Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes

Perfect Perch

This Gambel Quail seems to be in sync with his Universe . . .

. . . and this Buddha doesn't seem to mind !

Wimbledon . . . Twenty-six years ago !

Winmbledon . . . Twenty-seven years ago !

Yup.  This is a rerun, but the photos are still special and seems like yesterday that I was there.

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No matter what sporting event might be happening at any given time, whether it's a PGA Golf Tounament,  the NBA playoffs,  the NFL playoffs, the World Series,  the French Open,  the U.S. Open, the Australian Open, or Wimbledon...I will be watching as many of the games or matches as possible.  So, that's what I'm doing now. . . waking up at 5:00 a.m. everyday and enjoying all the tennis matches.

But what's even better, is if I can attend one of  those sporting events in person. 

Rewind to 1965 . . .

Some of my best high school memories came from the tennis court.  Mrs. Clydene Moore, my eighth grade home economics teacher, introduced me to the game of tennis.   After that introduction, there were very few days that a tennis racket wasn't in my hand.  Whether it was playing a match in our junior high gym or bouncing a ball against our garage door, that's when I was the happiest.

My junior high principal was also the high school tennis coach.  He asked me to play on the team, and I was elated.  My parents, not so much, but agreed as long as I paid for my own racket.  It was a Jack Kramer wooden racket which cost $21.00.  (I still have it.) The day I walked into Edinger's Hardware store in Hugo, Oklahoma, and handed the clerk 21 one dollar bills with handful of change was a memorable day in my life.  Those 21 dollars were made baby sitting at 50 cents an hour and ironing.

It was that year that I heard about Wimbledon.  I pronounced it Wimbleton for a long time ! 

The year I graduated from high school, Rod Laver defeated John Newcombe and Ann Jones defeated Billie Jean King.

 Sixteen years later,  a dream came true for me. 

This is the Southfields Tube Station from London to Wimbledon.

 

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Clubhouse was exquisitely draped in ivy and pink roses.

I had my share of strawberries and cream, scones, Pimm's, tea and  fish & chips !

The weather that year was the best in Wimbledon history, only raining one afternoon.

John Lloyd and Wendy Turnbull warming up for a mixed-double match 'out in the country.'

Zina Garrison, looking very much like Venus Williams in this shot.

 

This is either Tim or Tom Guillikson with his son and wife.

This is either Tim or Tom Gullikson with his daughters.

 

During the 1980s Linda Evans and her Dynasty co-star, Joan Collins, became the two most celebrated female television stars of the decade.

 

After completing his playing career,  Tony Roche (middle),  developed a highly successful career as a tennis coach.

Betty Stöve is a former Dutch professional player who won ten Grand Slam titles in women's doubles and mixed doubles.

Then there's my favorite of ALL time !  Chrissy Evert.

Christine Marie "Chris" Evert, born December 21, 1954, is a former world number ONE professional tennis player from the United States. She won eighteen Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U. S. Open  According to the Women's Tennis Association,  she was the year-ending World No. 1 singles player in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, and 1981 and, according to many sources, in 1974 and 1978, also.

Her career win–loss record in singles matches of 1,309–146 (.900) is the best of any professional player in tennis history. In tennis writer Steve Flink's book The Greatest Tennis Matches of the Twentieth Century, he named Evert as the third best female player of the 20th century, after Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova. Chris  never lost in the first or second rounds of a Grand Slam singles tournament. She won 157 singles championships. In women's doubles, Evert won three Grand Slam titles and 29 regular tour championships.

Boris Becker won his first Wimbledon Championship this year, 1985.  He was the youngest men's player to do so, and I think he still holds that record.   Ion Tiriac was Becker's coach at that time.

Just a side note or three about this photograph.  My friend and I were walking back to our hotel and decided to cut through the 'alley' of the hotel where many of the tennis players were staying.  When I saw Tiriac, I knew Becker was probably not too far away.  Sure 'nuff, out the door Becker came as he and Tiriac were headed to a black tie gala after his championship win.  There was ONE exposure left in my little Kodak disposable camera.  Tiriac looked at me,  and I held up my itty bitty camera. So that I could get the shot, he motioned for me to get on the hood of the other official Wimbledon car that was blocking the way.  Becker ducked into his  car, but not before I snapped this.  I obviously got a much better shot than the photographer in the background.  He should have had my vantage point on the hood of that car.

