During the winter that Audrey was 5 years old, she took swimming lessons at the Barrington YMCA.  She was a tiny little girl, but in the water her arms were strong and legs could kick up some pretty good splash.  I thought she looked rather good… but then again, I’m her Mommy. A couple of weeks into the lessons, Audrey’s [...]

I grew up loving to swim. As a matter of fact, I still love to swim. I first joined a swim team at age 5. I wasn’t that great… but I had a heck of a lotta’ drive – kind of like my son William. William has always loved the water. He begged me this whole past winter to let [...]

My granddaughter Taylor asked me to tell her a story about her Daddy when he was a little boy. We were eating dinner at a local restaurant, right after the Boys & Girls Club Swimming Championships, in which Taylor and her brother Andrew had participated and kicked fin! The restaurant was fun, busy kind-of noisy and we were there with [...]

Lives are made of moments. Small ones. Big ones. Moments that blend seamlessly into the next and moments that change everything. Many, many of my life’s moments have happened while watching my children play. Quiet play. Noisy play. Play that seamlessly passes time and play that once-in-awhile changes everything. Play that combines the ideals of the individual with the ideals [...]

My husband Barry is a very athletic guy.  I will admit here that his athletic prowess is one of the things that initially caught my eye.  Well, that and his great legs in those shorts the first time I saw him.  But getting back on point, Barry can do just about anything when it comes to sports. But swim. He [...]

I do love the smell of chlorine.  Really. It reminds me of my childhood, especially in the early 60′s when I lived in California, when my mom took my brothers and me to the Navy pool in San Diego almost every day.  I learned to swim at that L-shaped pool, and to dive off the diving board.  I still remember [...]

Several weeks ago, I made my goal of completing a Sprint Triathlon a bit more of a reality when I dropped my entry application and fee in the mail. I dug out a couple of bathing suits.  I dusted off my bike.  And I put on some running shoes.  I figured that somehow or another, I would get my body [...]

The sun’s been peeking through the clouds here in New England… at least enough for swimming lessons in semi-frigid waters. Ah… And it was on the way home from “the pool” today that I learned a new word from one of my grandsons. DIVINGSAUR. Swimming lessons include a modified/assisted “jump” off the diving board, and Audrey’s 3-year old, Alexander, asked [...]

I am participating in my very first triathlon this morning. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m everything right now. This was one of my New Year Resolutions – take care of myself health-wise. And so, to kick off this NEW YEAR – I’m heading to the YMCA to do a mini-triathlon with my husband. I was a competitive swimmer from the [...]