| As Americans, we look at foreign countries and | | | | rhythm of words. An occasional "yahoo" ripped |
| sometimes find their customs a little strange if not | | | | through the chilly evening air. |
| amusing. That's a two way street. Sometimes the | | | | I decided right then, she was going to see what was |
| things we do are just as peculiar. | | | | going on in Brammers' barn like it or not. I turned into |
| My wife, Tommie, was from Okinawa, Japan and I | | | | his driveway, much to Tommie's surprise. Of course, |
| found some things she did on the bizarre side. Of | | | | she demanded to know where we were going. I told |
| course, I was the normal all around American boy. | | | | her we were going to watch some square dancers. |
| Nope, nothing odd about me! But that diagnosis could | | | | She had seen a few on TV and hadn't been too |
| depend on who you were asking. | | | | impressed. But she had never seen it up close and |
| In Tommie's country, people love to sing and dance | | | | personal and anyone who knows anything about |
| as do people in all countries. And Tommie was no | | | | square dancing will tell you it's just not the same. So, |
| different. She loved to dance and sing and did both | | | | she agreed to go in for a few minutes, more to |
| very well. There was only one problem with that...she | | | | keep me from pestering her about it than interest in |
| could do it well in Japanese, but not English. | | | | the goings on inside the big red barn. |
| From my observations Tommie leaned to the more | | | | They were taking a pause as we entered. Tommie |
| historic and classical music of her country. Dancing | | | | looked wide eyed at the fancy, frilly dresses the |
| was a form of hand and body language and singing | | | | women wore. Now that was something she |
| was of a straight laced and dignified manner. OK, so | | | | understood. I think dress and fashions must be a |
| stuck up and snobbish might describe it better! | | | | silent international women's language. Nobody could |
| But to continue, having been in the states for about | | | | miss those gaudy, colorful outfits, no more than |
| five years, she still hadn't gotten motivated to take | | | | anybody not noticing my wife. She was wearing a |
| any English classes. Although, she could get by on her | | | | casual kimono robe. She stuck out like a turkey in a |
| limited vocabulary, I felt she should try to | | | | pen full of chickens. |
| improve...she didn't. | | | | A few of the women came over, introduced |
| Therefore, if she wouldn't learn anymore English, I | | | | themselves and promptly began comparing notes on |
| thought it might be a good idea to introduce her to | | | | their clothing. Now, strangely, I felt like the foreigner. |
| some local customs. Since we were living in the | | | | The caller got back on his microphone and jumped |
| Ozark Mountains, good examples of Americana were | | | | into the bands' next number. Everyone scampered |
| all around us. Country folk represented the back bone | | | | back to the dance floor and found their |
| of American culture and values. But, what could I | | | | partners...except us. We just watched for a while. |
| show her that was uniquely American? It struck me | | | | Then I noticed Tommie's foot tapping to the beat. |
| immediately...square dancing. What could be more | | | | She was beginning to see what was so special. |
| American than that? | | | | It had been many years since I had done any square |
| Furthermore, I knew exactly where she could watch, | | | | dancing. I had moved off out of the country and |
| at Harlan Brammers' barn just down the dirt road a | | | | gotten "citified". But I did remember a little, so I took |
| ways. Every Friday night one of the local square | | | | her to one side. We watched what steps the |
| dancing clubs would rent his barn to hold their gala | | | | dancers made and tried to copy them. It wasn't long |
| events in. But she didn't want to go! I was beginning | | | | before she made up one of her own, which could |
| to get a wee bit miffed with my old lady. She was | | | | only be called the "Japanese Do Si Do". It can't be |
| living in America now and needed to learn a little | | | | described. You'd have to see it. |
| more about us...and her new country. | | | | We began attending the weekly square dances and |
| On the way home from shopping one evening, | | | | became regulars. And in doing so, she learned about |
| passing the Brammer Farm, I could hear the | | | | the origins of the pastime and a bit of our culture as |
| proceedings were well underway, what with the | | | | well. |
| fiddle music and song caller rendering his hypnotic | | | | |
