Modernization

Not too long ago ago it occurred to me while I was at work that we have been living without running water.  Now it might seem like this should have been rather obvious.  But it had always seemed so dramatic when I read about people who lived without running water for some period of time, usually while in the process of building a home, and I had certainly never experienced such a hardship, I thought as I read these pitiful accounts.  So it was quite an epiphany to realize that we have in fact lived without running water for several months.  Even more dramatic than that: we pumped water by hand into buckets, which we carried into the house.  Phew, such hard work and ruggedness!  Such suffering and deprivation!  But in reality, it's not that big a deal!  It's amazing how quickly and easily we adapted, and I didn't mind one bit.

Well, a couple of days after this grand reality sunk in...

Yup, we've got running water now!  Mick hooked up the DC pump to pressurize our water.  So at least I got to enjoy feeling rugged and deprived for a couple of days before Mick modernized our water system.  I was so excited about my epiphany that I was almost disappointed by the decadent luxury of running water.  Well, if we ever lose power or the pump dies, I just might get to feel rugged again!  I'm certainly not at all concerned about the prospect of not having running water.

We pump water by hand from the well to the basement cistern -- which is now full, thank you very much!  (We were quite proud of that 250-gallon accomplishment.)  The water enters the top of the cistern...

...and comes out the bottom to the pump, which propels it as needed into the pressure tank.  From there, to the taps according to demand.  It's really quite amazing.  Face-washing, teeth-brushing, and especially rinsing dishes and laundry!  Maybe this modernization thing isn't all bad.

Our new luxury is supported by two new solar panels propped against the porch.

The birds are its guardians.

Flushed with electric success, Mick drilled a hole and threaded an extension cord through it for electricity in the great room!  We now have a little electrical corner for the computers, phone, radio/record player/speakers (thanks, Marty and Heidi), and aquarium pump and light.

Pretty decadent! :)