Much to my girls’ chagrin, I started taking clogging classes with them last week.
Clogging is just something that a girl like me—-who loves all things appalachian—- should be able to do.
And who can resist the temptation when you have the opportunity to embarass your children right good?
I’m completely obsessed.
I’m a clogging fool.
I’ve made myself a student of D Ray White and all manner of homeade you tube clogging videos.
(please watch the whole video but if you’re pressed for time, go to about 3:40 and watch the rest. It’s priceless.
And if Stevie would bring home some plywood from the jobsite, I could just clog in the front yard too.)
Our teacher is absolutely amazing and so is his beautiful Zumba-teaching wife.
As a side note, I took her Zumba class with a bunch of 18 year olds and felt like the chubby girl at the prom trying
to keep up with all the popular girls——but not quite keeping up. My girls rolled their eyes plenty during that class.
They finally couldn’t take it anymore and left the room.
But clogging? It’s just in my bones. And goes so well with banjos and fiddles.
Caiti came home last night and we even taught her our little ditty from last week.
High Cotton is our song and who doesn’t love some vintage Alabama?
Speaking of High Cotton, Stevie felt like he was in high cotton when he finally got to pull his car into the garage.
I can only imagine that it was almost as thrilling as watching me clog this last week.
So there. What have done to embarass your loved ones lately?
xoxo,
edie
p.s. enjoy this video of our clogging teacher Mr. Justin and his wife Tara and their superior clogging skills.
will I be this good next year? one can only hope.
Oh! Edie- this is so funny!! The thought of you clogging and your little girls wanting to run and hide. Love the cheerful tone of this post. It is amazing that you are brave enough to get out there and try all these things. I would want to run and hide at the mere thought of trying some of these classes in front of other people. Lol
Glad your having fun.
Ruth
i won’t be joining my girls anytime soon in a dance class of any kind. they. would. not. go. for. that. EVER. 🙂 …they say dancing does wonders for happiness. good for you. xo
Good for you! I was just thiking yesturday about my years spent in dance classes, and how badly I missed those times now. That is awesome!
Love it! Not sure I could EVER move my feet that fast! Took my girls and son to a Civil War dance workshop last night – they are hooked. Such good, clean fun!
LOVE IT !!! I too am a mom who takes every opportunity to join in and embarrass the kiddos! 🙂 My husband and I both took a class this last year in Acro- flying, with our three kids. We even made them perform with us in May ! It was great fun, and I have to say.. My older two acted embarrassed But I’m pretty sure they didn’t hate EVERY min. of it !! So you go girl! You and your girls will look back and be so thankful for the memories you all are creating ! I know I do and I can’t wait for the fall class to start !! 🙂
BTW: love your blog and wishing you and your family the best!
I have wanted to learn to clog for a long time but it isn’t so popular around here and impossible to find a class. I once ordered a video to learn how. You’ve inspired me to find it! I love that last video!!
Oh, I know we’re kindred spirits. I took clogging with Rebekah when she was 12 and 13. I embarrassed her, too. It might have had something to do with the fact that I kept at it until December of 2001 and delivered Ethan in February 2002 (all 10 lb. 7 oz. of him). Yeah. I had to quit then. Who needs plywood? Get out there on all that cement and have at it! That’s what we did. Looks like you have some excellent instructors. When’s the video coming out of you and the girls performing?
P.S. There’s a new country legends radio station around these parts. I heard “High Cotton” yesterday while sewing along with some Charley Pride and George and Tammy.
P.P.S. I took tap/jazz/ballet for 11 years. My obsession right now is this little video: http://youtu.be/qo6lPifGnGA
I’m going to have to move the cars and put on my tap shoes.
Oh we love Justin and Tara and baby will. 🙂 Manley is blessed to have their talent and servant hearts!! Have fun!! 🙂
I love how you wholeheartedly participate in life in general…this is charming….I think when I was your girls age I was probably embarassed by most everything…but this kind of thing makes for fond memories…:) clog on!
I love how you wholeheartedly participate in life in general…this is charming….I think when I was your girls age I was probably embarassed by most everything…but this kind of thing makes for fond memories…:) clog on!
Holy smokes now that would be some serious cardio for sure!
Being a Yankee, I’m not sure where I’d find a clogging class but if I found one, I would sign up in a heart beat. I’ve secretly wanted to learn the art for years.