And in this car was The Princess of Wales.  Yes, Lady Diana !  It was just a brief glimpse of her, but I will never forget how beautiful she was.

For that matter, I will never forget Wimbledon. 

Someday, I plan to go back.

(P.S.  No snarky comments about my sunglasses.  You hear ?)

 

Happy Birthday, Gammy!

Wyatt and Parker are hijacking Gammy's blog to wish her a Happy Birthday!

This is our Top 10 Resons Why We Love our Gammy!

10) Gammy (and Pops) always make sure it snows when we come to their house in the winter...even if it means beating a snowmaking machine into submission until it cooperates!

 

9) Gammy always makes silly faces.

 

8) Gammy likes to snuggle

 

7) Gammy takes us to fun places

 

Dinosaur Museum

Gateway Canyons

Golfing

 

Gateway Canyons

Gammy's Secret Garden

Ouray

Swimming at the Romero's

Tea

 

6) Gammy still thinks it's fun to dress alike and so does Parker...Mommy and EE, not so much!

5) Gammy lets us do things Mommy won't

 

4) That funny Pops guy hangs out with Gammy...he's fun!

 

3) Gammy is kinda weird and takes pictures of feet...A LOT

...and butts.

 

2) Gammy reads to us (OK she only reads to Parker b/c Wyatt won't sit still long enough...yet)

 

...and the NUMBER 1 Reason We Love Our Gammy is because...

 

She fought her hardest to make sure she was here to see us grow up! We celebrate EVERY DAY we have our Gammy!! WE LOVE YOU GAMMY!!!

Hooray for Sixty !

The most common question coming my way lately has been, "Do you think you'll have a problem turning 60?"

Before I share my answer, I'll share this. 

Twenty years ago I wasn't sure I would see my 41st birthday, much less my 60th !

At the time, I was going through a devastating divorce and receiving ample doses of Adriamyacin and Cytoxin.  My weight was a whopping 98 pounds and dropping daily.  There wasn't a hair on my head...including eyebrows or eyelashes. My mouth and esophagus were filled with horrible blisters. After several rounds of that Red Devil Kool-Aid Chemo-Cocktail, I was faced with over 40 radiation treatments.  About the only thought in my head was that I was determined to show my two daughters I would kick cancer's ass. (Pardon my French.)  Not that I did it alone. There was an army of people in my support system, including my girls, and wonderful doctors surrounding me, but the stubborness that seemed to be floating in my DNA, provided an attitude of not giving up.

So, to answer that question above. . .  "I am loving turning 60 ! "

It has taken over half-a-century, but I have now accepted that:

my eyebrows are just confused and now grow out of my chin. Another excuse for a waxing and a facial.

there are more age spots and moles dotted around  my body.  That calls for regular massages so the therapist can inform me of any significant changes.

the melanin, more precisely the eumelanin, in my hair disappeared several years ago, and I'm closer to being a blonde than ever in my life.  (Silver is the new blonde in my book.  I gave up spending money and time on dying it every six weeks.)

my eyesight is not even close to being 20/20, but my arms seemed to have grown longer.

AAADD (Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder) is not such a bad thing.  When I end up in a room and can't remember why I'm there,   I just clean it.

most of the time I can find my glasses.  There are generally at least 2 pair on my head at all times, even while I sleep.

my supply of brain cells is now down to a manageable size and my right brain and left brain no longer communicate with each other anymore and I really don't notice or care.

it's ok to share secrets with my friends. They can't remember them anyway.

it's not unusual to be carded.  Not that I look younger than 21, but to prove I qualify for the discount.

my hot flashes will probably never go away.   But, I can predict where the jet stream is because I control it.  And speaking of weather, my left knee and right thumb are  better predictors of weather than the meterologist.

I'll never be back in the classroom.  This was a place that I loved dearly.

being able to sing the words to songs playing in the elevator isn't such a bad thing. At least I can remember some of the words.

people expect less and less of me.  Like . . .  remembering anything . . .running anywhere. . . remembering anything. . .  staying up late, like past 7:00. . . remembering anything.  What was the question ?

when reading a book, sometimes (more often than not), I have to read a page several times to remember what I've read.  I haven't started a new book in two months because I'm still on page 24 of "The Hare with the Amber Eyes."  And while we're on the subject of BOOKS, I love holding a book in my hands and turning the pages and fanning the pages and smelling them.  Kindles, and Nooks, and iPads are great especially when traveling. But when I'm home, I want a book. A real book. 

peoples' opinions of me really don't matter.  I don't allow toxic and judgemental people to live rent free in my head.

my grandchildren can find things faster on the iPad than I can. 

