PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Open
I’m a little “old school” in the way I coach. Not a yell and swear kind of “old school”, but I prefer certain offenses and certain defenses that I am familiar with. But like with anything, I also understand there is always room to learn and grow.
When I decided to write a book, I took classes, read, wrote, went to workshops, and learned about the craft (and still continue to learn) and implemented what I learned into my writing style. As a coach I do the same. Coaches clinics, newsletters, books, fellow coaches, YouTube. There are a lot of places to gather information.
I will always have preferences when it comes to the game, but there is nothing I like more than finding some new tidbit that may help our team.
Be open to growth…take a class, read a book, or simply Google something you want to learn more about, and enjoy.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: The Perfect Pen
I’m not terribly picky about my writing pen. I’ll use any pen, or a pencil for that matter, but there are some I prefer.
My daughter likes the Pilot G2 oo7-FINE – BLACK. She’s a bit cranky without it. I bought her a bunch of them, I thought it was the one I liked too, but yesterday I started writing with it and realized that it’s not. Not at all. I would use it, yes, but it’s definitely not my number one choice.
To start with, I like blue ink. (I have no idea why.) But the thing that I like best in a pen, is if it is NOT fine, it’s bold. Which to me moves softly across the page. I like my pencils a little dull too, not all sharp and pointy.
So I set the Pilot on the counter and rummaged through my purse (well small backpack really), digging around my journal, my wallet, a book, a ball pump and finally I landed upon some pens. They were all black and looked similar, but it was the PaperMate Profile that found its way to my fingers. And when that pen hit the paper my body sighed.
What type of pen to you prefer?
WRITING PROMPT: Dennis was chewing on the end of his pen right before he…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Rise and Shine
My daughter was up at 5:30 AM this morning. I set my alarm for 5:40. By the time I threw my shorts on and descended the stairs to the kitchen she was ready to go.
“Mom, I have to be back here by 7:oo so I can shower for school.”
“Okay,” I said as I tossed a slice of raisin bread into the toaster. “You go wipe the dew off the seats in the Jeep and I’ll be right out.”
Moments later the toast popped up, I buttered it, grabbed my hightops and hopped into a somewhat dry seat.
For the past few days I had been boasting that horseback riding for five hours on Sunday hadn’t made me sore. Now, on the basketball court, my hips were aching, it was difficult to move, and I didn’t play well, but I was there, on the court. And as a bonus I had the pleasure of having my husband join us and of watching my daughter knock down five shots.
Start your day off doing something you love…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Flight
Several of my daughter’s friends have had weekend retreats when they turned sixteen. Last spring I asked my daughter what she wanted to do for her 16th birthday. Did she want a big party or maybe want to have a couple of friends out to a cabin in the San Juans?
“Mom, I want to go riding.” she said, “Just you and me.”
Wow. Little did she know this was a gift for me too. The fact that she wanted to ride with ME, was in itself a present. And though I haven’t gone horseback riding in years, it is something I love to do. Yesterday we finally made it happen.
When we arrived, our trail guide said, “My wife said you guys are experienced and want to run a lot.” There was tension in the air, an excited tension.
“Well, I haven’t really ridden in years and my daughter has taken lessons and gone to camp, so they don’t pick it up much, but we’re game.”
We made it to the top of the mountain for lunch. Some of the ride was walking and some of it…flying. My daughter’s face was aglow and not because of the breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier.
My body had remembered how to move, to feel the rhythm of the horse (most of the time). The sounds slowed in my mind. The horses breath, the squeak of the leather saddle, the bear bells ringing against my stirrup. I loved it.
On the way down we took the steep Knee Knocker trail until we reached a creek. We let the horses drink. I smiled at the sound of the water sucking through the bit. We had been on the mountain for 4 1/2 hours.
“Would you like to take the direct route the rest of the […]
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: Back to Basics
This week I need to go back to the basics. Stop over-thinking and worrying, and instead reestablish my writing goals and just sit down and write.
Join me, grab your computer or a pen and paper and lets get to work…
WRITING PROMPT #1: Three writing goals that I have set for myself are…
WRITING PROMPT #2: Lucinda scanned the area around her and then with great care picked up the…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Learning to Love Mornings (or at least appreciate them)
One of the players that I coach asked if I could open the gym at 6:15 AM so that she could work out. YES of course! (Who can say no to that kind of enthusiasm? Especially from a 17-year-old Senior). It’s not basketball season, so I can’t coach, but I can open the gym and let my team, and anyone from the high school, use the facility.
I scheduled to have the gym Monday and Wednesday mornings since I play basketball Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the YMCA. And I decided that if I was going to be at the gym, it would be a good opportunity for me to get back into good shape. I’ve been nursing a bad hamstring for a while so I haven’t been working out the way I need to, to stay in basketball condition and this lack […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Encourage Creativity
I’m considering taking a year-long writing course. It would be a big commitment with my schedule, but I also know it would help me to keep some focus on my writing, which is not alway easy as coaching basketball seems to consume a majority of my time and energy. I love basketball, but I also love to write, so sometimes I have to take extra steps to make that happen…set some goals…establish some deadlines. A class is one way to do that.
What are some ways that you can encourage your creativity?
WRITING PROMPT: Robert wasn’t the type to set goals but times had changed…
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