Sunday, September 12, 2004

I'm feeling a little under the weather this morning. Good excuse to write a little under the blankets. I spent most of Saturday trying to get the pump going. I replaced the pressure gauge, after driving over the pass to Cedarville to fetch it, but it made no difference. Another trip over the pass. This time I bought a pressure switch (it was only $15), but after doing some magical dances and creative faucet opening & closing, I got the danged thing to pump again without having to install the new part, and so all is well. The laundry is spinning as we speak. But it looks as though the atmospheric moisture may pass us by. The system's drifting clouds are lovely, and clearly ripe, but they have other places to be. Later today I will finally go repair the little dam that sends a portion of Thoms Creek water into the ponds. It had developed a little hole at the bottom and I didn't realize until the pond water had dropped a couple of feet. Now the levels are down four feet and counting. This is so not good. The creek is at a standstill, now, there's so little water, and I grieve for its minnows. But I must take advantage of this break in the flow to haul in stones and sand and lay down heavy black plastic (I can't believe I'm even considering that, but without sand bags I think it's my only option) to build the dam up again. The dogs have found a deer carcass somewhere and keep dragging up parts of it to gnaw on. They come in stinking of cadaverine. Oh blech. *** On my second trip over the mountain yesterday my friend came along. We had to stop at that ranch water the sheep on the way, so while he trudged out there to fill the troughs, I took these photos of some creatures I've been chumming up to lately in the farmyard. I never was friends with a blue-eyed horse before. The Angora goat and the mother sheep are badly crippled and require special care. They're so strong and courageous! I just want to rock them in my arms. 10:28:03 AM    comment []