(Dear Cashmere, that wasn't a PARENTFAIL. Your children are safe because you and your family were scrutinizing every inch of their play and, as children will, they tested you. You passed the test; they're alive. Please don't beat yourself up. You're one of the sanest, loving mommies I know.)

java is wise.

Also, I was really traumatized by swimming lessons when I was a kid. I don't know why. But seriously, screaming and crying and mom pushing me through the door and the whole bit. I'm sorry mom!

And then later, I was totally fine. And I was fine with water, and beaches and whatnot. It was just the actual lesson in the pool I objected to. No clue why.

Bob Dylan detained by police who don't recognize him and think he might have wandered away from a psychiatric hospital. [link]

Kids have an amazing talent for finding the one unseen drop-off around. Still, that's why we have grown-ups (well, that and paying for Ben & Jerry's visits)—as Cashmere and co. proved.

I grew up near Lake Huron. Beautiful sandy beaches and lake bottom in my area. I learned to swim fairly young, and I've loved it ever since. But yeah, the lakes around here are mud-bottomed puddles of orange water. Not too appealing.

I really only like pools, but rivers and creeks with a current will do ok if I stay on the edge or am in a tube. I'm really not a fan of living things in the water other than people.

It's hot. We've walked too much. And mac's playdate of bowling did not go on long enough, so despite my promise to myself, I have brought a friend of his here and they are watching tv for an hour. please no bugs on him, please please please.

ita's aquatic wildlife concern, iirc, is lake whales.

Freshwater-able sharks! Of course this doesn't explain how I still am sort of scared that there can be sharks in swimming pools. I'm not sure why I think that.

Timelies all!

Took my folk to Udvar-Hazy, the Air and Space Annex. Neat stuff, even if G and I were more interested in the space/rocket stuff than my folks were.

Bob Dylan detained by police who don't recognize him and think he might have wandered away from a psychiatric hospital.

Sounds a lot better than, "he didn't look right in that neighborhood."

Of course this doesn't explain how I still am sort of scared that there can be sharks in swimming pools. I'm not sure why I think that.

You're a desert dweller? All the water bewilders you a bit?

Of course this doesn't explain how I still am sort of scared that there can be sharks in swimming pools. I'm not sure why I think that.

Honey, you still occasionally worry that there could be sharks in bathtubs.