Leave a CommentShare: |
Subscribe
The current routine:
There are several creeks on this farm. This creek begins on this farm and is rather small. I use a coffee can to scoop water from the creek then pour into a larger bucket.
From there, I can provide water to the sheep and goats, or provide water to the house for periodic flushing. Luckily, while this creek is outside the goat yard and front barn yard, it does run directly through the rear barn yard, providing access to water for the donkeys and the major water consumers–the cows.
I can’t do much with cooking. I can’t do dishes. I’m mostly eating sandwiches. I had Morgan pack up and I took her to my cousin’s house for the duration.
I have a guy coming tomorrow to “look” at what needs done.
I’m pretty sure I would miss Stringtown Rising if I didn’t have a little hardship here to comfort me! Most importantly, it is a reminder of what a wonderful thing it is to live in a state that is full of water. I’m not set up to purify drinking water or bring water straight up out of the well, so I’m drinking store-bought water, but I can provide for at least some of the most basic needs right out of the land itself. It’s not convenient, but it’s a reminder of what life’s basic necessities really are–and a poke in the arm not to get too spoiled and to appreciate the natural resources around me.
P.S. Some of you generously took it upon yourselves to donate to the plumbing calamity fund (see discussion in the comments here). THANK YOU.
P.P.S. Edit to add: I can’t believe I’ve left this out of the story so far. After the first fix-it people left yesterday, and after my cousin put in a call to try to round up some new fix-it people to do the job, while we were waiting for said new fix-it people to call back, he insisted on getting a shovel and making me go out to the problem culvert with him. He shoveled for awhile then handed me the shovel and told me to start digging. I had my sobbing breakdown over the plumbing calamity scheduled for that particular moment, but I had to dig instead. I can’t remember the last time I dug a trench by hand with a shovel. Maybe never. Don’t they make backhoes for that? I’m sure there’s some kind of lesson in there somewhere, but at least I was too tired to wallow in an emotional breakdown after that. I was happy to go back to the house and sit down with no water and not be shoveling.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on January 7, 2012
6:23
pm
6:26
pm
It’s hard to find the silver linings in this situation, and I think you’re to be commended for succeeding. It is good to know that you can be self-sufficient if you must. I’m glad the creek isn’t frozen. Let’s see, um… You won’t have to plan any camping trips to experience “roughing it”?
Okay, I give up. Truth is, it’s the pits, and I hope you can get it fixed quickly. In the meantime, I think you need chocolate, don’t you?
6:31
pm
6:39
pm
6:42
pm
6:53
pm
7:07
pm
I will keep you in my prayers!
7:14
pm
8:45
pm
9:12
pm
9:53
pm
11:08
pm
The more we are forced to deal with, the more we learn.
Good thing no one said we have to like the LEARNING CURVES of life!
Keep on keepin on…you can (and will) manage, cope and learn.
11:59
pm
Please be very careful while carrying water over the wet grass and muddy areas. Early last year I slipped on some water that was on the kitchen floor and fell. I broke my shoulder and I’m still not back to normal range of motion. With you being all alone (Morgan’s at her cousins) please do be extra cautious.
2:47
am
Years ago, when I had my own place, someone suggested buying one. When the electricity went down, they said it was something I could install myself to get through until it was back up, then remove it and replace the pump connection.
You may want to check into it as I never did it and am not sure I am remembering the details correctly.
5:25
am
The more you learn to do for yourself, the better off you will be. Now is the time to learn everything about your water supply like where all turnoffs are, where possible heat tapes are located, the depth of your well, etc. I would start a file….
I would also be checking where all water lines are to the bathrooms and various other locations. I hope none are in outside walls.
I know what no water is like. I can’t count the times that has happened here due to various and sundry things.
I hope they find a speedy and relatively cheap fix for you.
Here is a real blessing: You have landed in a nest of wonderful family members. That is something to really be thankful for.
9:12
am
I just sent a little paypal towards the plumbing fund, but I have a question about the advertising on the website. Can I help Suzanne more by clicking on the ads, or is it the same that I just land on a page where the ads are? If I need toIs a click through to the ad enough, or do I need to make another click once at their site to help? It only takes a minute or so, and if it helps, I am so willing!
9:16
am
This is probably a silly question, but is any of this covered under you home owners insurance?
9:33
am
9:36
am
9:44
am
10:39
am
10:42
am
11:06
am
2:52
pm
Also, about clicking on ads. It may not result in a direct additional payment to Suzanne, but I’m sure it would help in the long run. The advertisers have statistics to know where their incoming traffic comes from, and if the rate of click-through from CITR goes up, it may be possible to negotiate a higher rate for the ad itself the next time.
2:55
pm
10:04
pm
4:16
pm