Day 3693: Althea and 17 months.

"The land": junk mail collage.

Want music?

Click here: Stevie Wonder, You are the Sunshine ...

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

 

 

 

2GN2S ...

Historybook: Chinese philosopher Confucius born (551 BCE); Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin (1928); Ted Williams is last major league baseball player to bat over .400 (1941); Jazz legend Miles Davis dies (1991); American tennis great and color barrier breaker Althea Gibson dies (2003).

 

 

Althea Gibson, 1927 - 2003, was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals (precursor of the US Open), then won both again in 1958 and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. In all, she won 11 Grand Slam tournaments: five singles titles, five doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title and 56 career titles. Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. "She is one of the greatest players who ever lived", said Bob Ryland, a tennis contemporary and former coach of Venus and Serena Williams. "Martina [Navratilova] couldn't touch her. I think she'd beat the Williams sisters." In the early 1960s she also became the first Black player to compete on the Women's Professional Golf Tour.

At a time when racism and prejudice were widespread in sports and in society, Gibson was often compared to Jackie Robinson. "Her road to success was a challenging one", said Billie Jean King, "but I never saw her back down." "To anyone, she was an inspiration, because of what she was able to do at a time when it was enormously difficult to play tennis at all if you were Black", said former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. "I am honored to have followed in such great footsteps", wrote Venus Williams. "Her accomplishments set the stage for my success, and through players like myself and Serena and many others to come, her legacy will live on.

"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you."

- Althea Gibson

The wonderment of 17 months.

Today was an ordinary day that included karate class in 90' no a/c, Grandhunk #1 stopping by to surprise me, and a 3pm Dr. appointment. That is where the magic happened. Not the getting on a merciless scale, or the flu shot etc. But in the lobby, a cute little Mom, with her hair piled high on her head, and hands on her hips, stood looking at something I couldn't see. Pretty soon the cutest little boy took his time walking gingerly, enjoying all the attention. He was tiny, I am guessing less than two feel tall, but clearly enjoying life. That would have been it, as I had to get to my appointment.

But luck was with me, when I went to the pharmacy, Mom and son were there. I couldn't get enough of watching him. A normal sized man passed him and he looked up as if looking at the Eiffel tower. The man missed it. We do that when we are in a hurry or in our own thoughts. The Mom stood behind me in line. She had her eyes on him all the time, but to her credit, let him explore the tiny space. I think I said adorable, then asked his age. Mom said 17 months. I think I said something like, "he's exploring his new world." She nodded. I didn't ask his name, or if I could take a picture. I was caught up in seeing his delight at seeing people, but really just everything, all the time with the biggest smile.

I wondered at what age do we lose this amazement and wonder? 17 months seems to me to be a great age.

Throwback Thursday ...

 

 

 Throwback Thursday: Mr. Dan Ivan, Demura Sensei, Sho Kosugi demonstration at Japanese Village & Deep Park, Buena Park, CA. & 1973 brochure

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sweet 6+minute video, Castaway, here.

 

Just because ...

 

Red Bishop

 

 

Smiles for Thursday ...

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

                             Thanks for coming by today