“If a man is destined to drown, he will drown even in a spoonful of water.” — Yiddish Proverb
(I don’t think I buy into the destiny aspect, but you can “drown” in as little as a teaspoon of water. As a small child, I did actually “drown” once. Thankfully, a lovely Asian lifeguard dove down to the bottom of the deep-end, and saved my life. The drowning aspect was a little confusing to my four year old brain, yet strangely peaceful. Luckily, I couldn’t have been down there too long. As a result though, I did have an aversion to putting my head under water, for quite a long time. That made learning how to swim a bit of a challenge. I did learn though! Although, I never was able to master the turning of my head, to take air in, and then blow it out with my face in the water. My brain-o says No bueno to that! Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
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Happy birthday to Gladys Knight! (This was also a CCR song.)
Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
One day, they may be capable of going back there and extract those exact memories of yours while literally down under. Or maybe you’ll master Lucid Dreaming and go there to visit yourself. Happy Memorial Day. Cheers
Gee, Unc !
I guess we’re lucky to have you with us, now. We could’ve lost you in a neighborhood pool at the age of four.
I’ve been trying to recall if I’ve had a close call or two considering the risky activities we Marines engaged in, but I haven’t divined anything concrete, yet.
Wait-a-sec: On my first free-fall parachute jump at Lakehurst Naval Training Center, I was so busy counting to “ten” that I lost concentration on maintaining my posture in order for my chute could open cleanly.
But, that’s only a near-close call; I’m not sure it compares to actually drowning.
I’m just thankful that god makes an effort to take of us, even when we’re doing foolish stuff.
Egad, UR, it really makes you appreciate the work of lifesavers! Thank goodness she was watching, you came out physically OK, and you overcame the fear of swimming. This Cryp was easy to start, IF A MAN …, but then the formation of the attribution was so familiar as WILLIAM, that I took a moment to regroup.
I agree, hal . . . on all parts. Actually, the “drowning” was easier for me to overcome than the woman from my first swimming lessons. She was frustrated with my reluctance/inability to do the bobbing exercises, so she wrapped her arms around me and took me out to the deeper water to do the bobs with her! I was completely terrified! I was crying/shrieking as we went underwater and as we came up, time and time again. I have no idea/recollection how long it actually went on, but at the time it felt like forever! She probably thought that I was the world’s biggest brat/wuss, but I now realize that she probably had no knowledge of my prior drowning episode.
From my end, this appeared to be the first Yiddish Proverb to make it to the Cryptoquote . . . in my time at least. I’m pretty certain that we’ve had a Hebrew Saying/Proverb though. — YUR
It was actually the pool at this day camp that we (older brother and I) attended. I think it was my very first day, and it was in the afternoon, and they called for a “free swim”. I saw all the other kids jump in the pool . . . having fun, so I followed suit. I don’t remember the counselor situation, but I think in one way he/she was out to lunch! I’m pretty sure that might have been the same summer that I was saved after drinking gasoline! (People should not store gasoline in Ginger Ale bottles!) I’ve probably had a few other close calls too. Mainly in my *youth*. I’d like to think I’ve learned my lesson.
I did my one and only, so far, tandem parachute jump at age 48. It went well. I spaced a little on pulling the cord. Just as I reached for it the instructor pulled it himself. It was a blast! I’d do it again, if the opportunity arose. — YUR
I don’t have total recall, like Marilu Henner does, but I do have a pretty good memory, Wes. And, I can recall a number of things in my life that most people say I couldn’t possibly remember, because I was too young at the time. I’ve admitted, on a few occasions here, that I read only at a subvocal level, so reading takes me much longer than normal. And, as a result, I’m not very well-read. But, I generally kick ass on Jeopardy! And, do you know why? Partially because I can pickup on the clues in the wording of the *answers*, but also because a good portion of my “knowledge” likely came from my lifetime of WATCHING the show!
Happy Memorial Day weekend to you! — YUR
Gee, Unc !
Just when I thought almost drowning in a pool was bad enough, you drank a ginger ale bottle full of gasoline ! 😦
How do we know you’re actually a person now and not a ghost who passed years ago who’s pretending to be a person ?
We’ll have to start a praying circle to keep you safe. Like they say in Georgia: “Bless you heart !”
Believe me, lwc, the more traumatic of the three things I just went over was neither the drowning incident, nor the gasoline incident. It was the woman who tried to force me to learn how to bob! My gasoline consumption and drowning were innocent accidents. I was largely unaware of the potential threat of death, at those times. But, that woman, taking me into the deep end, and taking me underwater, over and over again, felt like a deadly assault! I felt she was trying to kill me. — YUR
Unc wrote: “…that woman, taking me into the deep end, and taking me underwater, over and over again…”
God bless you, Unc… stay with us as long as you can. People aren’t ready to miss you, just yet ! 😦