Tuesday, August 15, 2017 (off day)

Fortunately, I was able to locate one of my two lost posts from Google search’s cached version, the post about Terry Long’s class on August 2, so that one is back in its entirety. The other (Brommer ribbon cutting) was too new to be cached, unfortunately, so the original version is gone forever, but I typed up what I could. Some specifics are gone, but it is what it is.

Here’s a link to the discussion I posted at the WordPress forums about it:
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/wordpress-app-deleted-the-published-versions-of-old-drafts?replies=1#post-3003860

Today, I went to Outdoor World, right next door to work, and bought some new sunglasses to replace the mysteriously broken pair. It’s always hard finding ones that are the right size and shape, but I picked one for $30. I’m not a slave to brand names. As long as they work, I don’t care. When I’m on the cover of People Magazine, I’ll start worrying! (Maybe!)

Wednesday, August 16, 2017 (Court Day #58)

I arrived at Derby Park at 9:05. It was overcast and would stay overcast all morning. I bumped into Jim LaMarche outside the courts with his young grandson, Jonah. Jim is a very talented, famous children’s book illustrator and author. He’s humble too. I get to see him at my work when he comes in for art supplies. “So, you are a pickleballer?” “Yep.” Finally, someone who knows what going on in those courts! “I might try that someday. I used to play tennis.” “Anytime!”

It took me a little less time to “get going” this morning. No waiting three hours to get in a groove. That’s promising.

Mike was back, he had been traveling. We played a game against Greg and Ted. It was a good challenging one, back and forth. I didn’t give Greg many reasons to take back his compliment that he made the other day.

While playing with Mike, I did hit a few shots a bit too high that turned into winners for our opponents. Drop shots and dinks that were high enough to get smacked. “Keep it low” as they say. Yeah. Every time. Easier said than done!

Oh, a first today. Ted hit a ball that dribbled off the top of the net and bounced off the ground support for the net’s center post. Ted thought it was a winner for him and Greg. Mike and I had to break him the news that it was a “let” and had to be replayed. It was good for Mike and me, we had a chance to replay what would have been a lost point!

Janet and I played a game against Ted and Marianne. Before we started, I leaned over and asked her, “How many points do you think we’ll win by?” “Five.” It ended up being six at 11-5. Marianne had some amazing moments. She is getting so much better! I served an angled short serve—right to left—figuring there was no way she was going to get it, but she sure did! I was impressed! She had some other excellent shots too.

Wayne and I played a game against neighbor Dave and Tom. (Visor Tom. There are way too many Toms around!) It was a close game, though Wayne and I won 13-11. I wasn’t expecting to win. Wayne did better with his backhand in this game. Plus he broke character and did some very nice soft shots. Nice work, Wayne!

In one game, it was fun having Ted stare at me incredulously and say, “How did you get that?” After the game, Ted was talking to Dave about how I am playing so well. Dave agreed. I think they have short memories. They seem to forget the shots I hit long or slam into the net! Consistency is where I need to go next.

Play wrapped up at noon. Ted kindly invited me to join him for lunch, but an ad deadline was looming at work. As it was, it was 8 p.m. by the time I was able to head home to dinner. Hey, you play in the morning, you pay at night!

It seems I’m on the winning team more often than the losing team regardless of partners. Oh, I still make lame shots and I still contribute to losses, but I’m doing better. I want to play against stronger opponents, I want to get my clock cleaned. I need to have my weaknesses clobbered over my head. Maybe I can get a game against Mike and Grita again. That was a challenging game!

Health

Aside from my pinky still rough and sporting a bump from my bizarre softball injury nearly three weeks ago, I’ve been doing fairly well. I did feel my right glute briefly in one game today and, surprisingly, my right shoulder is a little sore when I raise it. And right hip can feel a touch sore if I move is just a certain way, but it’s all minor. Compared to recent months I’m relatively injury-free. I’ll take it!

Number of days on a court: 58
Number of total hours: 166