D....E....F....

The Summer Alphabet continues....

D = Diving I was swimming at the local pool and was paddling near the diving board. A group of kids were there lined-up to go off the board. “I can do a pencil,” said one youngster. I was intrigued. What is a pencil dive? I paddled back, treaded and watched for this feat of diving prowess. She stood on the board. Took a deep breath. Walked to the end of the board. Stretched out her arms and then placed them down straight to her side.......and......jumped in the water......Seriously?? Who knew that “dive” had a name? Shoot, I’ve been doing pencil dives my whole swimming career and never knew it.

The lure of the diving board at the community pool --- you thought about it for a year. This summer, this would be the moment when you would jump off the high dive at the Freeport Community Pool! You steeled your courage. Told your friends. Updated your will. The day arrived and you climbed the steps. Remembered to try and not look down. Although, one was noticeably scared, I never recalled anyone running and jumping off the board in an effort to just get it over with. Nope...like a walk on the plank (Go Bucs!) you plodded to the end and jumped.

Being raised in the country, the majority of my swimming time, as of that of my family, was spent in the Buffalo Creek. There was not much to jump off of so my brothers, bless them, invented a new game to play: Who can bring up the biggest rock?”

Contestants dove under the water and sought to find the biggest rock one could grab and carry to the surface, out of the creek, and place upon the shore. An additional challenge to the contest was the fact that the Buffalo Creek is not a clean-flowing, natural, mountain stream. It’s muddy and cloudy and I would rather not think about its source; thus, one relied on feel more than sight which can be particularly frightening.

Naturally, competitiveness kicked-in and the rocks being brought to shore grew dangerously huge and eventually lead to the next game played being Who can build the biggest dam?

E = Evening It is the subject of poems and songs --- the grace of a summer evening. The day concludes tinged in warm light; there is a softness and a peace. Be it at a ballgame, at a campsite, on a boat, or on your front porch enjoying a summer evening is one of the joys of the season.

F = Feet In summer, go bare. Feet, I mean. Or, if so inclined, “go all in with nothing but skin!” Bare feet in summer --- strolling in the morning grass still wet with dew, or on a warm sidewalk; wading in the creek; the softness of sand --- take off your socks and shoes, ditch your sandals and go barefootin’!