Water, Water Everywhere...

... and not a drop to drink. Or flush. Or wash. Or... well, you get the picture.

One of the joys of farm living is the wonderful water we have. For years I had a spring, but during the Big Drought of 1998-99, it went dry. In fact, from Boone to Wytheville one could see house next to house with a drill rig in the yard for those of us whose spring ran dry. Tough year -- and very expensive!

However, I left my spring intact, but capped off,  for "just in case" and drilled a well. A big, deep, fresh, lovely well. The water is nearly as good as what we have from the spring -- cool, soft, clear. But, from time to time, the pressure tank or pressure switch will zonk out on us and leave us without any water. This is one negative of the well. My spring ran on water pressure alone. It would run to the house without power and to the first floor bathroom which was particularly lovely when the power was out. The pump and well isn't quite so accommodating.

Such was the case this morning. I managed to brush my teeth, thank goodness, and make a pot of coffee before the pressure tank was dry dry dry as a bone! Since we were working all day, it didn't become an issue until we got home this afternoon. Even as I type the Mister is outside installing a new switch and adding pressure to the water tank to keep it from those terrible spurts of hot and then cold water. This makes me really happy because the old switch leaked pressure and nothing is worse than having a head covered in shampoo and then have the perfect water temperature suddenly shoot either south or north -- too hot or too cold. Yikes!

We so take for granted having running water, don't we? My Grandmother didn't have this luxury; I hauled water every time we visited her. We ran the path every time we had to potty and didn't even think twice about it. But, I have grown soft. Just knowing it isn't there makes me thirsty. I think I'll go see if there is any water left in the tea pot from last night. If it boils it isn't gross, is it??