Water
When we first bought our house, taped onto and inside almost half of the cabinet doors of the kitchen were notes on what to do if there was no water. Since we completely renovated the house and replaced the holding tank for the well, we never were particularly concerned. Our only apprehension was that the well itself was drilled adjacent to the house and incorporated into the basement structure of our house. Along the driveway, there is a large concrete surface about 18 inches above the ground and in the basement (which is actually a cellar) you skirt through the parts that would be behind the house and in the back is where all the gear for our well is. It's a damp, dark, desolate room that I try to avoid as much as possible. In fact, I think I've managed to only visit that area two or three times in the eight years we've lived here.
Most places we've been or looked at tend to have the well drilled away from the house. In the "old" days, people used to put those sweet little rounded stone walls with a roof on their wells so that they could draw water from it with a bucket. In fact, there's a farm near us that has a beautiful field stone well wall in their yard from days of yore.
We were not so lucky. All we got was a white and green, aluminum clad, falling down, double seater, faux outhouse.
Yes, that's right, I referred to an outhouse as faux. Why might I do this? Because although the outhouse was equipped with everything from the half moon door to the double seats inside,
there was no ditch for the "function" portion of the outhouse. We attempted to move the outhouse several years ago to use it as a shed near our now non-existent garden, but as soon as Erik lifted it with the skid loader bucket, it fell apart.
Anyway, the well is located basically beneath our house. In the almost eight years we've lived here, it's never given us a lick of trouble other than our holding tank at times not being able to keep up with our demand and that is usually only when an animal has knocked the automatic waterer off the base and caused the trough to overflow or if the kids have decided to crack open one of the frost free's
and make mud puddles, mud pies, or cover each other in mud.
That is, until now.
The last few months have been abnormally dry around here. About three weeks ago, we started having problems with water. Our first fear was that our well was running dry. We'd have periodic spells where we'd be running water and then all of a sudden, the water would stop. Not good. We immediately implemented our best conservation practices; doing a few loads of laundry at the laundry mat, restricting showers (the kids take a nightly bath in the pool except Saturday when we wash them in the shower and wash their hair), unplugging our commercial icemaker (I'm sure this seems frivolous to many people, but having a limitless supply of ice for Erik to take to work daily, especially during this recent heat, is almost essential), not running the dishwasher, etc. When you think about what is required of our well daily, just on the human population alone, you can see the well is really put to the test. I am so grateful we have a well and don't have to pay for water! Add in our barnyard critters, which the goats, alpacas, and donkey alone drink at least a gallon a day draining about 75 gallons of water daily!
Erik would hustle down to the well-room and wiggle the pressure gauge on the tank and he would hear water start trickling in the holding tank again. After about a week of this stop and go water, Erik finally had the time to run to the plumbing supply company that we frequent and was able to buy the replacement parts and fix the gauge. So far, the water has not run out like it was doing before, but there are times, on days when I really push the well to its limits, that we have very low pressure for a few minutes.
All of this background story is to tell you about the adventure Walker and I had on Thursday afternoon during a BIG storm!
But that story is for another day.
For now, please whether you have city water or a well, please conserve your water. When you are running your water while brushing your teeth, or waiting for the hot water to come through the pipe, think about the portion of the USA that is in a severe heat and drought crisis and pray for them. I've read in farming publications that portions of the Southwest haven't seen a drop of rain since September 2010! Many farmers/ranchers are selling their cattle at a HUGE loss because they no longer can feed or water them. The heat is especially bad for our crops too. Many of you know sweet corn was behind schedule (and supplies are limited as evidenced by Ambrose's selling out of corn by 11 am most days) because the heat and lack of rain is horribly detrimental to our crops. While you may think this only affects the farmers and ranchers, it does not. If corn harvests are bad, prices will rise yet again. If you think the oil industry caused trouble because of the prices rising, imagine what the impact will be if food AND fuel cannot meet demand! If you're not really a praying person, now would be the time to pray not just for rain, but for those folks depending on the rain, not just for relief, but for their lives.
