Welcome to the latest Joy Crazy™ Newsletter!
In this edition:
- Beginners, don't miss a great opportunity from PCC! 🎓
- A fun night at the Portland Timbers ⚽️
- Got foot pain? Explore new ways to lace up. 👟
- Daisies in the Wild! 🎶
- It is my honor to share your pickleball stories! 🎤
- Pet Pals: Meet Sailor 🛥️
Here's wishing you a Joy Crazy™ weekend!
Shannon Diffenderffer, M.Ed.
Certified IPTPA Pickleball Instructor
Founder & Chief Daisy 🌼
Joy Crazy, LLC
🎓 4-week Beginning Pickleball Class Starts August 2
Are you a beginner needing a boost?
I am excited to announce that I'll be teaching a new four-week Portland Community College Community Ed Beginning Pickleball session starting this Saturday, August 2nd. It will take place from 9 am - 10:20 am at Friendly House and spots are still available. Click here to get signed up and build a strong foundation in pickleball!
Want to join a "Joy Crazy Daisy Doubles 3.0" pickleball session?
Click here to sign up on Meetup!
Want to join a "Joy Crazy Daisy Doubles 2.0-2.75" pickleball session?
Click here to sign up for August 9th @ 12:30pm!
⚽️ Pickleball Meets Soccer: A Joy Crazy Night!
What do you get when you mix pickleball, pro soccer, and a night out in Portland? A whole lot of fun with some Joy Crazy Daisies!
I had a blast at the first-ever "Portland Timbers Pickleball Night" at Providence Park. It was my first time at the stadium—and thanks to a kind usher, I even walked away with a commemorative pin.
Dave and I rocked our “I ❤️ Pickleball” socks, and the whole gang got matching Timbers jerseys with our special ticket package.
Next time you're at Friendly House be sure to give our new Timbers Volair paddle a try. What a night to remember!
🌼 Joy Crazy Daisies at Portland Timbers!
In the upper right photo--Dave (my hubby), Shannon, Denise and Janie (and Janie's partner in sunglasses).
Even from behind Dave and his son, Ryan, looked sharp in their jerseys.
I was given a commemorative pin by one of the ushers (upper left photo).
👟 Lace Up for Comfort: Shoe Tips for Athletes
Did you know that how you lace your shoes can make a big difference in how your feet feel during and after physical activity?
A helpful article from Dick's Sporting Goods outlines several lacing techniques for runners that can improve comfort, reduce pressure points, and help accommodate high arches or wide feet. Pickleball is not exactly like running, but giving these techniques a try might prove helpful if you're having some foot or leg pain on the court. In fact, a physical therapy office in Iowa offers this handy shoe lace technique one-page PDF summary.
You can also find several videos online that walk you through good foot health practices, including this YouTube video series from Illinois podiatrist, Nooreen Ibrahim, DPM.
If your feet tend to swell during games, consider giving compression socks a try—they might just become your new secret weapon. And speaking of shoes, Vanesa came to the Friendly House pickleball court recently sporting her new Adidas pickleball-specific shoes. Not only do they look sharp, she says they fit great!
Vanesa’s new Adidas "Pickleball" shoes —
form, fit, and function all in one sharp-looking pair!
Would you like to share your favorite pickleball shoes, socks, or foot health tip?
If viewing this newsletter in a web browser (e.g. online), see the comment section below, otherwise if viewing this newsletter in your in-box, click the "View in browser" link at the top of your email to post a comment about this newsletter.
🎶 Daisies in the Wild: Jazz in My Neighborhood
Joy Crazy Daisies bloom in all kinds of places—including my own neighborhood!
I recently caught a fantastic live jazz set at the Corkscrew Wine Bar, featuring our very own Daisy, Gordon Lee.
A celebrated jazz pianist, Gordon played alongside a stellar group of musicians as they warmed up for their upcoming performance at the Siletz Bay Music Festival. On August 21 in Lincoln City, they’ll be honoring Native American jazz legend Jim Pepper in a special concert at Chinook Winds Casino Resort: Gordon Lee and Friends Celebrate the Music of Jim Pepper.
Fellow Daisies Raphael and Kevin were in the crowd too, proving once again that the Joy Crazy spirit extends well beyond the court.
Daisies in the wild!
Gordon Lee on keys at Corkscrew Wine Bar in the West Moreland neighborhood,
Me (far left) and Dave (far right) and with Kevin (L) and Raph (R) soaking in the jazz vibes.
Hey Daisy!
Do you have an event coming up you would like to share with your fellow daisies?
Have you been to a new pickleball court that you're excited about?
Feel free to send me a a "Daisies in the Wild" email with the details and I'll see if I can feature it in an upcoming JC Newsletter. Send emails to: [email protected]
💻 Watch Online: Shannon's Talk
This Sunday, August 3 at 10:30 AM, I’ll be speaking at Wy’east Unitarian Universalist Church—and you can watch the service live online or catch the replay anytime that works for you!
My talk, Be Your Own Joy Advocate, weaves together stories from my life, lessons from the pickleball court, and a message of encouragement—that many of you know already from coming to my pickleball classes (wink, wink).
If you’ve ever wanted your spouse, partner, or friend to understand the heart behind what we do at Joy Crazy™ Pickleball —or if you just want to see your pickleball instructor in a different light (I'll be reading a children's story during the service too)—this is a perfect chance. I’d love to have you tune in.
Thank you again to those who shared their pickleball stories with me. I couldn't share them all, but I hope to give more speeches in the future—if you know of a group looking for a speaker please give them my info!
🌻🌻🌻
🛥️ Pet Pals: Meet Sailor - The Seafaring Tabby
Sailor is a yacht-living tabby who calls the cabin of Terry’s boat home. While she occasionally ventures to the upper decks for some sunshine, her seafaring is mostly limited to below deck—ever since an unexpected dip in the water led to an emergency rescue!
Naturally curious and full of personality, Terry (see photo inset) says, "Sailor is also a hit with folks coming on board for a cruise." Her love-hate relationship with water is well documented—including the time she got an unwanted shower from Terry’s granddaughter, perfectly captured in this hilarious photo.
Terry's tabby cat, Sailor, has a “shower face” —boat life isn’t always smooth sailing when kids are involved!
▶️ Click to Submit Your Pet's Photo & Story
📣 In the Next Edition:
Help—I need more Pet Pal stories!
Although, I can always share more stories about my own kitty Katie (who inspired this section of our newsletter), I'd much rather hear what your pets have been up to.
Send in your Pet's Photo & Story and shine the spotlight on the little—or big—"joy machine" in your life. Thanks again to all who have previously shared their pet pals with us!
🐾
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The Joy Crazy™ Newsletter is written by Shannon Diffenderffer, M.Ed.,
founder of Joy Crazy™, LLC—a joyful learning community built around pickleball, kindness, and connection.
Through Joy Crazy™ Pickleball classes taught in Portland, Oregon and her online community, Joy Crazy™ Connect, Shannon helps adults—especially those entering a new chapter of life
or living with chronic conditions—become their own "Joy Advocates."
➡️ Rent a pickleball net from Joy Crazy today. Available in Metro Portland.
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