Going to the well

I've decided to stop talking about the lack of rain and the parched earth. I remember thinking last spring after weeks of rain – I'm getting tired of this rain. I would not articulate that thought, but I was tired of dashing from porch to the truck and feeling throughout the day that my skivvies feel as if they were starting to mildew.

Mother Earth must have read my mind and decided to grant me my unspoke wish. It hasn't rained more than a few drops in two months. I know people in California can sympathize, but I know they are happy it's raining and snowing there now.

This drought pushed me to complete a todo item that has lingered on my list too long – Put a Pump in the well down at the barn.

I spoke with my nephew Haven who is a plumber, and he told me what to do to get the ball rolling. I had to measure the distance down to the water table. Deeper wells require submersible pumps, but wells as shallow as mine take a less expensive type.

Today after lunch, I went down there with a length of rope. After removing the protective covering from the top of the well, I dropped the tubular bucket in its mouth and lowered it until I heard the echo reverberating up through the metal shaft.

A moment later came the slurping sound which told me the bucket was full. My nephew instructed me to lowered it another 10 feet just to make sure I didn't hit bottom. The well dropped like a stone, and I think I could have lowered it to China if I'd had enough rope.

Lifting the bucket out, I could hear it bumping the metal well wall on its journey upward. Resting the bucket on the top, I submerged my hand in the cool well water. It felt great on my hand.

I poured the water on a thirsty tree and laid the bucket down. Stretching the rope out on the flat ground, I pulled the tape measure from my pocket and measured how far I had lowered the bucket.
Forty feet. That meant I'd need the less expensive pump.

After coiling up my rope and storing the bailer in the barn, I sent my nephew a text and told him to order the pump. I hope to have well water by next weekend so that I can keep my fruit trees and blueberries alive without using the water that comes through my water meter. I know that restrictions are on the way and I don't want to be one of those people who take advantage of the drinking water that we all must share.

I can promise you this: It will be a long time before I whine about it raining too much.