One of the really nice things about living here at Birch Grove is that it's such a short walk too Libby Pool, which is a town owned and well maintained recreation area on Mill St. On warm afternoon's Lala and I can don our bathing suits and stroll down to the pool for a cooling swim. We did that on Sunday. While it costs a dollar and a half each to get in, it is money well spent. The pool is maintained by running fresh water ...
One of the really nice things about living here at Birch Grove is that it's such a short walk too Libby Pool, which is a town owned and well maintained recreation area on Mill St. On warm afternoon's Lala and I can don our bathing suits and stroll down to the pool for a cooling swim. We did that on Sunday. While it costs a dollar and a half each to get in, it is money well spent. The pool is maintained by running fresh water from the Peabody River through a pipe and out again. The water is clean and just the right temperature to have a comfortable but refreshing swim. Even on a warm Sunday sfternoon there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy.
When we swim, I kind of watch as Lala heads out from shore toward the safety rope which is about 30 feet away in deeper water. Lala is an excellent swimmer and makes precise, even strokes to quickly reach the safety rope area. She then swims along the rope with an Australian crawl before heading back in. While I can swim, I like to swim where I can still touch bottom if necessary, so I swim a little closer into shore. Mostly I stand waist deep in the cooling water while Lala does her thing. After a while, we go in too sit on the beach, preferably in the shade, to chat and watch the other patrons while we dry off. There is usually someone there that catches our eye.
This past Sunday a family came to sit near us. There were four kids and the Mom. The kids ranged from a boy about 12, who was the oldest, and took charge of the baby who was two or so. While the Mom sprayed the kids with sun block (or insect repellent) and got them all ready to go in, the older boy played with the youngest one and, then, took him into the water. They had fun and it was good to see the older boy act responsibly toward the younger one.
After drying off and getting toasty again, Lala went back in for another swim. I sat at our table and watched as she repeated her earlier ritual. While not as athletic as she once was, Lala  can still swim with some of the grace of the athlete. I enjoy watching her as she strokes with precision and moves through the water quite effortlessly.
She came back in after awhile and dried off. We gathered our stuff and walked back to my apartment at the Grove, After changing into regular clothes, I poured each of us a glass of wine and tuned the TV to the final match of the  Women's World Football (Soccer) Championship being played in Germany. It was the American women against Japan. The scored was tied one to one in the overtime period when, Abby Wambach, our scoring hero, headed the ball in. With just a few minutes to play, It seemed America was destined to win. But, no! Japan scored to once again tie the game. It went to the penalty kick stage and America lost.3 to 1..
While we were disappointed for our team and country, given the recent earthquake and nuclear melt down Japan had recently endured, we were glad for them.
Even with the soccer loss, it had been a good afternoon at Libby Pool. Eh!
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