Month: May 2015

Pickleball: Did you Know…about Nonvolley Zone Faults?

Jeff

Several weeks ago, I shared with viewers of my blog a post demonstrating when a ball that was in play is considered “dead.” It has since been brought to my attention that this does not apply to a ball that is in play in the nonvolley zone.

In accord with the INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OFPICKLEBALL (IFP) OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULEBOOK, p. 29

9.C. A fault will be declared if, in the act of volleying the
ball, the player’s momentum causes the player or
anything the player is wearing or carrying to touch the
non-volley zone or touch any non-volley line. It is a
fault if the player’s momentum causes the player to
touch anything that is touching the non-volley zone,
including the player’s partner. It is a fault even if the
ball is declared dead before the player touches the nonvolley
zone.

Well, at least it’s not the Twilight Zone where things could really get weird!

STATUS QUOtes — 20150521

Jeff

“Wherever you go, you take yourself with you.” — Neil Gaiman

“We can teach from our experience, but we cannot teach experience.” — Sasha Azevedo

“Older people sit down and ask, ‘What is it?’ but the boy asks, ‘What can I do with it?’.” — Steve Jobs

“It’s a sad day when our politicians are comical and I have to take our comedians seriously!” — Unknown

STATUS QUOtes — 20150520

Jeff

“Resistance to unwanted circumstances has the power to keep those circumstances alive and well for a very long time.” — Pema Chödrön

“Fear knocked on the door. Love answered and no one was there.” — via Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

“Nothing haunts us like the things we left unsaid.[ed]” — Mitch Albom

“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” — Bertrand Russell

STATUS QUOtes — 20150519

Jeff

“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” — Pope John Paul II

“If you can’t change your mind, then you’re not using it.” — Bashar

“The hater of property and of government takes care to have his warranty deed recorded; and the book written against fame and learning has the author’s name on the title-page.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When planning a dinner party: It’s not what’s on the table . . . it’s what’s on the chairs!” — Helen Sitarik

Kestrel Reprise – Photography

Jeff

Nearly a month ago, I published a post about this American Kestrel that suddenly arrived in our neighborhood. You can see the original pictures here. I was happy to get the pictures I did that day since I hadn’t seen this bird before and I was able to mark it off of my lifetime birding list. I wasn’t sure I would get another opportunity like this. As a novice “bird watcher,” this is exciting stuff. I understand that Kestrels are one of the few birds that will eat other birds.

The pictures aren’t great, but as a record of spotting this bird, they would suffice. I use a Canon SX50 HS which has a 50x zoom that goes from 24mm to 1,200mm. One would think that it would deliver an up close and personal view of anything you wanted, but often even that reach doesn’t seem long enough.

Since then, we have watched as a Curve-billed Thrasher took to the offense to try and keep the Kestrel away from its nest and other neighborhood birds have become a bit uneasy as well.

Imagine my surprise when I walked in the courtyard this morning and saw this:

American Kestrel by Jeff Ross taken in Cave Creek, AZ

As a matter of perspective, here is a picture taken when we had been in the house only a while and it will give you an idea of the location of the fountain on which the bird has perched.

Courtyard in Cave Creek, AZ

And here is one last picture of this very pretty bird.

American Kestrel Closeup by Jeff Ross taken in Cave Creek, AZ

Amazingly, the bird sat on top of this fountain for more than twenty minutes. I was able to get within 15 feet of it and the only thing it did was shift its weight. The bird was extremely alert and it was riveted on my every move. You can envision what a hunter a bird like this can be with those big eyes and talons!

Lifehacks With Soda

Jeff

I really enjoy finding new ways to use household items to make life less frustrating and perhaps simpler. I have come up with a few of my own, but the Internet is full of them. The video below is one such resource. I was aware of a couple of the featured hacks, but not all!

My one concern is that if soda can do all of these “wonderful things” to stains, drips and blobs, what is it doing to our stomachs?

STATUS QUOtes — 20150518

Jeff

“The evidence is in, and you are the verdict.” — Anne Lamott

“The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope.” — Barbara Kingsolver

“Detached reflection cannot be demanded in the presence of an uplifted knife.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

“We seldom report of having eaten too little.” — Thomas Jefferson

STATUS QUOtes — 20150517

Jeff

“Don’t be so humble, you’re not that great.” — Golda Meir

“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.” — Bertrand Russell

“Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.” — Pema Chödrön

“The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” — Dale Carnegie