By and large, people have a real fascination with balls, don’t they? I’m guessing that something about them is deeply satisfying to the human psyche.
The photo above was taken on a family holiday to Watermouth Castle in Devon. Those are my two boys having fun in the rain with a rather intriguing fountain, and learning some practical physics in the process. They were actually rotating that big granite ball between them, something made possible by the fact that it was aquaplaning on a very thin film of water between itself and a depression in the base.  I really wanted to get up there and join in, but I hadn’t yet acquired my ‘fuck it’ philosophy and so I contented myself with watching, and leaning in to place my hand on its deliciously smooth surface to feel it move. It was a very long time ago - my boys are in their twenties now - but I remember it very well. How cold the water was! And how satisfyingly smooth the sphere that spun gently under my palm.
It wouldn’t have been possible with any other shape, would it? I mean, okay, you could do something similar with a cylindrical or egg-shaped stone, but neither would rotate in all directions as a ball does, and that is part of the fascination: the total freedom of movement, made possible by the globe and a few gallons of water.
I found that picture of my kids while sorting through old photos yesterday, and it reminded me of the steel ball fountains they have in Sheffield city centre.
I don’t think they rotate, but they’re fascinating in a different way - see how they reflect the sky, the buildings, and the people walking past? Aren’t they beautiful? Passers-by often stop to stand and stare for a few moments before continuing on their way.
There was even talk of balls in the Johnny Depp forum I was reading yesterday.
And no, for the record, the discussion was absolutely nothing to do with Johnny in any way, shape or form, because believe it or not, we do sometimes talk of other things.  Anyway, this talk was about a very particular type of ball.  We were talking of how we had loved playing marble games as children.
How many of you remember playing with marbles?  For me, one of the strongest memories is the feel of them in my hand, cool, hard, and smooth. Any marble which got chipped was usually thrown away because chipped marbles didn’t feel right, and they didn’t roll right.
Sure, they were remarkably pretty, most of them, but it’s the feel of them that I remember, and the way they moved. If the surface was smooth and flat, they’d roll exactly where you wanted. If not, they’d swerve and jump and wiggle in an endlessly fascinating, though sometimes frustrating, way. That’s balls for ya!
Lastly, a gift which was sent to me this last week in a package containing Halloween gifts. It was from one my Johnny Depp friends. One who has such a fascination with all things Halloween that she can’t bear the thought of me languishing here in England without the proper means to celebrate it, even though she knows full well that I don’t much care for it at all!
It’s a worry ball. Made of soft black rubbery sponge and with the skull and crossbones motif in homage to Pirates of the Caribbean.  I have no idea what to do with it, sadly, because I can’t have it anywhere the dogs might get it. It’s just exactly the right size to get stuck in a greyhound throat and choke them to death.
I think I’ll put it in the guest room with the miniature Jack Sparrows, the string of shrunken pirate heads, the tricorne hat, the Pirates of the Caribbean storage boxes and the Jack Sparrow throw - all gifts from my Depp friends. The dogs don’t do stairs, so it will be safe up there, and I’m sure my guests will enjoy it.
So tell me. Is there anyone out there who doesn’t find balls interesting in some form? From soccer balls, baseballs, and snooker balls to ball bearings and ornamental stone balls on gateposts and balls for dogs and children, mouse balls and track balls and even beads and pearls, they are very much a part of our lives.
Or is it just me?
I bought a ball today - an exercise ball. Round things are great, but they scare the heck out of my bulldogs, strange little critters that they are.
just had to let you know that it’s balls to the wall here!
Peace - D
RiverPoets last blog post..Wanting More
This is too easy for my smutty mind !!!… yes is the answer, I will often sit and toss a cricket ball from hand to hand, just something about a new red cricket ball ….. trying to explian to Americans that they are harder than a baseball, and they come at you faster, and, oh yeah, we don’t wear girly gloves !
I love the silver balls, very fasinating… the Devil;s Marbles is Oz probably don’t count as they are not quite a globe, but wonderful none the less !
Moons last blog post..My top 5 ……
Oh I loved marbles as a kid, and yes you’re right, if they were chipped they were no good at all! I have a very weird habit, that I forgot to put in my meme. I love cold, round objects. It doesn’t matter what it is, I will roll it around in my hand and between my fingers until it warms up, put it down to get cold again, and start over :O)
I don’t often go in to Sheffield City, and I haven’t seen those steel balls!
Babs - beetles last blog post..Diamonds. A girls best friend? - Part 3 (final)
Fascinating how with imagination, you can write an interesting post about balls! I was very proud of my marble and rock collection. And with my three older brothers, it was very common to play marbles. I’d often go marbles if
I lost my favorites! :)) Have you ever posted your JD
collection? It would be fun to have a peek! Snoop has two balls in it btw. :))
Thanks again for your fun comment on “House on Haunted Hill?
Seven roles! That’s a record NOT to be broken! :)) “Going Commercial” has only two. I hope you enjoy it, Jay. Love Jason Connery.
petra michelles last blog post..Going Commercial
I can’t say I’ve thought quite as deeply about ‘balls’ as you have but now that yo mention it. Spheres are pretty cool! I never played marbles, I thought it a boy’s game, but I like pool balls because they’re colourful and make a similar ‘click’.Actually the best balls are the ones I throw for my dog. Boomerang balls . . they always come back!
I was a sad puppy when I was young. I never had any marbles… Imagine if you will a forlorn, skinny, shy girl, sitting in the dust where 100* years’ worth of boys had played marbles, and digging out the glass chips … which I collected. Catches in yer throat, doesn’t it. SOB. But it’s true.
But now I’m a big girl, I have a collection of 8 beautiful spherical glass paperweights. Hmmm, I feel a post coming on.
