Choice- Swimming Pool or Cottage Garden?

On July 3rd I visited with my friends in Mobile. She and her husband are retiring.
Previously they were thinking about putting a garden in the back yard. However, just
recently, they decided on having a swimming pool put in. Although I love gardens,
I was just a touch envious of my friends for getting a swimming pool. On Triple
Digit Days with very high humidity (Mobile is usually humid) I also would rather
be swimming than pulling nutgrass out of the perennial beds. She was wondering
if her decision was reasonable. Remembering a week in early June, I wish I had a
swimming pool.