When I was a kid summer meant lots of days spent at the local pool. I loved to swim. I spent as much time as possible at the Joannes Park Pool. Sadly, in Wisconsin, not every summer day is warm enough for swimming. My mom had a Minimum Temperature Rule. It seems more than reasonable now, but back then it seemed stupid and definitely unreasonable. The rule? It had to be at least 68 degrees outside for us to go swimming (brr!).
at Lambeau Field on a cold & wet summer day
Today as I try to convince my son he needs to wear pants and a long-sleeve shirt, I wish I had gone a little easier on my mom when I was a kid, but I sure am glad she let us swim in cool weather. I’m even gladder she was waiting at the side of the pool with dry towels when we got out with chattering teeth, purple lips and covered in goosebumps.
As a nine-year-old the best way I knew to get the temperature was to call the “time and temperature lady”, a recorded voice that reported the current time and temperature. I remember standing on my little red wooden chair dialing the 70s yellow rotary phone on the kitchen wall…a lot. Almost from the moment I got up in the morning I was calling the “time and temperature lady” to see if it was warm enough to go to the pool. Some days it just didn’t warm up as quickly as my brother and I wanted needed it to. I didn’t consciously make the decision to fib, but I’d call, wait 5 minutes, call again and add a degree to the true temperature. I kept this up every five minutes until the “temperature” was 68 and Mom consented to take us to the pool.
It was worth it. We walked those few hot (Or not so hot. Ha!) blocks to the pool with our swimsuits rolled up in our beach towels. We pushed through the metal turnstile that scraped along the concrete, changed in changing rooms behind wooden swinging doors, paid to rent a wire basket, and pinned the basket number to our suits before taking THE coldest pre-swim shower ever. Then we were a blur of wet footprints on the pavement as we launched ourselves into that freezing pool water to splash away the day.
Today as I try to convince my son he needs to wear pants and a long-sleeve shirt, I wish I had gone a little easier on my mom when I was a kid, but I’m sure glad she let us swim in cool weather. I’m even gladder she was waiting at the side of the pool with dry towels when we got out with chattering teeth, purple lips and covered in goosebumps.
I guess we’re lucky we get a true summer here in KS!
I can’t complain. I like the variety and it kerps things exciting 🙂
yes! My mom had minimum temp swimming rule too, in the mountains of Colorado, and it was 70*. My kids have either been pouting or sulking because it is too cold to go out into the pool the last couple days! Here is to hoping the weather warms up SOON, right?
Have a wonderful day—added your blog onto my Bloglovin’ list. 🙂
~Heather @ The Welcoming House Blog
It has to warm up soon… There’s still a lot of summer left!
It’s funny how we turn into our mothers when we have children of our own. I can’t even tell you how many times I have found myself saying some of the exact things she did…and I’m sure I received the same response I gave. Moments like these sure make you give your mom a little more credit and appreciation. God Bless Moms! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
I’m just thrilled I have agreat mom to emmulate. I don’t cringe too much when I hear her words come out if my mouth!
I had a wonderful mother to emulate as well. Cherish yours! 🙂