Hoop Dream

-

I guess it's been about two years since I first got excited about hooping. Not those little childhood shoop-shooping hoops, but big, adult size hoops made for fun and exercise and even... Hoop Dancing! I bought a couple of DVDs from Hoopnotica, made some cool hoops, and then forgot all about them as we traveled for a year. I had all my hooping stuff with me, but I was too self conscious most of the time to practice in the campgrounds and RV parks. I'm a beginner. I'm learning. I drop the darn hoop a lot. But of course I didn't get any better by hanging up my hoop and avoiding practice. Grownups can be so dumb.

The other night we went to the Taos Feeds Taos benefit at the Solar Center. A lot of food was donated, we saw some friends, and danced to the fun band Last To Know. But the best part of the evening for me was the Hoopers. They brought these amazing LED hoops, and performed sort of spontaneously when the mood struck them. They also shared their hoops, which made me very happy. 

Mostly it was kids who got out there, but I left my shyness back in the campground and grabbed one of those beautiful, glowing hoops. They're harder to use than the bigger, heavier one I have at home, but I did OK. And one of the Hoop Girls came up to me later to tell me I'd done great, and was welcome to get up "on the box" any time I wanted to. On the box! Wow! I know I'm not ready for that, but her kind encouragement got me thinking...

I've been on my own in learning to hoop, and keep coming up with nothing when I look for classes near me, wherever I am. The DVDs are good, but learning in a group would be way more fun. It seems like if I want to do this, there are other people who do too. I have friends who say, I wanna hoop!, when they see me twirling around with a big smile on my face. And if there are those people saying it, there are probably more of them out there thinking it. 

So now I'm finding myself with a new daydream in my head. My Hoop Dream. What if I could work really hard, and practice a lot, and get really good, and then start teaching hooping? All the beautiful young Hoopers out there are sort of intimidating to less young people like me. I think people--mostly women probably--of a certain age would trust me, and would see that they don't have to live in a perfect little 20-something body to have fun hooping. 

Is this crazy? Of course. That's why it just might work. Can I actually do it? It remains to be seen. But I think the point is to allow the dream to take shape, and then see where it takes me. Grownups can be so dumb, and so practical, and so boring. I think if we let ourselves be more crazy and silly sometimes we'd have a lot more fun, and our dreams would take us to adventures in life we might miss otherwise.

