I need your help.
Well, at least some suggestions.
For most of my adult life, summer vacation relaxation has been a breeze (no wind even required, though itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s sometimes a bonus).
Mostly, it involved sports, travel, a vehicle and a body of water to float atop or splash about in.
As recovery continues from some intrusive surgery, the options have been reduced.
Year-round, IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve been able to unload my stress and relax in a few ways.
First, is driving. Especially on a sunny day. (Car) tarps off, B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™80s hair band tunes playing, all stress evaporating.
Instantly feel like a kid again, until I step out of the car and my body gives me a harsh dose of creaky reality.
But for now, I canB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t drive too far. Maybe two Guns NB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ Roses tunes, a Skid Row throwback and a Metallica banger before I have to take a break.
Interrupts the flow of relaxation.
And yes, relaxation is still possible if the rotation includes DexyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Midnight Runners or Cutting Crew.
But, aside from short snippets, thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s out for a while.
Second was sports. Not watching, but participating.
At this point, most lower-half stretching is verboten. Mini golf or Chexx bubble hockey is about all thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s left. ItB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll do in a pinch, I guess.
Sadly, my number one, guaranteed to relieve every remote scintilla of stress, never fails method is also out.
Each summer, I sit in the (above ground) pool on a large floatie, baking in the sun, surrounding trees swaying slowly in the breeze while listening to said old tunes at near full volume with the Airpods and reading (thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s right, actually reading) a book.
In the old days, the smell of freshly mown grass in the springtime meant ball season was approaching.
Now, it means IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™m ever-closer to the four- or five-day sweet spot on the calendar where I could just shut everything out, float, roast and read.
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One year, IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll get some video footage, because itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s always an adventure. Especially when thereB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s no one around to hand me my phone and my book.
All greased up with sunscreen, I do a little jump from the ladder to the floatie (picture a giant floating easy chair). Inevitably, I slide right off and/or flip the entire thing several times, soaking myself and leaving a film of sunscreen in the pool.
Having overestimated my own balancing skills and dunking a couple of books, I now leave the phone and book in plastic bags on the pool ladder.
The phone went in once but (and this was the fasted IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve ever moved in my life), my rapier-like reflexes allowed me to grab it before it hit the pool bottom and I threw it out onto the grass.
Was out of the pool faster than an enhanced Ben Johnson and had the thing in a bowl of rice in no time. It still worked for years after that.
Once I finally settle safely on to the floatie, I grab the book and phone, get the tunes cranked, start reading and slip into bliss.
IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™m there right now in my mind but itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s not the same.
This year, I canB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t get wet, so the pool is out.
I donB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t enjoy listening to music nearly as much without the car or the pool, so thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s out.
So is reading without the noted accoutrements, since without them I get screentime withdrawals.
SoB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·¦ what do I do?
With my endless downtime the last year or so, IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve watched so many Love Boat reruns on YouTube IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™m pretty much Captain Stubing.
I need something else to fill that relaxation vibe.
What would be terrific is your help.
WhatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s your all-time go-to stress reliever? WhereB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s your happy place? What activities might I try to replace my floating fortress of relaxation? What always works for you?
Send me your suggestions.
IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll try to work them into the framework of what I can and canB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t do and if any are a success, IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll share any and all credit.
Help a fella relax.
PQB B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·/VI Free Daily editor Philip Wolf welcomes your questions, comments and story ideas. He can be reached at 250-905-0029 or via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca.