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Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

Categories: Life Style

10 on the 10th 08.2022: Good Sports

Good Sports

 

Happy hUmP dAy (and trash day around here) to you, ladybugs, and welcome to 10 on the 10th 08.2022.  So excited because for today’s edition we have a new host(ess).  Gail at Is This Mutton? provided our theme and the questions we are answering – all about sports.  She even created the graphics and the link up code!! And my dear friend Marsha from Marsha in the Middle has done a remarkable job holding down the fort in my absence this year.  I have been so ‘hit-n-miss’ with blogging.  But LIFE just keeps throwing us whammies.  So thankful we are co-hosting the 10 on the 10th series together this year.  And grateful to Gail for joining us.

Last month Marsha and I asked you to list 10 things you love about summer.  You can read my responses, here.  So enjoyed reading the posts of everyone who linked up with us.  A few of you not only listed the things you love about this season but also the things you hate about summer.  MOSQUITOES we are looking at you.  Such fun!!

10 ON THE 10TH

 

Good Sports

I may not be much of an athlete but I’d like to think I am a good sport!!  Truth be told when I was growing up, there weren’t a lot of options for girls interested in playing sports.  Maybe basketball, volleyball and tennis?  Can’t remember if we had girls basketball, volleyball and tennis teams or if those were just sports we sampled in P.E.  Whatever the case, I was always too shy to do well at team sports so it didn’t really matter too much whether they were available to me or not.

To be perfectly honest, I have just glanced at Gail’s questions once so they are practically brand new to me as I am answering.  Let’s get started.

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10 on the 10th 08.2022:  Good Sports

 

1. Were you good at sports at school?  Who knows!!??  I really didn’t participate in any other than those offered as part of our physical education program.  Enjoyed the dancing we did in P.E. and playing tennis to some degree, but that is about the extent of it.  I was a cheerleader in middle or junior high school.  Tried out on a whim when my best friend begged me to do it with her.  Lo and behold, I made it!!  And then my BFF at the time moved!!  Was far too shy to try out in high school.  Did take several years of ballet lessons as a child and continued through college then hung up my shoes.
2. What are your 3 favorite sports to watch on TV? I better say baseball…in particular the Cincinnati Reds…or PC will disown me.  It is on TV right now.  As it is almost every single night during baseball season.  We have a Friends and Family Feud fantasy football league each fall for which I am the commissioner.  So, I watch some football.  Beyond that, I really only watch the Olympics: gymnastics, swimming, diving, skating.
3. Do you regularly watch any live sports?  Of course, my PC playing baseball with the 50-and-over baseball league most Saturdays.  And we usually take in a couple of Triple A baseball games most summers.  Our stadium is gorgeous and our team, the Chihuahuas, is fun to watch.

10 on the 10th 08.202: Good Sports
10 on the 10th 08.202: Good Sports
10 on the 10th 08.202: Good Sports
10 on the 10th 08.202: Good Sports

4. Does the Olympic medal ceremony make you emotional when your country wins a gold?  Yes, for most sports.  I have a little trouble with the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team being comprised of NBA players.
5. What sport or fitness activities do you enjoy now?  Hmmm, sports…not any really.  I would LOVE to play pickleball again.  Had just started learning the game when Covid hit.  Am no longer running much.  It is so hard on my neck.  I enjoy my Supernatural virtual reality workouts, using our gym equipment, lifting light weights, walking, hiking, swimming, biking.

https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/received_2747834822026500.mp4

6. Did you ever have a sporting hero who was your pinup?  Never had a pinup of any sort.  Might have had the slightest crush on NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.  We both graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.  And I enjoyed watching him play professionally for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.  Now I enjoy watching him in commercials and spoofs on TV.  Like this one.

7. What’s the most memorable sporting occasion you can remember?  Maybe Nadia Comaneci in the 1976 Olympics earning the first perfect 10 for gymnastics in history.
8. Is anyone in your family outstanding at sport?  PC is an all-around good baseball player.  He plays in the outfield, third base, catcher, and pitches some and the boy can hit the ball, too.  My daughter Lauren was a very good runner when she was younger.  And she and Brennyn played tennis pretty well.
9. Name 3 sports you try to avoid on TV.  Once upon a time, I enjoyed watching boxing.  The girls’ father loved boxing and was a pretty good boxer himself.  His hero was fellow Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran.  But somewhere along the way, I realized these men were beating each other mercilessly for no reason.  Well, not exactly NO reason…but for the almighty dollar.  I hate that boxing was the only way Roberto Duran and many other professional boxers could see their way out of a life of poverty.  One of my former students is female boxer, Jennifer Han.  Hate that she is making money doing this, too.  Not interested at all in martial arts or in mixed martial arts or wrestling.
10. Who’s the sports personality you most admire, in 2022?  Wow, tough question.  Off the top of my head, I can’t name someone.  Going to go with all of the para-athletes and the Special Olympians who overcome such tremendous obstacles and inspire all of us to step out of our comfort zones and go for gold.

