I’VE BEEN WANTING TO TELL YOU. . . . . . . . PICKLEBALL. . . . . .PICKLEBALL! What is pickleball?

It is a racket or paddle sport. It was invented or born in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in the United States on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.

Tennis was the big thing in my family when the kids were younger. My husband was a golfer, who never had the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Heritage Palms golf course. My son AJ, a confirmed tennis player recently stepped into the pickleball arena and it was love after the first volley.

His playing has evolved into an every Saturday 3 – 4 hour enjoyable sojourn. Living on the west side in Los Angeles, he managed to locate a court where locals gather to enjoy this new phenomenon. Every Saturday brings together males, females, all ages, all sects, some learners, some advanced, all willing to share the next few hours together, teaching, learning, just playing and enjoying. There are always new players joining the group and you may not know your partners name until the games are over. This Saturday group has quietly formed a friendly neighborhood community, greeting each with ‘Hi, how are you?’ This particular Saturday when AJ arrived at the courts, he noticed quite a few men standing around the perimeter of the playing area. They did not seem to be dressed as casually as the weekly pickleball players.. He noted this to himself and was then asked if he would partner with a new inexperienced player? Being AJ, he said of course acknowledging everyone interested in learning the game has to begin somewhere. He reflected on his his own early transition from tennis to pickleball.

Since time is of the essence, there is no wasting it. Immediately, game on, no more distractions, will talk later is the mantra. Enjoying the next 3 hours, AJ noticed the men standing around the area had been there the whole time still stationed in their fixed positions. As is common in the sport world, when the games are over players shake hands and thank each other for the good games. ‘Hi, I’m AJ” The other gentleman answered while shaking hands, “Doug Emhoff”.

For those of you not familiar with Doug Emhoff, first ever second gentleman, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, First ever Jewish Gentleman in history and the men standing around, Government Security.

Aj has been playing and partnering with Cole Emhoff for many months, never saying more than” Good Morning, AJ.” “Cole here,” Son of the Second Gentleman, Stepson of Vice President of The US, Kamala Harris.

your friend,

dorys