For the Love of the Game

  The recent win of our Miami Heat as NBA champions brought back memories of all things basketball.  Actually, my first outing with my dad was to a San Diego Rockets game where they had a basketball giveaway for all the kids that came to the game.  I'm not sure of the year, but think I was about six or seven, and I just remember feeling special, as my dad explained the game. 



Rick Barry, 1975. 

Nana abt. 1972

   When we loved in Northern California (1974-1976), we used to go as a family to home games for the Golden State Warriors at the Oakland Coliseum.  Rick Barry, Clifford Ray, Butch Beard, were a few of the players that year for the team.  It was truly exciting that year to watch them proceed to the playoffs and then to win the NBA championship.  "Barry Duck," as my brother and I nicknamed him, was truly an outstanding athlete and role model.  To this day, I think he is one of the only players I've seen that throw free throws underhanded.  I'll admit that I tried this technique back in the day, but was never successful. 

   Our love of the game continued, when I tried out for youth basketball when we were stationed in Okinawa.  I made first string for the Zukeran Rookies, and shared the position of point guard with another girl named Carol.  I can handle the ball, and shoot well from outside the key, but I'm way too tiny to be down by the boards.  I remember my dad volunteered as an assistant coach, so we were able to share the experience of becoming division champions, undefeated against all teams.  I remember working hard and being in the best shape, primarily due to the half court sprints we had to do during practices.  And, dad never cut me any slack, and in fact, I probably had it harder than the rest of the girls. 
  At Kubasaki High School, I tried out for Jr. Varsity basketball.  Since there was only one American

kubasakihigh.com

high school on the island (over 3,000 students), we actually had 4 athletic teams for every sport within the school and played one another for sports.  The teams were always the Falcons, the Eagles, the Knights and the Warriors.  So, it was a little easier for everyone that wanted to play to make a team.  I took #24 on the Knights for my favorite warrior, Rick Barry.  I played most of the entire game for the JV games, and every now and then got to play a few minutes in a varsity game.  This was the year I started wearing glasses full-time, as I find it helped improve my depth perception, increasing the accuracy of my outside shooting.  We left Okinawa in February 1979, just before basketball season started, or I would have automatically got to play varsity.  Sadly, I never continued basketball at Lakewood High, as I had to get a job and work.  I doubt I would have made the team, as it was much smaller, with less opportunity. 

  I still love basketball, and showed my grandson how to dribble a ball, as well as teaching him the word, "B-Ball," much to the dismay of his football-loving father.  We'll see what sport he ends up playing.  As for me, I choose basketball every time. 

The Cat House

King, Linda 1965

   I've had cats ever since I can remember, and even earlier than that.  With Dad being in the Navy, we moved every 2 - 3 years, so I'd get attached to my animals and then have to find them good homes.  Actually, this picture was taken June 1, 1965 in Edinburgh, Scotland, so I was almost three years old.  When I asked my mom whose cat this was, she didn't know, but remarked they used to "find me."  You'll also note I'm playing with a Yogi Bear bubble bath figure, apparently toys were in short supply.  You'll see from this story that the animal lover in our house was my Dad. He was always finding some stray cat and providing a home for them, much to Mom's dismay.  She tolerated cats, but that was about it.  


Lele with her first litter of kittens.

  My first cat was Lele, a pure-bred seal-point siamese.  The name is Hawaiian, which is fitting since we adopted her in Hawaii.  When my Dad was considering the purchase, the breeder questionned him, as I was only 5 and she wondered if I was mature enough for my own cat.  Dad said not to worry, as he was confident I would be a good Mom.  Dad actually paid to fly Lele home from Hawaii to California and then on to Connecticut.  This was one cat I didn't have to give up when I moved.  This picture was taken at Grandma King's house and shows Lele with her first litter:  Loomis, Louie & Lester.  Grandma kept Loomis, a beautiful Lilac-point, and we gave away the other two kittens.  Before we went to the Panama Canal Zone in 1972, we drove back to Missouri to leave Lele with my grandmother.  That cat was the ultimate in spoiled, as my Grandma King used to make her an egg every morning for breakfast.  Lele lived a long life out in the country and kept my Grandma company, and Grandma would always keep me up-to-date on what she was up to.

Francine, July 1978

When I was thinking about this article, I remembered a joke when I was little (maybe about 8 or 9).  I used to tell my Dad that when I grew up, that I was going to have a house full of cats, a cat house.  He used to laugh like crazy, and, of course, I didn't realize he was thinking of the adult-version of a cat house.  In all honesty, I've always had cats and I enjoy the fact that they are their own people, independent, and still very loving and accepting.  To date, I've only had a max of 3 cats at a time, so I've never had a cat house.  Actually, my last several cats have been homeless and in need of adoption, rather than pure-breds.  I keep thinking if I'm ever home enough, I might try a dog for a change.  We'll see. . .