"If I Can" (Said in an Apathetic Whiny Voice)

On more than one occasion, when I was a young girl, I thought I wanted to be a Scottish dancer.  One of my family lines goes back to Scotland, and our family even has our own tartan.

So, becoming a Scottish dancer sounded like a good idea to me.  Perhaps I thought I would have actually been talented enough to keep up.  Hah!

I recently had the privilege of attending a Highland Dance competition -- one of my young friends was competing, and I went to watch her.  She was adorable in her bright blue kilt.

I loved watching the competition, and even learned a thing or two as she and her mom filled me in on how everything worked.  

And this sweet girl even came away with a couple of medals.

One thing's for sure, those dancers were working hard -- definitely a great aerobic workout!  All their huffing and puffing made me realize this whole Highland dancing thing probably wouldn't have been for me after all.  Too much work!  

And at that thought, I discovered that I've probably got more of my clan's bloodline in me than I previously thought.  Our family Coat of Arms sports the phrase "Si Je Puis".  Translated to English, it means "If I Can".  I laugh every time I think about it.  

While other family mottos pledge far more courage or valour ("To the Death" or "Fight With Honor"), mine simply indicates that I will if I can.  Kind of like the original forbears weren't really willing to put any effort into it.  Kind of like me and the Scottish dancing.  

So for now, watching my friend at her dance competition is probably the closest I'll get to becoming a Scottish dancer.  I suppose I'll have to find a different way to honor my Scottish family name.  Perhaps I'll make shortbread cookies on a weekly basis or enrol in a caber-tossing competition.

If I can.

Dixie

P.S.  And can I just say.....listening to the bagpipes for four hours straight is about as much as anyone should be expected to endure.