Pool.

Hidden away in my neighborhood, about four blocks from my place, are two outdoor pools.  They technically belong to an odd little neighborhood-within-the-neighborhood called Sandburg Terrace.  But, they are run by one of the gym chains so are open to membership from the public (at a higher cost than the residents of Sandburg, of course).  Not quite the public pools from my suburban youth but close.  M joined last summer when she was a member of the gym that runs the pool and took me as a guest a couple times.  It really reminded me of the many, many summer afternoons I spent, including the lifeguard's whistle for adult swim.  Except this time, that meant it was time for me to get in the water, not out.

This summer, I decided to join the pool too.  It is on the not-cheap side but I really like swimming outside.  And, while I like the occasional lake swim, and get in there at least a few times every summer for a couple long swims, I have never gotten over the feeling that I should be taking a preventative course of antibiotics every time.  This way, I can swim outside without having to battle the waves, seaweed and cold of the lake.  And, of course, nothing like getting some time by the pool, laying in the sun (slathered in sunblock, of course), reading and taking a refreshing dip.

The pool opens in 25 days.  Now, I just hope it is solidly summer by then.  We hit 80 yesterday.  Unfortunately, tomorrow's high is 55.  At least we aren't Colorado, who got a mayday May Day snow storm leaving 6 inches of fresh snow.