Today is Dance Like a Chicken Day. The chicken dance has been around for 70 years. It was introduced by Swiss accordionist, Werner Thomas. After editing it a few times, it morphed into the melody we know today. The moves are said to be so easy, even a child can learn it in just a few minutes. As for us Oldies, but
Goodies, that doesn’t often hold true.

I remember a time when I could twist to the music of Chubby Checker. I could do just about every fast dance known at the time. Today, I can barely get up onto the dance floor, much less move on it. As we age, we soon learn that our bodies are incapable of multi-tasking. The used-to-be pliable muscles don’t want to move in such a fashion, not to mention the hand eye coordination and memory issues.

I must admit, my physical limitations aren’t the only things that deter me from participating in this silly dance. Can you imagine a chicken dancing? I know prairie chickens have a ritual dance that they do when they’re mating which is quite a sight to behold. My only recollection is when my farmer grandma killed a chicken by chopping off its head. That chicken did quite a dance before kicking the bucket.

So, how does one celebrate this funny display on the dance floor? Try to find a restaurant that has an accordion player and request it be played. You can try, even if you’re wheelchair or walker bound. The idea that life ends when we can no longer dance is just a myth. Just look for a different way of doing it.

HAPPY CHICKEN DANCE DAY!