots of delicious, blood-enriching protein. Yes, it was a good thing that I ate every bite.

I Contorni Scarola e Fagioli (sauteed escarole and cannellini beans) accompanied the beef and fish. Okay, not my favorite. I could save a few calories here, I thought. So why did it taste so darn good?

To fill out the dish was Vegetali Padice Al Forno con Erbe Aromatich e Zenzero: delicious oven-roasted root vegetables with a touch of grated ginger. Oh, so healthy.

I was proud of my restraint. I enjoyed this incredible meal without overindulging. I savored the smell, texture, and presentation, as well as the flavor. I appreciated this savory food without a side of sugar. I decided Italian food was my absolute favorite cuisine.

And finally, the course I’d been waiting for all night–dessert: Salame del Papa–two slices of the most elegant, buttery, dark chocolate concoction laced with crumbled amaretto cookies, raisins, rum, and other bits of goodness served with a spoonful of Zabaglione gelato. Need I say more? I ate every bite and would have licked the plate if I wasn’t in public!

Shades &

The holidays are over. A lonely, boiled egg, half an English muffin, and a handful of blueberries sit on my breakfast plate. I lightly salt and pepper the yolk. I eat slowly and sip my sugarless coffee. It’s very tasty, I convince myself. I can do this. Three hundred and fifty days to go. Balance? Hmm, it seems awfully lopsided to me!

Dear Heart Image Collection

Bracelets that remind you to let the One who created you be the One who defines you. This collection is a declaration of truth over the identity of those who wear it. Each of us are uniquely, wonderfully, and intentionally MADE in His image and for His glory. We are who He says we are.

Each bracelet states a word or phrase about our identity in Him, and the packaging includes a correlating scripture.

Rose Ann Sinay is a freelance writer newly relocated to Connecticut. She continues to write about moments worth remembering, graciously provided by family and friends.

Georgia Beaver: Self-love is Self-care

by Sarah Elaine Hawkinson

Growing up in a very traditional household, Georgia was told she had two options for her future as a woman; to become a teacher or a nurse. Fortunately, nursing led her in the right direction to living her best life. After graduating from nursing school in a small town in eastern Ohio, she moved to Columbus to work in a hospital, where she met her husband, Barney. Many years and several moves later, the two decided to relocate to the Grand Strand. One of their sons and his family live in Charleston and once Georgia and Barney discovered Pawleys Island, they knew it was their new home. Georgia said, “We’ve been here for ten years…and I think we are going to stay!”

As a woman, Georgia has always been fascinated by the beauty industry. Beautiful work accomplished at med spas. She visited her first med spa back in the 90s in Ohio and was hooked. After moving to Pawleys Island, she visited Visible Results as a client and fell in love. She made it known she was interested in working there, even though they were fully staffed. The owner, Jenifer Lachicotte, laughed and replied, “The ladies said they will only leave if they retire, or they die.” The pandemic changed a few of their minds about retiring early and Georgia joined the team as their Registered Nurse. Georgia went through courses to obtain laser and Botox certifications, but she was mostly trained by her boss, Jenifer. She exclaimed, “Jenifer is a true professional and an artist, and this position was a match made in Heaven! I am so appreciative of our positive and uplifting work environment. When women support women, incredible things happen!”

The popularity of med spas and their remarkable skin results are growing, and Georgia wants every woman to know why this type of care (as well as all self-care) is so important. On top of providing relaxing and rejuvenating services that help build confidence, they also provide medical skin care products and teach you how to use them correctly. Skincare is also a form of self-care, which Georgia is all about as she explained, “Women tend to care for everyone else, like their kids, parents, family, and friends, all before themselves. Women are the last people to remember to do self-care and practice self-love. The sooner we realize how important that is, the better.”

Georgia is a prime example of why constantly checking in on yourself can be life changing. A year ago, she discovered she had breast cancer. During one of her self-exams, she noticed a dimple, which was a surprise considering that her routine mammogram the month before was normal. As it turns out, twenty percent of breast cancers do not show up on mammograms. Thanks to her proactive decisions and self-awareness, Georgia caught her diagnosis early and went through all the necessary treatments. She shudders to think about what her life might be had she not found it when she did. Through this experience, she discovered a new

appreciation for living a healthy lifestyle and has made it her mission to share her inspirational story.

