I used our pool yesterday for the first time this season. It’s interesting that I used to live to be in the water and now I don’t like to get wet unless it’s under a hot shower. Anyway, I hadn’t done my walk and I needed the exercise. I swam four lengths without a break and stopped to contemplate my lungs. It took several minutes to regain contact with a life-sustaining level of oxygen, and then I swam another 8 lengths with rests in between. Swimming ain’t for sissies. The other daunting bit about getting in the water is getting in the water. Even on hot days, the water is a shock. Oh brrr, and then it’s fine. I did a few ballet moves too so it shouldn’t be a total loss.

At the end of the month, Nadine is having a cookout on her pool deck and wants everyone to come ready to jump in. I think I’ll sit languidly by the pool, in a swim suit or not, I am not sure, and sip my wine. I am not up for ruining hair and make-up at a party. I am to bring the salad that I will make with mixed greens, tomatoes, purple onion, cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese – oil and Balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and oregano. There will be burgers and hot dogs. I am planning on having two hot dogs, my favorite all-time cookout food in this life.

xx, Teal