*Yes my school was 100 years old, unusually for New Zealand.
Katherines last blog post..Weird, random or both together.
RiverPoet - ROFL!
Ah! An exercise ball! I’ve often wondered if I’d benefit from one of those. You’ll have to let me know how you get on with it!
Moon - I’m impressed!! Such restraint. I so nearly put in the actual post ‘Moon, behave yourself!’ LOL!
The Devil’s Marbles … that sounds like something I’d like to see! And I’ve sat tossing cricket balls from hand to hand too.. very satisfying.
Babs - There. You see? Babsie gets it!
You haven’t seen the steel balls? *Gasp!* Well, when I eventually get an hour or so in Sheffield to myself, and we can meet for coffee, there’s a little cafe right there. You can sit and sip coffee and look at them.
Petra - To post my Johnny Depp collection would mean a couple of days going round the house collecting it all in one place and setting it up to be photographed! I have … um … quite a lot of stuff. You’ll have to content yourself with bits and pieces here and there. But watch this space, I’m sure more will be shown at some point! LOL!
Baino - If I threw balls for my dogs they wouldn’t come back. The dogs would just look at me with that ‘you threw the damn thing away, why should I fetch it back?’ expression.
Greyhounds do not do fetch. (Actually my first one did but he was exceptional).
Katharine - Aw …. you poor little girl, you! What did you do with the chips?
I remember going sightseeing in NZ and being shown 100 year old buildings with great pride, and thinking ‘WOW, this country is young!’ So fascinating to get a glimpse into a different culture.
Can’t wait for the paperweight post!
You don’t realise how hard I it was to be sensible …..
moons last blog post..The Gimp Tour 2008, the battle for Quentin
Hmm..I’ve always felt the ball came before the wheel, the ball being the prototype…I was quite the marble shooter as a girl, too…the boys finally stopped playing with me…loved the balls featured here…great post!
Sandi
Sandi McBrides last blog post..A Ghost Story
There is something soothing about the shape of a sphere. It appeals to one’s sense of order, I think. A happy face wouldn’t be the same if it were a triangle or a square would it? It’s happy because it’s round.
Jenn Thorsons last blog post..Medley of Vintage Funny
Well, my dog has a fascination with balls, not her own ’cause she’s a she. Therefore, one can conclude that the fascination with balls transcends species. Also, the planets and stars are round…just like balls, so I think balls hold all the mysteries of the universe and beyond. Who’d have thunk it?
Debs last blog post..HIS AIM COULD USE SOME WORK
Oddly enough, I just had a conversation last week between a couple of my blogger friends re: saggy balls v droopy tits -but er, maybe that’s more information than required?
I love that marble shot, wow!
It’s just you.
rhymeswithplagues last blog post..November 4, 2008
hahaha, Jay! Loved your comment! Loved the quirkiness of Being John Malkovich! Wasn’t it great? Would you believe, I just watched The Ninth Gate! Blasphemous, I know! It was really great. Am watching it again because I didn’t quite get the ending. How did he enter the ninth gate? Is he Lucifer? Or just having completed the riddle allowed him to enter it? Thinking out loud! :)) Have a wonderful day!
petra michelles last blog post..Going Commercial
I can just imagine the searches that will bring people to this blog with THAT title!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Chuy Cant Vote, So I Will…
Oh but Jay, I’d have to hold them ;O)
Jay, I just received the “The Superior Scribbler Award” and I want to pass it along to you. In my opinion, you are a
superior writer. It’s on my petra michelle blog. I hope you enjoy it, and as far as rules go, it’s up to you!
Am a true fan of your scribblings!
petra michelles last blog post..Going Commercial
I really wanted to get up there and join in, but I hadn’t yet acquired my ‘fuck it’ philosophy. LOL.
I would love to get there myself, life is grand when you feel that way at times.
Um fascination? Yes!
I like basketball too.
Naturals last blog post..Finger Clicking Good’gaud That Hurts!
Moon - Oh, yes I do! Respect!! LOL!
Sandi - You’re probably right - the ball must have come before the wheel!
Jenn - They are soothing, and yes, they probably represent order. No sharp edges. Hmm.
Deb - Ah .. now, I think you have it! Planets and stars. I think our love of balls and spheres is a primitive connection with our home. Well spotted!
Shrinky - LOL! Too much information? Only if you name names.
Thanks for the kind words about the marble shot. I was playing with a new camera, and for a compact digital, it does a great job!
Bob - Thanks, Bob. I know I can trust you to be brutally honest! ROFL!
Petra - Ninth Gate? I’m very fond of it, actually. I think the idea is that he solves the puzzle and it acts like an incantation or something and allows him free access through the gate. I think we’re supposed to infer that he has sold his soul.
Meleah - I know! But it hasn’t actually happened yet. I do get a lot of hits for my calendar shots and I can only assume there are a lot of very disappointed people out there when they find it’s a dog!
Babs - Well good luck with that! LOL!
Petra - Oh, how kind of you! Thank you so much - I’m honoured!
Valerie - Yep, life is much better when you can say ‘fuck it’ from time to time! Keep working on that, huh?
quite unique I’ve been watching that movie Cry Baby a lot lately . That Johnny can sing !! sandy
sandys last blog post..My plan- pick up all these loose feathers and paste them on Voila !!!
Hey, Sandy!
Sadly it wasn’t Johnny singing in Cry Baby, but it was definitely him singing in Sweeney Todd, and my goodness, yes! He can sing!!
I love Cry Baby!
“I do get a lot of hits for my calendar shots and I can only assume there are a lot of very disappointed people out there when they find it’s a dog!”
ha ha ha ha! Thats funny!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Another Personal Update. With Some Pictures, Charts, and Graphs.