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The Story of the Free Pool
Late 70's |
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One day, Flori calls me and says "My
next door neighbor is getting rid of his pool. His kids have
outgrown it." I can have it for free, if I just come and take
it away! Wow! A free pool! He's already taken it apart
for me. What a "no-brainer".
So, I hop into the station wagon and I go get the pool. My kids are the perfect age. "Time they learned how to swim." |
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Well, first, I had a couple of kids come and clear an 18 foot, or so, circle of grass from the backyard to put the 15 foot round pool in ($50). Then I started putting it together. There were only 1 or 2 minor pieces missing, but no problem, I was able to buy them cheap ($15). After all, how often do you get a free pool? Next, I find, you have to put down a special "pool base" sand under the liner so it will be soft and squishy to walk on ($40). Then, as I was going to finally put in the liner, I noticed it was patched in a few places. Not a problem, but then I thought "What is a pool anyway? It's mostly the liner." I figure, if I just buy a new liner ($75) it'll be like I got a NEW pool....for free! Then I hooked up the filter. It worked kinda' alright, but it was a real old style "sand" filter. I realized, immediately, that a new "diatomaceous earth" filter ($125) and the pool is done,,,,perfect. (note: I have no idea if I spelled that right!) When I filled the pool it became obvious to me from the mud around the outside that I would have to put gravel around the pool ($60) to cut out the mud. Of course, the next thing I found out was you can't walk on this kind of gravel. Even though I got the rounded stuff (extra $) it was too hard on the feet! So, I got those concrete paving circular thingies ($50) and made a path around the pool. Now, at least, you could walk. Now it was perfect! The first time my six-foot something friend Justin got into my pool, he demolished the ladder! But a new ladder ($60) and I was back in business! This is when I found out about pool chemicals. It's like having a four thousand gallon "junkie" living with you, with a permanent chemical dependency. At least in the winter you don't have to feed the pool. Thank God!! So, let's talk about WINTER!! You're not using the pool. You have to cover ($80) the pool. And you have to give it a special blast of chemicals ($40) before you put it to sleep. I don't want to even discuss vacuuming! We're now up to almost $600 for this free pool!! Now, remember, back in the 70's a NEW pool didn't cost a whole lot more than that!! And of course, the entire world was now spending their summers in my back yard. You have to feed these people! But, Mel and my kids all learned how to swim so it accomplished something of a lasting nature. Eventually though, my kids outgrew it too, and I had it hauled($50) away!. The final insult!!... .... ....not quite.....remember the 18 foot circle of grass that was REMOVED for fifty bucks?? Landscaper ($100) Total = $745 for the free pool. (plus all the "junkie's" stuff)
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