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I learned to juggle in 1973, when I was a junior in college. I went to a week-long mime workshop where one of the classes was an introduction to juggling. It took me almost two weeks to finally get comfortable with the cascade, which is the most basic three-ball pattern. I juggled a lot when I was clowning and got to be pretty good. But when I got a day job, got married and had a kid, I put my props away and didn't pick them up again for 20 years.

But pick them up I did. I bought some new props, joined my local juggling club and brushed the rust off my skills. Now juggling is my favorite exercise. In fact, it's almost like meditation for me. I'm not interested in learning highly advanced tricks or competing with other jugglers; I prefer juggling to music. I know several three- and four-ball patterns, and it's so much fun to use those patterns to illustrate, in a way, my favorite tunes. When it's all going right, I get into a sort of zone where my mind shifts into neutral and my hands take over.

I won't kid you. I'm not great. I drop a lot. Professional jugglers would look at me and laugh at how much of a beginner I am. But you know what? It makes me happy, and there's a lot to be said for that.