A Second Back to Bed Day

Saturday, Phil got up and, with Isaiah along for safety, headed out to water the cows. Unfortunately, the water pump had a thin layer of water in it, which had frozen all the mechanisms in place. Isaiah suggested using the propane plumber's torch to melt the water. So that's what they did. It took a long time.

But finally they had filled the tank with water enough for several days, and Phil drove it up the hill.

Well, he started to. But thawing the pump had taken so long that the very surface of the earth had begun to thaw, just enough to give the tractor no traction as it pulled the 350 gallons up the hill.

So Phil emptied 150 gallons out on the ground. Then they watered the cows.

That took all morning.

In the afternoon, Phil tried to siphon out the gas in the mill, so he could troubleshoot the mill's issues. The siphon didn't work: the weather was so cold, the siphon line wouldn't flex. After some time, though, Phil got most of the gas out.

He thinks the trouble lies with a tiny plastic piece, one that probably costs less than a nickel.

And so the unproductive week came to an end.

I always appreciate Sunday. We nap; we go through papers; we read to the boys and play with the boys. We talk, both to each other and to anyone who will hang out to talk after church. It's good.