Time Tripping

March 30, 1981:
Thirty one years ago today, I set up my workbench in the front yard of our home out by Fort Cobb lake. My project was to build a doll bed for my daughter Sara who would turn 3 the next day. I was listening to the radio as I worked. I was frozen mid project by the news flash that President Reagan had been shot in San Francisco.

March 30 2012:
Ginger and I fulfilled a long held desire to visit the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. As I went through the exhibit that detailed the assassination attempt, I went back in time to when I stood there as a much younger man, shocked at the news of the attempt on our President. I went back to a day when my Sara was almost three.

We are told by neurologists that our brains hold memories of all the experiences we have ever had. During hypnosis and other tests the memories have been triggered and experienced afresh by individuals. There was a moment today when I realized that I was standing in the Reagan Memorial at almost precisely 31 years to the moment from the time of that tragic event. In my mind I stood again in the yard, felt the same feelings, called in the house to give Ginger the news. It was almost like a cheesy movie flashback, but it was eerie for me, as it was very real.

President Reagan, a great man, is no longer with us. The doll crib was restored last year so that My Sara's three year old can put her dolls and critters down for naps. My Sara has grown to be a magnificent woman of depth, courage and skill. I see in her daughter my past, present and future all in one glance--and today I experienced all three in a moment.



Ronald Reagan Memorial, Simi Valley, CA

The Cousinette Epistles Volume 6: Spandex, Estrogen, and Yoga.

Dear Cousinettes:

One of my highest values is to keep things fresh. It is easy to get into ruts and routines. So, on this Leap Day I said to your Great-Aunt Ginger, "We only get this day once every four years. Let's do something we have never done before."

Well, needless to say she googled up a dandy. Rooftop yoga on top of the Valley Ho Hotel (seriously, I could not make that name up) in Scottsdale followed by all night happy hour with $5 beverages and snacks. She had me at happy hour, and the event qualified since neither of us had ever done yoga, much less on top of the Valley Ho.

Upon our arrival we were escorted to the elevator by a lovely young lady. I had an humorous conversation with her about working at a place called the Valley Ho, (I could not resist) and launched up the elevator to the 8th floor--to infinity and beyond! We signed in and shortly there were about 60-70 people of various ages, shapes and sizes. Most of them clad themselves in spandex of assorted colors. All but about 5 or 6 were Venusian in gender.

As some really nice old jazz played on the sound system, Ginger and I found our way to the back of the staging area and spread out our mats. I immediately assumed a proper position, for which I received a lot of grief from your parents on Facebook. I learned this position from my father, your great grandfather George. He usually would assume it in his recliner and provide some interesting sound effects--not unlike rolling thunder--as he became one with the universe. Who knew he was so far ahead of his time.

The instructor was introduced and she began to lead us in a series of exercises. Remember, we have never done this before and I understood almost nothing she was saying. She kept talking about dogs, birds, warriors and such and I never saw any of those things. My theory is that it is another Venusian Code to keep us Martians from knowing what they are talking about. Well, the Venusians among us understood and began to do all sorts of moves and gyrations. I followed along as best I could. I confess, my positions did not resemble in any way those exhibited in the pictures you see. First, my body does not bend in some of the ways theirs did. Second, I was so busy trying to understand what was going on there were times when I just stood up with a confused look on my face. This is one position with which I am particularly skilled and quite experienced. I waited for them to start something else and tried to catch up. I am sure your Great Aunt Ginger did much better with this. She had an advantage in that she already speaks Venusian.

We finished the session after what seemed like at least 3 or 4 hours (actually 60 minutes) with the sun setting over the Arizona desert. All in all, it was a fun experience. Which brings me back to the point of all this. As professor Gump was known to say, "You never know what you are going to get." Life can be full of interesting twists and turns as long as you are moving. Try something new. Explore your options. Who knows, you may find yourself surrounded by spandex and estrogen on the roof of the Valley Ho.

Your crazy Great Uncle