28 Comments
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Rob Clements's avatar

I had to watch a pickleball intro video about 20 times before I figured out the scoring πŸ˜‚ We have a pickleball court around the corner from us at Kingfisher Bay if you need some more practice time with a not-so-sporty person.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

That sounds great!

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Tim Hoiland's avatar

It was bound to happen: our organization is doing a pickleball tournament fundraiser in a few months.

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Searching for the Words's avatar

I'm so proud of you.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Right back at you!

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Sue Fulmore's avatar

Great reflection Karen! I was chuckling and nodding throughout. Maybe I need to check out this pickleball thing.

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Jennifer Ramsay's avatar

Keep showing up...YES! Just what I need to remember. Thanks for the reminder. The alternative can be a lonely road.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Yup!

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Lynda Russett's avatar

Your beautiful unique way of looking at things and telling your stories never ceases to encourage me to pay attention more closely and thoughtfully. Pickle-ball is definitely a thing for people our age. Congratulations for trying. I’m with your pal. I think 8 times is a reasonable number of beginning classes. Haven’t forgotten that I still want to do that coffee sometime. 🩷

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Alan's avatar

Love reading your work & my original assumption that you are a meal winning athletic expert will endure. lol

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Well, thank you my friend. I think we're due for a visit!

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Cate's avatar

Bravo.

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Brigitte's avatar

I love your articles, Karen. Thanks!

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Belinda's avatar

This speaks to me on many levels, and is funny, which is also a gift that blesses! I look forward to every Newsyletter post!

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Maggie Rowe's avatar

Karen, my only athletic skill heretofore has been jumping into an icy pool every February ever since I discovered people will pay good money to see a 71 year old woman get very wet while wearing high heels and a hat (plus a costume OF COURSE,) and the organization who sponsors the Plunge benefits from my dubious notoriety. I have never tried pickleball before but now, maybe - just maybe - I am a teensy bit less afraid to sign up for a class too. May I play on your team, please? (Full disclosure: I am not one of those Canada -will-be-the-51st-stater's. I like your beautiful country just as it is. )

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Karen Stiller's avatar

You can play pickleball with me any day! And I always love to see the photos of you taking the plunge. And thank you for not wanting to gobble us up. :)

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Susalee Spruill's avatar

Oh how this spoke to my own athletic fantasies and trepidation about trying this highly-touted sport which no one ever heard of before Covid. I am encouraged! Thank you!

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Do it! It really is fun. I'd love to hear how it goes....

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Terri Fullerton's avatar

I am away writing as well!

Enjoyed your piece.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Nice! I hope your writing is going well.

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Robyn Olfert's avatar

There’s a section in my book about my attempts to be sporty. Nothing worked, and now I can hide behind illness and disability so don’t get questioned when I don’t participate. The section was much longer, but in the hard work of editing, I chose to drop a lot of it. In the part that didn’t make the cut, I talk about my perception that all the athletic people were watching and judging me. I decided they more than likely were not. When someone is learning something I do well, I’m happy to cheer them on and help if I can. Tall Pickleball Lady seemed relatable in the endβ€”I’m glad you made a friend in her and noticed pickle progress. And that you seemed to have FUN!

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Thanks for sharing that. Yes, we did have fun. Editing can be as hard as learning pickleball. :)

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Robyn Olfert's avatar

Yes! When I met you at Doug and Patricia's, I was in the thick of the editing, and you advised me to have skin as thick as an elephant's. I heeded yours and Patricia's advice, and I think the book is much better for it.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

I'm so glad. I really am. That is good to hear.

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Growing Through God’s Word's avatar

Ah Karen. Been there. I found the problem was the round robins. Supposed to be beginner but others came. The guys were always crossing over to my territory. They wanted to win. Didn’t like that at all.

Took tons of lessons. Best advice is never back up. That is when you fall. Always go forward.

My pickle ball years are behind me. But it was fun.

Great story.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Yes, those round robins are a bit intimidating! Thanks for sharing!

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Isabelle Hockin's avatar

Great article. Thanks, Karen. I was always the last to get picked for any team.

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Karen Stiller's avatar

Well, I am in very good company then.

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