Enjoying Progress in My Own Backyard Part II
Six weeks ago, I encouraged you to enjoy the progress in your own backyard. Today, I will update you on the pickleball courts in “my backyard.” But first a challenge. Do you remember the children’s Highlights Magazine pictures where you had to describe similarities and differences between two pictures?
Well, for the first three people who email me or post in the comments section, two differences in the picture for today’s story and the picture of the courts for the June 6th blog, I am offering a free e-book copy of Finding Joy in the West as soon as it is available. So, if you are interested in receiving an e-book copy of my not-yet-released book, compare the pickleball courts and tell me two differences in the pictures.
For the past six weeks, I have ridden my bike to the Calhoun Recreation Center to check the progress on the new pickleball courts. Each time I looked for changes. Lights one day. Nets and windscreens another. Two weeks ago, I spoke with Bryan from the maintenance department as he watered the newly planted trees. He mentioned specifics that required completion before the courts could undergo a final inspection and then be opened to the public. For example, Bryan pointed out that the square cut-outs around the light posts still needed backfilling, which posed a potential safety hazard.
Then, on a recent evening drive through the park, I noticed the parking lot by the courts was full. Upon learning the courts were indeed finished and open for play, my friend Lynna and I scheduled a day to play pickleball.
At 1:00 on a July weekday afternoon in the Georgia heat, we were happy to have the courts to ourselves.
Lynna brought cooling towels which made the heat totally bearable. I brought the paddles and balls recently gifted to me by my brother-in-law. We both admitted to being new to the sport. Apparently, having played for an hour in the Florida Keys this spring made me the expert between the two of us. It took me all of 30 seconds to impart my vast pickleball knowledge, and I expertly (or should I say naively?) served the first ball to Lynna with a bounce and an underhand hit to the opposite court.
For an hour, we played and talked. We felt comforted by the fact that no one who knew anything about the sport was around to laugh or criticize. We commented on how much easier the game seemed in comparison to tennis. The ball bounced slowly, which gave us more time for our aging legs to get to it. After an hour of trying our best to hit the ball so our friend could easily return it, we played a “real game.”
Neither of us has even seen a pickleball game! You pickleball players out there would have gotten a good laugh. We were two eight-year-olds on the playground making up the rules.
“How many points should we play to?”
“Let’s say we have to hit the ball for the serve without letting it bounce.”
“We gotta stay out of the kitchen up here by the net, right?”
“So, should we take turns serving, or should I serve for the whole game?”
We had no idea what we were doing. Or did we? What we were doing was enjoying the progress in our own backyard. Lynna and I were out there having fun. My hope is that we will learn the rules and subsequently become better players. However, I also hope Lynna and I will never forget the joy of playing for our first time on the fancy new courts in our own backyard. And of course, I encourage you to continue looking for joy in your own backyard, too.
July 18, 2024 @ 6:11 pm
Well lets see Joy
Something left on the court
And the net on right sides look different.
I usually don’t play games lol
Hope all is well with you !!
July 18, 2024 @ 9:20 pm
Ha! You are the first to respond, Mia. I don’t usually play games either, but I thought it would be fun.
The “something” on the court is my new paddles and a ball. No way you could see what it was without a magnifying glass or zooming in.
All is well with me. Think of you and Darrell often. Hope you are doing well too.
July 18, 2024 @ 6:55 pm
Love the update!!
July 18, 2024 @ 9:21 pm
Thanks, Nancy. Still can’t believe we actually have the courts. They are really nice.
July 18, 2024 @ 7:10 pm
Two differences.
1. Nets are in second picture
2 Wind screen is on the perimeter fence in the second.
Still no players.
July 18, 2024 @ 9:25 pm
Bingo! You got it Doug. Thankfully there was no photographer around to take a picture of us playing. Ha!
July 18, 2024 @ 8:01 pm
No clouds or fence.
Lol
July 18, 2024 @ 9:33 pm
Ha! I was on the inside of the fence for the picture in Part II, so the fence is on the far side of the courts. And the clouds? You are funny, Donna.
July 18, 2024 @ 8:02 pm
I love the Highlights Magazine! Actually subscribe for the grans.
What a fun day we had!
Lights added
Privacy screen added to the fence
Advertising on the fences between the courts added
A racket or something laying on the court in one picture
A bike is in one picture
July 18, 2024 @ 9:35 pm
And that’s a wrap! Good answers Lynna. Thanks for playing!
July 18, 2024 @ 9:32 pm
So fun, Joy!! You should ask Chris H! He plays pickle ball at least once/week typically! I’m still nervous about it due to not wanting to exacerbate my bum knee. But I love to hike/walk the trails or neighborhood!! You’ll have to join us for potluck at our church on Lookout Mtn one Saturday and then hike on the adjoining trails that are part of the Cloudland Canyon system.
July 18, 2024 @ 11:21 pm
Thanks, Julia. I believe I will be a once-a-week player. My knees and feet can’t handle more than that. Unfortunately my right foot can’t handle hiking anymore. Thanks for your support.
July 19, 2024 @ 7:42 pm
The first five people who responded to my “what’s different” challenge will receive a free e-book.
Mia, Julie, Doug, Donna, and Lynna, I will contact you when FINDING JOY is released. Congrats!
Thanks to all who played.
July 20, 2024 @ 7:57 am
We just learned to play pickleball on the 4 th of July! I say learned lightly! LOL. We did fall in love with it and are looking forward to purchasing some paddles of our own. Will have to play you and Lynna sometime!:-)
July 20, 2024 @ 3:43 pm
That’s awesome! Let’s do it!
July 22, 2024 @ 1:44 am
You made me laugh–glad you had fun! 🙂
July 23, 2024 @ 10:08 pm
Thanks, Debbie. Appreciate you reading and commenting. Hope you are doing well.
July 25, 2024 @ 6:20 pm
Another good blog, you just keep it up. I might try pickleball sometime and will let you know how it goes. ❤
July 26, 2024 @ 3:09 pm
Thanks, Janice. I’d love to see you out on the courts!