The Wisconsin snowbirds’ skin was a leathery Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle-like texture. They had deep tans, a patina from years outdoors poolside coaching swim teams. They must have spent hours gliding through the water, arms alternating strokes with a steady rhythm as sure as a metronome beat. They were beautiful. Their upright movement on land was spry and vigorous. Their energy seemed boundless. Sunshine smiles illuminated their weathered faces. I had never seen creatures quite like them. I was 18. I figured, if swimming yielded such grace and ease and energy in golden years, then I wanted to learn to swim like them.
Attributions:
- This was from my weekly writing circle (Write Habit) prompt to play with the word patina, patina – an effect of change, a transformation. Writing circle is good fun and as my friend, Mitch says, kaizen. i.e. Flex the writing muscles and let it flow.
- Snowbird is a slang term for retirees who spend the winter in southern states. Some folks may have a negative bias towards this term. I do not.
- My affection for the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is from three teenage summers of manual labor and public relations work at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, Alabama, via the Youth Conservation Corps. It was THE BEST summer job of my youth.
- Thanks to the City of Foley pool for hiring me as a lifeguard for the summer before college.
- Photo credit to Joshua J. Cotten via Unsplash.
sheteststhewater 