Most places we've been or looked at tend to have the well drilled away from the house. In the "old" days, people used to put those sweet little rounded stone walls with a roof on their wells so that they could draw water from it with a bucket. In fact, there's a farm near us that has a beautiful field stone well wall in their yard from days of yore.
We were not so lucky. All we got was a white and green, aluminum clad, falling down, double seater, faux outhouse.
(this is not a picture of our faux outhouse but is quite close except our roof was dark green)
Yes, that's right, I referred to an outhouse as faux. Why might I do this? Because although the outhouse was equipped with everything from the half moon door to the double seats inside,
there was no ditch for the "function" portion of the outhouse. We attempted to move the outhouse several years ago to use it as a shed near our now non-existent garden, but as soon as Erik lifted it with the skid loader bucket, it fell apart.
Anyway, the well is located basically beneath our house. In the almost eight years we've lived here, it's never given us a lick of trouble other than our holding tank at times not being able to keep up with our demand and that is usually only when an animal has knocked the automatic waterer off the base and caused the trough to overflow or if the kids have decided to crack open one of the frost free's
and make mud puddles, mud pies, or cover each other in mud.
That is, until now.
The last few months have been abnormally dry around here. About three weeks ago, we started having problems with water. Our first fear was that our well was running dry. We'd have periodic spells where we'd be running water and then all of a sudden, the water would stop. Not good. We immediately implemented our best conservation practices; doing a few loads of laundry at the laundry mat, restricting showers (the kids take a nightly bath in the pool except Saturday when we wash them in the shower and wash their hair), unplugging our commercial icemaker (I'm sure this seems frivolous to many people, but having a limitless supply of ice for Erik to take to work daily, especially during this recent heat, is almost essential), not running the dishwasher, etc. When you think about what is required of our well daily, just on the human population alone, you can see the well is really put to the test. I am so grateful we have a well and don't have to pay for water! Add in our barnyard critters, which the goats, alpacas, and donkey alone drink at least a gallon a day draining about 75 gallons of water daily!
Erik would hustle down to the well-room and wiggle the pressure gauge on the tank and he would hear water start trickling in the holding tank again. After about a week of this stop and go water, Erik finally had the time to run to the plumbing supply company that we frequent and was able to buy the replacement parts and fix the gauge. So far, the water has not run out like it was doing before, but there are times, on days when I really push the well to its limits, that we have very low pressure for a few minutes.
All of this background story is to tell you about the adventure Walker and I had on Thursday afternoon during a BIG storm!
But that story is for another day.
For now, please whether you have city water or a well, please conserve your water. When you are running your water while brushing your teeth, or waiting for the hot water to come through the pipe, think about the portion of the USA that is in a severe heat and drought crisis and pray for them. I've read in farming publications that portions of the Southwest haven't seen a drop of rain since September 2010! Many farmers/ranchers are selling their cattle at a HUGE loss because they no longer can feed or water them. The heat is especially bad for our crops too. Many of you know sweet corn was behind schedule (and supplies are limited as evidenced by Ambrose's selling out of corn by 11 am most days) because the heat and lack of rain is horribly detrimental to our crops. While you may think this only affects the farmers and ranchers, it does not. If corn harvests are bad, prices will rise yet again. If you think the oil industry caused trouble because of the prices rising, imagine what the impact will be if food AND fuel cannot meet demand! If you're not really a praying person, now would be the time to pray not just for rain, but for those folks depending on the rain, not just for relief, but for their lives.
I'm Not Going To Lie
I'm going to let you in on a little secret.
Prior to meeting Erik, I had no interest in trucks, tractors, trailers, livestock let alone farming. GASP!
I know, I have probably bowled you over. Grandpa is rolling over in his grave! Well, push your jaw back up and let me explain.
This is kind of funny, because of the two of us, and despite the fact he spent many years in 4H raising and showing rabbits, I am the one with a more agricultural background. Sure, I went to the County Fair as a kid, but only because it was just seven miles away AND, primarily because it was the only thing to do.
Prior to meeting Erik, I had no interest in trucks, tractors, trailers, livestock let alone farming. GASP!
I know, I have probably bowled you over. Grandpa is rolling over in his grave! Well, push your jaw back up and let me explain.
