Tennis Anyone?

My double's partner-DAD

When I was 8,
 I spent every weekend at the tennis courts. In those days the  tennis ball cans were opened by a key.

  The top of each can had a metal ribbon around the top.  One would hook the key to the metal and wind the metal strip around the base of the key. This would slowly release the pressure in the can.  The metal strips were either red, yellow or black depending on the type of can.

 While waiting for my turn on the court I would hunt along the fence for cast-off keys, and unwind them to create some sort of art piece.

Well I had to think of SOMETHING to entertain myself...either that or sit for an hour on a hard green bench with feet dangling.

And now, years later, we are still playing. Recently it was my younger son's birthday, and D and I headed down to Grandma's and Grandpa's for a day of tennis and biking. My father, 84, and I challenged Mother and D to a game of doubles.  It was wild, with balls flying every which way. Dad and I finally lost, due to too much goofing around.

I'm glad DP is showing an interest in the game.

                                               

Dad, Mom and DP

Where's Mozart?  At home composing. He plays tennis about once very 2 years, and you know what? He can actually hit the ball in the court a few times before it goes over the fence. He's a natural. But before you think we are all tennis misfits, I will tell you my mother has held a high ranking for many years, both in the U.S. and in the world, in senior women's tennis. My dad is good, but doesn't like tournaments. I just play for fun.  And DP is a beginner. 

After tennis, DP and I took a bike ride along the back bay.  (Photos by DP)

The back bay is also home to over 200 species of birds—many of them endangered.

It's a saltwater marsh. Many of the plants have adapted to grow in the sea water.

Coyotes, racoons, and bobcats are around...somewhere.

We had a great ride.

I'm thankful for such a beautiful place to enjoy, and a wonderful mom and dad.

On the Edge of Heaven

Old rickety chairs

Like little tin soldiers, lined up in a perfect row

Unexpected

Lifted out of a busy day

Dropped onto a hillside somewhere between heaven and earth

For a brief time – I sit on the threshold of two worlds

The thin line between life and death

And although it’s uncomfortable, I find beauty there

On the edge of Heaven

Sometimes I like memorial services

The quiet

The peace

And thinking about life

What’s important

What’s not

Honoring a person

Focusing on good

Seeing old friends

Andrew Pappas lived 96 years

Ninety-Six years with his Savior

And now he is with Him forever

I put a rose on his casket and know he is not there

I look up and whisper good-bye

On the edge of Heaven

Persistence

Hi everyone,

Here is a Christmas picture. Yes, yes I know it's almost Valentine's Day. Life has been very busy. As you can see the puppy has grown. She is 7 months now.

Mozart is still composing and I am doing everything else. I'll try to write more often.  I suppose "short and sweet" is better than showing the same blog post for 2 months!

Life has been very busy, and although I have had time in the evenings to write, I end up reading or finishing up the chores around the house. I just finished a very good book called "The Sisters of Sinai" the true story about two women who discovered an ancient copy of the gospel of Mark.

Author Janet Soskice did a great job researching..in fact I think it is over-researched.  If you like ancient manuscripts and have a fascination with Egypt, floating down the Nile...or wonder what crossing the Sinai Penninsula by camel (in a dress) would be like, than this book is for you.

Parts of the book were a little slow due to the extra information and research on side topics. But all in all I loved it.  Visiting monastaries, making friends with monks,  and the dilemmas of traveling as a woman in the Middle East in the late 1800's and early 1900's took my mind off the day and I totally forgot about blogging.

These women were persistent in their endeavors and they were a great inspiration to me.  I have the tendency to give up on projects. But not any more!  Now I feel like I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!