Changes

Other than my home or the buses, the warmest place 

I spend any of my time is at the Natatorium.

I sit on a bench sketching or taking pictures of the 

swimmers as I wait for my toes to warm.

Pennants are hanging over the pools marking the 

last few feet before the walls. Reflected off the surface 

of the water, they create a sort of checkered pattern, 

reminding me of flags at the finish of the Indy 500,

appropriate to this auto racing city.  

I've been having trouble with my swimming lately, 

and don't feel I've been making much improvement.

This is probably due to losing so much practice 

time because of weather related cancellations.

Another reason is my use of small fins intended to

help improve one's kick. I decided to put them aside

the other night, something I knew I would 

have to do anyway, and lost about seven seconds

per length of the pool. Yes, the fins have been that much

of a crutch. I will need to work harder to regain 

the lost time and to get into the range where I was earlier.

It will probably help to get my weight loss

program back on schedule, as well.