And nectarines.
Vistas of blue skies, gentle mountain slopes, green trees, sunshine, Marin.
I went with the family I work for to San Rafael to the Marinwood community pool there.
The kids had swimming lessons and mom wanted to be out of the fog and in some actual summer weather.
Mission accomplished.
It is always just a touch surreal to come out of the grey blanket of fog into the bright sunshine of Marin.
It was an hour away but felt like an entirely different planet.
So much sunshine.
It was nice.
It felt good to be there, to be helpful, to be of service, to be doing a good job.
And.
Motherfucker.
It felt good to swim.
I love being in the water and every time I get in I question why am I not doing it more.
It feels marvelous.
The pool was perfect too, the temperature cool but not cold, the chlorine was well-balanced and it had the perfect saline level.
I was blissed out swimming in that water.
I have been swimming since I was a baby.
Literally.
10 months old.
I can’t remember not being able to swim.
Sometimes it baffles me when kids are afraid of the water, as one of my charges was, but she trusted me and we worked it out and I think she had some fun.
Her brother was much more into it, but they both wore flotation devices.
I keep my opinion to myself in regards to floaties, but I freaking hate them.
I feel like they, the floaties, especially water wings, create a dependence on them and it takes a child much, much, much longer to learn how to swim.
That being said.
I am not the parent in the situation and the mom wanted them in the floats and felt better about having them protected and safe.
Mom’s got the prerogative.
I however, felt free to cavort, to a point, I was with the kids in the pool, and play, and swim.
I didn’t get enough and now I am sitting here trying to think of ways to get myself back in.
And after today’s day at work, I basically have a swim bag assembled.
I have my suit, a towel, a chamois, my flip-flops, a bag of toiletries, and my goggles.
The goggles never made an appearance as I wasn’t going to do any lap swimming, although for a minute or two I thought about requesting the opportunity to do so.
It would have been nice.
So that’s twice this summer that I have gone swimming and after both times I have resolved to get myself into a more regular swimming routine.
It is good for me, easy on my crapy knees, great for all my joints, I love how I feel in the water, I feel free.
There’s something so heavenly about being under water and feeling weightless and graceful and strong.
I feel strong when I swim.
I noticed I walked differently in my suit when I came out of the locker rooms to the pool, I felt like a guard again, I walked like a guard without even really thinking about it.
I felt myself embodied.
It was really good.
And it was a nice change-up from the routine of work.
It’s a like a tiny work vacation while at work.
We’re going to be at the pool all week-long.
There’s a slim chance I might not go with them and stay at the house on Wednesday for a household delivery, which would mean that I would stay in the city with the baby, tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, however, I will be swimming in Marin.
I am hoping I can carry the momentum forward and maybe hit Sava pool on Saturday.
I also looked at the UCSF Mission Bay pool schedule, they have late hours, I could look into getting a membership there again.
They have a great facility.
Of course, I’m just shy about committing to any certain place in the city yet, after I know where I’m going to live does it make sense to buy a membership to a place that I may regret having to do a big commute to.
So while I’m in the neighborhood I’m really going to give it my all and go to Sava Pool at least once a week.
I also think there is a pool at the hotel that the intensive for school will be held, although I doubt it’s a big pool, there maybe some opportunity to get in the water during the time I’m there.
It’s definitely worth bringing the swim suit with.
Anyway.
Swimming.
It’s on my mind.
And that’s helpful.
It helps with the sad.
It helps with my body.
It helps with my heart.
There is something sweet and nostalgic about it and also healthful and needed.
If I’m not doing yoga and I’m not bicycle commuting I really do need to incorporate something into my schedule.
I just checked the rates for the UCSF membership and it’s not too bad, $105 a month, I was paying $84/month for the yoga, it’s a little more, but then again, I enjoy swimming much more than I enjoyed yoga.
I will start small.
I will get to the pool this Saturday and I will let it begin there.
Shoot.
Having the swimsuit is more than half the battle anyway.
The rest is just showing up and jumping in.
I can do that.
I really can.
Auntiebubba 