During the late 1950s and early 1960s my mom made me attend ballroom dance lessons at the Tamalpias Women's Club in Kentfield. Kids from all over the county (Terra Linda, Fairfax, San Rafael, and so on,) came to the weekly classes taught by Mrs. Frolich, a stern character. Boys sat on one side of the room and girls on the other. The parents sat in the back and painfully watched. The boys had to properly ask the girls to dance for each lesson and practice. For 5th through 8th graders the whole experience was stressful since we were all awkward. Unfortunately, I was avoided as a dance partner as I had the habit of falling down a lot.

I have to admit those dance classes helped me later in life at social events. I could actually dance instead of just swaying back and forth. I also outgrew falling down, for the most part.