I made some new hoops yesterday, for me, and any friends who want to play. I also got my DVDs out and had a great time dropping my hoop, over and over again, in our empty living room. Today I'm going to raise the chandelier as high as it will go, so I have more overhead room. And then I'm going to reach way up there and see if I can catch this Hoop Dream of mine. Silly as it is, it's making me happy, at least for today. And who knows where it might lead, if I'm just silly enough to follow it.


~~~~~~~~~
Comment on this post to be entered to win this week's Gratitude Bracelet. 
Details are in the column to the right.

Comments

  1. pam ferrariNovember 29, 2010 at 8:20 AM

    Looks like a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa RussellNovember 29, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    Very cool, and I can relate. There are no hoopers in my area either, so I just started a weekly hooping get-together. I hope it grows.. I'm not that great at it myself, I just learn from YouTube videos. But I'd love a community of women who GET IT. The energy in the hoop is addictive, for sure. Let's get them hooked :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. JakkNovember 29, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    This is completely new to me, so glad to learn about it here. I tend to let self-consciousness get in the way of having fun. I really want to reconnect to my childhood playfulness.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 9:04 AM

    Awesome pics with the LED hoops. I tried last summer with my daughter's hoop and I just couldn't get it going. I want lessons, can you give me lessons ? : )April N

    ReplyDelete
  5. ThE MidLiFe CrUiSeRNovember 29, 2010 at 9:11 AM

    Well, if I can get out next to my RV in campgrounds across the country and do step aerobics (one elderly lady told her husband she thought I was that Asian girl on tv that usually does yoga!! heehe!) I get lots of stares, people walking up as close as they dare to watch, and slow drive bys....but NEVER have I gotten a heckler! Most people I think like seeing someone having fun. So get out there and get on the box! If you wait until you feel "ready" or "perfect" at it, you'll have missed your chance!

    Nellie
    http://midlifecruiser.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. PattyNovember 29, 2010 at 10:22 AM

    Go for it Kim! It sure sounds like fun. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Zoe NelsonNovember 29, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    I have a 64-year-old friend who is a ski instructor. She makes more money than the young hot dog instructors because people trust her and her grey hair. Go for it. This could be the thing you've been looking for!

    ReplyDelete
  8. PANovember 29, 2010 at 12:30 PM

    Go for it Kim. When my daughters were pre-teens and teens, they hooped. I tried but never could get the hang of it. But we all laughed a LOT! Polly Anna

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 1:07 PM

    Hope your HOOP dreams come true.
    Suzie

    ReplyDelete
  10. YvonneNovember 29, 2010 at 1:39 PM

    Hooping sounds fun! Hope you reach your goals with it.

    So glad that you are offering more of your fabulous gratitude bracelets for the holidays.

    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  11. CarleneNovember 29, 2010 at 1:44 PM

    What fun:) I wish you much success!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Renee and Peter ....November 29, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    WOW!...those LED hoops are GORGEOUS!
    I can imagine that hooping with these would have been a beautiful experience for you!
    Gosh..you are so right on when you write:
    "I think if we let ourselves be more crazy and silly sometimes we'd have a lot more fun, and our dreams would take us to adventures in life we might miss otherwise.
    Sooooo!... just go for it! Who knows what adventures and fun your Hoop Dream will lead to!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Peggy RNovember 29, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    Yay! Hoop it up Kim! I think having a group to hoop with would be grand. And, who knew that your former living room would become your 'hooping studio'? Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Julie K.November 29, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    What a great "hoop" dream.
    You are right grown ups are dumb and reserved.
    Get out there & hoop for all of us :-)
    Julie K.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 3:16 PM

    My older sister was scheduled to be in a hula hoop contest on the day I was born, and I don't think that she ever quite forgave me for causing her to miss the contest! Perhaps that is why I could never seem to master the skill!?!? If I wasn't on the other side of the country...I would join your swinging group. Happy hoop dreams Kim. Good luck! Diane in PA

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 3:50 PM

    Spent T-giving with the grandchildren--"the wheels on the bus go round and round...."
    It was great fun as a kid,haven't thought about it in years, haven't done it in many more!
    Have fun going round and round! Sara in Fl.

    ReplyDelete
  17. MoonRaeNovember 29, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    Looks like "beautiful" fun!! I don't hoop,but I do mess with those tubes/hoses that sing when you spin them and find it very spiritual in an odd way.I started doing it every morning in Arizona before opening my booth.I think it would be cool for you to seriously get into hooping....by the way your hoops are wonderful
    ~Sharon~

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 6:09 PM

    Hoop-dee-do!! How gorgeous ~~ those spinning rings of illuminated colors are mesmerizing! This is the first I've heard of it. Hoop on, and be happy Kim! You deserve it for giving so much happiness to others with your wonderful talent for making exquisite beads.
    ~Dot in MD~

    ReplyDelete
  19. m.e.November 29, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    Round beads ..round hoops ...seems like it's meant to be !
    I remember you talking about making hoops in a previous post.I need to exercise more.
    But,I'd rather feel like I'm just playing!
    And if I could make my own hoop... how fun would that be!!! I need to find your previous post....
    m.e. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownNovember 29, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    You go girl!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousNovember 29, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    Hi Kim,
    I really enjoy your post and especially
    the pictures. Hurrah for you to give yourself
    an opportunity to learn a new way to just have
    fun and bring Joy! Ruth at the Ocean

    ReplyDelete
  22. MerikayNovember 29, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    Keep Dreaming. It keeps you young!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Prettypics123November 29, 2010 at 9:54 PM

