Today, I was more lake bitch than lake witch

Temp 70 F, water Temp 67 F.

Today at the lake it was sunny but not too hot, and the water was perfect. 

I’ve had two horrible days, all related to three healthcare cockups. I was beside myself with rage and frustration, and really needed to exercise. Still, I wasn’t feeling it was the safest choice to head to the lake. Maybe I was too upset to drive….and even to be in the water. 

Then I noticed text from my neighbor, S, about meeting at the lake LATE. That was all it took. I grabbed my gear and tossed it into my two bags, wriggled into my wetsuit, and hopped in the car. 

I arrived quite awhile ahead of S, so I went ahead and started swimming. The water was cold on my ankles when I got in, and I got a chilling rush around my neck when I dove into my swim. Totes refreshing. Warmed up instantly as I swam.

Poop and Milfoil

The water was still murky, and there were little clusters of brown seedy thingies. I think they are those caterpillar-like seed pods from the trees, but in the water they look like little poops. Gross.

I could see movement down there. I think I might have seen a couple of 5-6” long fish, but it might have been yellowed milfoil leaves. Yes, the milfoil is already back and growing. Hate to see it. Milfoil stalks were everywhere, and with the heat we are getting they will be tall very soon. I hate that stuff. Everybody hates it. Bleck. Not like I will let it get in the way of my swims, but I’m officially down as complaining about it. 

I swam back and forth from the dock, and I went around it at least twice and under it once. I swam through the beams today. Tried to do a tunnel meditation….” T….SC…..,” but had to stop because I just couldn’t get into that head or heart space. Instead I asked for support so I could have a safe swim. I did the best I could. I was very slow today. 

I Tried

Eventually, I saw S on the beach, getting into her wetsuit. I swam in to meet her. She has a new swim where she goes parallel to the shore and swims to the boat launch and back. Lots of swimmers do that. I said I would try it, but I only made it 1/3 of the way and turned back. She is in much better shape than I am and 27 years younger. Still, the competitive part of me was bummed that I couldn’t keep up. I really need to figure out how to get my crawl stroke back. It’s like I forgot how to do it. 

By the time I swam back to the beach I was really tired, and got out. I checked the time: 40 minutes! Cool. I need to spend more time in the water. 

I was still in a bad mood, but also really grateful that I got to be in the water and see my neighbor. 

Parks Dept, What Gives?

The showers were not working!!!! First time ever, I think, so I will get over it. But it was kind of how my week has been going. It’s hard to have my routine disrupted; I really like rinsing my gear there instead of in my tiny bathroom. 

I sat on my towel and tried to change into a top and shorts without flashing too many people. Honestly, I don’t give two poops if someones sees my naked parts. Not enough energy to worry about that. If they don’t want to see, they need to look away. In Sweden (and now, in Germany), women can go topless at public pools. Not like I want to parade around with my melons out, but it would be nice if breasts were not sexualized 100% of the time. Ugh. 

I dug around in my bag for my flip flops, only to realize I’d brought two right feet. Again…..this how my week is going. Got a text from a friend about coming over for a walk, but I said I was too much of a bxxxx to come over tonight. 

I waited for S to finish her swim. Quite impressive. My goal is now gonna be to swim to the boat launch and back by end of summer. Actually, by the end of July because I won’t be here for August and Sept (more on that later). 

Friends

As I was getting ready to leave I saw my friends, B and T, sitting on a bench in the distance. Yea! Always so happy to see them and their son, R. It is sooooo nice to have friends at the park who share my deep love for this amazing place. We love our ducks, flowers, the water, seeing each other, sitting on benches, walking, all of it. I’ve never had a park I loved so much, and that’s kind of crazy because I’ve spent a lot of time in parks. Maybe I need it more than I did in the past. Maybe before I didn’t slow down enough to feel my feels.

When I lived in Minneapolis I spent a lot of time walking and bikini around Lake of The Isles. I used to see Walter Mondale walking his dog around the lake in the winter. And when I was a student in London 100 years ago I used to run to Hyde Park from South Kensington, run around it, and run back. I think about five miles. 

Anyway….I am still in a funky mood, but I am not gonna let it ruin me. I got my swim in, I swam farther and longer than I ever have. I got to hang with my peeps. And I had a huge stir fry when I got home. And tomorrow is Friday. And in a week I see the Cure. and maybe there are Doritos in my near future because I have a car and a credit card and free will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good day to you. Xoxoxo