A swimming pool can bring about many memories; in my book of memories mostly a lot of festive family fun!  My grandmother had a pool and my cousins and I spent what seems like every day of the summer three months in and around Gigi’s pool.  There was nothing better than the anticipation of our occasional poolside lunches ordered from Burger Chef or running down the back kitchen steps with Popsicles and Eskimo Pies dripping down our fingers.  Her backyard was a childhood dream come true and every day brought something new:  Swimming lessons from cousin Doug (a Cincinnati Marlin); underwater colonial hairdos & tea parties; end of the pool lap races; pretend bar-tending; running out of the garage, through the Dutch door, jumping into the pool and quickly yelling out, cereal brands or cartoon characters – I have no idea what the game was behind that, but at the time, it was the coolest game ever; and, a little novelty thermodynamic drinking bird bobbing back and forth.

Once our cousin’s clan got a little bit older (with a few new additions), another swimming pool became almost more exhilarating because it meant it was spring break at the Riverside Hilton in Tampa, Florida for the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training.  Even though we were there year after year after year for Spring Training, I don’t actually remember going to a lot of baseball games.  But, I do remember spending a lot of time in the hotel pool.  A different set of exciting memories awaited us there.  Mini gecko’s running through the rocks by the pool, hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts right inside Gigi’s suite at the end of the 6^th floor, McDonald’s for lunch, and Jack Golly’s band playing “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” which we waited for all night long because to us, that was the only rock & roll they knew.

Next up, was Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike’s swimming pool when they moved to Ft. Lauderdale.  It was my favorite place to visit, because at times, I could have the whole pool area to myself.  I would roller skate (it was the 80s) around the pool like I was a skating cocktail waitress working at some tropical locale.  I would hose down the concrete around the pool, skim out all the leaves and take imaginary drink orders before cleaning up and shutting down the bar just at sunset.

Looking back at the cherished swimming pools of my youth, they happily all had the same three things in common:  Loving family, blissful memories and ladies (my mom and three aunts) lounging by the pool in 70s style caftans and big round sunglasses.  Watching our moms chatting and laughing with bleach blonde hair, sun-bronzed skin and bright lipstick, they seemed to be living a life of extravagance.  I hoped that one day, I’d be in their sandals, with what looked like, not a care in the world, except knowing who was cavorting with whom on “Days of Our Lives.”  What could be better?

So, now I am a “lady” and big round sunglasses and high heeled sandals are easily found for a decent price at Target; but, caftans are a little harder to find.  That retro bright patterned polyester fabric and flowy loose cut hiding all signs of aging imperfection just isn’t as readily found.

When my Aunt Nancy passed away, my cousins Betsy and Matt donned a couple of the mono-color gauze caftans for a wonderfully comical photo, but it seemed all her “Mrs. Roper would be jealous”-style caftans were nowhere to be found.  I even tried to look online for something similar, but the closest I found was a Dolce & Gabbana pineapple patterned dress for the low price of $1,772 (50% off from its retail price of $3,545).  My hopes of one day being a lady of leisure wearing the ultimate in stylish pool attire was dashed.  Eventually, Betsy was able to find one lone Oscar de la Renta, vividly colored (blue with red trim and vibrant flowery bouquet pattern) caftan which now is nothing less than a prize possession.  Betsy reminded me that if I ever get it altered to fit, I should use some of the extra fabric to make a scarf for my hair.  Genius.

I want to bring this treasure on my 50^th birthday cruise and when I walk out on deck, big sunglasses and huge beach bag in hand, I want to own that moment of swirling my caftan around and all the 70s vibes that go along with it.  If only for the day, I want to bring back those glorious memories.  I don’t really tan anymore.  In fact, I joke that I am one of the only people that goes on vacation tanner then when I get back (thanks to my spray tan which wears off by the time I get home); but, I am happy to give it a try anyway.  I’ll even bring along some silly tabloid magazine, a few disco tunes on my iPod; and, if I can find one, a nice cold can of Tab.  Now, if only I had that reflective foil tanning blanket and a bottle of Sun In…   #50WeeksTo50

*This post is dedicated to my favorite childhood swimming pool – the indoor pool at the Glenstone Lodge in Gatlinburg, where we stayed just one night on our way home from somewhere else.  For the 70s, it was quite ahead of its time with a huge rock waterfall cascading into the pool.  Another delightful memory.