Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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The Neighborhood Pool: Cheaper Than Therapy

6/19/2014

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Picture
"Some of the best memories are made in flip flops." --Kellie Elmore

The sticky, steamy air clung to me like a fog bank hugging a mountain. My skin was slick with sweat and my mind was cluttered with too many thoughts that the summer heat wasn't helping to abate. I grabbed my swimsuit, quickly changed, slid my feet into a pair of my favorite flip flops, slathered on some SPF 45, snagged the pool bag, and headed off to cool my body and clear my head. I don't know why such a simple act like swimming has the power to wash away my troubles, but it does. Maybe it has something to do with the calming, soothing effects of water, in general. Perhaps it's the distinct quiet that shuts off most of the outside noises when your head goes under water and reduces the noise to an "off-in-the-distance" kind of garble. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful that it works.

I listened to the happy chatter from the neighborhood kids at play in the water. They played games that were familiar from my own childhood, like "Marco, Polo" (which has become a Schaefer family tradition when any of us are out in public and get separated...that's how we find each other, by walking through wherever saying, "Marco" and listening for the required "Polo" response). The kids also made up their own games as they laughed, splashed and played--happy, carefree. I wanted to capture that "simple joy" and take it with me when I left, but unfortunately life doesn't work that way. When I got in my car to drive home, the summer spell was broken the moment I shut the door. As I pulled into my own driveway, I knew that all was not lost. Some of my worries had been left behind for the pool filters to sort out, having seeped out of my brain while my head was under water. The rest I'll attempt to drown again when I go back to the pool tomorrow!

*Image from www.gograph.com.


1 Comment
Swimming Pool Filter replacement Charleston link
3/28/2018 07:11:38 am

Call for inspection once in a year for your pool and change the pool filter regularly to keep its working on the top. If the pool filter will be cleaned regularly it will work smoothly and filter the things more efficiently and then kids will be able to play healthily in the pool.

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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery