I'll Call It Like I See It

by sheila morris

For any who want more, complete list of all posts by month since 2011
  • can you name these three Black Sports Superwomen?

    can you name these three Black Sports Superwomen?


    Hint: first names (l. to r.) A’ja, Serena, Coach

    (thanks to Pretty for Twitter image)

    WNBA Gamecock superstar A’ja Wilson at statue unveiling

    (in front of Colonial Life Arena on MLK Day in 2021)

    Coach Dawn Staley statue unveiling 02-24-24 downtown Columbia

    (Gamecock women’s basketball coach won third national championship in 2024)

    Tennis GOAT Serena Williams at US Open Tournament in 2013

    Occasionally Pretty sends me an unforgettable image from her Twitter Scrolls – this one made my visual week highlights – three of my favorite Black women in sports.

    Good start to Celebration Sunday with National Championship Parade this afternoon! Go, Gamecocks!

  • from antiques to basketball via the Seminole Trail

    from antiques to basketball via the Seminole Trail


    US highway 29 a/k/a Seminole Trail in parts of Virginia – antiques galore for Pretty to explore

    Pretty and me leaving Jefferson’s Monticello

    (photo by Susan Moore-Cooke)

    Pretty in DC at Old Ebbitt Grill established in 1856

    While Pretty collects antique treasures, I collect words; I found my treasure on a WNBA Washington Mystics t-shirt when we went to watch our home girl A’ja Wilson and her Las Vegas Aces play the Mystics in DC. Our home girl scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds in a game the Aces eventually lost to the Mystics, but Pretty and I weren’t too disappointed. We were thrilled to feel the atmosphere of the big city small arena with its diverse enthusiastic fan following. I told Pretty I was transported that night in my thoughts to the first tiny Texas gymnasium in Grimes County where I watched high school girls play basketball seventy years ago – now I watched a professional women’s team “centered in the very soul of our nation.”

    From Jefferson’s home at Monticello to the Lincoln Memorial…from historic Old Ebbitt Grill to a sports arena in the Congress Heights neighborhood of DC, our four day trip last week along the Seminole Trail reminded me my country was built upon the work of those that dared to dream different.

    *****************

    Dare to dream different, and please stay tuned.

  • the Main Event in Las Vegas showing today!


    So the Aces game wasn’t quite what we hoped it would be for Pretty and friends, but A’ja Wilson was gracious (as always) after the game to share a photo op with Pretty and Number One Son Drew.

    Thanks, A’ja for continuing to be not only a great athlete for the Aces but also an awesome person in “real life” off the court as well.

    Guess who else loves A’ja?

    Robin Gottlieb (l) and Meghan Cole (r)

    Oh yes, they do and these girlfriends are the real reason for Pretty’s trip to Las Vegas. Today is their WEDDING DAY, and we wish we could have been there, too. But for now we are sending them hugs and kisses from Casita de Cardinal and wishing them the very best happiness and joy and loads of fun for the Main Event this evening. You girls rock!

    Robin and Meghan at Clark County Marriage License Bureau

    making it official!

    Stay tuned.

    P.S. Pretty, don’t forget to come home. Spike, Charly and I are lost without you. Donna thinks I am too bossy now; she is also way past ready for you to come home.

    P.S.P.S. I lifted these pictures from Facebook and am using them without anyone’s permission. Mea culpa to all.

  • A’ja and the Aces


    Pretty and Number One Son landed safely in Las Vegas and from all social media accounts are having a grand time. Thanks to all of you who are concerned about Pretty’s whereabouts and our welfare at casita de Cardinal. We have a friend who has been staying with us for several weeks while she is in transition so Pretty left us in good hands while she goes gallivanting with Drew.

    Tonight they are going to see Gamecock women’s basketball G.O.A.T. A’ja Wilson playing professionally in the Women’s National Basketball Association as she plays in her new home court at MGM Resorts Mandalay Bay Events Center with the Las Vegas Aces. A’ja was the Number One draft choice by the Aces, a new franchise that relocated from San Antonio this year, and has been having a terrific rookie year with the Aces.  Question: who’s surprised? Answer: not even one Gamecock fan.

    Pretty and me in Dallas as A’ja led Gamecocks to

    only NCAA Championship in basketball

    in program history in 2017

    And while Pretty, Number One Son Drew and a small group of Gamecock fans will be cheering our A’ja at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas tonight, Charly, Spike and I will be watching on the WNBA League Pass which is a lifesaver for A’ja groupies.

    Wave to us from the game, Pretty…go A’ja and the Aces!

    Stay tuned.

     

     

     

     

  • good luck to A’ja Wilson in WNBA draft!


    Coach Dawn Staley is ready to erect a statue honoring Gamecock women’s basketball All-Everything and All-That Wizard of the Hoops A’ja Wilson, and I say let’s put that marble statue smack dab in the front of the Colonial Life Arena asap. Coach Staley has offered to contribute the first $100,000, and Pretty and I would love to also contribute $100,000 toward any project that commemorates the fun we’ve shared with #22 over the past 4 years of her basketball career at the University of South Carolina.

    We’d love to contribute that much, but we can’t… so let’s just say we’ll add the next $100 which is given with a spirit much like the widow’s mite in biblical parables.

    Thursday night is the WNBA draft. Pretty, Susan, Chris, our Gay Boys Basketball Buddies and the rest of the Gamecock Nation will be watching to see which team will be lucky enough to pick A’ja Wilson.

    GOOD LUCK, A’JA! YOU GO, GIRL!

    You’re simply the best.