The Sirens of the Deep are calling ME–not just my husband.
Ok, the pool is not THAT deep, but it does go over my head!
Since I have become Darth Virginia with my mask, I discovered I really like swimming. (If this doesn’t make sense, check out “My Husband’s Mistress.”)
Now, that it is October, those cold winds are blowing– 0k, the scorching California Santa Ana winds aren’t cold, but the pool is a frosty 72 degrees.
The sun doesn’t heat up the solar panels to get the pool to the 85 degrees that is perfect for swimming.
Why, now that I like to swim, I can’t?
A few days ago, as I walked on the beach and watched the surfers, I had a thought.
I was thinking that Number One has a wet suit, so why don’t I wear his wet suit and see if it will keep me warm in the pool.
There was no way I was going to try it on while anyone was home–which in hindsight–I should have re-thought that idea.
The wet suit was heavier than I expected. Oh, did I forget to tell you that I have never put on a wet suit before?
I pulled and pulled and twisted and sweated and yanked and cussed for 20 minutes before I finally got that thing on.
I feel as if I did 20 minutes of weight training because my arm muscles were killing me. And, my back was a little wrenched, too.
When I looked in the mirror, I saw a cross between the Cat and the Hat minus the hat and the tail, and a Penguin.
I didn’t have the smooth strides of a lithe cat. I waddled like a penguin because the suit wasn’t fitting quite right.
Was this going to work? Was I going to freeze in the water after building up such a sweat putting om a second skin?
I grabbed my Darth Virginia helmet, stuffed the earplugs in my ears, and donned my swimming mitts.
Now I looked like the Creature from the Black Lagoon!
Our dog, Max, ran back into the house once he saw me.
I stepped into the water. I felt a tiny chill. Then I bravely jumped into the water and swam to the other end of the pool and back.
Holy Moly! The water wasn’t cold!
Yipppeeeee!
I swam for about 40 minutes–it was invigorating!
My next problem. How was I going to get out of this contraption?
I twisted, turned, pulled, swore and finally I got the suit to my feet. I only had to pull my feet out.
I felt I was giving birth again. I haven’t pushed so hard to get something out of/off of my body in 31 years! 
How do surfers do this every day?
The Sirens are calling me, but the Creature from the Black Lagoon is holding me back.
Are you taking bets on who is going to win?