Someday when your girls are adults I promise they will speak of these times fondly. For now, keep going and making memories.
girl. you crack. me. up.
That looks like so much fun! Takes me back to my tap dancing and ballet days so long ago!
V
LOVE it! I clogged when I was young and even went to state competition at the Florida State Fair! We loved it and I would love to get back into it. You’ve inspired me to look for a group here! Thank you!
It is absolutely impossible to watch D Ray without a huge ol’ grin on your face!! Can’t wait to see your clogging recital, Edie!!
Edie!! you know this Georgia girl gonna love me some D Ray White!! lol my favorite line “it goes sum li kiss”…. and keep on embarassing them girls! One day they’ll be glad Mama can do those things. awesome!!
Mmmm, mmm I love the south. =) Have fun clogging!
I’m glad to know that’s clogging–in my ignorance, I would have called that tapping! Love it!
Man, your teachers are good! How I would love to be able to clog. Gotta love Alabama! There are certainly similarities between tap, Irish and clogging.
will you please demonstrate this for me when i come to visit you?
of course i will my dear. the problem will be getting me to stop 🙂
xo
Absolutely love the clogging. Thanks so much for sharing this video clip. When I was reeeeeel young I did tap-dance and loved it. Thanks also for High Cotton.
Oh clogging – what a glorious past time and Yeah for the garage!
this makes me so sad i’m leaving east tn…..but i will surely love keeping up with your appalacian ways from the northwest!
Oh Lord. My mom made me learn how to clog with her when I was little. If I remember correctly, she was horrible, but loved every minute of it 🙂 haha! What great memories you three are creating! Can’t wait to see more pics of the house! I’m so excited for you!
We went to Family Camp at NEW LIFE RANCH in OK a few weeks ago, and I volunteered our whole family for a family-to-family contest on stage in front of the WHOLE camp. We didn’t know what the contest would be until they got us up there. Then we found out it was going to be a dance-off, with each family member having to dance ALONE to different music, then we had to dance all together. WE CAN”T DANCE. Did I mention, WE REALLY CAN’T DANCE? There is nothing to bond a family like a really embarrassing experience. BUT WE WON! The prize was a much-coveted NLR logo blanket, worth $30. So, embarrassing your family does have its rewards.
call me an unejicated yankee, but what’s the difference between clogging and tap dancing? or is clogging what you get when a southerner tap dances…? whatever it is…it sure is fun to watch…happy clogging!
My Grandparents were championship cloggers. They were so cute & fun to watch. Every holiday they’d put on shows for us in their carport. My Papa would grab all us girl Grandkids and dance with us, twirling us around for hours. Some of my sweetest memories! I wish i had taken lessons myself. Have fun Edie & thanks so much for that trip down memory lane 🙂
This so reminds me of my years growing up in Western NC. I always loved clogging.
The video of D Ray White really makes me think of home….It made me smile.
Video is so good. I was trying to do
clogging but could not do that fast.
I must live under a rock – I never heard the term “clogging” before. How fun – and so awesome that you are trying it!!
I took a Zumba class with my friend last year and seriously – we about wet our pants the entire time. We were AWFUL and the instructor kept looking right at me and giving me helpful instructions. It was hilarious!
PS You would not be a good mother if you didn’t give your kids something to roll their eyes at and talk about when they are all grown!
Whew hoo, thanks for a little escape this morning! From High Cotton (gosh I love that band) to D. Ray (he’s cool!) and your teachers….will you look at all the shapely legs, no wonder you want to go for this. What a fun way to get and stay in shape. Go for it Edie!!
Oh. My. Goodness! I love it! I learned how to clog when I was little (raised in Alabama). But I now know NO ONE who can clog. In the rare occasion that Andy and I are out dancing he says, “Show me some clogging skills, babe.” Hilarious. But it really is so fun! You inspire me to enjoy life! Thanks!!
Seeing the phrase “High Cotton” reminds me of how my N.C. hubby would say it among a bunch of other Southern phrases that I had no clue what he was talking about. Being a Bostonian, I tried but I could never get the phrase right, often erroring by saying “High on Cotton”! BTW, so happy to hear that your hubby was finally able to “pahk the cah” and congrads on getting out there and trying to learn something new!
