The Son

January 16, 2024

“The reason The Father loves me is that I lay down my life…only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” […]

Guns galore

January 15, 2024

To say that tennis, like all other sports, has changed drastically via better training methods and nutrition is a no brainer. This morning, Ben Shelton hit a second serve ace at over 130 mph that left his opponent dumbfounded. Oldsters like me remember the stars of the past like Rosewall, McEnroe, and Evonne Goolagong. They […]

The One and Only

January 15, 2024

  How beautiful the hands that served The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth How beautiful the feet that walked The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross  How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful Is the body of Christ  How beautiful the heart that bled That took all my […]

The importance of sound sleep

January 14, 2024

“The long and the short of it is that poor sleep can take a wrecking ball to both your long term health and your ability to function day to day”. Dr. Peter Attia from the terrific book Outlive…The Science and Art of Longevity   ***. A cowboy wishes he’d read this book before a sleep […]

Kindred spirits

January 12, 2024

The woman looked bewildered as it was apparent that she’d forgotten where she had  parked her car. I mentioned to her that elders in Florida put a tennis ball or bright ribbon on their antenna and she reminded me that cars don’t have antennae and haven’t for years. As I was leaving the lot, I […]

Belief

January 11, 2024

Who hasn’t, at one time or another, felt as if their backs against the wall…that they are stuck in rut with seemingly nowhere to turn? Paulo Coelho writes…”Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything…maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in […]

One creative volley

January 11, 2024

A player in my tennis drill this week had a very distinctive forehand volley….the kind of shot that keeps tennis pros in business. The racquet took on a new persona that caught everyone’s attention…especially mine. Thankfully, the player took my comment with a sense of humor knowing that eventually a fix was in order. ”Miriam, […]

A silent prayer

January 9, 2024

Here’s a New Year’s wish for a former US OPEN singles champion. I close my eyes and see one of the best smiles on planet Earth after she claimed her OPEN title over good friend Madison Keys. May that smile return once again in Melbourne because watching Sloane Stephens play in Brisbane was a tough […]

Peace

January 9, 2024

Some music is meant to wash over us while listening with eyes closed. Just click on arrow and scroll to listen.  

Gratefulness

January 6, 2024

The other night we had a very nice dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant. The next day, whilst driving to play (teaching tennis has never been work) I saw a magpie feasting on an unfortunate squirrel. The sight made me feel very lucky for surely this very young cowboy could have just as easily been […]

Synchronicity at work

January 4, 2024

My great, great friend Eileen has encouraged a now one year older cowboy to look for ‘glimmers’ as we go through the day. I guess a succinct definition of a glimmer is an occurrence in one’s day that brings joy, laughter, connection, or astonishment. We agreed to meet for breakfast at The Old Pancake House […]

So glad you asked

December 31, 2023

A 3.0 student was in class this morning and asked a question on the first ball pickup. ’I went to a pro recently who urged me to move to Coco Gauff’s forehand grip,  (Extreme western) and I wanted to get your advice.” My comments were….‘“Make that visit your last one to this imposter pro, ask […]

Tennis learnings

December 30, 2023

A couple of recent tennis coaching scenarios. A player trying to break into the ranks of 3.0 play has the potential as he’s on court more than five hours a week. Dave has a chance to develop a plus forehand if he can reduce mishits on the bottom edge of his racquet and center the […]

Words to live by

December 27, 2023

  “When I die Give what’s left of me away To children And old men that wait to die. And if you need to cry, Cry for your brother Walking the street beside you. And when you need me, Put your arms Around anyone And give them What you need to give to me. I […]

Oh my!

December 26, 2023

I was next in line for communion this Christmas morning. As I bowed and stepped forward, the Eucharistic Minister pulled the host back, looked down, frowned, and shook her head three times. Being more than a bit flummoxed, I assumed that she was signaling me to kneel before her. I could have sworn that her […]

Born this day

December 25, 2023

“Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem but all in vain unless He is born in me.” Angelus Silesius   **  St. Faustina had an encounter with A Highly Esteemed Gentleman and He requested that this image be shared with the world.  

Merry Christmas

December 24, 2023

Merry Christmas Friends! May the coming new year be as full of promise as today! Just click on arrow and scroll to see/hear.  

Fingers crossed

December 22, 2023

A ten year old youngster in Kansas City, Kansas was pictured just like this. The year was 1960 and the team was The American Alloys Alligators. Many games were played at Segner field where infielders were susceptible to blisters on their feet when the temperature climbed above one hundred degrees. Sixty four years later, a […]

Some story

December 19, 2023

A story is told of a couple struggling with infertility. At wit’s end and with no path in sight, prospects were looking slim. The woman had contracted with an exterminator to handle some pesky critters in the yard. Engaging in conversation upon completion of the work, the man commented on her listlessness. She opened up […]

The optimist

December 19, 2023

A friend who is getting on in years shared that, as one ages, the gifts of our youth simply fade away. Being the optimist, he spoke of exploring new gifts that may prove to be more valuable and equally exhilarating as those that are now at rest. Perhaps, he said, we should be like meticulous […]