Lifelong Passion??!

Years ago my two young sons loved to watch - and imitate - wrestlers they saw on TV.

Not classic Olympic-style wrestlers - but over-the-top, larger-than-life heroes like Hulk Hogan - and others whose names I've forgotten... who would throw challenges at each other and fight for various championships and belts.

This was the after-school life of my young sons - talking about their favourite wrestlers, upcoming challenges, and who they thought would win. 

(I even created several "championship  belts" for their pretend wrestling matches.)

Then it seemed to end - this wrestling mania.. and for years I didn't hear anything about it - except for occasional retrospective documentaries about former wrestlers.

But then - last weekend, one of my sons informed me that he had bought tickets for a wrestling show in Montreal.

Really?! They still do that?!

And from the pictures he shared, the whole wrestling phenomenon, as I remember it, seems to have come back again!

Volleyball Camp

Last week Ivy went to "beach" volleyball camp in the mornings... 

No beach! But they played barefoot in sand!

(I remember playing volleyball in the school gym in high school. I wonder if the rules are the same...)

It was fun to watch her skills develop.

After camp, there were various options - including shopping!!)

One day I drove her to a friend's house. Another day we went to a mall.

Yet another day, we met up with her father. His car was in the garage - so we ended up going to pick up her brother at his soccer camp as well.

We all had a good time! 

Fun to hang out with my granddaughter... And for me, a well-needed break from the post-flood chaos at home!

Fan Zone?!

My daughter's Toronto neighborhood is near a large soccer field.

An area has been blocked off for a "fan zone" - with grandstand seating, music, food - and large video screens for fans to watch the world cup.

At the mall where I do my 10,000 daily steps, they have also set up a "fan zone", with a sprawling sofa...

But I'm not sure the tiny TV screen will draw many serious fans! (Or is this small screen just a video game?!)

What's New?!

What's new in the mall? Terry often asks me when I join him at the food court after my walk.

I forgot to tell him that there was a small skating rink for children to skate on. It would be too small for most adults.

It's not made of ice - it looks like a large plastic panel tough enough (and of the right consistency) for ice skates to be able to glide.

I think it's free to use, too.

I'll have to look for it again next time I walk on the lower level. It's a temporary installation. Don't know how long it will be there.

Curling Season Begins Again

Curling lessons have begun for kids in Almonte. My granddaughter wanted to take lessons again...

Her father sent me the picture above...

Is Jericho old enough to join her this year? I asked...

No, but while he waits for her in the change room, he keeps busy making friends.

He then sent me the second picture.

Hmmm. In my day, they would have been playing "train ride"... 

Is this "plane ride" or "school" or "sledding" or "on the bus"? Whatever it is, a girl is in front ("driving"?).

Maybe things have changed!

Getting Into Basketball

Basketball holds a special place in the hearts of those who live in Almonte...

After all, James Naismith, who invented the game, grew up here.

The game, as now played, differs a bit from the one he first invented. For one thing, the "baskets" now have openings in the bottom to allow the ball to pass through!

But an interesting coincidence: my grandson's first taste of basketball is in a school that bears James Naismith's name!

Watching T-Ball

I don't remember if my sons played T-ball when they were young - but my grandson does.

One evening last week, I went out to watch.

It was more like a training session than a game, teaching kids skills like throwing and catching a ball.

It was fun to watch them interact...

I also watched my granddaughter work on her preferred skills - doing cartwheels and handstands - preferably without losing her flip flops!

Lovely also to be out in the country with sunny skies and fresh air!

Ball Hockey - Our Way

Ball hockey is a popular Canadian game...

Terry and I were recently playing with our grandson... 

I even scored one into the net!

There are no rules, the way we play. So there are no winners or losers... 

As long as everyone is having a good time!

Throw It Down - and Hope For the Best!

I wish you could get off work early, I told my older son. Dad and I are going to watch Ivy's last curling session. You're the only one in the family who was ever on a school curling team.

Yeah, I wish I could come. But at her age [8], there isn't much strategy... Don't they just throw it down and hope for the best? he replied.

Isn't that what all curlers do? I asked... Even adults? Even the professionals?!

I guess so, he replied. But if you look at it that way, isn't that what ALL LIFE is about: YOU THROW IT DOWN - AND HOPE FOR THE BEST?!

Hmmm. Curling: a perfect metaphor for life...

New Season of Learning

Cooler weather is arriving... A "new season" of interests is upon us... 

Is it time to learn something new?

My granddaughter is taking curling lessons - a new winter sport for her. A new generation of curlers is in the making... I wonder if she'll like the sport.

My parents both curled when we lived in the village of Hay Lakes, Alberta. It was a social activity that both women and men could participate in together.

I must have been 5 or 6 but I still remember hanging out at the curling rink when they were curling. Was there a concession stand? Or did I just run around and play outside the boards?

I do remember that their curling rock must have moved to Red Deer - then to Kelowna - with us, though I don't remember my parents curling then.

The last time I saw their heavy marble curling rock was at my grandparents' house in Kelowna. My mother was offering it to my grandfather as a heavy object to put on top of a large crock of fermenting homemade sauerkraut. Did he need something heavy to squeeze out the juices?!

That's the impression I had. But I'm not sure. I never learned to curl - and I never learned the art of making homemade sauerkraut either!

Soccer... Everywhere!

There has been a lot of soccer in our family over the past few weeks!

Terry has been watching Euro 24 and COPA matches on TV day after day...

I've noticed that the nearby college has been busy with tournaments and training programs..

Close to his home, Jericho has been spending his days at a kids soccer camp - come rain or shine!

Baseball Boys

Summer is the season of baseball...

It's always fun to watch the next generation develop their skills... and to help them learn.

Both Grandpa and Grandma hit a ball or two - so that the outfield could practice! Fun - and good exercise - for everyone!

Titans Baseball Game

I rarely watch sports... (unless I know someone who is playing.)

BUT recently our family attended a local baseball game - the Ottawa Titans were playing.

I joined in the fun.

Everyone had a good time.

MY favorite part was watching the kids run the bases after the game was over. All were invited to get a feel for what it's like at field level. 

Lots of people joined in!

Fun - watching families having fun together!