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Providentially, one of the very best purchases we made, just before the pandemic dropped, was a plug-and-play hot tub. Himself had been ill and had to take a leave of absence from work, and the whole thing – being sick and caretaking – was exhausting. We were living in a very vertical townhouse with all the modern conveniences, and a distinct lack of decent bathtubs (classy showers, though). After five years in Scotland, we are very DEFINITELY bathtub people, going so far, when we lived there, as to take baths in the old Turkish-style bath houses at the council (neighborhood) pool. Endless hot water and tubs six feet long and deep enough to drown in (people did laundry in them back in the 50’s, we were told) were amazing. Even better, the bathhouse was built in 1871 and some of the old tilework is gorgeous.

Bafflingly, I somehow grew up in a family who seemed to see baths as unnecessary. Hedonistic nonsense – my parents and siblings are showers all the way – but give me a good soak and a book and quiet. When we put the hot tub in the garage (yes, in the garage. I can’t control outdoors, I control indoors) it turned out to be one of our Best Things Ever.

Bathhouse

Prehistoric
kindling:
Fires beget

heated foot,
then hot drinks.
Interval

between spark
and hot baths?
Ephemeral.