All morning I’ve been thinking about Ronni Bennett’s post about slowing up as we age. I know this is true but I think it’s not an over-all slowing down. I’ve been taking college classes for the last few months, and I know that Intellectually I am as fast or faster than most of the "kids" in my classes. But physically it’s a whole different ballgame, especially trying to learn new physical moves. I was never very well coordinated. Richard used to say I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time, so I stopped chewing gum. Also, I have some left-right confusion. That’s actually gotten somewhat better, but not when I’m trying to learn new moves.

All this new move stuff is about my tai chi class. This is the first time I’ve been there in several weeks. When I last attended the instructor had us line up behind her and follow her moves from the back. Today she had us back in a circle–bad news. I try to stand directly opposite her and I tell myself to do the opposite of what she is doing. Sometimes I hear her say right when she means left, and then I’m really in trouble. The man next to me has similar problems, so I can’t count on him. The worst thing is when she is moving her feet and arms at the same time, especially if they are in different directions. I can actually feel my brain trying to direct my feet–arms are easier. I confess to always having these problems, but Ronni, you are right: it’s worse now.