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 […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Staying Vertical
Today is one of those days that I could crawl straight back into bed. This is not normal for me.
My bed is back upstairs so I have managed not to make the dive onto that firm mattress after sending the kids off to school, although I almost allowed myself to sneak onto the sofa but refrained knowing my long “To Do” list would sit unchanged.
Why am I so tired? Is it because of the rainy glum day? because of the tetanus shot that I got yesterday? Or maybe the stress from worrying about the tetanus shot because after the last one, ten years ago, I ended up in ER when my arm swelled to twice its size? Or am I just tired and need a break?
I don’t know, but what I do know is that I didn’t allow myself to go horizontal. I used my basketball training, that part of me that when playing in college made me push myself at practice when I was tired and didn’t want to run another set of lines, or made me show up at practice when I didn’t want to go at all.
Now once my “To Do” list is complete and I come home from work this afternoon, I’ll be able to crawl under the covers early, without any regrets. (And a few less things to worry about tomorrow.)
How do you keep yourself going on dreary tired days?
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: A New Season
First of all congrats to Patti Bunting on winning a free PLB t-shirt from last weeks drawing!
I can’t believe the season is changing. I’m ready for it. I love fall. Not because the kids go back to school (though when they were young and oh-so-time-consuming, that was a bonus), but because of the fresh cool air, the amber leaves, the sound of a football game on the TV, the calm I feel…the anticipation of basketball season.
What are some things that you love about fall? Remember to take time to appreciate them.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Whatever It Takes
I’m working on two books right now. It took me ten years to write my first one, so I’m not certain this is a good idea. Still, I find that it is helpful at times to have two completely different stories in the works. When I reach a road block on one book – I’m tired or not sure where to move with the story – I switch books and there is new energy.
Maybe you don’t have to write a second book, maybe just change your environment or do something different. Go for a walk, paint, sing, skydive, something that inspires.
Quite often the best thing to do is to knuckle down and write, but if that’s not working, do whatever it takes to keep your pen hitting the paper…
Writing Prompt: I am inspired by…
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: 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…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Sometimes Finding the Good in Life Means Picking the Right Cup
I didn’t have the best day yesterday.
I suppose it should have been, as it was my 20th Wedding Anniversary and the Seahawks won. But I was feeling kind of melancholy. My husband was meeting friends from out-of-town to watch the football game, my national commercial call back was cancelled (the chance for a BIG job, gone), a scheduled open gym for my basketball team (with colleges coaches in attendance,) also cancelled. And I’d spent much of the day picking up the house and buying food and drinks for guests that were to roll in after midnight.
But it could have been worse. I know, I’ve had worse.
Still, as my kids headed to bed and I sat down alone on the living room couch, sadness crept in on me (and a couple of tears.) But it didn’t last. Sometimes […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Surround Yourself with Inspiration
I have to buy The Plot Thickens (St. Martins Press, 2002)by Noah Lukeman. My daughter checked it out from the library a couple of week ago, but it is now five days late, because I found it in her room and stole it. I started into the first chapter on characterization, and decided that it was a book that I have to have. The First Five Pages (Simon & Schuster, 1999), also by Mr. Lukeman, sits on the bookshelf next to my desk. I pull it out for inspiration from time to time. The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life, also needs to be sitting close by.
Surround yourself with books that inspire!
WRITING PROMPT (Based on a section in The Plot Thickens – Characterization: The Outer Life – A Crowed Room) Developing a character:
You […]
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