Monday, April 23, 2018

Forgotten Teams


I have never been much of a sports fan. I never played sports in school, and didn't really catch the fever later.

However, when I had the opportunity to review Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams by Pat Williams I was intrigued. I vaguely remembered the great Coach John Wooden, and his UCLA basketball teams. Teams that brought players like Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others to the forefront. This book however was about Coach Woodens summer basketball camps. Camps that exposed hundreds of kids instead of just 12 players to Coaches teaching. And teaching is what John Wooden did.

The campers who passed through the John Wooden Basketball Fundamentals camp all knew they were in the presence of greatness. Greatness as measured by John Wooden's depth of character and breadth of love. Not only did the campers learn character and life skills, the assistant coaches and counselors did as well.  One thing that stood out to me was a comment made by one of the assistants.

"Coach told us that to be competitive you don't have to do extraordinary things. You simply have to do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Every detail is important when it comes to being the best you can be."

Coach Wooden was a simple and humble man. A man of faith and integrity. His emphasis at camp was not about winning, but about each camper (and coaches) to make the effort to do the best of which they are capable. And then be at peace with themselves. He cared about each camper and wanted his coaches to help every camper reach his full potential. He didn't cater to the most skilled players. And he insisted his coaches not cater to them either. Just give each camper the best experience they could have.

He was a coach for all times, a coach for all seasons.

 I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.


Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Spring

Spring brings a wash of all things new. The refreshment of rain, birds building their nests and flowers waking in full bloom.


My African Violet has been so full of blooms.  I just had to take it out to the garden and enjoy its beauty.


This Old Royal Bone China sugar and creamer were purchased on one of my trips to Chicago.

My daughter brought the Russian Orenburg Lace Scarf on her first trip to Russia.
Spring makes way for summer. Taking a few minutes to enjoy the delightful spring breeze is such a refreshing way to start the day.
 

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Cedar Key

When my hubby and I were dating, we would drive up to the quaint little town of Cedar Key and eat a fabulous seafood dinner. The food was always delicious and plentiful and the atmosphere was charming. We would relish the Cabbage Palm salad, fried shrimp or grouper and top it off with Key Lime Pie.

It has been many years since we visited again, but it sure seems like the masses have found this little hide away town.



Johnson's restaurant is long gone, so we tried the newer Seabreeze.
Although it offered an amazing view, the food was an average seafood menu. I can guess catering to the tourist crowd is never the same as when they mostly fed the native residents 
 There is a lot of Florida history buried in Cedar Key. Driving across the causeway brought back many memories of this small fishing community. 

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Roses for Tea

There are two things I love. Beautiful roses and tea cups.


                                    (Gladstone Bone China, Made in England)

I couldn't resist imagining what they would look like paired for an afternoon tea.