We started Wednesday with the corn, but we weren’t finished until today. There were over five wheelbarrow loads of corn brought down. We worked at it in shifts, shucking it. The yellow corn was too tough for Steph’s liking, so she only froze the white. We’re drying the yellow to use later.
The children were a big help in getting all the work done. We listened to a recording of the classic “Alice in Wonderland” while we worked. That was a first for them. I found their questions about the book far more entertaining than hearing the story again.
As you will remember, Steph was recently rejoicing over delightful showers, and I was considering the necessity of replacing the safety computer valve switch thingy on the pump in the case of running out of water. I wasn’t really worried because it won’t be bone dry here until July or later.
Steph went to town yesterday morning, leaving before breakfast; it was a day women were allowed into town. She wanted to get back early so we could finish up the corn and put the house back in order. She also wanted to find something special for us to celebrate our 140th mensiversary. She’s sweet that way.
She had not been gone long–we were still doing chores–when I noticed the water quit running into the cows’ water trough. Why would we be out of water! Steph hadn’t showered for that long!
I raced into the house to grab the keys to unlock Lamar’s shop, but they were not in my backpack where I distinctly remembered putting them the day before. I rummaged around on my dresser in case my distinct memory was naught but a lie. Nothing.
I called Steph. She couldn’t hear me because of poor service. I hung up and tried again. She could hear. Did she know where the shop keys were? Why, yes! She had taken them with her to town.
One of my readers recently sent a complimentary email about how lovely Steph comes across in the blog. She, the reader, wondered if Steph were even human. In that moment, I thought Steph could hardly be more human. I still do not understand what brought about the strange circumstances that caused her to have the shop keys. She had taken the house keys along so she could water Beulah’s plants, but why, oh why!, she had the shop keys, I cannot know.
I confess that I was momentarily angered. Up at Lamar’s, the pump was running dry, and there was nothing I could do about it. But after awhile, I actually began laughing out loud. It was ludicrous! I determined not to be upset with her, especially considering it was our 140th mensiversary.
I wasn’t exactly cheerful when she got back. I told her a couple of times that I wasn’t angry, but I was still flabbergasted that she had the keys. And I was gloomy about the pump. I kept thinking that such a strange twist had to be an attack of the devil, but it could have simply been an absentminded mistake. The two can often be confused.
I got the pump turned off, then turned myself to searching what or what manner of thing had caused the water to run out. I called various neighbors; they all had water. I walked up and down the field where the supply line is buried; everything looked fine. But we did not have water. I was stumped.
I was so absorbed in my thoughts during lunch that I didn’t even notice Steph had bought a cake in town to celebrate. I remember she gave me some, but I don’t even know if I said anything. I was lost in my mind, trying to figure out the problem.
I went up again late afternoon and looked around the field and back at Lamar’s. I stepped into a puddle in Lamar’s yard and got my socks wet. Their low yard has numerous treacherous dips in it, which have gotten my socks wet more times than I care to admit. Wait a minute! We haven’t had rain for awhile. This grass shouldn’t be wet.
Well, it was too late to start digging, but at least I finally had an idea where the problem was. Instead, I went home and started hauling in buckets of water from the cow creek. It was dark before I finished. After supper, I went out and gathered a few more. It reminded me of fun times camping out with Steph’s folks at the cabin in the mountains of West Virginia. Except this wasn’t really fun.
We boiled the water we used for washing dishes. I had to sift out the water beetles before we could use it. There were lots of floaties, but we added bleach and hoped for the best. No one showered.
I was feeling fairly glum about it all. No sooner had I removed the safety computer than we ran out of water, possibly ruining the pump. What are the odds? Also, what better time for something to break than when I can’t get into town? Men aren’t allowed out to town again until Monday.
We had prayer meeting before going to bed. We sang several English songs, always a highlight for the children. Then Abbey reminded us that we shouldn’t complain about the water because we still had electricity and food. And Anne said that we should not become frustrated when things don’t work the way we want them to, but we should be cheerful for the Lord anyway. Out of the mouth of babes.
I told them I knew God would keep on taking care of us, but I was occupied (worried?) with how to fix a problem I didn’t understand. Steph said this is an opportunity to practice praising God despite the circumstances. I’m very blessed to have had this gem of a woman in my life for 140 months. . . even when she takes the wrong keys.
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Juan David 