RICE CRISPY GANG

New age music plays softly. I had never really listened to New Age before but it really is soothing. The group of thirty seniors and one 40 something, study the young woman before them whose face only occasionally enjoys a smile. She shouldn't have to worry about wrinkles much in 40 years. Our leader Nancy is twentyish and oh so serious and intent.

Nancy controls our every move with authority, yet there is a shyness also about her. Perhaps it is the age of her students that either intimidates or fosters a slight distance that is never quite breached.

She stands with her hands at her side grasping the weights. All eyes are on her and the quiet is unusual for a group of senior women. This is a chatty bunch, not use to keeping our thoughts to our selves. A low murmur breaks the silence as two women can no longer stand the quiet and exchange comments.

"I told my husband I am going to have buns of steel after this." she joked to her friend.

At that, we all collapsed into laughter, including the instructor. We all knew it would be lucky if we just ended up with recognizable buns.

"Guess I need to work on my whisper." she quipped.

Quiet returned. Most of us wait till the command " Ten--- and Rest" which gives us one minute or so for quick exchanges. Besides working on our muscles, we are learning how to channel our thoughts into a few sentences. I really need work there.

"Overhead press." the grandchild eligible leader commands, silencing the soft chatter.

"Up" she says, slowly raising the weights over her head. In perfect unison, the whole class follows suit. If there were a classification in the Olympics for synchronized senior weight lifting, we would have a gold.

Very slowly the arms raise towards the ceiling. Half way to full extension, the first "pip" is heard-- my shoulder. Then a "snap" to my left, a "crackle" behind me and finally a series of soft "pops" in scattered directions. Shoulders, elbows and wrists announce their presence while lips curl upward all around as the humor of the sounds is enjoyed. Snap, crackle and pop, the Rice Crispy Gang is in action for another day.

That is what my strong women class of seniors sounds like. Fortunately, the snapping hurts not at all. As long as everyone is snapping and not just me, it is worth a grin. You have to laugh at age or it will definitely gain the upper hand.

Are you noisy when you exercise?


This has been around on the Internet probably as long as the dinosaurs, but it was new to me and really gave me the giggles. Thanks Sue.

The First Senior Moment.