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I was not a jock. I played some competitive tennis and ran a bit of track, but I never played any true team sports. I was a good swimmer and eventually a lifeguard, but swim racing was of no interest.
I loved both of the dance-y sports—gymnastics and figure skating—until they got hard. At one point, I could do both front and back walkovers and a front handspring. (A back handspring was too hard.) In skating, I progressed to the point of doing one competition in a hand-sewn skating dress made by my mother. Figure skating to music was fantastic and freeing, but I did not enjoy being judged.
My Olympic heroes were Nadia Comaneci (the Romanian gymnast) and of course, Dorothy Hamill. Both made their marks at the 1976 Olympics when I was ten or eleven. Nadia with her perfect tens was a bit of a mystery because she was from a Soviet block country, but Dorothy was EVERYTHING. All-American and perfect in every way, she was the ideal. And yes of course, I got the haircut, but it never looked as good on me (or really anyone other than Dorothy). She was America’s best Olympic hero ever and I will never be convinced otherwise.
So yeah, give me the opening & closing ceremonies and figure skating in the winter, or gymnastics in the summer, and I’m good.
50 Happens 
I had a Dorothy haircut one semester too, and same, looked terrible. 🙂 You’re right, they were just everything then!
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The way her hair looked when she did spins, and then settled perfectly when she stopped!
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Total vibe. 🙂
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How special was the dress mom made? I like the fact that you don’t like being judged as that kept me from engaging in sports after my dad died. Nadia was great to watch , it seemed that she was perfect in her routine. Thanx for a good read and keep it up. Have a great day!
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Thank you Ernie! It was a very special dress. Lined and everything. Happy day to you!
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Nadia and Dorthy! Nadia’s tens were pretty exciting and Dorthy was America’s sweetheart. I didn’t know her hairstyle was the trend. That’s fun.
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Oh yes, her hairstyle was a major trend. I went from very long hair to short, just to try it!
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She was as cute as a button. Impressed by all that you could do. I could ride a bike. 😉
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Thanks Laurie! My parents sprung for an awful lot of lessons for my sister and me. We were pretty spoiled.
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