I Keep on Kickin' It

Last night, I went with the Country Kickers to do a demo for a large group of mentally handicapped kids. And what an audience! They, of course, loved our performance, and some of them would get up and come dance amongst us, while their peers cheered them on. Each time one of them would come up to meet one of us, they would be sure to wish us a “Happy New Year”. Very cute. I love watching their childlike joy. I love how some of them just get up and dance not caring what others think. Something I think many of us would like to be able to do.

As I was dancing a couples’ dance with another Kicker, a very large boy came up and grabbed ahold of my arm with a very firm grip and attempted to drag me away to dance with him while professing his love for me. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but he was a little frightening . . ok, he was very frightening! He was like a scruffy, drooling, leering ogre (a nice ogre, I'm sure, like Shrek :) and had two footlong hairs growing out of his chin! It made me feel bad for him and think to myself . . . Why don’t his parents/caretakers help him out a bit in the cleanliness department? I mean, how hard is it to just cut those hairs, trim that “beard”, wipe the leftover mustard from the corners of his mouth? But I really cannot make statements about “how hard is it” when it would obviously be an enormous challenge to care for someone . . . something that I know nothing about.

It was really fun doing the demo, though, and watching everyone enjoy it. It was a great first demo, because I probably only remembered a couple of the dances, but no one cared that I was staring at everyone’s feet and turning around in circles most of the time. I really don’t want to see the video of that!

Afterward, we went to Country Cosmic Bowling and I kicked everyone’s butt with my score of 119 . . don't know how, because I never bowl! One of the songs we dance to started playing, so a bunch of Kickers went to the back and danced. They drew quite an audience, too. People were taking pictures with their camera phones and everything. They’re a fun group to hang out with . . . they know how to have a good time.

I may be putting on my boots tonight, too, and heading to Lincoln with everyone to go to Coyote Willy’s. Didn’t really expect to be getting so involved in this line-dancing thing . . . but I’m lovin’ it so far!