PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Spreading the Love
Years ago I visualized a PeaceLoveBasketball symbol in my mind. I asked my brother, an artist, if he could draw it for me. I explained what I was thinking. He said, “grab a paint brush and go for it.” So I did. Soon after I started my company Full Court Design. I trademarked my logo and found eco-friendly shirts and sweatshirts to compliment the PeaceLoveBasketball logo. I started the business, giving a portion of the profits from Full Court Design’s PeaceLoveBaskeball products to youth organizations in the Seattle area.
Then a year later, I went back to coaching high school basketball while finishing my memoir Back on the Court, and Full Court Design fell to the back burner. But I am excited to announce that a new PeaceLoveBasketball website is up and running, along with new PeaceLoveBasketball shirts (all environmentally friendly), and some great sales.
One of the biggest requests about some of our shirts, that had only symbols across the chest, was, “We would like the words peace, love, basketball too.” So we’ve done it! Our hoodie now has it and both our black and white long sleeved PeaceLoveBasketball Essential Tees have it! (Seen above on my daughter Charli and on Lee, who bought them for his entire team.)
Thanks so much Lee for spreading the love!
See more PeaceLoveBasketball gear at our newly designed website at www.peacelovebasketball.com.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: A Better View
Last Saturday I had plans. I was going to finish building a rock wall in our front yard, weed the back yard, clean the house, walk the dogs, take my son to his baseball game for a couple of hours and then relax and hang out. Then I checked his baseball schedule…a double-header in Maltby?
“There goes my Saturday,” I grumbled. Then I moped for a long while. That’s a good 7 hours with minimal traffic. I couldn’t let it go. But finally I stepped back for a better view.
I had a book to write and a chapter from a friend’s book in progress, to read.
I was “stuck” in Maltby. No responsibilities, nothing. I grabbed my journal and printed out twenty pages of my book. And then added Jenny’s printed out chapter. I packed a cooler with grapes, cheese sticks and crackers, along with some lemonade. And last, but not least, made sure my beach chair was in the Vanagon, a MUST, so I could plop myself near the outfield, where I would have a better view of the game, but also separate myself from the fans and ensure that I would focus, and take full advantage of my day in Maltby.
Take a moment to re-evaluate your schedule so you can find the time to write, or do what you love, mixed in with life’s adventures.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Summer Shooting Challenge
When I was a Sophomore in high school I averaged 3 points per game. The next year I was one of the leading scorers in the Greater Spokane League. What changed? I worked on my shot. Download a free PLB Shooting Challenge Goal Sheet & Shot Chart and watch your shot improve this summer. (Coaches and parents suggest it to your players & kids)
Print the PeaceLoveBasketball Summer Shooting Challenge form below and get started:
PLB Summer Shooting Challenge Form – 2 pg
“There is no limit to the goals you can attain, the success you can achieve—your possibilities are as endless as your dreams.”
-D. Crowe
Monday’s Pen to Paper : A Perfect Place
My Monday’s Pen to Paper, became Tuesday’s Pen to Paper, but I still have writing inspiration from that day, Memorial Day. It just so happened that my son had a basketball tournament in Everett. Someone I love is buried there. I dropped my son off early to warm up for his game and then drove the 6 blocks to the cemetery. It had been a while. My heart ached. I felt a little lost. The rhododendrons had grown. I walked up to the grave, took in a deep breath and listened to the memories swimming in my head. All around me there were American flags pushed into the ground. I thought of all those lost in battle, those still battling. There was a different intensity, sadness and also pride for those who had given their lives for our country. I brought my attention back home and took a seat in the grass. “This would be the perfect place to write.” I thought. And I would have, had I not had a basketball game to hustle back to.
Find a cemetery near you, and with your journal in hand, breathe in the energy around you and write.
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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PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: A Fire of Energy
The 4th of July is one of my friend’s favorite holidays. I have alway liked the day well enough, but it’s interesting how one person’s enthusiasm can change or alter the opinions of many. I now have a group of friends that are excited about celebrating the day. Today we will be dressing red, white and blue 70’s style.
This type of energy can do the same thing on the basketball court. If you get one or two players with positive competitive enthusiasm, it will spread like wild-fire. (Of course this can happen with bad energy and that fire needs to be put out quickly.) Whether you are a coach, player or fan, spread positive energy on the court and enjoy the game!
Happy 4th!!!
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Blog Hop
Recently I was asked by friend and blogger, Jenny McGlothern to join her in a Blog Hop. The idea behind a blog hop is to expose readers to new writers and to share information about their writing life. I jumped right in.
I met Jenny seven years ago. A mutual friend realized we were both writing books and said we HAD to meet. We have been writing together on Thursday mornings ever since. Jenny inspires me by keeping me accountable with my writing, but also with her fearless ability to express what needs to be out there. She blogs from the heart in her www.heartwriter.com blog every Monday. And she encourages mothers, and others, to “refill their cup” in her www.mamaneedsarefill.com blog. She is a life coach, retreat leader, writer, teacher at Seattle […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Team Camps
I took my high school basketball girls to a team camp this week. It was a lot of fun and I really saw improvement individually and as a team.
It’s interesting how team camps have changed over the years. When I went with my teammates back in the 80’s, camp was filled with drills and skills, and coaches didn’t participate (a college player from the camp coached our team). Now team camps are more like tournaments. Teams play a lot of games and coaches coach their teams. It would be nice if we could meet in the middle, more skills and drills for the players and games that coaches could be a part of, but either way these camps give the opportunity for growth for players, coaches and teams.
At camp this week our overall focus was on being more patient. If we didn’t have the fast break (BTW we won first […]
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