There are airplanes in the sky. An unusually large quantity of them, we have been noticing. Maybe it's airplane appreciation month. Maybe there's an airplane show going on. Maybe all of the private pilots in the area saw us swimming and were so impressed with our incredible strength and good looks that now they can't help but circle around and watch us practice. (I feel this is the most likely.)

The point is, there are airplanes in the sky, and clouds and birds, too, and WE CAN SEE THEM! With no roof above our heads there is an added challenge to swimming and kicking on our backs - a skill which most native West Coasters have already honed nicely (good for you, will you quit pretending it's easy?), but which others continue to struggle with. The latter group thanks everyone for continuing support on this front - it's an work in progress for a few native midwesterners... But despite this swimming difficulty, getting to look over your gallon of gatorade as you gulp down mouthfuls of lemon-lime in between sets and seeing the pool steaming up into the night air - this makes it worth all the angry red battle scratches. Watching a cloud-dog turn into a cloud-dragon turn into a cloud-teacup during a kick set (be warned, O ye zig-zaggers), and squinting at the sun peeking out from behind that teacup - this is an experience to be relished in itself.

When the going gets tough, I remember that we're swimming outside! I watch the airplanes, utilize my powers of peripheral vision, and enjoy the moment. We're in California, folks. This is pretty sweet.