I read in our local shopper, the Pine Island Eagle, that a Tai Chi class was being given at a church on Pine Island, next to our little plot of land between Cape Coral and barrier islands. It is the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church and you can vote there during election season. I called and was told just to show up at 3 or at 6, two different class times, on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the cost was $20 a month, mostly to pay the church for the space.

The discipline sounded as if it would suit me because it was low impact and concentrated on controlled movements. So I drove over for the 3 o’clock session yesterday.
It was a small class and we sat at a round table in a large event type room and chatted until class time. Actually the chat went longer and we didn’t get to the actual class until about 3:20. I kept wondering when the teacher would shut up and start the class, which, apparently he only cobbled up to assuage his need for social contact. I was getting antsy because his minutiae was beyond tedious and he wouldn't shut up.

Frank is his name and he said he was a physicist and had the personality of a hoedown caller, complete with chuckles and wry remarks. His instructive narrative was buried in his reminiscences and I tried to focus on the relevant part.

I didn’t know Tai Chi was a martial art. Frank kept referencing the opponent we were trying to kill, which I thought was not useful. There was carpet on the floor. I found it hard to pivot on carpet, but did my best. The effort did drain me, however, because afternoons are my low point. I stuck it out. I seriously considered not going back, $20 or no, because I am prone to think evil thoughts when I am being bored to death. I am reminded of a remark I made to my internist in our first interview. He asked me why I grind my teeth and I said, "So that I don't have to kill people." Anyway, I will try again next Tuesday.

After the physical part of the session, he read from a couple of ancient Chinese tomes, the idea being to put us in touch with our inner mystical beings, which I have no trouble with, having devoted my life trying to understand my sleeping brain which is at the root of all my angst.

5 o’clock came and he continued reading, so at the risk of seeming rude, I excused myself because I hadn’t planned on spending the evening. The class was five women and two men and they were nice enough and if there was time to get to know them, I might find they are interesting. It was hard to tell in this context. Anyway, I had to pick up an entre and get home to do dinner. Luckily, the near by Winn-Dixie had pot roast cooked turkey breast so I grabbed that. Ed loves turkey. Another dinner hurdle handled. Phew.

xx, Teal