250206 finding the well

 Snow dog!

We woke up Wednesday morning to find the water was broken. Yes, the power was on, I had just reheated some of Tuesday's coffee. All the taps had no water. That meant that something was frozen or the pump in the well was gone. I didn't even know where the well was! The plumber came, checked the closet where all the equipment is, and left again. 

Day 2, our neighbours, whom I have raised to angel status, trudged across the meadow, found, and dug out the well. They knew approximately where it was because they take off the overflow down to their barns. Husband and wife came to the door to let me know, and then the three of us (and Rocky) trudged back down and across to the well. The snow was two feet deep across most of the meadow, but fortunately the farmer, a la King Wenceslas, had made footprints which did not sink all the way down, so I managed. Rocky managed as well; I could not believe how he trampled along with us. I had expected to carry his limp, frozen body out in my arms! We could not open the well, the lid frozen shut, but we could hear the pump humming when K turned the power on. (Thankful for cell phones today.) I took a picture for the plumber. (Thanks to cell phone!) Then we trudged back to the road, and they went off to their cozy home while I climbed up the hill to the house. Rocky ran ahead, then danced back to me, "Are you okay?", then off up the hill again. 

Plumber called new landlord, more delay while landlord calls in former caretaker, who knows the ropes, (or pipes and pumps, if you will). So now we wait another night, as the caretaker will not come until morning. Rain and Tal brought buckets of water for the toilet, the huge buckets with lids that farms have, We have lots of drinking water for just this sort of emergency. It is a perfect storm, with snow falling all day, windy, and with temperatures below minus 10. 

Now I am planning a dinner that does not involve dishes: a peanut butter and greens wrap, and later a bacon sandwich! Microwave bacon - what a good invention. all down to Bare Naked Ladies! You will surmise that we have not wholly returned to our healthy whole foods diet. We are getting there. 

 Our well.

Walking back from the well: the nearer dot on the "footpath" is Rocky, the farther one, the farmer.

*****

Rocky brought home this delicious (to him), still-frozen treasure, but I promptly sealed it in several bags and put it in the garbage. We play a game, while driving, called, "Name the dead thing", for roadside lumps. I didn't imagine we would play it with lumps on the carpet!

Rocky finds cozy places to settle, about the house: this was a first, the tails of my coat.

He often naps by the fire.

Here he is, gone to bed before me! It's gone eight: he thinks, "where are you?"

*****

The drive here was not too bad. We stay one night on the road, these days, since I do most of the driving. It is also a help to Rocky, who developed a painful stiff neck one time when we drove through in a day. This is the little motel in Cornwall where we usually stay. 

I went out at seven in the morning and saw hundreds of crows fly eastward over the motel! It was very much a scene from The Birds! They must winter in large groups. huddling together overnight in a stand of evergreens perhaps. I imagine they were off to find breakfast, perhaps at a nearby garbage dump. 

Delightful to arrive at the vineyard at last, about mid-day. 

Nighttime view of the town:

Was inordinately pleased to see that my phone camera could capture the night sky.

Here are the moon and Venus greeting one another at sunset. Venus is very bright just now. 

On a rare sunshine morning, I walked up the camp road as far as Blackie's house.

Rocky goes up most days to play with his friend.

The trickster birch is the only tree that keeps its leaves all winter. They fall in the spring to spread gold on the forest floor. 

The leaves sometimes free themselves to dance across the snow!

Endlessly charming to me are the winter roads paved with snow. 

Keep warm! Not everyone is blessed with a home to shelter in during these arctic days. Be grateful for what you have!

Mumma Yaga