Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now

Stuff gets done here

recent posts

  • How the body learns

    Early in my daily Nia practice, I committed to memorizing Bloom, a lively and graceful routine that I always enjoy dancing. I had a strategy that I started but never quite followed through on. Last week, I got to dance Bloom with Dael Parsons, and I noticed how much more I was able to sink into the sensations of the first three songs because I knew them better from my earlier efforts. Today I decided to come back to this commitment. With help from Nia on Demand’s video with trainer Christina Mae Wolf, I danced the steps that go with the song “Kyoto” by Bonsaye (it’s about 30 minutes into the 60-minute routine). I started here because the moves are repetitive — variations on a graceful theme that I really enjoyed last week. I ran through the five-minute song three times. Just right for today. I don’t know exactly how a series of moves embeds in memory. I’m starting small.

  • Dance plus birds

    Nia on Demand dropped a new routine this week and I found it just right to start a busy Saturday. “Global Unity” with Kellie Chambers explores form and freedom, and since I was dancing in my playroom, I let loose on the freedom side. Just 25 minutes and I’m good to go for the day.

    My playroom is on the second story of the house and today as I was finishing I looked out the window into the river birch tree and saw a dozen bush tits flitting around. Those tiny birds give me great joy.

  • Weekend rabbit hole

    Searching online for some inspiration from author Kurt Vonnegut, I stumbled on an intriguing website.

    But first, here’s the quote — an exchange between characters in the novel “Cat’s Cradle.”

    “Self-taught, are you?” Julian Castle asked Newt.
    “Isn’t everybody?” Newt inquired.
    “Very good answer.”

    I found this in a short list of Vonnegut quotes put together by blogger Todd Smidt whose blog is also today’s Internet rabbit hole for me: I can’t seem to link to it without having its somewhat distracting video running, so search for “Of Whiskey and Words” and you will find it.

    It’s mostly a travel blog. But honestly, you have to love a travel blog that diverts to the odd Vonnegut quote. I’d probably sip a little whiskey with that person.