Living well and healthy is not only about routine doctor’s exams and keeping up with skincare, but actively working on self-love. For Georgia, that means being aware of the nutrition she puts in her body, but also not denying herself that piece of coconut cream pie and that glass of wine when she craves it. Keeping her mental health in check is also a priority for her which she accomplishes by getting enough sunlight, walking on the beach, and practicing yoga. Another way she lives life to the fullest is by spending quality time with her family as well as traveling with her husband to learn and gain perspective about other cultures and lifestyles. She is especially inspired by the Europeans who value rest, rejuvenation, and a true work-life balance. After what she has been through in the past year, choosing to live in a state of constant awareness and growth is even more appealing, and almost necessary, for Georgia’s well-being.

Feeling comfortable in your skin and making sure to take care of yourself before you take care of others is the main intention that Georgia wants every person to understand. Women tend to be chronic worriers with high-stress levels, so they especially need to be aware of their health and situations as early as possible by making themselves a priority. The only way you can make a change in the world is by making changes within yourself first. The more positive changes you make within, the more that positivity spreads over other areas of your life. From the wise words of Georgia, “Aging is simply inevitable, so we might as well gift ourselves the opportunity to age gracefully!”

M. Sattele, M.D.

February Is American Heart Month:

Lost 76 lbs.

“I had gained a significant amount of weight over the years and when my doctor told me I had high blood pressure and would have to take medication to help get it under control, I knew I had to make a change. I had tried Weight Watchers and different apps for weight loss but never found anything I could stick to and feel successful. I tried Dr. Sattele’s program as I found it very simple and was encouraged by the results that I had seen in others. I’ve lost 76 lbs. The staff is very supportive and helpful in answering any questions. Through this program and my weight loss, my blood pressure is normal, and I won’t need to take medication.

-Rebecca S.

Lost 107 lbs.

Every year at my yearly physical my doctor would say that I needed to lose weight and that by doing so I should be able to stop taking medication for my blood pressure which I have in fact been able to do. My physical, mental, and emotional health has improved since taking part in Dr. Sattele’s Rapid Weight Loss Program.

I’ve lost 107 pounds; the program was easy to follow and I was able to eat real foods. Following the program changed the way I think about food and the way it is prepared. Dr. Sattele’s staff is helpful, encouraging, and supportive. I now have increased confidence.

-Ricky J.

Lost 65 lbs.

“I considered the cost and realized I could spend my money on this program, or I would definitely be spending it on doctor bills! Dr. Sattele told me this would be the best decision I ever made. He was so right!

I’ve lost 65 lbs. and finally have a normal BMI! My cholesterol and liver enzymes are normal. My blood pressure medication has been cut in half and one medication stopped completely. Thank you, Dr. Sattele!”

- Lisa C.

Kevin

Ross It!

by Rachel Remick

It’s no secret; life is overwhelming, especially in this postpandemic climate where a simple trip to the grocery store swallows almost an entire paycheck, a hearty gulp of the gas tank, and a major chunk of your precious time. Whether you work from home or commute, are single, married or otherwise, have a house full of children, or are responsible for only yourself, the growing number of everyday tasks and the demands of completing them are not only clogging our calendars and day planners but our minds. Just the other day I decided a trip to the bookstore–something I absolutely love to do–wasn’t worth the trouble.

My daily routine had me so exhausted and mentally drained that the thought of dealing with the outside world with its traffic, crowds, and short staffing was almost frightening. I spent the night wandering my house tending to menial tasks such as dusting baseboards and reorganizing my pajama drawer. I didn’t have to put on makeup to do that. Didn’t have to change out of my sweats to do that. Heck, I didn’t have to shower to do any of that. When my friend Lisa came home, she was surprised to see me.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, knowing I had planned on going to the bookstore and writing. I shrugged. “I just couldn’t.”

