Author: admin

Who turned off spring? I want the warm weather back! The only good thing about having a now-chilly spring is having the flowers, which I love the most about the season, last a little longer. I want to appreciate every tulip and cherry tree for as long as I can. They’re so amazing every year. I’m happy to say the 300 tulips that were planted in the front yard came up. We have quite a show going – will post a photo when I get to it.

I’ve been quite busy, with writing projects, some new and different things, and the end of class at OU. Congratulations to all the seniors who graduated over the weekend, and best of luck with everything!

Some things I’ve been up to…

for espnW:
– C. Vivian Stringer’s thoughts on the evolution of Title IX.
– Kim Barnes Arico takes over as Michigan’s next basketball coach, with her family alongside.

for the New York Times:
– the NBA playoff picture finally comes together.
– doing the blogs on the MLB, NBA, and NHL pages.
– And a feature on Predators star defenseman/agitator Shea Weber.

I realize I say this all the time – sorry I haven’t written, been busy. 🙂 But it’s always true. Life is hopping, much like the bunnies in the spring, and it’s all good.

Happy to report the tennis game is coming back to the point where I can recognize it again. Losing weight, getting stronger has helped me get faster on the court. Have a lot more work to do, and the journey continues.

Been thinking a lot about some recent deaths of people gone too young….you truly never know the day or the hour. At one funeral I recently went to, for a guy who was 52, seemingly healthy but had a heart attack, his wife said the one thing he did every day, no matter where he was or the mood he was in, was tell her and their two kids that he loved them. In their grief, this was still a beautiful legacy for them to have.

So that’s my thought for the spring – live life well, have no regrets, and let those around you know they mean something to you. Better said than assumed or unsaid.

You truly never know anything.

OK, fine, I won’t rush the seasons, because as a native Michigander, I know that can only bring really bad things. Like a huge snowstorm on Easter or something equally as yucky. All I am saying is I see crocuses, tips of tulips and some baby daffodils peeking out in front of the casa. Shh…be verrrry qwiet…flowers and bunny wabbits! 🙂

Anyways, life is good and very busy with the three Ts: teaching, traveling (for work), and training.

Here’s some of my recent work:
– For mgoblue.com, on the link between Courtney Avery and George Jewett, the first African-American to play football at Michigan.
– For espnW.com, a trip to the great tundra of Houghton, Mich. to check out Michigan Tech’s winning basketball program.

I want to first, thank you all for taking the class. My hopes are high for all of you this semester, that we will learn, laugh, discuss, have a little fun and figure out this thing called sports journalism.

Second, if you have any questions – just ask. Call. Reach out.

And third – check the tab that’s devoted to you on the website. I will be posting stuff for class, articles that I come across for you to read and other goodies.

Have a good semester!

Joanne

and I want them to stop! Cease and desist tree-separating activities! It’s been such a pretty fall, and I am not ready for the harshness of winter to be here. But my powers are lacking, and I guess it will be snowblower time soon enough.

some things to share with the class:
– Crossed a major finish line with my knee, as I had my one-year check-up. All is truly well, I am lucky, blessed and joyfully back to being strong. Yes, it’s been a rough year, and I couldn’t imagine being whole again when I was laid up this time last year. But the rehab works, having an awesome surgical team helps, and being determined to be whole again is the essence. Still, having everything come back, without pain or loss of flexibility, is a great thing. So much, much, much counting on blessings. Now working on getting truly back in shape and returning as a holy terror on the tennis courts 🙂 I am planning to be back to a good form for the spring season. Took two years to fix this, I can take 6 months to work on everything else.

– Been busy writing for the NY Times and editing for espnW. Check them both out! My work is on the Slapshot, Quad, Off the Dribble blogs, as well as some stories in the main sports section.

Stay warm kids! 🙂