The Livin' is Easy

Canoes and water bring to mind summertime.

The song that runs through my mind is Summertime

and the Livin' is Easy.

But canoes and water also bring to mind a time

in my youth.

I loved going to summer camp, loved all the

water sports, including canoeing.

One summer long ago my mom decided to go

to camp with me as a counselor.

We arrived early and a group of us decided to go canoeing.

Now you must know my mom didn't swim.

Everyone wore life jackets.

It was a beautiful summer day on the Russian River.

Canoeing along we got caught in the currant

and surprise we were all in the water.

For most of us that was no problem, we could swim; but for my mom it was very scary.

Fortunately she was close to the canoe and held on until we could pull the canoe to shore.

So each time I see a canoe I think of my mom and that day on the river.

I guess the moral of the story is to know how to swim and always wear a life jacket on the river.

Be safe, soak up the sun, and enjoy the water this summertime.

***

The canoes in the picture were found at Trillium Lake in Oregon.