Trapezing!

Trapeze Class!
​
​I did it!  I got myself up on a trapeze and did a pose or two!  What I did not do was "to be in a trapeze act!"  Those are the words written in my original list in the Barbie Diary. 

---

But I think it's an amazing act that I got up on the thing at all at the age of 55.  Probably more amazing than that, is the fact I could hang upside down and not throw up.  (my biggest fear)

What is also truly amazing is that my biceps were still tender, more than a week after taking the one hour introductory trapeze class! 

​"I was born in a circus."

I actually uttered those words at age 6, when a friend applauded my jungle gym stunt.  I so wanted to believe it.  It seemed more of a wish than a lie.

---

I've had dreams of being in a circus for as long as I can remember.   I did more clowning than anything, but I also tried a little stunt work. I got removed from a carousel horse for standing on the saddle when I was about 5.   And when I was 13, I bought a unicycle and rode it in the house and down the street for a little amusement.   The trapeze was my biggest dream though. And those lousy ones that came attached to yard swing sets, did not take care of my craving.

Circus Camp!

Despite my dad teaching at Florida State (where you could major in circus) and living summers in Sarasota, (surrounded by Ringling Brothers hoopla) I somehow missed all opportunities to learn the craft.

---

So, I did what a lot of parents do.  I lived through my children and enrolled them in Circus Camp in St. Louis.  They were taught by members of Circus Flora.  They practiced clowning and tight rope and trapeze and got to know some of the Wallenda children, of the famous "Flying Wallendas" fame!

I watched on with the same envy I used to feel when I was kid and saw children in movies.  "Why them and not me?"   My kids had fun, but I'm not convinced they craved circus camp as much as I did!

A Groupon Special!
​
​I gave a little gasp of delight when I opened up a Groupon ad one morning and found out there was a school in Houston that offered classes in trapeze. 

"It's on my list!"  I thought.  "How can I not?"

Luckily, my friend Lorrie was game to join me.  If I'd been 16 or even 20, I probably would have had lots of friends eager to try trapezing for $10.  I'm lucky I have a willing (and younger) friend!

The Truth
​
​The truth is, the trapeze was less than 6 feet off the floor.  But the truth also is...I AM NOT falling off that bar! 

That is a graceful move believe it or not and I think my arms have been permanently lengthened.

One more amusing shot!
​
​When Lorrie took this picture, my left arm was sizzling with the pain, but I was feeling amazingly cool as I pointed my toe and reached for the floor with a graceful hand.  It wasn't until I saw the photo that I saw the humorous reality of my trapeze work.  Once again I look like I am falling to the ground!

---

I have never felt so young and so old in an hour's time!  When I first tensed my arms to lift my chin over the bar, I half expected to lift the 8 year old body that once moved breezily down the monkey bars.  Fifty-five!  That's how old I felt, as I lifted my weight!

But when we finally got to a sitting position on top of the bar and struck our poses, I felt like that giddy 6 year old who was "born in the circus." 

Thanks Lorrie...my partner in crime!

Thanks for trapezing with me!  I don't believe that is a word, but I will claim it for what we did! 

Trapezing is experiencing the fun of trapeze, when you are not a child anymore! 

With great enthusiasm, I will cross this one off my list!