Showing posts with label simplicity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label simplicity. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Staycation Essential: Swimming Pools

When I was a kid, there was only one requirement I held for family vacations. I was quite a little dictator about it, actually. The whole vacation was ruined if this one simple thing wasn’t in place. What was it? A swimming pool, of course.

The hotel could have been a dive, the trip a total bore. But as long as there was a swimming pool (outdoors preferably), my siblings and I were happy as clams.


Still Scouting for Pools

Well, not much has changed since then.
If I’m planning a trip in the summer, I need to know that there is going to be a pool involved. Even if the trip is just a staycation, and the pool is in my neighborhood.


Truthfully I’m not much for swimming.
At least not in pools without diving boards or deep ends (my favorite water hang-outs since childhood). I’m more of the lay-by-the-pool-sipping-cold-drinks-and-reading-books type. And then, when I can’t possibly stand the heat one second longer, I jump into the water to cool off, and then hop back out to start the routine over again. Boring? Maybe. Simple summer leisure? Definitely!


In addition to my lounging routine,
I also love meeting my neighbors, especially the pint-sized ones who are clearly loving the pool as much as I used to as a kid. I like to listen to them make up water games, or occasionally overhear the drama and angst of some nearby teens. It is simple community entertainment at its best.


Out of Excuses

Which is why I can’t believe that it is almost July 1st and I haven’t been to the pool yet!
I’m not sure what is wrong with me. At first it was the cooler-than-normal weather. Then it was to avoid the early summer rush. And now...frankly...I’m out of excuses.


And since it is supposed to be 93 degrees today,
I just might have to slap on some sunscreen and hit the poolside.
Hopefully you’ll have a chance to do the same soon!

Previous Staycation Posts:
Reading for Gold Stars
Staycation on Foot
the Simplest Entertainment

Monday, June 29, 2009

Doin' Nothing...

I had just the kind of summer weekend that I love. Lounging on the back patio in the shade, reading books and writing and watching the plants grow.... Taking long walks with my hubby and two dogs... Sitting out at twilight and watching the sunset... Eating bbq ribs hot off the grill with corn on the cob and homemade ice cream for dessert... Listening to ghost stories by candlelight (seriously--I did this). Watching kids whiz by my house on their skateboards and wishing I could do that (when exactly are you officially too old to learn how to ride a skateboard?)... Sleeping with the doors and windows open, under an antique quilt my great-great-grandmother made...

Yeah--it was that kind of weekend.


And although I didn’t get all of it on camera, here are a few shots...


The food... (floss required!)


The company... He's not much for conversation, but we still like him.


The reading list...


The hand-me-downs...

Ironically, in our days of fancy gadgets and deluxe entertainment,
these simple weekends of doin' nothing are probably the ones I'll remember most.


What are your favorite doin' nothing memories? Share your comments below--


Previous Summer posts:
Favorite Things
A Day at the Farm
The Simplest Entertainment


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