FANCY FOOTWORK

Unintentionally, I engaged in a bit of fancy footwork the other evening when my toe caught the packaged edge of flattened cardboard boxes awaiting my assembling that I had leaning vertically against a wall.   When I tripped my body launched forward and downward onto a hardwood floor that was covered by carpeting with thinned padding long overdue for replacement.  My knees and shoulder forcefully met this ungiving surface.  Eventually, after a rudimentary assessment of my condition I was able to arise from the floor without too much difficulty, contrary to my initial concern that my ability to do so might be in doubt.   

Pain with body movement during the rest of the evening followed by spasmodic restless sleeping that night had me thinking I should seek medical care first thing in the morning.   But I felt slightly better by mid-morning so deferred such consultation.  

By days end other symptoms that may have been wearing me down for several weeks became more prominent, as though my tumble had somehow jolted them loose.  I became convinced my weekend and the days ahead might be a bit too unpleasant without medical intervention.    Having established I could now reach with minimal pain to shift my cars gears I drove the five to ten minutes from my home to our local hospital’s Urgent Care.   

The Physicians Assistant decided antibiotics were the answer to the emerging throat/sinus/middle ear issues that may have been viral for some previous weeks, only now evolving into a probable bacterial infection.     The P.A. concluded a shoulder x-ray was also advisable given my earlier adventure and extremity functional limitations, pains and bruises. 

The good news is that the x-ray revealed no bones were fractured or broken with primarily only the upper body on my dominant side affected.   Fortunately, my range of motion, gripping, lifting, and other abilities are gradually increasing with a lessening of pain and discomfort. 

Also on a positive note, the manner in which I was able to fall prevented my having to clean up a potential mess.   I was carrying a styrofoam carryout container filled with my Chinese dinner in one hand, with the other holding several objects including a capped water-filled plastic bottle.   I recall as my body rapidly angled toward the floor extending my arms with my thoughts focusing on balancing the containers upright to avoid spilling any contents.   Amazingly to me I was successful in preventing that disaster. 

I eventually have realized I would be most comfortable physically in loose clothing that didn’t require a lot of arm movement, or hand gripping attire that needed to be pulled up or down.   I discovered my wardrobe’s blouse clothing consisted primarily of pull-over type tops.   No longer did I have available my now deceased husband’s front button shirts as I once would have had.    Though I knew I could drive, I didn’t welcome the prospect of navigating walking through any of the several nearby shopping malls, or some of the other large stores seeking front button shirts.  

I really miss all the small independent variety or specialty clothing stores, some used to carry seconds and discontinued items of then-name brands. These stores once were scattered about in nearby strip malls with parking close by allowing a quick store entry and exit.  We didn’t have to walk for miles up and down never-ending aisles to locate a desired item in those small compact store areas. 

I’ve not been one to experience shopping as a substitute for an entertaining recreational activity.   I find the current crass commercialization movement to brick and mortar stores being open 24/7 quite undesirable, especially if those businesses have an Internet presence. They want me to shop at midnight or 4 A.M. in order to purchase their special sale bargain???  Web competition is the reason given for justifying these increasing store hours openings.   I’ll rue the day when purchases must mainly be made on the Internet – a step backward similar to my grandmother’s days of paper catalog sales -- an interesting topic to consider.  

Given our Southern California climate many cold weather clothes often aren’t even readily available here, so I didn’t relish having to visit several gargantuan stores to try to find what I wanted.   It occurred to me that some sporting goods stores might stock the inexpensive casual shirt I sought.   Then I remembered just such a new store nearby that I lamented had remodeled space which once held some nice restaurants.   I had been disappointed these casual eating establishments were gone, though not the lower quality last one this store replaced.    

Off I went this morning hoping I might be in luck at this new sporting goods chain store only five minutes away, and was pleased to be able to purchase a blue plaid light flannel button-up-the-front shirt – only shirt left in a size that wouldn’t completely envelope me.    I’m glad for the store presence in this instance, but I can’t imagine ever needing to purchase anything there again.  Regrettably, I think it’s unlikely they’ll be replaced with that nice restaurant I'd prefer.  

When I think of the fancy footwork in which I engaged, this video of Fred Astaire’s famous “ceiling dance” comes to mind.   I wish I could have stayed on my feet and been so nimble.  Stanley Donen filmed this scene for the 1951 movie “Royal Wedding” using what was then a very innovative special effect.  Rotating visuals and photos is no longer novel unlike before our digital technology.

You can see in this side-by-side film footage how this visual effect was achieved which may be of interest, especially if you have been previously unfamiliar with this famous “dance around the room.”  

The moral to my tale is that it’s better to dance than engage in my fancy footwork.   Stay on your feet!