Mostly what I will remember about Kitty Bliss’s father, Curtis, is that I danced with him at Kitty’s wedding. He was a fabulous dancer with a firm hand and said I was “light as a feather,” bolstering my confidence in dormant dancing skills à deux. Four incredible daughters and a remarkable mother, a real man among great women.
A Dancing Story.
Cathy Faber on upright bass in great skirt, George Langston on guitar in yoke.
I’ll have to tell you about Dance Night at the La Fiesta Lounge with Cathy Faber’s Swinging Country Band, La Fonda Hotel, Feb. 4th, 2011. The picture is from the next day at Tesuque, another post, but we were visiting Santa Fe to look at adobe, hear Britt in Cathy’s Band, and eat guac.
3 Kansas cinqgenerians
Britt Alexander, center, and fellow musician friends though not in this band.
John and Paula thought they’d take a spin, but we were in way over our heads. The dance background was there, though. For in 1981 we were a duo, a Belle of the American Royal (BOTAR) and her GOTAR doing the foxtrot, waltz and cha-cha-cha (see Kansas City Debut and that crowd). This dance occurred after the daughters had been presented to society by their fathers and had performed their curtsy.
We accomplished these dance steps while I held a big feather fan. This fan, I like to think, is in homage to Sally Rand, the famous historic fan dancer from Kansas City. She took fan dancing in the (apparent) buff to a whole new level of fine art while, I know, offering great pleasure for the men. No one ever mentions this in our debutante training, though I think the young girls practicing in this fashion might make a great pre-ball benefit.
The American Royal was a stock show in the old KC Stockyards. Kansas City was a meatpacking and a shipping point for midwestern cornfed beef to be moved East to feed larger markets. Later, the American Royal was an event that brought agriculturists from the provinces to the city as well as those urban people who had interests in agriculture in the Midwest. Mainly, it was established to be sure that Kansas City didn’t forget it’s agricultural roots and role as a breadbasket to the country. The show in the American Royal Arena is now primarily horsemanship, not as focused on interests in the commercial and purebred cattle stock show as it had been in the past.
Two GOTARS at La Fiesta Lounge.
Just a bit about being a GOTAR. This is a rite of passage for young KC men ages 22-30. This included the drummer and the cowboy with whom I was in the La Fiesta lounge at La Fonda in Santa Fe.
A word about the word BOTAR (Belles of the American Royal) and for what word the G represents. I thought it was Guys (of TAR). The men were allowed to go to this party over and over again, while the women only get to have fun the one time that they “debut to society.”
The Graves family was actually not announcing my eligibility for marriage as debutante balls were originally intended to do. They were able to gang two social events by celebrating this at the same time as my pre-nuptial showers and parties, closing the marriage deal just a month after the debut. We are an efficient family.
Note to self: Why aren’t eligible sons presented to society?
This gives me an idea, why not start a Kansas Dance Party for some great bachelors I know. Jack Adams, his KU Phi Delt & Beta buddies, some Pembroke fellas, maybe a few Meade County boys to mix it up a bit, Jimmy Corrales and some of his friends, and of course their moms; kind of like KU Mom’s Weekend.
We cordially invite you
to be presented at the
Bachelors and In-Between Moms & Mortgages Ball
The BIBM&M Ball which could be shortened to BIB, as in “I’m coming out this year as a BIB.”
[I am sure we, as mothers, have all weaned our male offspring long ago, so just in jest!]
- My son’s friends in many fraternities at KU that I have met have a sense of humor.
- I know it could be made into a great guy party, at least with the 2010 Sweeping Rock Chalk Phi Delt Winners who can really cut the rug on the dance floor.
- And, if mommy is actually trying to stay off-duty in their lives for a bit, she might actually be asked to escort them on stage for their bow.
So who’s choosing the tuxes? I’d pick a crushed brown broomskirt weight velvet (good drape) with skinny lapels, “maybe crocskin, buttercream, buttercream….”
…back to the dance story…
So…the then married couple of John and Paula were practicing our two-step by the glass retail cases in the hall to the bathrooms. This was to prevent humiliation and avert collision with this fast two-steppin’ crowd. Several kind people stopped by to offer much appreciated advice.
And this is How we ended up respectively with very good dance partners…
A kind couple…two dance partners that is, Sandi Wright and Randy Forrester took us on.
Sandi is a woman, a teacher, and an author of children’s book about what!!! history and santa Fe prairie dogs!!! (see Prairie Pug) www.santafesam.com. Her daughter in finance was the illustrator and it had just been released in print. It is available at La Fonda bookshop among other places.
Randy was and perhaps still is co-host of Gotta Dance on KSFR 101.FM, Sunday from 7-8 MST, Gotta Dance .
Well, they took us on. Randy could not have been nicer and more fun and more gentlemanly.
Here’s another chunk of a great song of Cathy’s that gives you a feel for the dance crowd. Well, it was there until enforcement…
the moves
After the first dance, Randy moves onto Dance 102 and does a dip. Knowing my neck is always a bit stiff and I wouldn’t want to look awkward,
“what to do with the head?”, I asked.
“throw it back” and that I did. And I have to admit it, I liked it.
Well, don’t ever act interested in anything men do it just encourages them. Soon my hair was grazing the floor and Randy moved right into Dance 103 with the leg extends. Again…I was curious, this was new for me…
So, I threw myself in, head first, or I should say, head back in submission. My father Dean Graves always had a Marine Corps motto I try to live by: “anything worth doing is worth doing well.”
