I was invited to spend a day "on the lake" this weekend. A friend has a house up there with a boat to cruise the lake. I declined. Some people would love to take my place.

I long ago decided I was not a water person. My grandparents had a lake cottage in S. Michigan. We would go up there frequently when I was a young'n. I didn't especially like fishing, and hated our slow boat tours around the lake shore. I learned to swim there, but never really enjoyed the water. What can you do besides splash around? Big whoop.

Later in life, whenever I went to the beaches of S. Cal. or Florida, I just lollygagged around on the sand. I hated the salt water. I got no kicks watching the waves or water. I will never go on an ocean cruise, but that's another story.

My wife and kids wanted a pool, so I relented and put one up-an above ground type. I forced myself to get in with the kids. I seldom lasted long. I certainly hated the maintainence involved. As soon as all were gone, down came the pool. A pond has replaced it.

I've kayaked, canoed, rafted, sailed and boated on water, but I can't say I enjoyed the experiences. I guess I just like terra firma. Walking on solid ground suits me fine. Whether it's a landscape of corn or red Utah rocks, I find being a land lubber is who I am. So there.