Mention “kitchen” to people these days, and their thoughts may not go to that room in your house where food is prepared. Instead, they might envision the area in front of the net of a pickle ball court.
That’s right. The kitchen is part of a pickle ball court. I have no idea why.
Nor do I have any idea why it has taken so many years for this game to catch on. After all, three men in Washington (state) invented it way back in 1965. I never heard of it until recent years, and chances are, you hadn’t either.
But to say it is all the rage now is an understatement. My husband loves it. He wasn’t that interested when, a few months into his retirement, a friend invited him to play with a local group. The first outing was enjoyable, but he had to learn the aspects of the game. As time went on, he became passionate about it.
Apparently, he’s not alone. According to the Internet (and who doubts the Internet?), approximately 20 million people in the U.S. currently play pickle ball. My husband and his ever-expanding group of Monday-Wednesday-Friday morning players number around 20 total players although game-day participants are usually less. Most play one or two days a week. He plays three. Go by those courts at night, and they’re crowded with younger players.
You can buy a cheap paddle at Walmart (not recommended if you want to get really good) or go online or to Dick’s to purchase the paddle that will give you the ability to hit the ball most effectively. And while you’re at it, you might want to consider some safety eyewear. Those balls come in pretty hard and fast.
It’s great exercise, no doubt. It’s also a great way to get injured if you’re not careful. Wear the right shoes. Be smart. If you’re 65, you probably don’t need to make a flying dive to hit a ball just to score a point.
You competitive types know what I’m talking about. You tend to lose common sense in the heat of battle. Me, I’m not competitive at all with others. I’m just competitive with myself.
We were in the Philadelphia airport on July 5, and a family sitting near us struck up a conversation. When the wife found out my husband played pickle ball, she told her husband, and he immediately went to my husband’s side and started talking about the game, including showing him videos of equipment and more. They were from California and at least 15 years younger, but that pickle ball connection was like a fraternity or sorority kinship.
I played tennis in high school and college, and I loved racquetball when it was experiencing its own craze. Both seem much less popular, and I have no doubt pickle ball will eventually lose some of its momentum. But for now, it’s all the rage. Go on YouTube and look at all the instructional videos, the competitions (I think even former tennis players like Andre Agassi?), the tournaments, explanations of scoring, and more. It’s all there. But, of course, everything is on YouTube. What did we ever do without it?
To all you pickle ball players, I’m glad you are doing something active instead of playing video games or being couch potatoes watching one streaming show after another. I’m glad you retirees have discovered a cheaper, less frustrating alternative to golf, and likely better cardio exercise unless you walk the course, which I doubt anyone does.
As I said, I believe something will replace it someday. Until then, enjoy. And burn lots of calories to offset the calories in this easy-to-make buttermilk pie!
Buttermilk Pie (this came from my husband’s grandmother’s recipe collection, but I think it is now on All Recipes)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1/2 cup Bisquick
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
Grease or spray pie pan. Mix all ingredients and pour into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.
Life As I know it 