I haven’t had a cold for years. I was beginning to think of myself as immune to the common cold.

Then almost three weeks ago, the unthinkable happened. I caught one of the 200 varieties of cold virus — this one a terrible cold — or series of colds. I was so happy when I heard the neighbor say, “My cold lasted for three weeks.” At least there was hope.

Not only has my cold taken a lot out of me, it has prevented me from exercising sufficiently. I have been so used to swimming at least one day a week, and walking to “visit” trees, at least one day a week.

I decided something had to be done. My pool was very slowly being heated up by the solar panels on my roof, but not heated enough for me to want to go in the water. Weeks of leaves dropping into the pool had prevented the water from maintaining its clarity.

Was there a solution to my pool’s condition, to my obtaining exercise, and to feeling better? Yes. Yesterday I purchased a neoprene fisherman’s wading suit that was on sale at the local sporting goods store. Donning that garb as soon as I was home, I entered my pool, quite comfortable, warm, and dry, and I began the approximately 30-minute task of slowly picking up the fallen leaves with a small net.

I had gotten out of the house, I had gotten exercise in the water, and I had cared for my pool. I did feel a lot better.

Couldn’t I have felt better by doing something other than the wading activity? Couldn’t I have just walked around the block several times? Perhaps. But then I like it when I find novel solutions to problems. And it seems that this novel solution picked up my spirits a bit.

I wish you a Happy New Year with lots of good health!

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at Robertebsen@hotmail.com