Water Rights

Praying for rain.

The tap water is smelling sulfur stinky again, so it was off to the well to change the filter. This was my first trip into guy world to learn how it's done, and our well resembles something along the lines of pool filtration equipment, so I was not intimidated.

The Hubs turned off the water and let it drain from the filter area, wrenched off the lid with a black gizmo and it opened right up. Out with the *old* nasty brown stained three week old filter, and in with a shiny white one. Reseat. Relock. Repressurize. I've got this!

So why is it recycling finer mesh cotton filters are priced so high, and certainly can't we shop online for the best value?  Those use-and-toss filters are for the birds.  Under the circumstances, though, I'm not sure any type of filter would help.

This is our second winter @ the farm. Last winter it rained enough for our neighbor's crops to get plenty. This year, though ... this year we are Texas-parched in the rain department. Our reservoirs are ponds - and we are on the brink of statewide water rationing. For well folks, that means sometimes a community-wide choice is made for the water we share. When the water table dips this low, the garden and yards are sacrificed so there's enough for the house. Farmers have a livelihood to protect. So it's speed showers, fewer wash loads, dishes by hand. With the damaging deep freeze of early December, just a few weeks after planting the garden, I am less depressed knowing it didn't have much of a chance anyway.


Last spring we toyed with buying a used greenhouse and a nice one came up for sale: metal framed, hard plastic sides and top, latching slide door, durable in the kinds of wind we have that whips down  into the valley and build as it races along.  At the time, we decided we weren't ready for a greenhouse.

Wrong! The other day, Farmers Pal posted something that looked interesting. With an unfulfilling garden experience and some beautiful spring-like days, I am itching to hop on the tractor and level out a spot for it. 

A 2014 homestead goal is to have installed gutters for the house / shop. Some fascia boards are whittled away by moisture and age and need replacing. We've had a couple of gutter quotes and like leaf guard gutters the best -- one piece units that wrap the top of the gutter and leave a small opening for water to run into the trough but not catch the leaves. Lots of trees here and a high pitched roof, so it will be a worthwhile investment if it works.

Tomorrow the Hubs will meet with the contractor and gutter guy. And today, I'll haul a bucket out to the cabbage and cauliflower, and apologize again for neglecting them.  Today is also rotation day for the brining water for the olives. They are so plump and good tasting already, they might be ready by spring.

**The problem with the Internet ** for an overly enthusiastic idea- brained person is what germinates from so many good ideas. Take for instance this greenhouse idea.

We could find an old crusty enclosed gazebo castoff @ a yard sale and ...

God help the Hubs if I ever get seriously into Pinterest.