“Come on, Honey, I promise you will like it. You know how you love swimming.” Her tones were soft and inviting. I had been listening to her try and get me out of the house by going to the city swimming pool. It seems that the more I kick back and make up some silly reason for not going anywhere, the more reasons she throws at me.
“Are you sure we have seen the entire movie?” We had been violating one of the Ten Commandments all weekend. I’m not sure which one, but if you kick your recliner back and do nothing for the weekend, there had to be a commandment that we were violating. I don’t remember which one, but the word sloth comes to mind.
Our children had been extolling this show on TV for a few years. We had been hearing about this great show on TV from just about everyone we know. So we picked out a day to watch it to see what the fuss was all about. We had made the decision to watch it together this weekend.
Perhaps you know someone who has seen it or you have committed a few hours to watching it based on their recommendations. The show is called “Yellowstone.” I know, I know, we are late to the party. However, if you plan on watching it all the way through, allow me to caution you. It is five seasons. You won’t mind so much because the acting and the story are really good.
It is all about the “Yellowstone” up in Northern Montana. I should point out that we had been planning a trip up there for quite some time, so we thought it might give us an answer as to whether we would enjoy the area. Watching this show answered that question for us. The scenery shown was amazing. It is always in the background because you can’t look in any direction without seeing another reason to know there is a God and to know His works are unparalleled.
As most well-made shows, it is the story of one family and the trials they go through in keeping the family together and protecting the natural beauty of the ranch their ancestors settled over a hundred years ago. It is a typical, “Man against the Government,” but that is a small thing in this movie. Mostly it is about the family.
Oh! And since this might be shared with your children, I must tell you that the language is terrible. After a few minutes into it, you mostly ignore this, yet I would not let my younger kids watch. I won’t be like the government is and tell you a certain age is OK because it is really salty.
Lorraine and I had been told by our boys and others about the language. I won’t tell you that you get used to it. You don’t. It is ever present. I suggest that you should preview it or ask for a recommendation from someone that you trust. In any case, this is why we got just about as lazy as a person could be. It was never boring.
Getting back to the pool, that is one of the reasons why Lorraine would like me to accompany her as she goes to the pool three days a week. This time it seems she would not take no for an answer. She loves going to the pool for the company and the exercise she gets. I had not planned on going with her this time (or really anytime). I sort of figured that I may be the only man in the class, and when we arrived my suspicions were confirmed. In a manner of five minutes, I quit thinking about who was there and embraced the fact that the ladies were so supportive of my presence.
The Gonzales Pool is run by Connie Arrellano, and it is obvious that she is another one of the Blessings for our town. She certainly knows what she is doing and the pool is run like a well-oiled machine.
I have to take a moment to add that our city pool is a blessing to our community. In the summer, you can see the kids standing outside with their towels waiting for someone to leave so they can get into the pool. I also feel that it is invaluable because of all the things that adults can do while they are there. The pool is beautiful, the water is clean and the programs available are again, the result of Connie and her team.
In any case, I have to tell you why I was really happy that Lorraine convinced me to go. I don’t remember seeing any adult men there, but perhaps that is because I’m one of the men who are old enough to not need a parent’s note to attend. In fact, I caught myself showing off for the ladies.
They have this climbing wall at one side and I watched a young man climb up and jump back into the water. I’m sure I heard God laughing because I found myself trying to copy that young man. Now some of you may be thinking I was just showing off for the ladies that were there. You would be wrong. I waited until Lorraine was talking to one of the ladies.
Quickly, I started to climb the wall. I didn’t get to show off because as I fell backward I felt how hard water can be when you hit it with your face. Ouch! I surfaced in time to hear the ladies tell me I’m not supposed to hit face first. Connie didn’t ask me to leave but suggested that perhaps I could find a more age-appropriate toy.
All in all, I had a great time and I’m going back, not to impress the ladies, but hey! My wife is right there and she will remind me that my birthday is just around the corner.
God Bless.
