The Motorcycle Song

I know I've used this title before, but it is the only song I know that mentions a pickle. I don't want a pickle, I just want to ride on my motorcycle... Thanks Arlo Guthrie. Anyway I play pickleball. Wow - you say, what is that! It is a game that is played on a badminton size court using a wiffle type ball and a racket that looks like a ping pong paddle. We play doubles and I love it as do the other 800+ members of the club here at Sun City.

Now to my story. I just finished playing in the spring co-ed league and it was very exciting. It was my third time playing in the leagues and fun to be competitive. Well this year our team was great, but mediocre in the standings. The last game of the season we only had two of our four players, me and our captain Ruth. Our two men were not available as one had left for the summer and the other was having serious spinal issues. The last game we played the first place team and beat them 3-2 knocking them out of first place which angered them. That was Monday and somehow we ended up in third place with the play-off games on Wednesday afternoon.

Ruth and I arrived to find that we had to play the same team that we had met on Monday. It was very tense and lots of onlookers and other teams cheering us on. Somehow we won three games in a row putting us into the final match. We were so tired by this time that we were giddy, but determined to do our best.

We trotted out and won the first game which made us whoop with delight. Lost the second and third games and then came back to win game four. This was excellent pickleball and even though we were pooped we gave it our best against the four players who were our competition and had time to rest every other game. The score is 7-0 our favor and we just fell apart and lost the last game. It didn't matter as we had a hell of a day and lots of encouragement from our fans.

So the pickleball league is over and I look forward to playing again in the fall league. Meanwhile I played for an hour and a half at 8am today and loved every minute. Go ahead and "google" pickleball to find out more. It is a fun game and good exercise and I am hooked.

Put A Little Love in Your Heart

Today was Volunteer Recognition Day at Sun City and Jeff and I were busy all day. Jeff had a rehearsal this morning and then sang with his barbershop chorus in the afternoon. I played the violin with the Mountain Strings from 1 to 2 and then worked as a roving reporter for the TV News. I got to interview our guest host, Sonny Dixon. He is the night news anchorman on WTOC TV station in Savannah and a really nice guy. Tonight Jeff worked tech for the awards ceremony and I attended. The photo shows Jeff sitting in our state of the art tech booth at the rear of Magnolia Hall.

Windy

I went kayaking this morning around Pinckney Island. It was sunny, but windy, as we made our way across the inlet between Moss Creek and Harry Island. Lots of fun and a good workout for my arms. If I keep up all this exercise I may get into good shape.

Walking Man

Here's to my man, Jeff, and everyone (+/- 5000) who walked and ran today to fight breast cancer. We just got home from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Savannah. Our group of five walked the 5K on a beautiful, sunny morning. It is such a high to participate and see so many cancer survivors and supporters out there enjoying life. Our walk took us through the city of Savannah and around some of the picturesque squares. In the pictures are Patty Barber, Laura Marks, Renie Mirenda, Jeff and me.

Sunny Day

Just got home from the beach on Hilton Head. We met some friends and sat around in the sun and breeze. What a delight!

I played pickleball at 8am and then volunteered at a local elementary school where I read with two students each week. Then off to the beach. This retirement is a tough life, but we are up to the challenge.

Shenandoah

Last night Jeff performed in the Barbershop Chorus Show. His group is called New River Harmony and they have two costumes. The first act they wear these barber pole jackets and then change into green vests and bow ties. They were joined by the women's barbershop chorus and it was a festive evening of song. Their theme was "An American Journey" and they sang songs about states and places.

Jeff is in the back row, third from the right. He enjoyed himself and that is what counts.

Hawaiian Love Song

Jeff and I performed in the Theatre Club monthly entertainment. It was "The Gong Show" and we agreed to take part only if we were gonged immediately. What fun we had as the show was soooo bad and the judges were reluctant to gong anyone even though the audience was screaming, "Gong them!"

I appeared as the Princess Lakanooki and performed the Hawaiian Hula Dance a cappella. Have to say I got a lot of laughs as I explained what my act was and then did some warm up exercises and paced the stage to get my bearings. I looked ridiculous in three huge leis and had a really good time.

Jeff was on twice - first as Billy Bob Bubba Schwartz III, or triple BS. He was a championship cowboy yodeler. Second time out he was Moonflower Cannabis, playing the Greatest Hits of the Partridge Family on his kazoo.

You may wonder how we dream up these things - I don't know, but it makes life interesting.

So Long, It's Been Good to Know You

Boo Hoo! We are up early and taking Brian to the airport. Our few days together were wonderful and he is off to the Big Apple. Miss you and have a fun, safe trip.

My Boy Bill (Brian)

We're having a wonderful visit with Brian. He's been here a few days and getting used to our laid back ways - eating the early bird dinner and driving the golf cart. We're enjoying playing "Casino" a card game my family loved to play and board games. Today I played pickleball for a few games so Brian could see my new activity and we've walked on the nature trail. We're having gorgeous weather and Brian has met or revisited with lots of our friends. His next stop is New York and then he's off to South America and Europe.