I will never be fluent in a foreign language,  will never commit to memory all of Für Elise,  will always have a love-hate relationship with my PC and my Apple, will usually spend an ample part of Yoga sessions in the Child's Pose, never be a master gardener.  But, I will continue to learn Spanish, practice the piano, take computer lessons,  attempt Inversion Poses, continue to dig in the dirt, plant things and try to keep them alive.

many people my age have lost their sense of humor.  Therefore, I'll just continue to laugh at myself. They say that angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.

I am a little bit crazy.  Being sane is boring.  Besides, being a little bit crazy keeps other people on their toes. They never know what to expect.

slowing down is ok.  Speed is the enemy of nearly everything in life that really matters. It's addictive and  undermines quality, compassion, depth, creativity, appreciation and real relationships.  This seems to be true because the hurrider I go the behinder I get.

my dogs probably like me more than most people.  That's ok because I like my dogs more than some people.

two of my favorite quotes are, "Whatever you are willing to put up with is exactly what you will have," AND "Never pass up the opportunity to shut up."  (This includes unsolicited advice for my girls.)

opening childproof containers poses no problem.  I keep a hammer and hack saw in my kitchen now.

looking for something is a daily occurence. It's reassuring to know whatever it is I'm looking for is in a secure place.

And finally,  I have accepted myself exactly the way I am.  That I will always try to learn and grow. (Evidently, according to the scales, I have the growing part down pat.)   

And also, I've decided to go bra-less.  It tends to pull down the wrinkles off my face and neck.

And speaking of bras, this post cannot be typed without reminding those of you who use them, it's very important to do self-examinations on a monthly basis and to have regular mammograms.  If you're not sure when to start mammograms, call your doctor and find out. If you are due a mammogram, go get one this coming week.

Just as sure as I'm sitting here typing today, I can assure you that self-exams save lives. 

I'm living proof !  Sixty years of living proof.

 

Paddle Faster ! I Hear Banjo Music . . .

Spontaneous is the first word that comes to mind ! 

We received a phone call the other day from a T-45 Goshawk Marine we met years ago. 

He informed us that he and his family would be arriving at our house the next day . . . then asked if we would be there.

Ten minutes after they set their suitcases down, we donned floating attire, grabbed some inner tubes, an ice chest, and were on the Colorado River in record time.

About the only thing recognizable in this photo are my feet and the bridge.

This is about as close as I made it to this group.

Since I had a camera strapped to my cap, I wasn't interested in getting tossed off my float device.

Talk about clones . . . see above !

Talk about clones . . . see above . . . again.

Then, there was this guy...the following photos need no caption.

Notice anything strange about his sunglasses ?

Redneck beer can holder.

Um-m-m-m. 

If all three of you would paddle in the same direction, you might make better progress.

This is an example of why you should follow me when a decision is made whether to go left or right. 

Please notice, I did not have to portage. 

Those who took theHansMan's suggestion . . .

Well.

But their adventure did make for a nice photo of the Bookcliffs in the background.

This is where Beav declared, "Look !  It's a coyote." 
(He was serious.)

This was the coyote. . . complete with a collar and leash !

Have another beer, Beav !

Last shot before we decided to walk the last part of the float trip.

OK. So, who invited the guy on the bicycle ?

Maybe he was the one with the banjo . . .

Santa Fe Retreat

No time to post . . . having too much fun in Santa Fe with my aunt and cousins.

It's the first time in almost THIRTY years the four of us have been together.

As soon as my ribs aren't so sore from laughing, there will be more photos and stories.

Until then, here's just one:

We started this little 'creativity' family reunion retreat by going to 10,000 Waves.

In two days we have had massages, dined out, shopped, visited Farmers' Market, taken a cooking class, designed Mandalas (on our aprons), Thundered UP . . . but mostly we've reminisced, laughed, and loved ! 

What Is This Man Doing ?