Musing on a shower or swim? #iPPP
After typing all morning, that little tight stress ball of pain under my shoulderblade had grown into a tetherball.
It was after lunch and I had yet to shower.
If I was going to get wet, why not swim and try to work my tetherball down to a manageable baseball buck-shot of pain in the left upper quadrant of my back.
Okay, it’s not exactly the same as showering. It would take more time and require at least 20 minutes of hard cardio activity.
And as much as my husband likes to claim, that has never happened in our shower.
Even though it’s messin’ with my usual morning swim mojo, I ventured to the Aquatics Center.
Soon it became very apparent that the mojo was a no go.
Arriving at the pool,
Forgot towel.
No problem. They have towels at Aquatic Center. I’ll just pay a dollar and get one from Andy Dunston, the Director.
No towels.
I was slightly freaked to see Andy at the front desk. Usually if he opens in the mornings, he’s sitting in the office with his coffee.
But I wasn’t carrying my coffee either. The problem came when he said,
“We are out of towels.”
That messed with my afternoon swim mojo.
With visions of dabbing myself with paper towels dancing in my head, he offered his towel.
“It’s only been used three or four times — just when I got out pool.”
Yes, probably only used when he dove into save a life or or retrieve a lost hair bob.
A towel. Who said that chivalry was dead?
So with gently used towel in hand, I got ready to swim.
Only one flip flop found in my bag.
This never happens in the morning.
No towel, one flip flop. This kind of stuff never happens in the morning. But I had come too far to turn back now.
There was one big problem though.
No Emily.
When I stumble on the pool deck at 6:10 with my coffee disregarding the “No Drinks on the Pool Deck” sign, Emily is already 300 yards into her workout.
Her cute little goggled head pops up right there.
Nope. She wasn’t there.
I did all the backstroke of the workout, Emily.
Mornings or afternoons, I never have the backstroke mojo.
Halfway through (as always happens), I started feeling good.
And that’s why I swim.
That's why right there. You see that little sliver of sunlight.
Because out there are children and responsibilities and manure. All things that give me buck-shot pain behind my left shoulder blade.
Andy’s towel worked just like my towel.
I swam, showered and got back in the car feeling so much better.
Witchy-Poo was waiting for me. The sun kept her coffee warm.
Yes, I had raccoon-goggle prints around my eyes and a smile on my face just like Witchy-Poo.
And the tetherball in my back was about the size of a half-inflated kickball.
How do you get rid of your tetherball of stress?
I eat. My tetherball happened to be a 4 day headache. So today I had 2 packets of oatmeal. Sugar packed kind. mini oreos. Lunch(roasted potatos, carrots,chicken, onions, peppers). More mini oreos. Meat sauce over penne, ricotta, mozz, grated cheese. chocolate ice cream with my own personal supply of chocolate sprinkles. That is how I worked out my tether ball.
Or turned into one. Either or.
Stop it.. You’re too funny. Those damnable minis. They are quite good. I try to buy them in those little packs, so any frenzies with them are contained. Kind of like a controlled burn. Good luck relieve that stress.
I need an intervention.
There could be worse things to leave behind than a towel though! Eep!
Good on you for swimming anyway – and I need to remember this lesson. One always feels better after exercise. I will just have another coffee and a cookie while I ponder this…..
Great post!
I’m all for the coffee and the cookie. Believe me.
You did not seem to be well-prepared for this, huh? I adore you for being able to get up and go swimming sooo early.
Hilarious! I especially loved the look on Andy’s face, too funny! As for my tetherball… wish I could swim (doggie paddle is my best…) Instead: early morning and late day walks in the woods with the dog & my husband; very nice. And foot rubs at night.
how do i get rid of my tether ball of stress? I visit the blog of Jamie Miles.
works every time. 😉
Love you, Jill. Run with us Saturday.
I do love to get out and run with the dog. But he is getting in too good a shape.
[…] it. I forgot to bring Andy back his towel. (Andy, the towel is laundered and sitting by my back door. Obviously forgotten this a.m.) Dorothy […]