WEEK 73

GREETINGS & SALLYTATIONS!

I believe everyone has one secret talent that they can do better than anyone. Some share their talent, some just keep it private. I believe my secret weapon is my dancing abilities. I grew up watching Lawrence Welk and my favorite person to watch on the show was the black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. (Anyone younger than 45 will be clueless about the Lawrence Welk show). It was my Saturday ritual, 7 p.m., with my Dad. We watched the show and I would dance right along with Mr. Duncan week after week. Well, this past weekend I was at the Mall of American having Date #8 with Metro Man and what do I hear over the loud speaker?

DANCE CONTEST!!!

I was lucky to be selected from a large crowd and went up to my spot on the big stage. We all had to do the Hustle and then one by one do our solo performance. Alas, they point to me to begin and I did the required Hustle moves and then broke out into the Sallyworld Hustle with an Iron Range twist. Suddenly all my Arthur Duncan moves came alive with a bit of John Travolta arms. I could refer to it as Disco Duncan. Or Date Wrecker Duncan with my funk on! Or, just Sally Unleashed. I was on fire. The crowd had to vote and I was crowned Best Dancer. Get ready for this. I thought I’d be receiving a Mirror Ball trophy and they hand me a lava lamp... priceless! I didn’t care about the prize. It’s all about the bragging rights.

Too bad all this dancing didn’t help in the weight loss department. The metro trips are tough on the diet. Not only do

I lose my exercise routine, it’s all about the dining. We had a great lunch at Ruby

Tuesdays. I’m always amazed at these menus with so many pages and far too many choices. I research the menu as though I’m prepping for a college entrance exam. I opted for the unlimited trip to the salad bar along with some vegetarian sides and a case of napkins.

Metro man quickly reminded me about the old “napkin on the lap” etiquette. So, after lunch and shopping and hauling my coveted “lava lamp” throughout the mall, it was time to head back on the light rail.

A little tip from Sally regarding the train:

Get on and sit down. I fell into the seat browsing for the perfect seat and smacked up my finger. Evidentally they don’t wait for us to all sit down until they blast out of the station. The finger still hurts but thank God my Lava Lamp is intact.

I’m excited about an upcoming trip to the Tampa Area, St. Pete’s Beach. I really need to drop some pounds before this trip for a few reasons: 1. Swim suit; 2. Squeezing into the plane seat. Enough said. So, I’m going to hit it hard. It’s too hard to hold your stomach in with a swim suit on, it’s easier to drop the weight. So, it’s time for me to practice what I preach. Hello fruits and salad, goodbye church pasties, pizza, pasta and anything fried.

Nothing like waiting a week before take off to take off. If it wasn’t for the last minute planning, I’d never lose weight. I wonder if they make a girdle type swim suit just in case?

Okay, it’s a wrap. It’s hard to type this column with just the light of my lava lamp. Size 14: coming soon. Until next week, Sally Travolta-Duncan, Dance Champion, signing off. Roger that. Over and out.

Sally Peterangelo is Director of the Mt. Iron Public Library and lives in Virginia, MN.