Your Turn

 

It has been a little over a week since I lost my mom.  She died 08.02.2022 after a fall that led to a stroke and brain bleed.  We were so very fortunate to have had Mom for so long but even so we miss her terribly.  Thankful I was able to be by her side with my sister and brother when Mom passed from this world.  Hope to write a post in her honor soon but still numb and operating on autopilot.

Want to add that my mom was a woman before her time.  She played basketball and golf when most young women definitely didn’t do such things.  Mom invited my dad to play golf with her then beat him hands down.  Felt so bad for beating him that she cooked Dad a homemade fried chicken dinner as a consolation prize.  And the rest is history…or herstory!!

Won’t you join us for some 10 on the 10th fun?  Link up your post below and we will be by to visit.

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Have been so blessed by the prayers, love and support of family and friends during this difficult time.  Thankful that Gail offered to host this month, and thankful that Marsha has held the reins all year!!

Hug your loved ones tight!!

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

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About Leslie Roberts Clingan

I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

Comments

  1. Marsha Banks

    August 10, 2022 at 8:49 pm

    Leslie…my heart just breaks for you. It is so tough to lose your mom. I know you’ve been losing bits and pieces of her for a while. But this final loss is hard. You are in my prayers, my friend.

    I love the Cincinnati Reds, too! We always used to joke Pete Rose was our uncle (my maiden name was Rose)! As far as I know, we aren’t related at all. I forgot about Nadia Comaneci…that was amazing, wasn’t it? And, I need to know what you’re doing in that video! It looks like a fun way to work out!

    Take care my friend!

    Reply
  2. Joanne

    August 11, 2022 at 3:43 am

    Leslie I am so sorry to read about your mom! You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      Thank you, my friend.

      Reply
  3. Nancy

    August 11, 2022 at 4:39 am

    Very nice to read! I love to watch Wimbledon on the telly, that’s the only sport I like to watch. Oh no! I am forgetting Formule1!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 8:46 pm

      Oooo, Formula 1. How exciting!! And a good tennis match can be pretty exciting too. In a past life, I watched a lot of Nascar. It was a lot of round and round until it wasn’t. The wrecks were the most exciting thing about that sport.

      Reply
  4. Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life

    August 11, 2022 at 5:39 am

    Oh Leslie I am so very sorry to hear about your mother. It sounds like she was an amazing woman! That story about beating your dad at golf than feeling bad and making him fried chicken, is a great story.

    Reply
  5. Dara

    August 11, 2022 at 6:23 am

    I was so sorry to hear about your mom. I also enjoyed your answers here about sports.

    Reply
  6. Shelbee on the Edge

    August 11, 2022 at 6:44 am

    Leslie, these were such fun and ineresting answers! I love the Nadia Comaneci one! Oh, I was so inspired by her growing up. Although I was never a gymnast, I followed it when I was younger and was always inspired by their athleticism and dedication. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Sending out prayers and healing energy for you.

    Shelbee

    Reply
  7. Gail

    August 11, 2022 at 6:51 am

    Very sorry to hear about your mom. So glad you were there at the end.
    It seems a recurring theme among the answers that in the US girls weren’t expected to do sport or had what we called “PE.” (Physical exercise). Unfortunately for me girls did just as much sport as boys. They did soccer, rugby and cricket, and we did hockey, tennis and netball. We all did running and gymnastics.
    You do 2 things I’d love to try, pickleball and virtual reality exercise.
    Thanks to you and Marsha for letting me gatecrash!

    Reply
  8. Kirstin

    August 11, 2022 at 8:43 am

    Leslie, I loved the story about your mom and golf…too cute. what a great memory. My hubby has played pickleball, but I’ve never tried. I’m kind of glad my hubby isn’t into baseball and my girls didn’t play softball…I’ve never been able to get into it.

    Sending you lots of hugs.

    Reply
  9. Lisa Elliott

    August 11, 2022 at 10:09 am

    I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I’m so glad you were able to be there.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 8:43 pm

      Thank you so much. I am just getting back to thinking about blogging. Kept myself very busy for the first 2 months after Mom’s passing but in the last 10 days, life has slowed down. I am trying to adjust to my new ‘normal.’

      Reply
  10. Jo Kathryn Maddox

    August 11, 2022 at 10:25 am

    Leslie,
    Praying for you, your sister and brother in the loss of your mother. Give yourself grace and time to grieve. 🙏♥️🙏

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you so much for taking time to leave me this sweet message. I have tried to keep very busy over the past few months. Worked almost full-time as a substitute teacher and when that job finished 10 days ago, I prepared for and entertained a houseful of company. But this weekend has been quiet. And I needed that. Hoping that life will settle down some now and feel more familiar. Thank you so much for thinking of me.

      Reply
  11. Cammi Allen

    August 11, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    I remember playing basketball, volleyball and baseball for church! It was a fun time. I never would have dared do it for school, haha! And I’m so sorry to hear about your mom… big hugs my friend!

