Gearing up for the State Games

  Sketching and painting continues on the illustrations for Edge of Darkness, in between continual editing not to mention anticipation of, and preparation for . . . my first-ever gymnastics competition! Not bad for an old chick like me!
 The State Games of Oregon will be a low-key competition, the joy of which lies mainly in showcasing your skills and the spirit of sport, rather than being better than everyone else. Of course I want to do well, but that's what matters, here — doing my personal best, as I hope everyone else does, too. And above all, having fun.
 So what can a woman of my age accomplish after three months of gymnastics a couple of times a week, without having done it as a child? That depends. In my case, it's front tucks (sometimes), front handsprings (sometimes), cartwheels and handstands on a balance beam (sometimes), and kickups and an almost-kip on bars. 'Sometimes', because as everyone knows, the secret is practice, practice, practice before perfection can become a reality (or at least a possibility). It's been a long time since high-school track, and I miss the thrill of competition, the spirit of fellow athletes, and all those dear little medals, representing hours of sweat, focus, and the rush of breath through lungs.
 I hoped to have back-handsprings ready for State on the 7th, but I think I'll play it safe: A back handspring means throwing 145 lbs. of weight, well, backward — plus gravity factor — onto two fragile wrists. Thus I've been holding off. But, oh joy! Today I get my new PINK wrist-guards, Tiger Paws brand, from my coach at Multnomah Athletic Club! With extra support, back walkovers and handsprings can be part of that new reality.
 Gymnastics: It's all about fun, courage, and pride in your body — its ability, its wisdom, and its joy in moving and doing and simply LIFE!
 Watch for gymnastics to appear in the daily student life and training of Isaac, hero of Edge of Darkness and the rest of the Sarkazen series, for he is a Greek boy . . . and you know those Greeks and their physiques! (At least these enchanted versions, which honour tradition to the extreme . . .)