That’s right. I just couldn’t. The whole thing just seemed too overwhelming. I saw myself sitting in traffic. Finally arriving and not being able to find a seat. Then discovering not only were they out of apple cider, but had sold the final copy of the book I was hoping to read.

“Why didn’t you just Ross It?”

Ross It is a term Lisa and I came up with when I was preparing to attend one of my first writer’s conferences. I woke up that morning completely panicked. The event was taking place at a hotel in the city, where I was terrified to drive. What if I got lost? What if I couldn’t find parking? What if parking was too expensive? Then there was the conference itself. I had booked some one-on-one time with three agents. What if I came across as amateurish? If I got tongue-tied? If I flubbed my pitch? What if the outfit I’d chosen didn’t reek of confidence and success? What if none of the other writers in attendance wanted to eat lunch with me?

“I’m not going,” I announced, walking into Lisa’s room, still in my pajamas.

“Okay, yes you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

After a few minutes of going back and forth like kids in the schoolyard, Lisa said, “Remember that Friends episode where Chandler runs away on his wedding day?”

Yes, yes I did.

“Remember when Ross walked him through all the steps it would take to get him to the altar, and how each step, taken one at a time, wasn’t so scary? You can do that, right?”

And then, just like Ross guiding Chandler, my best friend walked me through the non-challenging baby steps to get me where I needed to go. Like Chandler, it started with a shower. Then I got dressed, applied makeup, and put on the necklace my Aunt Darth gifted me that says create. Next, I programmed the location of the venue in my GPS. I got a protein bar and a bottle of water from the kitchen, I packed a bag of books and my laptop, and on it went until I was out the door, on my way to the conference. Thus, the act of Ross It was born.

The principle of “Rossing” doesn’t apply only to major events such as weddings, conferences, and social gatherings where we’re called upon to present our best selves. Many times, I have to remind myself to Ross It just to get through a particularly hectic day. Have you ever found yourself at the office getting worked up over the remainder of your evening? Preparing dinner and after-meal cleanup, helping the kids with their homework and bedtime rituals, setting yourself up for the coming day? All of that can be extremely daunting when looked at as one huge task. But breaking it down into its parts can ease the anxiety and actually help with getting everything accomplished. The first step is getting in your car and driving home. Don’t jump ahead to helping your daughter with her algebra. You can physically conquer only one step at a time; why burden your mind with the impossible task of handling them all at once?

Sometimes the smallest things in life, the things that seem

so simple, the daily challenges or even a routine we’ve done millions of times, can seem so overwhelming when we think of getting ourselves directly from point A to point Z. When this happens, when we rush through or even overlook steps B-Y, sometimes we end up with the result of never making it past point A. Even on those unscheduled days when we’re faced with a seeming black hole of time yawning before us, we can end up unsure of how to fill it and frozen into non-action by the fear of squandering it. Some of us fall back on work, chores, or waste time on our phones or sitting in front of the television.

Don’t lie in bed burdening your mind with planning an entire day. First step, get up. Second step, stretch and take a deep, cleansing breath. Sip some coffee, and eat some breakfast at the table. Then you’re ready to check emails, schedules, movie times, and that sale they’re having at your favorite bath or home store.

Ross It!

Love is in the air Love is in

800 Front Street, Georgetown, SC 29440 Mon-Fri 10:00-5:00 • Sat 10:00-4:00 www.doodlebugschild.com • 843-546-6858

Rachel Remick lives in Florida, where she writes, swims, walks dogs and cheers on the Tampa Bay Lightning. A previous contributor to Sasee, her work has also appeared in Rosebud, The First Line and Chicken Soup for The Soul: Listen to Your Dreams.

Tripping the Light Fantastic

by Linda O’Connell

My husband asked me recently, “Do you like yourself these days?”

“Not my crooked teeth, droopy eyelids, and flabby belly. Do you like yourself?” I probed.

Aware that Bill’s milestone decade birthday was hitting him hard, I said, “We sure could dance back in the day. We hardly took a break. Whenever a fast song played, I grabbed your large hand, and you flung me to and fro; our steps were synchronized. People used to clear the floor and watch us dance. I am ever grateful you taught me to jitterbug in middle age when we met.”

