Home Remodeling

Friday, I went to a mid-morning swim practice 

at the Natatorium. Somewhere in the back 

of my pea-brain, I'd expected we'd be using 

the main competition pool. 

After all, it had been used for the 

YMCA Long Course Championships 

just the week before, right?

I was surprised to see the lane lines loosened 

and floating in the pool like a necklace 

of beads, thrown down after a night of hard partying.

What? No men in Speedos?

Instead, workmen with jackhammers were hard 

at work, tearing up the remaining sections of tiled 

deck that hadn't yet been replaced.

We used the instruction pool to the north

that is separated from the competition pool

by a long glass wall. It kept out most of the sound

of the jackhammers - until one put one's

head in the water, where it echoed for the entire

time I was in the water. Overall, though,

it was a quiet place, with just the sound of

Coach Craig's voice as he gave instruction

to the swimmers.

I've missed my home. Last week was like meeting 

an old friend on the street and today's swim

was working towards a reunion, one that I am 

looking forward to this November, after the current 

phase of remodeling is complete.