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Could Not, Would Not

I don’t remember not being able to swim. This doesn’t mean that I could swim in deep water. It only means that I didn’t drown in a kiddy pool. My Aunt Judy claims that this is because she (a swim instructor) taught me to swim before I could even walk. Judy says this was called “drown proofing”. But, of course, this doesn’t mean I can remember that–but it might explain my natural confidence in the water.

As far as remembering the learning process, I do remember taking lessons at the local YMCA. I started in level 1-Polliwogs. I thought it was silly that some kids had to practice putting their faces in the water and blowing bubbles. Jumping up and down in the shallow water was fun. We called this “doing bobs” And I was seriously motivated to make it all the way through the levels… Polliwogs, Guppies, Minnows, Fish, Flying Fish, Sharks.

The only glitch in the process was diving. We all know that diving is NOT swimming. I believe that I got stuck somewhere in the level progression because I could not, would not do a back dive.  Continue reading

Always Moving Forward

My ex-husband, Tom, played the guitar. He began playing after High School–taught himself. He was a natural musician as was his father. Going into college, he was a music major. Vocal jazz was his passion. But the thing that is important here is that he began taking finger-picking lessons when he was in his late 20s. This whole idea was absolutely foreign to me. He was a grown-ass adult, an accountant who just loved to play guitar. He didn’t even play in the band at church anymore. But he wanted the routine, the commitment, and the accountability that taking lessons from a guitar teacher gave him. Continue reading

Girl Scout Adventure

Girl Scout Adventure

Summer of 1978 at William’s Woods

When I was in elementary school, I learned that the local Girl Sout troup went camping in the summer.

Sign me up!

I belonged to our local troop which met at a building near where I lived. It was called “The Girl Scout House”. The building consisted of one large open room upstairs and another twin room downstairs. Our group me upstairs. There was a big fireplace along one wall that was never used. Several long garage sale tables and metal folding chairs were the only furnishings. Continue reading

Rusty But Wonderful

I don’t remember that my first bike was an important item to the rest of the family as it was to me.  You see, my older sister was a bookworm, not into physical activities such as bike riding.  I, on the other hand, loved to be outside and really loved to ride bikes, scooters, and roller skates.  In order for me to accomplish bike riding I actually had to go to a neighbor’s house who had adult children who left an old rusty bike in her garage.  She graciously let me ride this bike almost on a daily basis.  Continue reading

Make Way For A Landing

bicycleIt was the end of the summer before the second grade and Lisa and I were on our way home from Grandma Is’s house where we spent our summer days while mom was at work.  We were riding our bikes and because I was only 7, I usually rode on the sidewalk. Continue reading

Broken Vajayjay

bicycle

When I was growing up, I loved having a bicycle. It offered freedom and adventure. I would ride my bike to friends’ houses and as necessary transportation. Back in the day, we didn’t wear helmets. I was responsible in that my bike was registered with the city and it had a license sticker on the frame.

Generally speaking, I was a careful driver. I rode on the right-hand side of the road (not on the sidewalk) and used hand signals when I was turning. 

But there was this one time when I wasn’t as careful as I should have been…and I suffered the consequences. Continue reading

Bicycle Built for Two

bicycleI think I had three two-wheeled bikes over my childhood. The first one was my least memorable. It was painted a rusty color and had a triangle-shaped kickstand on the back wheel. I disliked this bike from the day it arrived and I begged mom and dad for a new bike. The tires kept going flat and it was very hard to steer. Continue reading

White Christmas

My all-time favorite Christmas movie would have to be White Christmas.  By the time the season is done, I will have watched it at least a dozen times. The music and dancing make me smile every time. Continue reading

Sports, An Acquired Taste

sportsI grew up in the day when sports were not a big part of a girl’s interest package. I was rather ambivalent about sports on TV like football and basketball. My dad enjoyed watching and I enjoyed spending time with him, so I watched some too. Continue reading

I Just Don’t Get It!

Get your own “Just Say No” items by Steven Rhodes at https://www.redbubble.com

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m not a fan of sports.  I grew up in a household of 3 girls and dad was not a big sports fan either.  I actually try to avoid sports if I can.  I know that’s not a popular opinion in today’s society, but that’s just who I am.   Continue reading