Being married to a basketball coach has a multitude of responsibilities. I wish I had kept a tally of all the games I have watched over the past 48 years. I watched Dan play college basketball for 4 years and then independent ball leagues after we married and graduated from college. I then watched him coach for the past 43, almost 44 years. During that time I also watched our sons play high school and college ball.
I have also had to deal with quite a bit of bipolar-like behavior—from the agony of defeat to the exhilaration of success. I am always amazed that he bounces back so quickly!
As coaches, players and fans, we are required to follow many routines that help us be successful. My husband was in bit of a spot the other day when he could not find his "brown" socks. These are no ordinary pair of socks-- they are his game socks! Luckily he found them. Then there's the matter of the pennies found face up, his blue shirt, travel routes, food, music, and on and on. I have bought him new ties in the past that were worn once and discarded if he lost wearing them. Players and Fans are no less symptomatic.
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| Embroidery Project |
This season I decided to bring along handsewing to ballgames for pregame, half-time, etc. I have done this before, hand appliqueing an entire Sunbonnet Sue mostly at ballgames. I started with paper piecing hexies. I ran out of the papers and the team was doing well so I needed another project. I found an embroidery project that was at least 20 years old and started working on it. I finished it last night at the Regional Finals. Praise the Lord, my hexie papers got here in the mail! I am locked and loaded for the State Tournament!
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| Game Project Bag |
Now, don't get me wrong, we are not superstitious, just careful and systematic. Tomorrow I will drive 5 1/2 hours to the State Tournament site by myself. Sure I could ride the bus or take someone with me, or ride with someone else, but I have always driven by myself. That is the routine and YOU DON'T CHANGE THE ROUTINE!!!
Ever heard the legend about the Emperor Nero fiddling while Rome burns? Well, I hand stitch while the Lady Dragons play basketball and usually win(29-2)!!! I find it amusing that I am sewing hexies. Perhaps I can put a "hex" on those teams we play next week. Amusing or Diabolic—you decide! He! He! He!
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| Diabolic Hexies |
Hope you are listening to a good book while you drive!!!! Be safe!!
ReplyDeleteLove your hexies!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your riff on routine and how helpful our routines can be in stressful times. Yes, we are lucky that our medium can be readily portable and allow us to sew while waiting. We aren’t simply waiting, we are creating.
ReplyDeleteYour strategy is working!
ReplyDeleteHand work keeps us centered, like meditation or prayer!