“Tuck that tummy.  Tuck that tummy.  Breathe.  Breathe.”  If Laurie (AKA Ida) says that once during each hour of water aerobics she must say it a bazillion times.  Laurie is the cute and funny instructor for our class.  She is the one who keeps us moving.

Laurie is also amazing in that she makes connections with each member of the class.  Be still my heart.  Each day she can call each person in the class by name.  Makes one feel special.

For now, we are meeting at Berkner High School at their pool.  Sometimes the classes are held at Pearce High School.  (Usually the lane markers are not in place, but on this day they were and some class members easily moved them aside.)

Many come to aerobics class because they are lifelong lovers of exercise.   They are lovely and fit because they have always exercised.

Others amaze me because they make great efforts to improve their health.  Some walk with canes.

One lady must use a wheelchair, and her friends help her into the water.  Another man is on a walker, and he faithfully comes each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to class.  Impressive!

I am here to tell you.  These people are having a good time, and as Laurie says, “Lovin’ their bodies.”  We jog, we play leap-frog, and we sing. (Plus do many other exercises.)  I love it when we sing old favorites like  – “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad”, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”, and  “God Bless America.”.  We move in the water, and the singing helps us breathe.  It is so much fun.

This day was Sandy’s birthday, and she brought treats for everyone.  How sweet is that?  There are so many friendly and interesting people in the class.

There are also celebrities in our class. Be still my heart.  It is hard to believe that I have met the man that took one of the first pictures of Lee Harvey Oswald in custody.  He is here with his sweet wife Ida and our instructor Laurie (AKA Ida – Laurie middle name is Ida, and she loves that there is an Ida in our class.).

On October 12, 2013 Ferd spoke at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas about his recollections of this tragic time in our nation’s history.

Laurie/Ida went to hear him speak.  What a special day

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That is Ferd holding the camera.  He was there.

Yes, the water is rather chilly, but you get use to it and moving helps.

“Tuck that tummy.  Tuck that tummy.  Breathe.  Breathe.  Strengthen your core muscles.  Take the pressure off your lower back.”  I hear those words running through my mind throughout each day.  I must  (reluctantly) admit – Water aerobics is a good thing, and I am glad Carolyn introduced me to this class.    “Let’s go jogging.  Jog – Jog – Jog – Jog — Jog – Jog – Jog.”

Blessings to you and yours,

You can join the water aerobics class at any Richardson Recreation Center for $30.00 a month.  You will meet interesting people, and “Love your body” by exercising.