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Of my big list of things to do from yesterday I accomplished vacuuming the pool and making dinner.

I asked C. Riley to help me vacuum. After considering the request for a moment he said, “Indeed. Yes, I will help you.”

Funny.

Of course I got everything set up and handed him the vacuum which he held for approximately 15 seconds before returning it to me, “It’s too difficult.”

So much for having a pool boy.

Last year when we first took possession of the house and were trying to maintain the pool (deathly afraid of blowing up the pump or breaking the heater) we tried to remember what the elderly woman from whom we bought the house taught us. Because I had grown up with a pool, most decisions were deferred to me with the comment, “Well, you’re the poolgirl.” After about the 283rd time this had been said I yelled, “Would you stop that! I haven’t been a pool girl for 15 years!”

He stopped and then we both learned how to take care of the pool. I can’t even tell you how many shouts were exchanged because of the pump and then frustration and how many times forgiveness was requested. I’ll try -it was certainly more than four…I think 72.