Episode #37 of “There is Always Something”
Thursday: A no water day! Pump and controller are 25 years old.
I had enough running water to make 8 oz of coffee this morning. [I do have a couple of gallons in plastic bottles.]
A worker, Dylan, for a local Pump etc. place came and replaced the controller on the wall but that didn’t solve the problem. We couldn’t lift the pump out of the well so momentarily I’m without running water. [I also had an appointment at the Ford dealer to have the truck serviced.] I was going to cancel that but when we discovered the pump was stuck 80 feet down, I went to town. Dylan and Kelly (well-guru and business owner), returned after supper and finished the job. However the water is the color of dark honey – colored by the oxidized iron and whatever else has accumulated. The well also got a gallon of bleach (this is called “shocking”) so until I pump 100+ gallons out onto the ground (near trees and flowers) and the color goes away – I don’t have running water in the house. House filters would clog in minutes with that water in the pipes. I went to the creek to get water for flushing and got my boots and pants wet. Uff da!
Submersible water pumps typically have an expected lifespan of around 8 to 15 years, although the manufacture often has a 5 year replacement guarantee. So. I guess I’m lucky this one lasted 25 years.
On a lighter note, Wednesday afternoon Geography had a food and awards party. A good time was had by all. I met the Nancy&John awardees and others. I brought home sandwiches, cookies, fruit, and chips that will feed me for three days. The weather was nice and waited until midnight to change to cool and windy with a trace of rain. 
Next door to geography is a green house with a resident tortoise named Snorkel. Photo is from 2016. He is now 17 and weighs 120 pounds. I was early, so I stopped into the greenhouse and met one of his caretakers. She is named after Carl Linnaeus who created the system to classify living things. Her dad was a biologist and they named her Linnea.
Today, Friday, was warm (84o) with single digit wind. Saturday Noon that is expected to change.
I won’t be cutting trees down this weekend.
Much of the world calls June 1st the beginning of Summer. So welcome to Summer.
Keeping Track
on the Naneum Fan.
John