the bird on fire

The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans

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What’s New for Tennis in Indian Wells?

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By 7th-grade blogger Morgan Richardson

The BNP Paribas Open is running now from March 2nd to March 16th in my home town of Indian Wells. The event brings in huge crowds and will hopefully break last year’s record of 493,440 guests (bnpparibasopen.com). The streets of Palm Springs and Palm Desert are filled with visitors eager to attend this annual tennis tournament in our very own tennis paradise. In the past, many celebrities including Tom Holland, Zendaya, P!nk, Bill Gates, Will Ferrell, and Patrick Mahomes have attended, and who knows what stars will surprise us at this year’s BNP. Rumors are Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have been in this year’s crowds. One of the main attractions, outside of world class tennis, are the many high-end restaurant options like Nobu, Porta Via, Molé, and Ristorante Mamma Gina. Many local favorites including J’s Deli, Tanya’s Kitchen, and even Coachella Coffee in case you need to hide from any bad weather are available at the BNP. To kick off the BNP, a family day is also available for free with face painting, yoga, crafts, and tennis lessons included. 

Fun Facts

  • The BNP has the second biggest outdoor tennis court in the world!
  • The BNP has held the event at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden since 2009.
  • It is the best attended tournament outside of all four Grand Slams, which is why it is often called the fifth Grand Slam.

I was first introduced to the BNP by my father, who attends religiously each year. And, if my father isn’t at the Gardens, he’ll be keeping up with matches via television. My mother is fortunate enough to see the finals every year with Dad, for this reason she’s become smitten with Carlos Alcarez, who has moved up in the ranks recently beating previous champion Novac Djokovic twice at Indian Wells. Some say that Carlos Alcarez is the GOAT of tennis.

I turned to my fellow classmates and asked who their favorite player or former player at the BNP is?

7th-grader Gavin had to go to Google to get an answer: 

“Simone Bolelli is my favorite tennis player.”

Ms. Maguire gives a shout out to her hometown Buffalo girl:

“Jessica Pegula is the best tennis player out there.”

Mr. Satterfield, with little to no tennis knowledge, puts a historic player at the top of his tennis pyramid:

“My favorite tennis player is Roger Federer.”  

Elizabeth Greenwood answers with a popular tennis favorite:

“My favorite tennis player is by far Serena Williams.”

My favorite tennis player is Novac Djokavic, though at a losing streak he has become my tennis inspiration. Winning or losing and still getting back on the court is one of the many valuable life lessons tennis has taught me. 

Sources:

https://bnpparibasopen.com › history

desertsun.com

What Does Valentine’s Day Mean to You?

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By 7th-Grade Poet Morgan Richardson

When wondering how to describe our recent Valentine’s Day, I turned to my classmates for a fresh opinion. I struggled with how to put Valentine’s day/love into one word? Many of the responses were negative and spoke of things such as “Jealousy,” and “Materialistism” ; everyone had a different viewpoint. As I went on interviewing, I kept asking myself the same question: How do you talk about love in one word? I came to the conclusion that Valentine’s Day is celebratory despite what others say. It’s not negative. These poems are inspired by the many opinions and views shared with me on the subject of Valentine’s Day.

I.

Love.

People say it’s an illusion,

Short time comfort 

Filled with jealousy and envy.

Others say it’s materialistic:

Chocolates and candies,

Red roses and jellycat stuffies,

Store bought cards and flowers.

But I think it’s more than that:

A saving grace

Filled with poetic words,

Showing love to the people who matter.

Love–

The meaning of happiness, joy and heartbreak.   

II. 

Cupid’s arrow shot right through my heart,

Blushing and butterflies that’s just the start.

The size of my heart has gone off the charts.

The hair, the face, the voice speak to me like art.

Sweet at first then it’s all tart.

Now it all restarts.

I found someone just my type.

My heart flies like a kite.

This might be the one I really do like.

But there’s a small dislike, tiny and slight;

I know someone better who doesn’t nail-bite.

This one’s not screwed on quite right.

Each one after the next, 

None of them passed my test.

I fear it’s time to reflect.

All this time I’ve spent

Too many regrets.

Now I’ll settle down,

If I can find someone I won’t repent.

What Home Means to Morgan

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By 7th-Grade Poet Blogger Morgan Richardson

Morgan hails from Oregon. She still speaks wistfully of the Pacific Northwest where she spent her early years. So, in our Blog Staff discussion of dream houses, Morgan recalls aspects of her Oregon home.

A house, a home 

A place to build memories

With the people you love.

Alone or together 

In these walls 

We will remember forever.

