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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Lynn, we've been living much as you describe for a while now.  I don't 
make the nightly trip, but I really related to the thinking about water 
all the time, and the nuisance of hauling water for everything. I 
haven't had to go to a laundromat yet(14 miles one way)-fortunately or 
unfortunately, I've relied on family and the generosity of friends with 
deep wells. I know, that's not self sufficient.  (more below)

clhw wrote:
We pump water into a barrel on the back of a truck, from
> another well on the farm, which is about 1/2 mile up the road, and then
> charge it, via a pressure pump, into the reserve tank, and thereby into the
> plumbing system for the house. This is a nuisance, needing attention
> several times a day, especially if I do laundry.
>
> I'd like a new well but it would be expensive, and we currently have a
> wedding in the family and a child in college. It would be wonderful to take
> a long, hot shower. As it is, I shower more like the Japanese: wet down,
> water offf, soap up, water on for rinse. With no central heat, that's cold
> in the winter, even with a quartz heater running in the bathroom.

I feel ya there, too...Brrr...I have to remind myself that my ancestors 
rolled in snow banks...lol...I psych myself up for the cold!
Since I've been back to work full time, I have paid off my credit card, 
and that is going to be the only way we can afford the new well.  My son 
is also going to help with the expense, after all, it will be his farm 
one day.  I am fortunate that he is willing to do so, and yet 
embarrassed that his help is needed.

> I need to go pump up the well right now. I've gotten a little chicken about
> doing it after dark since our neighbor reported seeing a large puma run
> across our property between our house and the well house. Often, I drive
> the car that short distance. Also, we've had about 4 feral hogs, weighing
> up to 300 pounds, shot on our property this year, and I am scared of them.

There a bit too much wildlife out here, too.  I should tell my 'Bigfoot' 
 story in another post.  It's so dry here, and obviously there, that 
animals are becoming more and more brave. We lost a chicken to a wild 
dog last night...Ron and his friend were observing in the front pasture 
and no where near the chickens, but the dog snuck up on them, got about 
15 feet away, and started growling like they were the trespassers.  We 
found the feathers this morning.


> We had a little rain this past week, but are about 20.5 inches deficit for
> 2007, added to about 60 inches deficit built up over the last 6 years. Rain
> is expected tomorrow and for the next 2 or 3 days. We just hope it is more
> than the drizzle we've gotten the last two or three times we had
> precipitation!

We have a 40% chance for a bit tomorrow, too, but it will probably be 
another drizzle event.  At least the last time it drizzled I collected 
about 75 gallons of water in the tanks.  A good toad strangler would be 
welcome to refill the tanks, but it won't help the drought.

Bev
--
Bevanron of EarthNSky Farm   Sleep well tonight, for somewhere in the 
ocean's depths, MY son is protecting YOUR freedom.