Can you do it?

Last night a friend dragged out his high school yearbook to show me that he had been in gymnastics. It sort of surprised me, as he is not someone I would have pictured hanging from the rings.

We talked a big about gymnastics and such. I mentioned that I had told someone recently that I used to do headstands without bending my knees. That requires lifting the legs using stomach muscles. It's a great exercise, but I wasn't sure if I could even do a headstand at all any more. We joked about things we used to do, and can't do now. I doubt very much if I can do a handstand any more, and I am not trying a cartwheel.

But I had, just had, to try a headstand. I do this every few years, just to see. Each time it's different. This time, my wrists felt a bit wobbly. But I put my knees on my elbows, trying to keep the dogs from happily licking my upside down face. They always want to take advantage when I am vulnerable. I am pretty sure Molly was reaching for my Visa card.

So I slowly lifted my hips, straighted my back, raised my legs, arched my back, and howled a little, then slowly, gently lowered myself back down.

Yes, I can still do it without smashing back down or hurting anything. I didn't even break any furniture. I wonder why I ever stopped doing this stuff in the first place?

I am taking the dogs for a 3 mile walk. I think I will be strutting just a little.