Category Archives: Swimmers’ Mask

Holiday Weekend in L.A., Week Twenty-Two in the No Longer New Abnormal

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How could it be that the weather in New York City is better than the weather here in Los Angeles?  This is my second trip in the last few years and it’s also the second time when it’s too chilly to enjoy the “always” good weather of L.A.  As the day goes on the sun warms the streets, not to a perfectly mid-70s day, but at least the temperature rises to the high 60s.  

I booked a hotel with a pool, but I don’t know if the heated water will keep me warm in the early hours of the morning.  It would be great to swim as the sun rises.  I imagine I’ll wake up early since it’s three hours later in New York, and I have yet to adjust to West Coast time.  

As it turns out the pool is properly heated and my solo swim at 7 am was long and luxurious.  No one came to the pool, and I was able to have an under-water meditation in motion.  A great way to start my day.  

I will be attending a wedding, one that I’m very much looking forward to.  I already had a chance to catch up and laugh with friends, and tonight I can continue with that.  There’s something so special about meeting up with friends when it feels as if no time at all has gone by, even if our hair is greyer and our joints are creakier. 

I had to shorten this trip to get ready for my book launch on June 4th.  I’m glad I came, but there are endless list of things to get done to try to make this book a success.  Though, it’s already a success if I consider all that I’ve learned in the process.  Not always easy or fun, but lessons well learned, nevertheless.  I’m happy to enjoy this short break with friends, and I’ll be happy to be home to race against the clock in accomplishing all the lies ahead.  

Self-Care Tips:

  • Keep a book, hard cover or paperback by your bed for nighttime reading.  There’s nothing like holding a solid book in hand and allowing the written word to woo you to sleep.
  • Slow down.  We tend to make mistakes when we rush.  I know this from a multitude of personal experiences.  When we slow down our focus tends to sharpen, and we can accomplish the same amount because we don’t have to go back to fix our mistakes.  
  • Challenge your taste buds.  Try a new cuisine.  Or try something familiar with spices and herbs you don’t usually eat.  There are many ways to spice up our lives, this suggestion is meant to literally spice up your life.  

Swimming on Vacation, The Fourth Week of the Second Year of the New Abnormal

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I swam for an hour, my head submerged in the warm pool with tiny, wavy prisms, iridescent in the sun-drenched water.  The luxury of having a pool to myself is priceless.  Being able to move seamlessly underwater, thanks to my swimmers’ mask, allows me to stay beneath the surface, enjoying what I’d describe as a meditation in motion.  

 We’re on vacation.  That in and of itself is a gift of relaxation.  I had become rather snippy the first weeks of January, which is always a sign that I need a reset.  I’m still noticing some sharp edges that have yet to be smoothed completely, but the warm air, the sun and the tranquil atmosphere are working their magic.  

There’s a simple ease to being in the Caribbean.  Being able to swim with my mask adds a layer of delight as this vacation kneads the knots of stress from my body, mind and soul.  Sometimes in life there’s a simple fix that changes an experience from okay to wonderful.  That is true of my swimmers’ mask, a device that looks like an outer space unicorn.  It takes up the entire face, so unlike a snorkel, I can breathe just under the surface of water from either my mouth or nose.  There’s a stop at the tip of the hose at the center that prevents water from entering.  And the hose at the center means that swimmers like me can stroke our arms without hitting the tube.  All in all, I am so grateful for this wonderful addition to my swim.  

Life hacks can really help us when they make life easier or more enjoyable.  Years ago, Larry taught me that having the right tool for the right job matters.  He showed me how a well sharpened knife makes a huge difference in the joy of cooking.  Or the correct screwdriver can shorten a belabored task.  Now I have my swim mask, less a tool that a piece of equipment that provides a panoramic view of the pool or the ocean.  A few more swims and the last of the sharp edges will disappear.  At least for now.

Self-Care Tips:

  • Check to see if there’s an easier way to do your chores or activities.  A silicon spatula is helpful to scramble eggs while being gentle on your pan.  A group or family calendar is useful for scheduling.  And a small packet of wipes in your bag or car are good at any age.  
  • If you feel overwhelmed, rather than power on, take a short break.  Walk around the block, meditate, take a power nap, or stretch.  Breaks help us to refocus.  
  • When on the phone, smile while speaking.  It brightens our tone and communicates a softer nature.