Well soon Randy was supporting my leg at 90 degrees in a split that Carolyn Howard would have been proud of (toe pointed, of course).
[I rationalized my exhibitionism with the idea that Lacy might need to know this someday. My cousin’s first husband’s father and that wife once did a Country Wedding Tango in my Uncle Bill’s Garage Dance Floor, so you never know when you might need to pull out or pass on this move to your children or grandchildren. I hung in there until Randy and Sandi called it a night, and we took a rest to watch Cathy, the guys, and Britt.]
Hillbilly Hoedown….so here’s the closure to the story.
The dance crowd had cleared out. Out of nowhere, a man in high-waisted wranglers cuts in on us and swings me off to center stage without even a “may I?”. A complete stranger, no compliment, and he took me to a whole new set of dance-bases that I’d never even heard of, sort of a jig.
I am sure I looked both scared and scary.
help me!
And… where’s John??!!! (bathroom? smoke?)
Where’s Britt? (….lost in percussion).
I’m trying to make eye contact with someone…where’s Dave Wood when you need him?
The exit
John’s finally returned, witnessing the finale. The grueling ordeal finally ended, and I stumbled over to Britt’s jazzette saying, “I’ve got to get out of here, goodnight.” I make the exit motion to John who’s asking…. “who was that?”, grab my coat and bolt for the lobby.
The next day by email I apologized to Britt for any embarrassment caused by his high school friend. I also used it as an opportunity to hold another responsible for my behavior, asking, “why didn’t you help me?!”
“Well, you looked like you were having a good time,” said Britt.
John’s comment, “he’s playing the drums…what’s he supposed to do?”
Well, I embarrassed myself a bit, but no regrets.
And give Thanks to God: My children weren’t there. But mostly grateful; I’m the one with the camera.
Follow
Hi again Paula and John,
You are a writer as well as all your other talents. Thanks for sharing this and recapturing the city different and your experiences here. Was a treat to meet and hope to continue where we left off here or in your fair state. All the best!
Love,
Sandi
PS-The Adventures of Santa Fe Sam is a hit. Thanks for the plug. santafesam.com
Randy your dancing partner actually wrote to me asking if I was a writer. I thought, “hey that sounds good” and changed my facebook profile. But upon second thought, I’ve recently changed it to writist. Chicago Manual is not being used yet….need to work on this. I will be in Santa Fe hopefully this summer and want to buy my copy of Santa Fe Sam personally at La Fonda for the experience.
You have stories on your blog about Sherwood Forest Camp and the Dreher sisters. I was secretary/driver at SFC in the summers of 69-72. Were you there then?
I would like to contact any of the Dreher sisters, Eve, Elise, Marthe.
Do you all know about the Gunny Life Celebration this next July at camp? There are two FB pages, “Sherwood Forest Camp alumni” and “In Memory of Maxine Gunny Gunsolly”. check those out to see the Celebration info, registration, and lodging. Do it soon before all lodging is taken. Please respond to me so I know if you have received this. Thanks.
Och dе här tjejerna är inte blyga, ɗe blottar gärna sina fina bröst framför kameran eller webcamen, allt för
att förföra och locka dig. Ɗu hittar säkerligen еn sexkontakt att tillfredställa dina behov – diskret sex utan förpliktelser.
Тa erat sexlliv till en heot annan nivå och upptäck singern і
dig.
Hello Dear, are you in fact visiting this website regularly,
if so then you will without doubt get good experience.
my website :: after effects smoke text tutorial (Stewart)
Hello, after reading this awesome post i am as
well delighted to share my familiarity here with colleagues.
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I am quite certain I’ll learn a lot of new stuff
right here! Best of luck for the next!
Here is my web site … descargar pokemon esmeralda
I know this web site presents quality dependent content and additional information, is there any other web page which provides these kinds of things in quality?
What’s Going down i’m new too this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely
helpful and it has aidd me oout loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assit other customers like its
aided me. Goood job.
my blog post athletic training jobs milwaukee wi
Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.
I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this informative article together.
I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Hello, everything is going fine here and
ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s actually good, keep
up writing.
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this
in future. A lot of people will be benefited from
your writing. Cheers!
If you are going for most excellent contents
like myself, only pay a quick visit this website daily since it provides quality contents, thanks
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you
happen to be a great author. I will make sure to
bookmark your blog and will often come back very soon. I
want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address
and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward
to checking out your web page again.
Look at my website; bendgate (Tia)
Excellent blog post. I absolutely love this site. Stick with it!
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest blogs on the internet. I most certainly will highly recommend this website!
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to look at new stuff you post…
Thank you. I can’t exactly understand if you are responding to “My Santa Fe dance night…” or another which somehow triggered your gmail which had in title anxiety-stress-depression….etc. That’s what wordpress shows at the left, but it comes up in the Santa Fe dance night.
Anyway, if you are a real person and have a post about one or the other that indicates you are commenting about that post, I’d love to hear what you liked.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d care to find out some additional information.
I think this is among the most important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
Would you be desirous about exchanging links?
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
Thank you for another informative blog. The place else could I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal means? I’ve a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.
I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is really annoying. A good website with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
No, I don’t have a newsletter. I will have an ebook fairly soon and may then develop another website prairiepug.com but it is only about this book character, though themes are universal. I had tech issues for quite a while and then moved, so I have not been blogging but I hope parties have somewhat worked through challenging issues. Thank you for the kind words.
No, I don’t yet have a newsletter. Thank you for the compliment.
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
It is in reality a great and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I love your insights about life on a ranch. AND, how you try to do art among the Kansas wilderness…