I wrote a column last week about my preference to keep my feet on the ground. Skydiving, bungee jumping and paragliding are for those who seek thrills much more than I do. Several of you sent me notes in agreement, and one asked how I felt about swimming in the oceans and the seas. Great question.
First off, I love to swim. I have been doing it since my brother threw me in the 10-foot section of the public swimming pool as a kid and yelled to me that I better figure out how to make it back to the edge.
As kids, we also swam in the gravel pits of rural Iowa, many of which now have large-scale hog confinement buildings and acres of chemically treated farm ground nearby. My farmer friends say they are still OK to swim in. I am not so sure. I feel safer soaking in water with chlorine rather than water with traces of hog manure and herbicides, but that’s just me. Even so, I do boat, swim and relax on Iowa’s lakes, and I look forward to doing so again soon. Those 90-degree days sound enticing right now.
But swimming in oceans and seas? That’s a different story. Those bodies of water are feeding grounds for sharks, and sharks eat humans. There are more than 100 shark attacks worldwide each year. Now, I realize that number is a small percentage of the population, but I don’t see the sense in adding to it. Much like singer/songwriter Jim Croce, there are some things I just don’t do. I don’t tug on Superman’s cape. I don’t spit into the wind. I don’t pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger. And I don’t swim in the oceans or seas.
Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing you at the pool.
Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 | 
