Pools

I have to confess I don't quite get the obsession with swimming pools. Not that I wouldn't want one of my own if I were to live in some other place in the world, where the beach was a long way from my house. But here in East Hampton, with the ocean a mile and a half in one direction and the bay only a few in the other, why in the world would I want a pool in my back yard?

I suppose I am still influenced by my father, who I remember saying once about friend who was putting in a swimming pool, "What's the point of living near the water if you're going to put a swimming pool in your back yard?" It does seem to me to be the ultimate advantage, to be able to jump in one's car and drive to a beach which costs us nothing at all to use.

I am also influenced by the fact that I like having a back yard for other things. Years ago we had a volleyball net out there for a long time. We've been able to have wedding receptions in our yard and we love watching the grandkids play on the gym set that was put up a few years ago. We don't need to worry about them being too near the water - just an occasional glance to make sure they haven't wandered into the neighbor's yard is all it takes.

I think it might be a nice thing to walk out your back door and take a quick dip every once in awhile, but with a small yard like ours, I prefer grass and weeds to cement and decking. And as my husband says, we have the biggest swimming pool in the world just a hop, skip and a jump away anytime we're so inclined.