I was napping in my comfy chair somewhere between dreamland, deep relaxation, and waking up, a thought occurred to me: the summer is here, and I have not taken my annual dip in the lake. My Daughter and Grandkids were coming over to swim.
After enduring the worst winter that I can remember (Every winter is the worst), I can measure it by cold, and as I get older, it feels colder! Amount of snow, length of the season, and how many times I shovel the white dust. I remember one winter, 28 below, and that was not the wind chill, I had to do chores at the horse barn, because my daughter was working out in Texas for a World Champion Barrel racer and enjoying the 85 degrees. I, on the other hand, was busy applying toe warmers to the top and the bottom of my feet.
It was the only way to keep my feet warm during that horrifically cold winter. Lake Superior finally lost its ice in June! Worst winter ever!
I have never missed a summer swim. Temperatures in the 90s recently mean I would not have to initiate the “Elderly Gentlemen Ritual!” The ritual consists of walking knee deep in the water, making guttural gasping sounds, as I get in deeper. Then sprinkling the water on my arms, neck, chest, and back. After all of this preparation, that looks like some kind of religious baptism. I then take a quick dunk into the lake, complete with teeth chattering and noises that include moaning and stuttering, “Cold, it’s cold!” I used to laugh at my Dad and Grandpa when I would see them perform this ancient ritual.
Now I am the Dad and Puppa, and my Daughter and Grandkids get to laugh! I have decided at my age that if the water requires this ritual, for cold, I won’t go in. Today, the water is warm, according to them. I need a new excuse! My Daughter and Grandkids egged me on! Okay, I’m coming in. I decided to practice the ritual just in case the water was cold. Last year, they told me it was warm, and it was ice-cold. I stepped into the lake and after several moments, I realized that the water was really warm! You couldn’t poach eggs in it, but it felt like bath water. My body adjusted to the comfortable temperature, and it began to feel good. I grabbed a swim noodle and stayed in the water for a while. I may swim tomorrow, if I don’t have a case of swimmer’s itch.
“Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others. – Joel, Author of “The Guinea Pig In The Freezer.” joelmvernier@aol.com © Joel M. Vernier