    Reply
  12. Kita Bryant

    August 11, 2022 at 8:12 pm

    My son has that virtual game and I didn’t realize I could exercise with that….hmmm now you got me thinking I need to borrow that to do some exercises.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 5:09 pm

      Oh, please check out Supernatural on your son’s virtual reality device. It is truly wonderful. I have sadly gotten away from exercising in the last 2 months, partially because I have been lazy, and partially because I haven’t felt like myself. But this week, I am back on the bandwagon. And these Supernatural workouts leave me uplifted and energized.

      Thank you for your comment and for coming by.

      Reply
  13. Erica L

    August 12, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am a longtime reader, though I don’t comment very often, I enjoy reading about your life, fashion and family. Prayers for you guys as you navigate the grief.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      I am so grateful to you for leaving a message and letting me know you are out there somewhere!! I hope to get back to writing because I have missed it. The last 2 months have been a blur of emotions. And I have tried to keep busy so as not to sit around home in tears. Finished a long-term substitute teaching job about 10 days ago and had out of town company that all kept me from feeling. But this weekend I have had a chance to just ‘be.’ And it has been nice.

      Hope you will continue to find something in my rambling that will keep you coming back. And that you will say hi when you do!! So nice to meet you!

      Reply
  14. Michelle

    August 12, 2022 at 4:48 pm

    Leslie, I’m so sorry about the loss of your mom. You spoke about her so lovingly. I hope the good memories bring you some comfort. And yes, your mom was a woman before her time with sports. Very cool!

    I understand being too shy to join in sports. I was no good at them, really didn’t care about them, so I always felt like a fish out of water in PE. Extracurricular sports was out of the question.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

    Reply
  15. Jennifer Smith

    August 16, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Oh my – haven’t we all had a bit of a crush on Peyton Manning as some point??!:) Those eyes –
    When my husband and I were dating, many of our “dates” were to his softball games. He played. I watched (with all the interest I could possibly muster – ha!) He continue to play after we were married and as the kiddos came along. I did enjoy taking the kids out to the field to “watch their dad play”…aka play with all the other kids in the dirt/dust behind the dugout!! Such fun memories!!

    Reply
  16. ShootingStarsMag

    August 21, 2022 at 6:05 pm

    I played soccer as a kid, which I enjoyed for the most part. I take dance classes now which is fun and not something I did growing up. I’m not that sporty or into sports, though I LOVE going to ice hockey games.

    Reply
  17. Christie Hawkes

    August 22, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    Hello Leslie! I enjoyed reading your responses. I’ve never been good at sports. My hand-eye coordination leaves something to be desired. 😂 I do enjoy hiking and running. I do watch some sports on television, usually our local professional soccer or basketball teams or college football. There isn’t any sport–live or on television–that I watch regularly.

    I too was sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. Sending my love and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 5:04 pm

      We are the same kind of athlete. The independent one!! I like running and hiking and walking very much. With PC or alone. But I am not coordinated at all. And feel very intimidated when playing a group sport. I was getting excited about pickleball before Covid but in the last year or so, I find myself worrying about snappy a wrist or an ankle. Hate that I am turning into that person!! Used to love to take risks…not big ones (except in the area of love and marriage) but didn’t worry about pulling or spraining or breaking something.
      We are really enjoying these virtual reality workouts. And I truly see a difference in my body. Still room for plenty of improvement but I do feel like it gives me a good workout.
      My sweet Christie, thank you so much for the thoughtful email you sent shortly after Mom’s passing. I didn’t discover it immediately and then seemed to be too dazed to respond. But things are looking up and life is returning to…something familiar??

      Reply
  18. Lysha

    August 23, 2022 at 8:36 am

    So sorry to read of your mom’s passing. Such a difficult time when losing anyone, but especially a parent. Sending much love and prayer your way.

    Reply
  19. Natalie

    September 3, 2022 at 8:02 pm

    Leslie, I’m sorry for your loss. Sending you hugs. Take good care of yourself.

    Reply
  20. Karen

    September 20, 2022 at 7:14 am

    So sorry to read about your Mom. I’ve not been reading & writing much bog wise this summer since having the Grands visit. Blessings! Karen

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      October 15, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      Thank you, my sweet friend, for your kind words.

      Reply
  21. Veronica Lee

    October 16, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    So sorry to hear about your mom.

    I enjoyed the “herstory”.

    Big hugs and healing vibes. 🧡🌹💐

    Reply
  22. Debbie Harris

    October 18, 2022 at 10:04 pm

    Hi Leslie, I was very sorry to hear about your mum and hope you and your family are OK.
    I really enjoyed this post and learning more about you. It’s also good you’ve teamed up with Gail, she’s a great blogger too!

    Reply
  23. Amy Johnson

    October 22, 2022 at 9:36 am

    Oh, I would fail miserably on this one, as I detest sports. I use to watch the olympics, but I don’t even do that anymore. I would have been no help on this challenge as every answer would have been no, no, and no again. ha ha.

    Reply

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In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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