Stepping off the river bank and dropping suddenly beneath her surface – the surprise movement – I loved the river telling me, “Don’t be sedentary. Take risks and thrill to the unexpected. I hold secrets you will love to feel.”

It was the same way with the rapids. Watching the water move with such glasslike grace, then her suddenly churning and roiling, her arms making a grab at us, then setting us free again. Brenda was right! The river’s partners dance with her — the ones she has courted and held in her rhythm for years, months, or a moment in a day.

Most she has cast off, making room for others on her dance card. I loved the laughter and screams the river tugged out of me, the pulsing in my body, my own rashness in releasing my hold on the ropes. There was a primitive urge to go in and actually dance with her!

Now that I’m retired, I miss the activity of teaching—moving around the classroom, even chaperoning school dances. When our kids were young, they would smile as they noted “mom’s dancing in the living room again.” Sometimes Ed would join me, and we’d dance together. (We have been dubbed the ‘dancing DeAntoni’s’ and we have chosen our epitaphs. Mine is: “She had rhythm.” Ed’s is: “I followed her lead.”)

So the gambols and eddies, the dips and dives of the river, her skirts sometimes ruffling and swirling like Crescent’s tutu give up a song. What I saw and felt in that song from my most vivid memories.

Copyright 2008 Karen DeAntoni All Rights Reserved

Karen’s story was inspired by one of Page Lambert’s writing adventures for women. Here is her September Schedule:

Sept. 3-7: Women’s Writing and Sculpturing Adventure with Page Lambert and special guests Roxanne Swentzell, and Rose Simpson, a five-day rafting adventure on the Colorado River with world-renowned Santa Clara Pueblo sculptor Roxanne Swentzell and her daughter, artist poet and singer Rose Simpson. Outfitted by Sheri Griffith Expeditions with more than 34 years of first-class outdoor adventure experience (www.GriffithExp.comwww.pagelambert.com. ). $1,299.00. More information at

September 24-28: “Writing from the River’s Edge” 5-day canoe trip with Page Lambert in partnership with The Women’s Wilderness Institute. Green River, Utah. $850.00; more information at www.pagelambert.com, or contact heather@womenswilderness.org or phone The Women’s Wilderness Institute at (303) 938-9191.

Private Mt. Vernon Writing Retreats. Retreat to Page’s home in the Colorado mountains near Denver to write and work one-on-one with her on your novel, memoir, or poetry manuscript. These private 5-day/6-night retreats include your own private bedroom and writing space, meals, secluded hiking trails amidst aspens and ponderosas, elegant Friday night “king crab” buffet at Mt. Vernon Country Club, optional 1-hour massage at Lake Steam Baths, and 3 hours of editing and career consultation each day. For more information, or to book a week for the 2008/2009 season, email page@pagelambert.com or phone (303) 842-7360.

"I met Page at a workshop in NM and was immediately drawn to her vivid, lyrical writing style, her generous sharing in her teaching, and her warm spirit. Page is the perfect combination of talented author and sensitive, skilled teacher. I brought home new chapters of my novel, valuable tips for my writing, and a promise to myself to return, which I did, spending five days working one-on-one with her in Santa Fe." ~ Heloise Jones, North Carolina.

For more on Page Lambert’s Creative Adventures, go to www:pagelambert.com.