Much play and frivolity are taking place at the pool today - an invitation no doubt to join in the activity. I can still hear the sound of my friend Gerry shyly knocking at the back door and asking my mother, "Can Courtney come out and play?" Usually the only thing that stood in the way of a "yes" was whether or not I had finished my dinner.

I adored my swing set and my sand box, and my tricycle, but I eventually learned that I didn't really need any of them to be playful. Gerry and I could make up stories or tell silly jokes that had us both howling, things that other people didn't even find amusing. Isn't playfulness just a state of mind? - giving yourself permission to have fun?

Let's test the waters and play "what do you see in this picture?" You go first!