Day 21 Wednesday, August 22, 2001

I couldn't sleep at all last night even though I was exhausted. I don't know if it was because I was just excited about all the things to do or what. My body was willing but the brain was not. I got up around 8 and had BANANA for breakfast. Ha Laurie! I loooooovvvveeeee them. Not. Anyway I was determined to dig as much with the machine as possible today to rest my back. It turned out well. I'm learning to hoe using different techniques that allow the bucket to break up shale. I finished the second and third footing trenches. I also started to remove the last foot of material in the basement area. I have to be careful to allow access for the machine so I can get out.

As I was pulling the machine out of the hole a truck appeared. No, it wasn't the well guy. It is amazing how I have become accustomed to no visitors. I was momentarily startled, but then remembered that the remaining items from Kuhn's Brothers were due today. Three pallets, two of roofing shingles and one miscellaneous hardware. Of course there is no forklift here, so the driver and I devised a method to tie the pallets into the front bucket of the backhoe. Before we could do that we had to re-stack the bundles as they had shifted in transit and were hanging off the pallets. We unloaded successfully in one and a half hours.

After lunch, which included a nectarine, Laurie, I went into town to get water, diesel and lumber to replace the wood we damaged when we built the trailer box. I got three 2x10x10 and one half inch and one three quarter inch sheets of plywood. $75.00. Ouch. $40.00 for fuel and $7.00 for water. Every time I go to town its $100.00.

I call the well guy and leave a message to call me back. I unload the truck, fuel the machine and dig some more. The material I'm digging up now is perfect driveway shale so I spread some on the parking area by the camper. I quit around 8. I call the well guy and leave a message. He calls me back!!! He tells me his machine has a bad hydraulic leak that makes a big mess we he lifts the truck into position. He just returned from Wisconsin where he flew to get a new drill rig to use when he sends this one out for repairs. The company he deals with will drive the new (1974) rig out in a week. I can't wait a week. I explain that I want to be laying block this coming week and I need water for that. He is understanding and says he can use his machine to do my well if I don't mind cleaning up a little mess. No problem, I have all the tools! He says he will be here Saturday. We will see. My fingers are crossed.

12 hours, partly sunny around 80.