A marble kitchen counter,

Golden hardware,

Wooden floors,

My sister stepping through the door.

Footprints embedded in the cream-colored carpet.

A dog bed with a mountain of hair around it.

The office with a giant chandelier

All my family I miss so dear.

A big deep blue couch,

A hot fireplace and a kid too close–“Ouch!”

Rodents hosting showdowns in the upstairs attic.

Creaking floors made children panic.

Pink mermaids plastered on bed sheets.

A bunked bed where we spilled all the deets.

A six bedroom palace when I was small,

My past–I still cherish it all.

What is the secret to relationships that last over 20 years?

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By 7th-Grade Bloggers Soleil Antle and Morgan Richardson

We’ve been thinking about relationships. We thought the real experts of relationships are the ones that are in them–not just a high school boyfriend/girlfriend or even newlyweds–but more so people who have been through it all with over 20 years of relationship experience. Our parents, Jim and Elizabeth Richardson, Paul and Renee Antle, and Morgan’s family friends Ted and Kate, were the perfect candidates for interviewing on the subject of lasting relationships.

–Soleil and Morgan

Paul and Renee love enjoying date nights at their favorite restaurants every Friday. Photo Credit: Soleil Antle

My parents, Paul and Renee Antle, have been together for 35 years. When wondering how they knew their partner was “the one,” my mom Renee replied, “I knew he was the one because he was kind, and super intelligent, and taught me how to laugh again.” When an argument occurs between the two, they try to understand what may have caused the fight, and try to take responsibility if they were hurtful or in the wrong. Mom and Dad say the secret to a long-lasting relationship is “Honesty” and “patience.”  Dad said, “Don’t expect perfection; that’s not what marriage is.”

–Soleil Antle

Jim and Elizabeth in snazzy outfits, enjoyed themselves at the Palm Valley School Gala.  

My parents, Jim and Elizabeth Richardson, have been married for 20 years, and have two daughters, Louisa and me. Dad, when asked, “How did you know your partner was the one?”  responded, “She embodied all the things that I wanted in one person.” When in a disagreement, they give each other some quiet time and try to put themselves in their partner’s shoes. Mom, when asked for relationship advice, responded, “Pick your battles; don’t ever think you can change someone.” Mom and Dad said the secret to a happy marriage is “Forgiveness.” 

–Morgan Richardson

Kate and Ted in the middle of winter wear cozy sweaters and matching hats to escape the frigid cold and embrace their coupleness.

We interviewed Richardson family friends, Kate and Ted, who have shared their love for 45 years. Kate exclaimed, “That’s 315 dog years!” We saw how much they mean to each other. Ted said he knew Kate was the one at age 27 because he only felt happy and healthy around her. Kate explained what getting over arguments takes.  “Getting over arguments takes compromise, and also, understanding that the other person isn’t wrong; she/he feels differently about the issue and sees things differently. That takes a long time to develop and understand.” The two said, “Do not lose your temper; that’s really scary for the other person. And, don’t live beyond your means because that one thing alone can put stress on everything else in a marriage.”

–Morgan and Soleil 

After reviewing the knowledge from these three couples, we have learned that relationships take effort to be successful. Both partners need to support each other and work as a team, especially when children are involved.

Inspired by these heartwarming responses, Morgan created a love poem. 

I love you, he said,

A big heart painted red

A white gown and golden rings,

Wedding band, one blue thing.

Patient and kind

Love never died.

In sickness and in health,

Your love is my greatest wealth.

My heart will always be with you,

My cheeks turn a red hue.

I love you, he said,

Together forever and till the end

Home

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Our new Spring Semester middle-school team of bloggers warmed up this week with a creative exercise–responding to a Poets&Writer’s “The Time Is Now” Creative Nonfiction Prompt.

Our creatives were asked to write a spatial autobiography of the objects in their home or room, to tour their favorite things while weaving into the passage the memories attached to them. In this week where so many of our LA loved ones have lost the places where they feel most at home, we were moved by the comfort and association Morgan Richardson draws from her special place. The class voted it the spatial autobiography that best captures the essence of the writer.

The loud whistle reminds me of leaping off the starting block

The lane line reminds me of swimming as fast as I can each race

The green field reminds me of warm ups in winter before swimming

The bench reminds me of where I slick my hair and put on my cap each day

The kick board reminds me of challenging myself and becoming faster

The little pool reminds me of when I first stepped foot in the pool

The shallow end reminds me of moving up levels, scared but prepared

The water jug reminds me of jumping out of the water thirsty and parched

The deep blue pool reminds me of the place where I feel happy and most at home