People ask me: "Paul, how are you preparing for the 61st National Square Dance Convention, which will be held in Spokane in late June?"

Here are my answers.

Q: What are you doing to stay limber?

A: I've been watching some "Dick Van Dyke Show" reruns.

Q: Are you aware that square dancing is the official dance of the state of Washington?

A: I am indeed.

Q: How many readers of your print column have you seriously ticked off by appearing to not take the upcoming convention all that seriously?

A: Several.

Q: Do you think that when the visiting square dancers go home and tell folks how swell Spokane is that it will result in more people looking at the Lilac City as a possible place to retire?

A: I have no idea. But if I were a twentysomething person reading that question I suspect I might think, "Hey, that's just what we need here -- more old white people!"

Q: Can you dance?

A: Not really. I used to attend dances in junior high and occasionally slow danced. But that was more like friendly tackling than anything having to do with steps or graceful movement.

Q: Thank you.

A: You're welcome. See you at "Circulate in Washington State" this summer.