Seeing the phrase “High Cotton” reminds me of how my N.C. hubby would say it among a bunch of other Southern phrases that I had no clue what he was talking about. Being a Bostonian, I tried but I could never get the phrase right, often erroring by saying “High on Cotton”! BTW, so happy to hear that your hubby was finally able to “pahk the cah” and congrads on getting out there and trying to learn something new!
Seeing the phrase “High Cotton” reminds me of how my N.C. hubby would say it among a bunch of other Southern phrases that I had no clue what he was talking about. Being a Bostonian, I tried but I could never get the phrase right, often erroring by saying “High on Cotton”! BTW, so happy to hear that your hubby was finally able to “pahk the cah” and congrads on getting out there and trying to learn something new!
Seeing the phrase “High Cotton” reminds me of how my N.C. hubby would say it among a bunch of other Southern phrases that I had no clue what he was talking about. Being a Bostonian, I tried but I could never get the phrase right, often erroring by saying “High on Cotton”! BTW, so happy to hear that your hubby was finally able to “pahk the cah” and congrads on getting out there and trying to learn something new!
Dearest Edie,
I’ve been watching from afar for nearly a year now, in awe of your decorating skills, your cooking ideas, and just YOU!
You have been such a blessing to me.
I have a friend who just lost a baby at birth and I thought of you and your home tragedy. Though it’s a different situation, I know the heart still aches. Please know your trials haven’t gone on without touching a few hearts…especially in Martinsville, IN.
May you continue to see God’s hands work in your lives and in your hearts.
My whole reason for posting is because I LOVE clogging/tapping! No, I don’t do it, but I’ve threatened my husband… Now I really wanna find some lessons!!! Have fun and love the time doing something you love!
Much Grace – Great Mercy
BTW – I can’t find clogging classes in my area! :*(
Phew! Phooey! Man! *pouting*
Have a great Saturday!
Love, love, love clogging! Always have loved watching it, so I admire you for learning to clog…with your girls! You are an inspiration in the way you continually embrace life.
Love, love, love clogging! Always have loved watching it, so I admire you for learning to clog…with your girls! You are an inspiration in the way you continually embrace life.
My mother-in-law took up clogging in her seventies! She is unable to do it anymore due to her health, but she loved it! And so does a friend of ours who took it up after he moved to Oklahoma. He was actually in a group that would do shows around the area. And if you knew him, he was the last person I would imagine to take up the art. Happy Clogging!
So many comments, so little space!
Were I 10 years older and had I grown up about 80 miles to the Southeast of my hometown, I’m just sure I’d have married Randy Owen. Those eyes, that smile. The only beard I’ve ever liked. Sigh.
Secondly, my (real, and very dear!) husband and I were just watching Sammy Davis, Jr. on you tube recently. Holy smokes. But I have to say that, for all his stage presence and smooth tapping, Mr. Davis had no more joy in his dancing than D. Ray White!
Finally, that last video just had me smiling – 4 young, fully clothed people dancing for the pure joy of dancing. No need to shock, no need to titillate. Just dance! Thank heavens for good, clean fun. And how much more appealing, I must say.
All reasons that I’ll read your blog first when my family has just come in from NYC, and I have 722 blog posts in my reader. 🙂
Maybe I should join you…seems like good exercise! I just love watching them dance…hoping to get Kenzie there for Irish this year. We’ll see.
LOVE it! Being raised in WNC I have been clogging all of my life – it’s just something we all do – at every gathering somebody has a guitar or a fiddle, so the clogging goes with it! Be sure to check out the youtube videos from Burton Edwards – he’s from Maggie Valley, NC and was doing “how to” videos in the late 80’s early 90’s – he has won several awards over the years as well. Also of note – there are different styles of clogging too – in this region, it is Appalachain style – growing up we danced competitively in teams that consisted of 8 couples doing different figures (much like square dancing) to the clogging steps — lots of fun memories!! It is great exercise and well……..embarrassing the girls is just a great benefit!! ENJOY!
Sounds like you love clogging like I love hula hooping! All of us girls need something fun that doesn’t actually seem too much like exercise! Enjoy!
Looks like tap dancing to me lol
OMG !!!!!! that clogging is nothing short of AMAZING I LOVE IT !!!
Some may laugh and some may want to join me. I want to learn to do THIS.
Yes!! You will be that good!!! And sign ME UP!! I have always secretly wanted to be clogger!!! I don’t know that I have embarrassed my people very much in the last couple of weeks..but I am sure this could make up for it!