PEN TO PAPER: Sleep Sagas
Sleep has been on my mind a lot lately. Mainly because I’m having a hard time doing it. I suppose that I’m not the only one, life in general has been a bit stressful over the last year. I thought I might sleep better after the election and once I was vaccinated, however, it doesn’t seem to be the case.
I’ve watched the Master Class on sleep, read books and listened to podcasts. I’ve adjusted my diet, continued with exercise, I get out into the light in the morning, occasionally I work on breathing techniques and yoga (this is a tough on for me to stick with). I am consistant with the time I head to bed and the time I roll out of bed in the morning, yet good sleep still seems illusive to me, until last night.
Now the pressure is on. What did I do yesterday that was so different than what I do on any other given day?
The answer. Not that much. I did some things that are recommended by the science and some that are not. I rode my bike to the market, watched a track meet on TV, met my son for a picnic dinner and then my husband and I took my Volkswagen Vanagon to a spot with a view of the sunset. We ate sausage and cheese from the market, as well a couple of pastries, and of course had a glass of wine. And against good sleep etiquette we watched TV again, right before we went to bed.
I woke up rested for the first time in a long while. I’m not sure what did it, but if it’s wine, desert and TV, I’m in.
How have you been sleeping? What helps you sleep better?
For today’s writing prompts let’s take a closer look at sleep…
WRITING PROMPT […]
PEN TO PAPER: Mothers & Memories
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I want to talk about moms. I’m lucky, I have a great relationship with my mom, but mother-daughter relationships can be complicated and often flex and change over time.
Here is an example from a time when I wasn’t that fond of my mom:
I’ve been eating, sleeping, and sitting in this house for thirteen days now and I want out. I’m with people I love, but I don’t care. I hate my mom for taking a leave of absence from work and being with me all day, for trying to help me get better when I don’t want to.
I hate the way the gold wire rims of her glasses accent her caring eyes.
I hate the way she cooks my favorite foods and tries to mask her disappointment when I don’t show any enthusiasm.
I hate the way she manages to think of my every need before I do, as a good mother should. And she is a good mother, a great mother, and right now I hate her for that.
(Read the full article here, A Mother’s Love)
WRITING PROMPT 1: Write about one of your favorite memories of your mom.
WRITING PROMPT 2: Write about a time that you and your mom did not get along.
WRITING PROMPT 3: Ava heard her mom walking down the hall and when the door creaked open she…
PEN TO PAPER: Lakeside
Today’s writing prompt is the photo above. Take a look and write what comes to mind. Write on!
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: 3 Must Watch Basketball Movies
I’m a sucker for a great basketball movie and here are three that you’ve got to watch. When I was a high school coach I would always have a “movie night” and show one of these three movies to the team. Each is based on an inspiring and thought provoking true story.
Coach Carter is the true story of Ken Carter who made headlines for his emphasis on the importance of academics over athletics. I don’t want to ruin the movie if you haven’t seen it, but he even benches his entire team and locks them out of the gym to prove his point. As you can imagine, the athletes and the community are not happy about it. Watch the movie tonight and find out what happens!
Believe in Me is the story of a girl’s basketball team in a small Oklahoma community during the mid-1960’s who want to play basketball just as much as the boys do. The movie, based on the book, Brief Garland: The True Story of coach Jim Keith, delves into the inequalities in girls sports pre-Title IX and tells the story of the coach, and the young women, who work for the chance to play the game they love. (BTW: In the movie the girl’s play five-on-five, but during that time in history girl’s played a six-on-six half-court game, some states still played the half-court game up until the early 1990’s. Learn more about the history of women’s basketball HERE & HERE)
In 1965, Texas Western Coach Don Haskins recruits a team based on talent rather than race, and even though the team is winning, the conservative community is upset […]
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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PEN TO PAPER: Vacation Time
Let’s talk vacations!
With things opening up a bit more, many of us are adventuring out on vacation. I just got back from my favorite spot in Montana. My grandparent’s lake cabin. I’ve been going there all of my life. It’s where I learned to paint and play cards, swim and waterski, make fancy pancakes and bake apple pie. And after walking to get our drinking water out of the spring (for several years), enjoying close views of bald eagles and hikes to the Turtle Pond, I also learned to appreciate nature.
Most of all I learned the true meaning of family.
Over the years I have returned to Montana, and with TV and cell phones put on the back burner, my kids have had some of the same experiences that I did, and have created many new ones of their own. Experiences that I know they will never forget.
What are some of your favorite […]
PEN TO PAPER: Rising Phoenix
As I was searching for a writing prompt photo I saw this picture and it reminded me of a young woman in the movie Rising Phoenix. She fences with no arms and no legs, and is just one of many amazing athletes who share their stories in this powerful movie. The movie covers how Paralympics first began, the road that it has traveled and how it has changed the way the world thinks about disability and the human spirit. Check out this powerful documentary the next time you are looking for a movie.
WRITING PROMPT #1: Look at the photo above and write.
WRITING PROMPT #2: Watch Rising Phoenix and write about it.
WRITING PROMPT #3: Veronica thought she would never…
PEN TO PAPER: Backwards History
Years ago, for a class writing exercise, we wrote our life story backward. There were no rules and it didn’t have to be perfect. Let’s give it a try. You can add a lot to each section or do the exercise several times for different parts of you life. (jobs, relationships, hobbies, etc). However you do it, it’s always interesting.
Example 1:
I am a divorced mother of three and a restaurant owner who loves to play tennis
Before that I was married, I waited tables and watched tennis on tv.
Before that I was single, I was in culinary school and I played tennis almost every day.
Before that….
Example 2:
I am a husband and I import toys from Europe.
Before that I was single and I traveled the world with my best friend.
Before […]
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