1985

Yesterday I was at the pool with the kids and I didn't coat the SPF on me like I should. I mean, the kids were covered but I really need some color. AND it was late in the day so low chance of sunburn. But as I lay there stricken with guilt, I was remembering a time when the whole POINT was to either tan or burn or whatever would change the WHITE skin a different summer shade.
Let's go back to say, the summer of 1985. I can remember that I would go out about 10:00 am to start this "tanning" process. If luck would have it, my friends and I would go to the beach or lay out together at least w/ maybe even foil under our legs (so trick of the trade to attract the MOST sun) but worse case scenario, I could just lay out my own yard. The good news was my skin cancer concerned mother was working now as a nurse she was mostly gone otherwise, she would be ALL over me for the great lengths I would go to be "tan". Once I had the body part correct - baby oil, foil, spray bottle of water, I would turn my attention to my hair. My next goal was to get my already blonde hair even blonder. I would use whatever I could - lemon juice or Sun-In. The only conflict I would have during this particuliar summer would be - do I continue to lay out from 12-1 or do I go in and watch All My Children. There were a few times I actually brought our kitchen TV out to the patio to be able to accomplish both the burn and the soap.
That night would be fabulous. I was tan (burned) and blonder than ever. The only thing that would make this night perfection was if we would see some boy we were liking AND if they would play Bananarama's "Cool Summer" followed by Tears for Fears "Everybody wants to rule the world..."
It's a cool (cool) cool summer.......
That was a really great summer!