Closing the pool: Can winter be far behind?

Husband has spent the last several days going through a checklist given to us by the pool company to close our pool for the season. When we went to the pool company the other day to test our water for the final time and to obtain supplies to close the pool, we were surprised how many others were there for the same reason. All the signs are present and fall is fast approaching. Can winter be far behind?

We have enjoyed the past month or so swimming and enjoying the warmth of the sun and water on our bodies. It was peaceful floating on noodles in the water. We watched hummingbirds, butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and various insects flutter by. Some occasionally landed in or near the pool, attracted by the brilliant blue of the water and hoping to catch a taste. We enjoyed bringing our little boombox out and listening to music as we floated. It was relaxing to float and not care whether the dishes were done. It was relaxing to float and listen to the sounds of world swirl around us. It was invigorating to float and exercise. We only got out either when nature called, we got hungry, or we got pruned. We always slept soundly.

We knew our floating days were coming to an end when the leaves from our huge Hackberry tree started falling in and around the pool. The air temperature began dropping into the 60s at night and the pool temperature, even with a solar cover, failed to reach the middle 80s. Too cold to swim any more, we decided enough was enough. Our summer was over and we accepted that it was finally time to close.

Husband made one last cold dip into the pool to unhook and remove the pool steps weighted down by sandbags. Then he turned into an alchemist, mixing the chemicals in the right amounts and in the right order and introducing them into the pool water. The process is almost complete and he is making note of lessons learned for next season.

I don't know about you, but the older I get, the less I like cold weather. I don't like all the extra clothes you have to wear to stay warm and I don't like the ice. Snow looks pretty at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but cleaning the walk and driveway is getting to be a pain for husband. Driving becomes limited because of bad roads and bad, inexperienced drivers. Last winter we had a terrific snow that paralyzed our little town. We were snowbound in our house and street for a week. To prepare ourselves for the next big snow, we went online and purchased a large snowblower. Guess what -- it never snowed with any accumulation for the rest of the winter. Our beautiful snowblower sits in the garage as pristine as the day Home Depot delivered and removed it from the box. But, we are ready just in case it does snow and we have to get out of our driveway or street to go somewhere.

We will look at our pool this winter and wistfully dream of lovely, carefree floating days awaiting us next summer. Maybe those dreams will keep us warmer this winter than the prospect of terrifically higher heating bills that the economists are predicting. Brrr. Bye for now.