The day started normal enough, me sitting down at the computer in order to get the day's blog out. It was a good one too, the blog that is. The rain fell heavily outside. I still can't find the guy who turns the light in the garage on and offwatch The Military Channel on occasion.
. I poured myself a coup of coffee and went to work. Denise had some things she had to do, so she left. If you have a tendency to worry--don't. She came back later. She loves me you know. I know this because she lets me
The afternoon saw us traveling down Highway 99 South in the direction of Fresno. I used to live in Fresno, I think. I just had a senior moment. Anyway, we had to go to Fresno to take care of some errands for Denise's sons. We exiled them to Fresno. Sometimes I am not sure that was such a good idea but oh well. We had to do banking and buy groceries with them. Later, we picked up my son and went to dinner. To this point, our actions were very conservative and we got the tasks done without incident.
At this point, in order to set the tone, I think I need to tell this story. Bare with me for a minute because this may take a while. Here goes.
As a kid I used to go to the local municipal swimming pool during the summer. The pool was near the golf course, so I would play golf all morning and swim in the afternoon. Gone from the house at 6:00 A.M. and not back until about 7:00 that evening. This happened almost every day during the summer, unless I was in summer school during the morning. I would still wind up at the pool in the afternoon. Wait a minute, that sounds kind of fishy. I was gone almost all day. My sister wasn't. Were my parents trying to convey a sinister message to me? What was the number to my shrink? I think I just had a breakthrough.
Anyway, back to the story. When I was younger, I loved to jump off the fifteen foot high dive at the pool. It didn't matter, feet first, head first, or bellyflop. I was indestructible. I loved it! I would climb up the ladder to the top and just jump. There was no fear.
My how things change when you get old. We took my kids, the five pre-Denise kids way before Denise even came into the picture and we will just leave it at that, to that same pool. Not much had changed. My oldest daughter was about twelve at the time and really loved to swim. She wouldn't go off that high dive though. As much as I told her how much fun it was when I was younger to dive off that high dive, she wouldn't go. That led to the fatal error. I told her if she went off the high dive first, I would go after her.
That comment I would live to regret for a very long time. It really seemed like a good idea at the time. She agreed to take the plunge.
Now what, it was my turn. No problem, I thought.to myself. I have done this a thousand times, forgetting I was about eighty pounds lighter a a whole lot younger and more fearless. Up the ladder I climbed. I can do this...no you can't. My self preservation mode started kicking in. I fought it like a trooper, and gingerly walked to the end of the diving board. This was a lot higher than it used to be. Jump!...NO!
The question was pride or preservation. Preservation won out. I walked backward off the diving board and down the ladder, very much aware that there were many eyes fixed upon my cowardly self. Forget them, I wasn't going to kill myself. Alas, I was getting too old. My self conscious mind had made a choice for me. I froze at the top of the high dive.
Last night we jumped off that high dive in a blaze of glory! Denise had a moment of insanity and strongly suggested we have some fun and go up to the casino at Chukchansi. Being a good husband I said "Yes dear, let's go".
I must admit that I had fun. However, my body doesn't like staying up until 4:00 in the morning. Today I am paying the price. I hurt! Oh to be young and foolish again. I did have my coffee though.
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| No way, Jack! That waters is cold. |
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