Robert Ebsen

Why can’t they build a pool heater that cannot break?

Duh!  I know the answer.  You know the answer, too.   Planned obsolescence.  Just think what would happen if every product made were to last forever. That doesn’t make it easier for me when November rolls around, and the weather gets chilly.

From about May through October, my roof’s three solar panels provide me with sufficient pool heat to swim in my aboveground pool any time I want.  During those colder six months, I have to rely on my pool’s gas heater to do the job.  My gas heater is a four-year-old Hayward model. It decides to break down during each colder six-month season.

Since my gas heater decided to break last week, I have been wondering how I will get my swimming exercise while waiting for the pool repair guy to contact me.  My pool exercise consists of swimming around using a variety of strokes, using hand weights, and doing squats in the water.  It is exercise that I deem crucial to maintaining my flexibility, balance, strength and overall well-being.

I thought of several ideas:

• Swimming in my bathtub, trying to keep the floor dry as I do my squats.
• Joining a gym and using their indoor heated pool.
• Driving to the local community college and swimming in their outside heated             pool during their selected hours.

Okay.  I am getting weaker. Time to make a decision.  Decided.

I will swim at the college pool today sometime during their 5-7p.m. swim time. They charge just $2 for a swim, and the college pool is only 20 minutes away.  Tomorrow I plan to swim sometime during their 11-1-swim time.  As for their 7-8 a.m. swim time – I will be under my covers.  I will complete this essay after swimming today around 5.

No Way.  It was cold last night. I found myself getting out of the way of the lap swimmers in my lane.  I swam for 10 minutes and went home.  This afternoon, I was all smiles as the outside temperature was in the mid-70s.  I got to the pool at 11, and duh, – it was closed for Veterans Day.

Thank the Lord, there’s always tomorrow.

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