Today, my husband and I began our annual spring task--opening the pool. We have had a pool in our backyard since the summer of 1981. In fact, I spent major portions of that summer floating in the pool--since I was pregnant with our daughter, the weightlessness that water affords was wonderful, as was the cool!
But each spring, this chore looms large. And, as I get older, my muscles and bones ache more and more each year.
The reward, of course, is getting the job done finally. We're not quite there--maybe another half day of work, but things are shaping up outdoors. In another month--plant all the annuals!
Opening the pool is one of the ways to measure the approach of summer.
Here are some other ways.
The ice cream truck returns to the neighborhood.
Boys climb trees
New puppies come out to play.
Before spring gives way to summer, let's celebrate the last days of April with this poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
APRIL
TO what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
The spikes of the crocus.
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only under ground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,
April
Comes like an
idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
9 comments:
I remember lots of fun in your pool. Good memories!! Thanks for sharing! Love you.
It's literally been years since I've seen an ice cream truck...or more importantly, heard the lovely tinkle of the bell before the truck arrived. I used to love that and it brings back great memories. Thanks
Happy spring to you! Do you use your pool much now? We put a pool in when David was 2, and like you, spent many hours there. As time went on, my husband used it primarily. When he came in from work so hot, the first thing he did was get in the pool.
Someone asked him once if he was sorry he had put the pool in. His response was that he was sorry he hadn't done it sooner.
Now it gets a weekly cleaning by the pool service.
The pool is a lot of work but I didn't learn to swim til we had one. It was the place the boys' friends gathered right thru the teen years. Best money we ever spent - but it is work.
I remember your pool and the annual planting of the annuals!!! LOL! Please be careful this time, Donna :o)
I'm so happy you enjoy your neighborhood children and notice them. The ice cream truck scene is great. And, the boys must love you!!!!
Happy April.
Mary
Now that looks like a backyard that would be nice to relax in! Do you have trouble with squirrels and/or other small critters getting into your pool, or is it covered most of the time?
Ice cream truck! Hmm looks like the kids are having a blast!
Great poem - thanks for sharing it. I'd only ever seen the last couple lines.
Love that poem - I posted it not long ago myself on my blog!
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