Monday, January 2, 2023

dry monday

When I turned on the kitchen faucet at 1AM and nothing happened, I said to Moxie and Della, "Well, this is likely to be an interesting day." Such a useful word, isn't it, "interesting"?  So far, I have been waiting over 6 hours for a callback from my usual plumber, and 3 hours for a callback from the plumber who did a small job for me in 2020. (I almost wrote "the plumber who did a small job for me last year," but caught myself.) I have now also left a message with a pump installer/fixer, since a repair or replacement may be what's needed anyway. If so, talking with him may effectively cut to the chase and bypass the plumbers who seem happy to bypass me. The pump man is still on holiday until tomorrow, but you never know - he may be the first to call back.

I can live with inconvenience, and can work around the absence of many not-strictly-necessary things, but good water is critical. Goats need it, chickens need it. Fresh clean water for everyone gets taken care of morning and evening, every day. And because of that, the cats have plenty for at least another day, and the goats are alright until tonight. The hens will be fine for a couple of days. I usually drink water all day long, but fortunately made a jar of Turkish coffee yesterday so I've been sipping that as iced coffee all day. It's possible I will have acquired a fairly fine edge by evening.

Other than the water situation, 2023 is off to a good start here, and I hope the same is true for all of you. Do you have special plans for adventure in the new year? Last night I opened my little box of new art supplies, and here's the first sketch of 2023, based on a video clip. This is one of the Sheldrick WildlifeTrust's orphaned elephant babies, playing in shallow water and having a grand time. The sketch was made with water-soluble graphite pencils - a concept that boggles my mind the tiniest bit. When it comes to art, it seems there's always something new to try. And most of it is inexpensive and very good fun.


Oh dear. It was totally accidental, but I can't seem to get away from the water theme!

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the hap for the second baby. If anyone feels the urge to make one, let me know and we can have a long-distance knit-along! I'm already in the mood to cast on another one, even without a baby waiting in the wings. Maybe an adult-sized blanket this time. It's just a very satisfying knit. Think about it! 

~~~~~

12 comments:

  1. Prayers for running water again
    It is no fun managing without a flowing tap.

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    1. It doesn't make anything easier, that's for sure :)

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  2. Oh dear - definitely sending you good vibes for a quick repair for your water issue! Why oh why do these things have to happen at the most inopportune times?!
    I must admit I had one of my 'awwww' moments over that sweet little lellie-font!!
    Would love to make a hap but I have just started a mile-a-minute afghan for Resident Chef and am firmly entranched on the closest fence over whether I will undertake making two crochet fusion afghans for our daughters-in-love for Christmas. Methinks those projects will keep me busy for awhile!

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    1. Wow, THREE afghans! And you are one of the fastest wool-workers I know - it seems like one day on your blog you've found a nice pattern and the next time you write, there's a picture of the finished project :)

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  3. What a happy little guy you 'captured'.

    No water - oh no! That can quickly turn critical for livestock. And probably not enough snow to melt for the goats (unless you've teleported to Buffalo). Fingers crossed it's resolved quickly.

    Chris from Boise

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    1. Can't say it was quick, but it wasn't insurmountable and it got done! Thanks for the crossed fingers :)

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  4. Not a fun way to start the year. I hope you have your water back on!

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  5. Oh no! I hope by the time you read this your water is running again. Such a nuisance.

    Love the little elephant. He looks like a happy guy!

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    1. Thank you! And the Sheldrick Trust is a source of mch joy for me, though I've only sketched one of the babies a couple of times :)

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  6. Nice sketch. I love elephants -- especially seeing the babies having good fun, or their mamas protecting them. Sorry to hear about the water woes -- plumbers are notorious for not calling back from what I hear. Is there just not enough of them to go around? Here, they don't make much money but I know they do in the States and Canada (our nephew who visited in Oct/Nov is a plumber in Canada (but was even taking work calls while he was here). Glad to hear 2023 is off to a good start otherwise. Take care.

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    1. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is doing great things, and after following their entertaining and informative twitter account for a while, "adopting" an orphaned elephant has brought me monthly email newsletters and a lot of joy :)

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