I was treated to a dazzling display of special entertainment this week. My wife, Nancy, performed a little synchronized swimming act in our very own goldfish pond.
It happened this way.
Nancy had set up a row of chairs beside our pond for front-row observation of our frogs and goldfish. The chairs were less than a foot from the pond and I warned that someone could lose their balance and fall in. I was thinking more or less of the children next door, who visited periodically, but Nancy said not to worry.
I believe it was Saturday afternoon that my dreaded fears were realized. Nancy fed the fish, then leaned down a bit to scoop out some errant helicopters (maple seeds) and got a bit too close. One foot slipped over the edge and then the water ballet began. She performed what I would call a rear entry somersault with a half twist.
The degree of difficulty was off the charts, particularly with the claw marks she left in the concrete as she was descending, but there was quite a bit of splash on entry, so much that our goldfish headed for deep water and did not come out for three days. Our frog is now in therapy.
Overall it was a marvelous dive. I gave her a 9.5.
I thought it to be a wonderful show, but she immediately called for assistance in getting out of the pond. Called may not be quite a strong enough word. It was more like “Get me the hell out of here”, or something like that. First, I retrieved her cell phone, then I pulled her up with mild amusement. I was laughing so loud I could barely breathe.
Thank goodness the cell phone was alright, bit my wife was soaked to the bone.
I suppose it will be another few days before she speaks to me again. She did, however, move the chairs back a bit.
Reservations for our pond-side special entertainment performances are now available through ticketleap.com. The water ballet begins at 6 pm.