lifesaver

according to research provided by the nova scotia branch of the lifesaving society (the lifeguarding experts) drowning is a big problem in canada; almost 500 people drown in canada each year and, year after year, over 40% of drowning victims are alone. just because you are a "good swimmer" doesn't mean you'll be able to take care of yourself if you get into trouble. whether alone or in crowds of people, they suggest always having someone looking out for you in case you encounter difficulty...

ALWAYS SWIM WITH A BUDDY.

such basic advice. i think i will take it.

and so enters my swim buddy. "just dive" she says... she swims like me! straight to the deep end, treading water, lots of splashing, diving under, holding breath, summersaults, blowing bubbles, back float - face in the clouds, front float - help im drowning, breast stroke - er, ya. we both go too far... fortunately not at the same time... one calls for help; the other goes into personal floatation device mode - full search and rescue.

i know how to swim! i spent every summer in that frikken cold ass glacier lake taking lessons. yellow, green, orange, maroon (hell-oh!), red, silver...whatever. i was there. i'd know it was swim day when i woke up to rain. i cursed the godlike cleanliness of the lake back then; instructor girls with their red cross tank suits could always see my toes touching the sand and rocks below. dont make me swim 20m, 40m, 60m... let me dive off the damn wooden dock over the dropoff!

bitch as i may, i know i learned. and so, with nods to the canadian red cross and the nova scotia lifesavers (ooooh like CANDY!), i promise to always wait 30 min after eating before entering the water (but what if we are on a dinner date?!) and i will always swim with a buddy.

seems lately im surrounded by water. so now we've got each other; lets go test the water. i'll bring my air matress &stuff and together we can dive, float, splash, crash....

but we will *never* drown.