This is kind of funny, because of the two of us, and despite the fact he spent many years in 4H raising and showing rabbits, I am the one with a more agricultural background. Sure, I went to the County Fair as a kid, but only because it was just seven miles away AND, primarily because it was the only thing to do.
I could have never imagined that my life would to some extent revolve around farm shows, county fairs and tractor pulls. That's not even to mention what is going to happen once our kids are old enough to show goats in goat shows.
Walker learning how much "boy power" it takes to actually produce enough electricity to power a lightbulb.
Walker in front of a sow with 10 baby piglets.
Maggie tries her hand at "milking a cow"
Walker tells the exhibitor "this is hard!"
You also get to sit in some great machinery!
We are about to embark on our annual trip to the PA State Farm Show. I have to admit, I've come to look forward to it as a little mini vacation. No cooking or cleaning for a few days, a HUGE facility to explore. Free Turkey Hill ice cream samples! Fried Mozzarella cubes, milkshakes,
an afternoon trip to Hershey World! What more can a girl ask for?
More importantly, this trip has become a tradition. We have developed the same system for booking a hotel room and the last 3 years, have stayed at the same hotel. We have developed a system for eating on a budget, keeping the kids entertained, etc. Already the kids are able to say, "Remember when we did . . .?" It's exciting to me that they will have these memories of their early childhood.
So maybe we won't make it to Disney World anytime soon. It's kind of refreshing that our kids find the world of agriculture just as exciting. What other "amusement" could educate them on the people who grow the products that feed, clothe and shelter us? Pretty amazing.
The photos were taken a few years ago, but you'll see the kids having a great time!
The photos were taken a few years ago, but you'll see the kids having a great time!
Walker learning how much "boy power" it takes to actually produce enough electricity to power a lightbulb.
Walker in front of a sow with 10 baby piglets.
Maggie tries her hand at "milking a cow"
Walker tells the exhibitor "this is hard!"
You also get to sit in some great machinery!
It may be simple, but this little trip makes us all happy.
Just ask Walker
Here are some links to various PA newspapers with articles about the show. And if you have a chance, take the time to go. Admission is free, and Hotwire can find you a hotel room for under $75 a night!
Altoona Mirror
Lancaster Online
Centre Daily Times
PA State Farm Show Website
Altoona Mirror
Lancaster Online
Centre Daily Times
PA State Farm Show Website
Fair Dance 2010
Last Friday night we braved the torrential rain and headed up to the fair to participate in the Pedal Tractor Pulls and to let the children go to the 4H dance to celebrate the end of the week.
Here is some not so great video I took with my trusty Canon point-n-shoot of the pedal tractor pull (which Walker took 1st place in his age division) and of the dance later in the evening. Erik and I got so much joy out of watching our kids dance and play. It took them a long time to warm up to the whole dancing thing - well, except for Willie J. He was very enthusiastic about dancing and sidled right up to the speakers and got his groove on. It took Maggie & Walker a little longer to actually start dancing. For a while, Walker kind of just ran around the barn and Maggie just sort of stood there with her hands in her pockets and wiggled. It was quite comical. Finally, during that line dance song that is so annoying where it's a series of slide to the left, slide to the right, jump 5 times, etc., one of the older girls encouraged our children and told them what to do and they LOVED it! I think Walker developed quite a crush on her because the rest of the night he tried to dance within five feet of her. She was so lovely to take time to encourage the children and I don't know her name or anything about her except I love her because she was so lovely to my children.
Watch how Will weaves his way around the dance floor to find someone willing to boogie with him. He'll wander into the middle of a line dance just to get some attention. He doesn't care - he's going to find a dance partner if it kills him!
I'm looking forward to many more years of watching my babies grow and do fun things like this with them and for them. I hope they become treasured memories for them the way they already have for me!
Enjoy!
P.S. Please ignore my cheering during the pedal tractor pull portion of the video - it's hard to be the videographer and mom at the same time. Oh - and I think that is my (insert sarcasm here) wonderful voice you hear singing along during some of the dance video. I didn't realize that little camera had such a good sound recorder!
Tractor Pull and Dance