In fuzzy pajamas waking up to the Rose Parade, followed by a run and blueberry pancakes.
I’m off to a good start … after a rocky ending. I mean with an old friend passing away and then Betty White, the year definitely did not end on a high note.
But the new day started with a new vibe.
And I was feeling the good vibrations of a New Year and the whispers of my inner ‘Yes You Can’ to gain strength from the bumpy roads of last year. Filled with gratitude to be out and walking on sunshine set the tone this morning for a positive outlook and an excelsior kind of feeling.
That morning song that sets you in the right direction, with its beats, and ability to travel through time and help you remember how to get your groove back, or just add that extra sauce to your strut, yeah … that helped today. That was the key. Just rode that vibe to another sporty adventure.
Pickleball.
I know, right? I had not heard of this pickleball, but apparently it is big and taking over tennis courts here and there. The sport is getting close to Gatorade levels.
Totally mixed-tape worthy.
We try something new every first day of the year … something outdoors if it’s possible and after a week-and-a-half of rain the sun was like time out. You’re up.
And so we ventured outside to the pickleball courts in the neighborhood with our borrowed racquets and took a shot.
This is totally our game.
And my son and I found it by chance. We happened to drop off my daughter at a soccer camp right before the storm hit us last week and hung out for a bit at the park. We discovered a full-on league of AARP posse engaged in this thing called pickleball. We stood there staring long enough that the team captain came over and asked if we had ever played and if we were interested he could show us the basics.
Between ping pong and tennis … we found that’s our sweeeeet spot.
They let us borrow some racquets to take home and hit balls against the wall and practice some basics. Today, however, the kids were like let’s hit the courts. We went to a nearby court and learned that keeping it in play proved to be more fun than smashing it down the line. So much so that when we got back from the courts, we ordered our own racquets and they played in the driveway.
Day One was good and that was a good start. Thinking of resolutions and words of the year and promises to help improve life, that’s still in progress. Forward is still my direction. Day One was filled with cool jams, fun times, smiles, me-time, and breathing moments. Deep breathing in the pockets of sunshine.
Buen Camino …
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I’m Coming Out — Diana Ross
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El Año Viejo — Tony Camargo
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Hot Stuff — Donna Summer
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Taking It To The Streets — The Doobie Brothers
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Here I Go Again — Whitesnake
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The Wish Factor 
On day 3 of 2022 – it’s an eight, yesterday was a seven and I always enjoy your feel Good Five. I played pickle ball in college it was an intramural sport. But the pickle ball you describe and the version I played 40 years ago seem different, regardless it was a fun game and any game that gets you moving in January, even in SoCal is a good thing. Happy New Year and congrats on starting a new decade in the blogosphere! Peace and prosperity to you and your family.
Clay! Holy Cheeseballs Batman! It did not click until you mentioned that it had been a decade. Thanks! That is something. I’ll high five myself 🙂 I’m glad after all this time and a few sabbaticals I’m still finding new adventures whether it’s food or something called pickleball:) maybe I did t describe it that well, but it does seem like a cross between tennis and ping-pong played with what looks like a wiffle ball from baseball ha! I’ll let you know how it pans out. Thanks for reading and hope your day is a 9 or 10 today 🙂
Wonderful first days of the year. Happy New Year my Friend. 2022 will be exciting. It will be filled with fun surprises and adventures. Best regards to your Family. I hope to go outdoors next week with family. My goal is to make one memorable family event every month. 2021 taught me that time is sprinting and does not wait nor bargain. Like we’re already about to finish the first week of January.
Outdoors is the best 🙂 I fully enjoy it when it doesn’t rain, but we needed it. A memorable event once a month sounds like a good goal. Happy New Year my friend! Hope it brings you better days 🙂
Yes. Happy New Year.
I’ve heard of this game you speak of. I think Frank was talking about it fairly recently, but I’ve never actually witnessed it being played. It does sound like a funky sway though, and really, anything that is fun for all ages has got to be worth getting out there for, right?
Betty White . . . I remember the old Mary Tyler Moore show. God, those episodes are timeless classics. As was she. It’s strange, when you grow up with people like White, they feel like real life superheroes . . existing in your world. And then the reality of all things sets in. Imma have to watch me some Mary Tyler Moore episodes.
Thank you for playing the great Diana Ross. That song kicks it!
Happy New Year hermano! Diana Ross be awesome she be rocking the grace, confidence, and groove:) glad you liked it. And Betty White, Vicki Lawrence, and Carol Burnett. That combination right there cracks me up, but she was funny on Mary Tyler Moore and Lou … ha! Plus I’m digging this new sporty adventure that the kids are jazzed about. I’ll join the AARP group for a quick minute and see if I can pick up any skills 🙂 hoping the sunshine and waves be strong and awesome for us this year. Sending you good vibrations:)
Happy New Year! I also discovered Pickleball this past year. I’d been hearing about it for a while but hadn’t actually seen it played. I’m a big fan of any sport where I don’t have to run very much.
Heyyyyyy Good Greatsby! Good to see you here 🙂 Happy New Year! Yeah pickleball … I was like when did that happen? And you especially don’t run if you play doubles 🙂 hope you and you’re family are doing well.