He looked at me as though I had hurt his feelings. “We had a good thirty years of boogying. There’s no reason YOU can’t still dance just because my legs and back are giving out.”

I didn’t want my husband to think I was making a negative statement about his physical health. “Oh honey, it’s not your legs and back that has put the end to our fast dancing. It’s my left knee. I couldn’t spin or pivot if I wanted to. And forget about you sashaying me under your arm and spinning me back and forth. For both of us, high kicks are a thing of the past. I can hardly lift my left leg high enough to tie my tennis shoe.” He smiled, relieved my comment was as much about my condition as his.

We returned to our television show. Then a commercial came on, an advertisement for a high-end hotel. The image was of a couple being served a plate of… nachos. Bill looked at me quizzically and said, “Well that’s a pretty common dish for an uncommon resort, don’t you think?”

I squealed with delight. “You might not be able to twirl me, but your observations and comments make my gray matter swirl, and I don’t mean my hair, because I still color my grays.”

“Well, there you go making me laugh!” my honey said. “And I wasn’t even trying to be funny.” I commented, “I have to hobble down the hall until my knee loosens up, and you have to use a cane for balance, but we are still ‘dancing’ together. We can read one another’s moves and signals. We are still in rhythm sitting right here on the couch. If I tried to shimmy

it would be embarrassing, and if we even dared do the Twist, we would impair our hips. Whenever we feel the urge, we should just dance in our seats. What do you say?”

My thoughts drifted into the past when Bill first asked me to dance. I had to admit I didn’t know how. “I’ll show you. It is really easy, just a few steps, one and two, three and four, rock-step. I can lead your every move once you learn the basic steps.”

I was embarrassed and offered my girlfriend’s hand. “She can fast dance.” He led my friend to the dance floor and like a gentleman returned her to the table. As he asked again, I turned down his offer of an impromptu dance lesson. The next week when my girlfriends and I returned to the dance hall, I accepted Bill’s offer. He had so many competent and available partners willing to Jitterbug with him. Still, he approached me, the one who continually stomped his toes and scuffed his shoes. But eventually, we made it work. I got the hang of the dance steps, and he began to add new moves, which made me whine, “No, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can if you believe you can and you allow me to help. But you can’t lead. I have to lead you. Okay?”  So, I was doing the wrong thing the whole time? I knew it! But my dancing man didn’t reprimand me; he encouraged me.

I smiled thinking of our first dance, decades ago. Then I realized at our grandson’s wedding last summer, when Bill led me to the dance floor, he led with precision but allowed me to lead, so we would look as good as the family thought we were. We slow-danced; actually, we swayed in place remembering when we were vibrant, young, and had the stamina to dance the night away.

When our favorite fast song came on, my dear man, who usually wears jeans and casual shirts, looked like my prince dressed to the nines in a suit and tie. I felt like a princess when he smiled, presented his hand to me, and asked, “May I have this dance?”

With the same twinkle in his eyes, he led me to the dance floor and whispered, “This is for you, so honey, you will have to do most of the work.” My big, always jovial, Irish man stood on the dance floor using hand motions to cue me. So

what if I did the footwork and turned myself around? I was charmed. Winded and moving slower than when we first danced to Bob Seger singing Old Time Rock and Roll, we returned to our seats and Bill said, “That was for old times’ sake.”

It’s possible that was our last fast dance, but it was as memorable as our first. Only this time I didn’t dance on his toes, I danced on mine.

My dance partner’s fast steps have turned to a shuffle these days, and slow dancing has taken on new meaning: leaning on one another, supporting each other so we don’t stumble, walking arm in arm.

I said, “You asked me if I like myself these days. I do. I like myself, probably better than anyone else who likes me, even if there are things about me that I resent. My lack of mobility just means I’ll have to dance down memory lane.”

“May I join you? I like you, too.”

Linda O’Connell is a former preschool teacher, chases words, grandchildren, and elusive dreams. She holds her life together with humor and dark chocolate and loves the beach!