WELCOME to my Blog site entitled Antoinetta DeWit's Garden of Poetry and Prose. I have enjoyed writing stories and poems for a very long time and now, during my retirement years, I have found the time to become more serious about this hobby and to share my creations with you. I will be posting soon. I hope you will enjoy the walk!
REMEMBERING WHEN
Remember when our lives began?
After wars there came a Plan.
The Plan unfolded bit by bit
Few folks had much time to sit.
They rebuilt and built a fresh new start,
Creating a better way to live each day;
Days of peace and harmony
And better days for you and me
to remember,
and to always remember when.
written November 2022
PICKLEBALL
MY journey into the intriguing world of pickleball continues after four helpful and enjoyable lessons by Adèle, at the Pitt Meadows Recreation Centre.
Pickleball is a sampling of badminton, tennis and ping pong, and it is played either indoors or out. The paddle is an oversized ping pong racket and the ball is as big as a tennis ball, but hollow and full of evenly spaced holes.
The game can be played in doubles or singles. The serving is much like badminton — underhand and to the opponent at the diagonal position. There are some basic rules related to the lines on the court, where players stand, and how to score. The game ends at the score of 11.
So the other day was a new test day in the life of a newbie. I went to the outdoor courts in Pitt Meadows. It was a cool but sunny morning, but all the courts were full. I wandered around to watch people play and immediately noticed they clearly were experienced. They’d definitely had more than four lessons!
Since watching is a form of learning, I decided to find a bench and watch. I also decided that a few more lessons and a few more practices with players at my level, would be a good idea. -- a very good idea!
MUSIC BINGO
The other day I tried a new activity — Music Bingo, at the local Royal Canadian Legion in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. I had a bit of an idea of what I would be doing, but reality hit me in the head.
Arriving early was a good idea so that I could secure a good table for my friends who would be joining in. It also gave us a chance to chat and catch up, and order a dinner before game time.
At some point someone brought up the question “how does music bingo go?” We got various responses, some supposition responses, and all of them together made me realise a challenge was ahead.
I got up from the table to visit with The Caller and to look at a typical music bingo card. He was happy to explain.
“This is a piece of cake!”, I said to him.
So the time comes for the first game. The caller announces additional ways to win prizes such as jumping up when we hear words like Love, Jump or Stumpheads.
The first song started and I heard the word Love. I jumped up and collected an edible sweet treat, and felt excited.
“Bring it on!”
I check my card and realise that although I recognized the tune , I didn’t know the title. In music bingo, you definitely need to know titles. I hear people at the table whispering but I cannot hear them. As much as I abhor conversation during games like bingo, I had to heed to desperation.
After the tenth call, and asking for help almost each time, I decided I was in over my head and maybe a slight bother to the keeners around me. The stress-pulse behind my temples on each side of my head started to thump. I looked over to the person beside me. She had an app on her smartphone that was able to detect song titles in an instant. My teacher hat said to me and only me; “ isn’t that a form of cheating? I’m almost 66 and this is what’s become of me!” I did look over at the smartphone most of the rest of the night.
In my younger days, I was an avid concert goer and I have always loved music; but, that night I realized that I had never connected a song title to an artist. Okay, maybe occasionally, but not frequently — especially not “one hit” wonders!
I laughed at my stooping to such behaviour as I took another sip of Jackson Twiggs merlot. I reminded myself that I was a guest in a Legion and that the stress I was feeling was nothing compared to the stresses of our veterans!
At that point I heard the word “jump” … I jumped up to the caller to collect a prize — an other edible sweet.
My cards were filling in well but I never did get a bingo. I did however enjoy being in the company of so many others who were keenly into the challenge of naming that tune! It will never become my strength, but I will continue to enjoy singing the lyrics I do know, now and then, and make up lyrics that seem to fit the ionic pentameter rhythm of the song. I do love doing that!
So, although my brain felt very taxed, that Music Bingo night, I did enjoy the evening — the friendly company, the great Chef’s Salad, the wine, the sweets, and the atmosphere inside a special temple commemorating veterans, welcoming and serving veterans, with the help of all of us who honour and praise them in every way we can.
I will be back!