Day 7, Wednesday 8/8/01

Woke up around 8:30. Had a rough night. I was mad at Laurie because I couldn't get her on the phone until 11:30 last night. I called and called. I always fear the worst. I was eager to tell her all about my productive day, but by the time I reached her after many tries and then trying to deal with a worthless cell phone, I was too frustrated to talk. That cell phone is about as good as two paper cups and a string. I almost threw it into the woods again. This we pay for?

So I started making a path from the walk out area to the back of the house. I want this so I can drive the machine into the basement during construction to bring in block and logs as needed. I cut down some small trees and burn them. It is hot again. I go slow and I am positive I have never consumed so much water in my life. I can now bring the machine around the well area and into what will be a basement. It's a tight fit because the machine is so long. In between burning brush and clearing, I work on the debris pile. This is where I have buried the large tree stumps and rocks. I smooth it out with the machine and a rake. Its slow going because the roots are sticking up and the rocks are hard to move. As I'm working I hear what sounds like an animal in distress crying. It sounded a little like Sid used to when he whined. I go for a look, expecting to find an injured deer. I walk about 750 feet into my neighbor's property. The noise is in bursts of 6 to 8 whines then a break. As I walk I make a lot of noise from the leaves on the ground. I am no Indian! As I get closer the noise stops until I stand still and quiet for a minute. Finally the noise seems near. Right in front of me 20 feet or so. I wait. The noise begins again, this time from 20 feet behind me! What the heck? I head that way. The noise suddenly appears to be coming from up. What the heck is going on. I wait, looking up. Finally I see a bird fly off. Ah ha! I think it was an owl. He was playing games with me. I wish I had gotten a better look. Maybe next time.

Essentially I am now just keeping busy until the well guy comes. I want to be working on the foundation, but can't because he needs the room to drill. I can't get more stone for the driveway because the phone guys need access. I decide to call the well guy at 5:30 at home. He doesn't answer his business line or cell, so I will call him at home. First dinner. I head into liberty to the Diner, stopping at the Bobby Bonehead auto parts store to get grease fittings for the machine. They don't have grease fittings! These guys are pathetic. I'm going to a different parts store next time. I buy a trailer wiring kit for Mr. Plow, and shoot over to the diner. It's hopping. I order a chicken Caesar salad and iced tea. I don't usually drink iced tea but I can't drink any more water. Good food.

Back at base camp I call Mr. Geotz. I get Mrs. Geotz who tells me Mr. Geotz is in the shower. I ask her to have him call me back, but the *&^%$#@ cell phone connection is so bad she can't get my number. She switches phones to no avail. I feel like an ass with this phone. She looks at her caller ID and gets the number.

I take a quick shower. Thank god for that shower. I couldn't work all day in this heat without knowing I can have a shower and go to sleep clean. I wait out in the driveway trying to find a strong signal on the phone. I wait. I wait some more. I go inside. He calls. We exchange the usual pleasantries. He says he should be here by next week. He had a fire on the truck. The welder burned up. He said the new one is due in tomorrow. Then he will catch up. I try to sound like I need this well ASAP. He asks me if the site is ready. I assure him it is and tell him I am on site. He says he will stop by to see me soon. Looks like tomorrow I will call for some more driveway stone. I figure if I'm here and the phone guys come and there is stone in the way I can move it for them no problem.

I saw a porcupine today. Got a bad picture as he slowly hurried away from me. Cool.

12 hours, sunny about 95