“Exercise the body you have, not the one you used to have or the one you wish you had.” This quote, which I recently saw at The Dalles Fitness and Court Club, reminded me how often our unrealistic expectations get in the way of what we think we can physically do or can’t do.

But with creaky knees, garbled hearing and weak bladders – okay maybe I am just speaking of my own condition – you would think we wouldn’t need to be reminded. We would know there just isn’t as much snap in the old rubber band anymore. But no! There are many – particularly Boomers – who still pursue that grand ideal of “mind over matter” – while many others have accepted reality and understand that “if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”.

Even as our bodies are no longer what they were, we do know that it is important to keep moving and exercising because research has shown, over and over again, that an active lifestyle is good for the mind, body, and spirit.

But what kind of exercise is best for you? There are many professional opinions but the simple answer is: whatever you will do that will get you up and moving. And it doesn’t need to be the sweaty exercises you remember from high school.

You can dance. Bill and Neva Reid are again offering a variety of dance classes Monday nights at the Civic from 7:00 – 9:00 starting with an Intro to the Waltz on September 20th. On Thursdays September 16, 23, and 30 they will also be offering free Modern Square Dancing lessons – plus free Ice Cream Cones. Call them at 541-296-1570 for more information. And at the Center there is Tap and Clogging taught by Ardyce Edling every Thursday starting at 10:00. (And I heard they are looking for a few brave men to add some excitement to this all women’s group.)

You can walk. The Sunup Walking Club offers groups walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 AM along the riverfront. Call 541-296-9533 for more info. And you can join a variety of exercise and movement classes at TDFCC, MCMC and here at the Center.

Our bodies aren’t the same as they were fifty, forty or even ten years ago, but we can keep moving. As Popeye said “I am what I am and that’s all that I am”. And that is a good place to start.

Russell Baker once said “Children rarely want to know who their parents were before they were parents, and when age finally stirs their curiosity, there is no parent left to tell them”. But the Center is trying to prevent this sad truth by providing an opportunity for folks to record, preserve and share your experiences growing up, life lessons learned or just personal stories. Bring a friend, parent or child and we will record your conversations and transfer them to a CD for you to keep. We are still testing the process, but if you are interested call the Center at 541-296-4788.

Dancing is not all that difficult. It is just the “art of getting your feet out of the way faster than your partner can step on them.” On Tuesday the 31st you will have a chance to practice this art form to the sounds of the Dufur Boys and tonight to the Jazz Generations. The music starts at 7:00 and it is free although donations are appreciated. .

Last week’s answer was the “Platters” the Doo-Wop group that recorded the #1 hit “The Great Pretender”. There were nine entries including Karl “Trivial Minds” Vercouteren and the winner of a free Saturday breakfast on September 18th was Bob Earls.

This week it is time for a country music “Remember When” question and since during my clumsy pimpled face youth, I listened mostly to Motown, I went to someone who knows her country music upside down: Sharyl Doty. With her help, this week’s “Remember When” question is “What early pioneer of country music starred in over 40 “singing cowboy” movies and recorded many top ten country hits including “You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often” and one of Sharyl’s favorites, “Deck of Cards”? E- mail mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or write the answer on the front of a Federal Reserve Note next to the picture of James Madison and slip it under my door.

Well that is the end of another box of cereal – and I still didn’t find the prize. Until we meet again before you start making a big fuss think about what Vic Gold said “The squeaking wheel doesn’t always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced!”