Writing these first few blogs has been an interesting experience as I transition into the greatest literary genius man has known.*  Those taking notice and reading them may be wondering what this individual has done to qualify as a pickleball expert? 

Nothing.

I started playing about 5 years ago here in southwest Florida and for the first year or so was interested but not rabid.  I have never placed in a tournament, I have actually never played in a tournament. 

In 2019 I started to enjoy the sport at a much higher level.  I played college tennis at a Division III school in the 1980’s and was able to grind off some rust and parlay those skills into a decent player as I started becoming a student of the game.

Improvement came quickly as the levels passed: beginner, 3.0, 3.5……… and then it happened.

Batman had the death of his parents, Spiderman was, well, bitten by a spider, Captain Marvel had all that green stuff spewed all over her, but me, my superpower was the result of a nasty laundry accident  December 2021.

While cleaning up after a day by the pool I was about to throw a load of towels into the washer when I slipped on a wet spot, went down and completely tore a couple ligaments in my shoulder.  I had surgery in February and spent a total of five months with nothing to do.  Nothing but heal and study Pickleball.

Rotator Cuff surgery is the worst physical injury ever to happen to me and involved significant pain so I spent nearly all my conscious time watching, studying and learning the craft we call pickleball. 

Waking up each morning I would view professional matches on my phone while my unsuspecting wife slept nearby.  Frequently I would mistakenly bump the volume too high and she would awake, her superpower is sleeping, and burst out ‘Pickleball again?’.

Before the accident I was fortunate enough to become involved with a group of players who were a year or ahead of me contracting the Pickleball bug.  These guys are very good and getting better.  I am pretty sure a couple of them could play senior pro and compete for podium spots.  They would be generous and allow me to play with them once in a while and slowly, methodically teach me this ever so nuanced craft.  I am grateful to the lot of them for their patience and wisdom.  

As I healed from surgery I stalked from a picnic bench watching, leering at every shot.  That same group of players, not one time, called the police or got a restraining order keeping me from my studies.  For that I am also grateful.

I’m getting healthy now and my Engage Pursuit EX is once again in my hand.  Not sure how long it will take to reach 100% but know this my pickle students, back I will be!

My commitment to my readers is I will always give the best Pickleball advice I am able, when opinion I will note, when fact I will be accurate.  Any of my writings straying from Pickleball could be complete and utter tripe.  It’s not that I can’t tell the truth when concerning other issues it’s that I don’t want to. You will be on your own to discern fact from fiction so…….. good luck. 

As to my moniker, Mother, I guess it’s because I’m always watching, leering, judging.  Now sit up straight and eat your vegetables.

Paddles UP,

Mother

*see paragraph 13

Writing these first few blogs has been an interesting experience as I transition into the greatest literary genius man has known.*  Those taking notice and reading them may be wondering what this individual has done to qualify as a pickleball expert? 

Nothing.

I started playing about 5 years ago here in southwest Florida and for the first year or so was interested but not rabid.  I have never placed in a tournament, I have actually never played in a tournament. 

In 2019 I started to enjoy the sport at a much higher level.  I played college tennis at a Division III school in the 1980’s and was able to grind off some rust and parlay those skills into a decent player as I started becoming a student of the game.

Improvement came quickly as the levels passed: beginner, 3.0, 3.5……… and then it happened.

Batman had the death of his parents, Spiderman was, well, bitten by a spider, Captain Marvel had all that green stuff spewed all over her, but me, my superpower was the result of a nasty laundry accident  December 2021.

While cleaning up after a day by the pool I was about to throw a load of towels into the washer when I slipped on a wet spot, went down and completely tore a couple ligaments in my shoulder.  I had surgery in February and spent a total of five months with nothing to do.  Nothing but heal and study Pickleball.

Rotator Cuff surgery is the worst physical injury ever to happen to me and involved significant pain so I spent nearly all my conscious time watching, studying and learning the craft we call pickleball. 

Waking up each morning I would view professional matches on my phone while my unsuspecting wife slept nearby.  Frequently I would mistakenly bump the volume too high and she would awake, her superpower is sleeping, and burst out ‘Pickleball again?’.

Before the accident I was fortunate enough to become involved with a group of players who were a year or ahead of me contracting the Pickleball bug.  These guys are very good and getting better.  I am pretty sure a couple of them could play senior pro and compete for podium spots.  They would be generous and allow me to play with them once in a while and slowly, methodically teach me this ever so nuanced craft.  I am grateful to the lot of them for their patience and wisdom.  

As I healed from surgery I stalked from a picnic bench watching, leering at every shot.  That same group of players, not one time, called the police or got a restraining order keeping me from my studies.  For that I am also grateful.

I’m getting healthy now and my Engage Pursuit EX is once again in my hand.  Not sure how long it will take to reach 100% but know this my pickle students, back I will be!

My commitment to my readers is I will always give the best Pickleball advice I am able, when opinion I will note, when fact I will be accurate.  Any of my writings straying from Pickleball could be complete and utter tripe.  It’s not that I can’t tell the truth when concerning other issues it’s that I don’t want to. You will be on your own to discern fact from fiction so…….. good luck. 

As to my moniker, Mother, I guess it’s because I’m always watching, leering, judging.  Now sit up straight and eat your vegetables.

Paddles UP,

Mother

*see paragraph 13