Labor Day is considered the traditional beginning of fall. But that was not the case this year at Maples at the Sonatas, where we enjoyed three-plus weeks of bonus summer.

There were still several sizzling hot days for swimming. Our walking group, known for getting outside in challenging weather, took their exercise in the pool a few days. Don’t they look nice and cool here?

Photo by Carol

And they can spell too. A-A-R-P…

Photo by Carol

The weather has turned a bit cooler now, but the pool was still the place to be this weekend. On Saturday, we celebrated the annual Pooch Plunge. It was a big hit with dogs and humans alike, and provided many photo ops.

Edna and her Rita pose for Sylvia.

No one enjoys swimming more than Sandy. Photo by Kathy.

Bandit, photo by Sylvia.

Sylvia’s photo of humans having fun too.

The dogs all love Cathie, who brought three of her own. Photo by Carol.

And a special thanks to Cathie, who let me share this brief video of some of our dogs in action.

Then, last night, it was back to the pool for viewing the lunar eclipse. A dozen or so of us shared some conversation and laughter as we kept our fingers crossed that the clouds would not cover the moon.

Photo by Sylvia

We all felt like the amateur photographers that we are as we tried to take photos with our phones. Here is Shirley, giving it a shot.

Photo by Sylvia

And here are two of Shirley’s pictures.

Photo by Shirley

Photo by Shirley

It’s been a wonderful summer in our community. But this week the pool will close for the season. Thanks to our hard-working pool committee for providing the setting for so many fond memories.