    Go for it! You can have classes or give lessons wherever you are to us older women, and men!

    ReplyDelete
  24. KralalienNovember 30, 2010 at 1:32 AM

    Oh wow, hoops are so much fun! Enjoy! :)
    Btw, the hoops look like round twisties... off to the torch ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. MJNovember 30, 2010 at 2:27 AM

    I like your thoughts about dedication to making a dream happen. You are certainly making lots of your dreams come true. The new header photo is simply marvelous. Love the bracelets!

    ReplyDelete
  26. janNovember 30, 2010 at 7:46 AM

    I want a hula hoop! Wow....to feel young again and actually have a waistline! What a great Christmas gift that would be! :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousDecember 1, 2010 at 7:21 AM

    The last time I remember doing a hope "the right way" I was 7 or 8 and listening to Chubby Checkers at a community fair! You can do it Kim for all of us who can't! Beth

    ReplyDelete
  28. williamsburg beaderDecember 1, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    I think it is a worthy dream. Hoop Dream.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Texan Zombie GoddessDecember 2, 2010 at 6:49 AM

    Love to watch those hoola hoop videos :).

    ReplyDelete
  30. BabetteDecember 2, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    I used to twirl machettes and fire batons in college - so hula hoops are way cool to me. So keep on swirling!

    ReplyDelete
  31. IllayaDecember 3, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    Hooping what an absolute hoot. In elementary school I was constantly hooping and kept it up thru college. At one point I could handle 16 metal hoops swirling around my bod. I still remember what that felt like. Last summer when you posted about hooping I bought a hoop and have been using it in my daily exercise routine. I am always amazed at the clarification I get with my thoughts when I hoop. Keep that Dream going. Have a blast where ever it leads you. Illaya

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comment!

Popular posts from this blog

cats are not dogs, and how tangling string untangles frustration

-
Image
As Airbnb hosts, we have lots of lovely interactions with guests while they're here, and with potential guests making inquiries before they book. I try to be really clear in our listing, about the house, amenities, and rules. The trouble is, some people would rather not actually read the listing, or if they do, they just ignore the parts they don't like. Oy. I mean really, who thinks cats and dogs are the same thing? Today I got a booking for two nights in March, from a very nice-sounding couple coming down from Canada. They were very excited to stay here at Mermaid's Nest , and everything was great... until I got to the part in their message about bringing their cat... Ruh roh... I had stated very clearly in our listing that we allow small dogs . Cats were not mentioned. Neither were goats, snakes, skunks, or rhinos, because I figured people would see that part about dogs , and at least ask before assuming all other animals were welcome. Oh, silly me. Apparently the...
Read more

where to buy what i make

-
Image
I closed my Etsy shop recently. What??? Why??? Well, because I think Etsy has done great harm to the livelihoods of makers everywhere. If you do manage to get noticed, which is pretty difficult these days, it's impossible to compete with the pricing on so-called "handmade" goods that are mass produced in foreign countries. Equally frustrating to me is the number of actual makers who drastically underprice their work, effectively turning themselves into voluntary sweatshop laborers in order to stay in the game at all. I'm not playing. I would love to see makers of all fine handmade things everywhere reclaim a sense of dignity, and charge a fair price for their skills and talents. Until I find such a group of folks that I can join, I'm back to being on my own here, in my own little shop, charging a reasonable price for the quality materials and hours of work it takes to make the things I make. I feel good about this. The Shop, at the moment, contains exactl...
Read more

soft spring scarf

-
Image
If you come here often, you know that I finished this pretty little swath of yarny love a few days ago. The yarn is from CandySkein , and I love it. A lot. It's a beautifully hand-dyed, washable merino fingering weight that was quite wonderful to knit with, even though I'm sort of a lazy knitter and usually use something quite a lot more bulky. This worked up into a delicious, lightweight-but-warm fabric that's perfect for between-season wear. Pardon my pilly worn-all-winter sweater, and focus on the scarf. It's my favorite style - an asymmetrical triangle, worked from end to end. It has a ziggy-zaggy edge on one side, and a smooth edge on the other. The pattern is called the Hitchhiker Scarf, and you can get it on Ravelry . I test drove this one for a day and loved it. But as I do with most of the things I make, I also decided to let it go. Only three have made it into my personal wardrobe for keeps, and I'm just fine with that. Make them, love them, let ...
Read more

and what do you do?

-
Image
I'm in my outdoor office this week, at the picnic table on the patio. I have a favorite vintage tablecloth, lilacs in a martini shaker, and tea in my new favorite cup, made by Charan Sachar . I'm considering a new format for my blog, which I'll try here today. I suspect that only three people actually read this, and yet I persist. I like to write, so that can be good enough. I have lots of things to talk about, so I'm going to try dividing my time here between Life Stories and Ponderings, and of course, Knitting. Feel free to tell me what you think, or even just grunt if you're out there. Really, have no idea. Pondering... I like meeting new people. But I hate the inevitable moment when New Person will politely raise their eyebrows and ask me, "And what do you do?" It's sort of like the human equivalent of dogs sniffing each others' butts. We need to size each other up somehow , right? What better way than to sniff out what a person d...
Read more

yarn that speaks for itself

-
Image
I've had this amazing ball of hand-dyed-and-spun yarn for months. It was made, and given to me, by my friend Valerie, which makes it even more special. I've moved it around the house, looked at it, held it, and asked it what it wanted to be, but it's been very quiet. I've loved it so much just as a ball of yarn, I was in no hurry to knit it into something else. Here it is with my great-grandmother's hand carved crochet hook. So much wonderfulness. Maybe sometimes yarn can just be yarn, at least for a while. As the weather got colder, I started think of hats. Not just baby hats like I make for the hospital, but big hats. For me. That wind on the beach can really bite a girl's ears in the winter. So, long story short, I knitted my beautiful, most favorite yarn into a hat. I found a really easy pattern for a beret, which Rick made for his daughter (yes, he knits a bit). Here's the pattern . It's really cute! And here's my hat. Also really cute. ...
Read more