How to install a pool.

First move away from your air conditioned house with a built in spa and pool.  Then wait for summer so that you get really hot and start reminiscing about the good old days (forgetting about the huge mortgage).  Plan A: there are lots of "free" spas listed on craigslist, convince husband to get one - after all it's "free". Plan how will we get it home?  We need a trailer, really we do for hauling water, horse feed, free stuff from craigslist etc., etc... Find a trailer at a reasonable price on craigslist and go down to scripps ranch to buy it ($550 + $20 for the hitch ball), stop at daughter's house for dinner ($45 for pizza). Next day to pick up the free spa stopping at home depot for ratchet tie downs ($25) and buy lunch for 2 sons ($15) at McD's. Gas for said adventures: ($100). We need a filter and some pvc go to home depot again and then Big Lots.  While at Big Lots decide that the 16 foot inflatable pool looks like a lot of fun and it comes with a filter. but the pool plus accessories ($200).  Previously purchased brass hardware to get water from the water main one mile away ($165) and 55 gallon drums for carrying water ($80). Now we have everything we need. (Really, a total of $1,090.. for a free spa.. really?)

Husband and sons choose a spot down hill from our cross the lot drive way, set up pool and start filling while I am at work, but water keeps spilling over the side, prop it up, with PVC and bricks for the night. Next morning when I get up they are busily filling the pool, trailer is hitched to truck, 5-55 gallon drums secured, filled at the water main driven back to our hill and siphoned into the pool, (watch me slip and fall on my behind in the pool) the side of the pool keeps collapsing, maybe the pool should be on level ground? Drain pool to the fruit trees, I'm sure they appreciated the drink. Move pool to the patio closer to the house, and start again. Seems to be working!  I leave for work.  The next morning Steve and Sam get more 55 gallon drums and secure them on the trailer. Down to the water main to fill them up and head for home. Less than half way back one of the tires on the trailer blows out.  Guess the load was too much for the tires, limp home, truck can not pull the weight with a flat tire up the hill to siphon the water into the pool,  When I wake up that day Sam and Steve are emptying the barrels bucket by bucket into the pool, to water the horses, and water the garden, until it is light enough to get up the hill and siphon the rest into the pool.  This is why our pool is only half filled, but the water is wet and cool and I have a great view. (We will try to include a pic, maybe add later when tech-savy son is home)

Try Explaining this One to the Insurance Company

I was getting home late from rehearsal on our moonless dark dirt road, when Sam and I spied a horse crossing the road ahead of us. I slowed down, stopped, and saw it was Snip, our big Tennessee Walker. He was drawn to the car by the headlights, I guess, and he stopped just a few feet away from us on the passenger side, just looking at us. I released my foot from the brake, but was totally unprepared for what happened next.  Snip thrust his head into the windshield, cracking a softball-sized bulls-eye into the glass. Snip was fine. I’m not sure how to tell if a horse has a concussion, but the next morning he was in his pen walking eating and drinking. The car however did need a new windshield and mirror.

Steve/Shelley

Spring Cleaning at Hidden Owl Ranch

First, we had a not-so-hidden morning guest… IN OUR BEDROOM!  Somehow a beautiful owl found its way into our abode, presumably chasing mice, and perched itself very nicely on our armoire.  I have an unfocused shot of him (?) that I’ll try to post with this. (Oops, later edit maybe) The owl was about 9 inches tall with a 2 foot wing span. He was so calm; he quietly flew through the house stopping in our room to watch us sleep. Michael came in and chased him out of our room, but not the house.  He escaped into our attic through one of the boys’ room open ceilings (no drywall yet), presumably to eventually escape through the outside attic opening.

Next, we finally cleared out the nest of our resident mouse/rat.  Wow, what an incredible variety of stuff we found!  A dozen copper pipe fittings, a pen, a screwdriver, a wrench, a sock, 2 pair of undies, a pound of dog food, a lot of fiberglass insulation, pen caps, pencil, water bottle, a solar flashlight, and two boxes of matches were in the stash.