You wrote a great essay about a little known ritual. I never thought about it until I read this. Our backyard neighbors for over 30 years had a built in pool. Every September my husband would help cover the pool with our neighbor and say goodbye to summer. Every May, he’d help open up the pool.those days were like unofficial holidays in our neighborhood! Our kids started swimming together when they were young and now our grandkids swim together. You brought back many treasured memories. Thank you!!