Boots McBlog

The first strains of the Overture from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite play and I still get a lump in my throat and butterflies in my belly.   My initial appearance in our small town production of the Nutrcracker was by default.  My dance teacher invited me to be a party child alternate.  A kid got stage fright and I got a part. Oh, what fun I had, twirling and dancing in that blue party dress and brushing my feet in my pink capezios to the children’s march.

The following year,  I tried out again for the same role.  I will never forget walking to the door of The Ritz Theater with my Dad to see if the results of the day’s tryouts were posted.   It was far past the time of deliberation, yet there was no sign of a sign. Disappointed,  we turned to walk away when one of the casting agents opened the door.   She leaned her head out and gave us the “pssst” sound.  We turned.   She whispered,  ”We’re still working on all the parts, but I can tell you,”  and she looked from my Dad to me, “JoBeth,  you will be dancing the part of Clara. Congratulations.”

The following months of rehearsals after rehearsals and the two weekends of production remain my happiest childhood memories.  When I close my eyes and remember,  I am filled with pure joy.

I danced several other parts in the Nutcracker the following years. The Nutrcracker grew to be part of our Christmas tradition.

Although I no longer dance, I’ve  kept the Nutcracker tradition alive and well by watching the classic 1977 Barishnikov Production. It is by far  the most impeccably performed version I’ve ever seen.   Year after year, I am awed by  Mikhail’s choreography coupled with the intense beauty and moving strains of the music.   I could get lost in the The Grand Pas de Deux.  As Drosselmeyer (the Godfather) summons Clara to leave her Prince and the Dreamland of Sweets to return to reality, the dancers bid adieu with an undeniable passion that is rarely seen in a performance without words.

Give yourself a beautiful little gift  this season, grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy the 10 minutes of  dance and music below.

(If you have time to watch the entire production, parts 1-10 are available via YouTube. This particular video features the well known Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,  The Tarantella, and  The Pas de Deux )

Thanks for sashaying down memory lane with me.   Only a few more hours until Christmas Eve

Until then

Suite Dreams, Friends!

xxoo,

boots

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone.   The blog is another year older and I am, too!

In the past year,  I received many beautiful gifts.

The gift of building something bigger than myself.    The gift of helping other women find a friend.

The gift of health.   The gift of crossing a finish line.   The gift of watching sunsets over mountains and sea.

The gift of a drive to nowhere.    The gift of a beautiful party for a cause.

The gift of long lunches.   The gift of pretty shoes.   The gift of patience.    The gift of sitting in the sun with nowhere to be.

The gift of hope.   The gift of a gazillion new songs on my ipod.  The gift of forgiveness.   The gift of laughter til my side hurt.

The gift of  lifelong friendships.   The gift of new friendships.

The gift of wisdom from women I admire.

The gift of grace.   The gift of prayer.  The gift of giving.

The gift of looking in the mirror and seeing ME again…better…stronger.

The gift of another chance.   The gift of a vision.

The gift of the same hand I’ve held for the last 18 years.

The gift of love.

For all these beautiful things,  I am thankful.

I can’t imagine being more blessed than I have beent his past year.  I am so excited to embark on this next year with an open heart and open hands for all the beauty God chooses to give.

Have a chic Halloween and a boo-tiful week.

xxoo,

boots

(image via Pinterest)