Weekends In The Park

Basketball is a thing in our family.  I married a man who loves the game, so in a way I married the game.   Since the kids have moved out and the hubby's knees have aged, we haven't been around basketball as much.  

This summer though Hubby agreed to play with our brother-in-law in a small 3-on-3 tournament coming up this weekend.  This has required him to get back in shape and get used to handling the ball again. 

*snapshot with my cellphone

As a result we have been hanging out in Parks on the weekend looking for pick-up games of basketball.  I enjoy people watching and summer days in the park so I often tag along.  Yesterday the park was unusually busy.  There were at least 20 people wanting to get involved in the games happening on the court. 

Something that caught my attention was the spirit of cooperation.  Someone picked captains and they selected teams, meanwhile others shot baskets.  Once the teams were assembled with no one clearly in charge they managed to set some rules, those who were just shooting around voluntarily yielded the court.  As the game began the players called their own fouls, and negotiated how to use the extra players.  Meanwhile a crowd formed.  Parents kept small children off the court, while older children picked favorite players or teams to cheer for.  

Whenever there was a time-out or pause many who were not playing flooded the court to take a few shots, and yielded it again as soon as the players were ready to resume.  At one point someone put together another team of five and started asking if they could play the winners.

*snapshot with my cell phone

By that point I was distracted by the shear beauty of a hot summer day.  My chair was under a shady tree and a couple of children were playing a game with a hola-hoop near by.  I enjoyed watching them tug and pull on the hoop to move their friend about the park.  The air was hot, but  a nice breeze was blowing keeping the temperature mild.

There was a group of people who appeared to be training their dogs.  I was not able to figure out what they were working on, but it appeared they were maybe tracking a scent.  They all had their dogs well under control and the required tools for dealing with dog droppings.

Another feature of the park is the water pad pictured above, children were laughing, splashing and chasing each other around the splash pad having a great time.

* CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON / The Spokesman-Review) 

 *photo from  SPOKANEPLANNER

As you can tell I have been enjoying summer weekends in the park!  If you find yourself restless and bored, try heading for a park.  You never know what you might see and bring a basketball if you enjoy the game!

@whatsup