Monday’s Pen to Paper: Sun Inspiration
I love hearing birds when I wake up in the morning. It gives me hope that spring will arrive. In Seattle we are under water. I know it isn’t much to complain about, there are much worse weather scenarios out there in the world, and I even enjoy rainy days…for a while, but I am ready for sun, or at least for DRY.
Yesterday, I woke to birds and this thing called light, that has been absent with all the rain, shining through my window and I was inspired. I threw on my old jeans, dirty tennis shoes and a work shirt. I grabbed the wheel barrel and shovel and got to work re-building the steps in our yard that connect the grass to the alley. It had been bugging me all winter. We had extra bricks and stones from a project in the front yard that I had plans for.
I spent a few hours digging and lifting and sweating, and besides feeling frustrated because my eyes were itchy and my nose runny–the one downside of nice weather is that my allergies kick in–I was happy. And when my son walked to the back, to the area I was working on (which is almost never seen unless you are taking out the garbage) he said, “Wow Mom, did you do that all today?” I acted cool and casual and tilted my head with my quiet, “Yep,” but inside I was beaming.
My husband cleaned his office and changed the oil in his motorcycle and wiped it spotless. What is it about Spring that gets us going?
WRITING PROMPT: Write about how Spring inspires you.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: The AWE of State
I went to the State Basketball tournament yesterday. At first I sat by myself in a place where I could watch both the boys and the girls games at the same time. Sometimes it’s best when I’m alone because I do a better job watching, but part of the fun is the whole experience. I have been at State many times as an assistant coach, so each time I walk into the Tacoma Dome I get that feeling of AWE. That, “We made it” feel that is still hidden deep in my bones. I remember the tears and fallen shoulders during the tough times and the hugs and screams after the wins, and the girls piled on the floor around a giant trophy. It was so fun to be a part of it all.
After moving from the quiet of my “private” seat, I went from coach to coach to former player to teammate to coach moving my way through The Dome. The only way the day could have been better would have been to be there with my team, on the court competing. And they could have been there. We were so close. That’s the way the playoffs work.
“We scored more against that team.” I’d think to myself, and might even mention to the coach next to me with a sigh, “We only lost by 3 to that team.” But in the end, to get there you have to do what it takes, and do it at the right time. And this year we didn’t.
Next year I hope my team will be at the Dome, building their own memories to look back on.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Get Inspired
My daughter and I are going to be taking a writing class together at the Hugo House, a community writing space in Seattle. (We are both working on Young Adult Novels.) Simply the act of scheduling the class has inspired me.
With my 2013-14 basketball season coming to an end (I still have the last couple of basketball games to stat, a sports banquet to organize, and spring b-ball plans and summer camp to finalize) I have a little more time to write, but with a class on the horizon, I feel a fire to get working.
My daughter started having her boyfriend read her work, which has helped her to write more often so that she has new pages to give him. My friend Jenny and I are planning a writing retreat to get away for a weekend and focus on the page. Try something different to get inspired.
Write on!!!
WRITING PROMPT Opt #1: Write about what inspires you.
WRITING PROMPT Opt #2: Beth stood at the top of the mountain…
It’s time for March Madness!!!
It’s February 28th and you know what that means…it’s time for March Madness (although since I coach high school basketball, I got an early start with a little February playoff madness ). When the College chaos begins, our family prints out brackets, and then each person fills in their bracket and the winner gets, or is supposed to get (I’ve been left with a sore back before), a massage. Massage or no massage, the fun is really following those teams you’ve chosen to support and watch the mayhem, because like I tell girls (the ones I coach) anything can happen in the playoffs.
Enjoy the Madness!!!
And while your in the spirit, go to www.peacelovebasketball.com and get 20% off your order March 1st-March 31st. Discount code GCUJ95KUMXRW
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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Monday’s Pen to Paper: Life
Do you ever look in the mirror, or see a picture of yourself, and wonder what the hell happened? I’ve done this a lot lately. I mean, I look fine, I just look…old. Older than I used to look. And that’s okay, kind of, it’s just hard to wrap my mind around sometimes. The wrinkles, the thin skin, the grey, the aches and pains (well these I don’t see in the mirror, I just feel them). But what’s funny, is that in so many ways, I still feel like I’m in my 30’s, yet I’m closing in on 50.
50 years old!
My age has never really bothered me. In fact when I tell some one my age I alway say I’m almost 49. I have always gone to the next highest number and then said “almost.” Now I’m thinking I should change that habit.
As I have gotten older, life has become a […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Support at the High School level is a game changer
“We just beat last year’s State Champions!” echoed from the locker room as my assistant coaches and I gathered to enter for our post-game talk. The girls continued, “And did you see the crowd? Our entire student section was standing and cheering…for a GIRL’S BASKETBALL GAME!”
We walked in. Need I say more.
Seated on the bench in front of me there are eight girls who are totally invested in our program and more importantly in one another. This is a special team.
And this team has support that is unprecedented. It hasn’t always been this way, high school athletics are under a lot of scrutiny these days, but this year we have complete support and I know the players feel it. We have an administration that cares, an athletic director that has our backs, a phenomenal coaching […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Learning How To Walk In Peace
This weekend I had a woman, who is trained in self-defense, come to the gym to work with our girl’s basketball program. (We did this last year too, and both times it’s been a hit.) The girls have a blast and I love knowing that they are that much more prepared for life. Thanks so much to Sheri Hashemi (International Krav Maga Seattle) for her time and energy in working with our girls!
“International Krav Maga Seattle’s mission is to provide practical self-defense training to those who seek the knowledge so that they too can walk in peace.”
It’s important to be prepared for life and remember to always walk in peace.
WRITING PROMPT: What does “Walking in Peace” mean to you?
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