Last night I got together with my summer friends. We are all members at the neighborhood pool. There are a few ladies from the pool who have made the transition from summer friend to year-round friend. My friend Dedra and I walk our dogs together nearly every day. I get together with Patrice and Sarah for happy hours, dinners and assorted parties. Most of the ladies at last night’s party are ones I only see in bathing suits.
Our pool is a very special place. We've been members since our daughter was little. I’m sure it will play a huge role in her childhood memories. My husband and I dread the last day of the pool every bit as much as she has. It’s not a fancy place. Just a basic pool, with a pretty rough bath house and 6 tennis courts. The parking lot is filled with pot holes. Many of the blue and white striped chairs are missing some of their vinyl strips.
It doesn't have a snack bar to speak of, but it does have quite a few gas grills available and members frequently bring their dinner ingredients up in a cooler and cook at the pool. Everyone shares their food. My summer friend Jen brings up some seriously gourmet fare, beautifully presented. Once she brought a fryer up and made funnel cakes for the kids. She really puts me to shame as our pool dinner is frequently cheese and crackers or chips and dip.
Everyone shares their beverages. And there are usually a lot of beverages. The season kicks off with a wine and cheese party the Friday night of Memorial Day weekend. Each summer there are 3 or 4 parties with bands scheduled. But every evening you can find someone with whom to share happy hour. I think the adults have every bit as much fun at the pool as the kids do.
It was strange to see my summer friends wearing sweaters and long pants. But we all had the familiar acrylic wine glasses in our hands, and, as usual, Jen outdid us in the food department. The pool opens in about three months. I’m not particularly looking forward putting on a bathing suit, but it I love swim suit season because it means I’ll get to see these great ladies more regularly.