Slow, so very slow!

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I did finally get some things going. A garden hose was detached and brought in to the effort. The discharge connection was really rough though. After this that and the other way about it, I have the connection made as well as it can be made. Water flow isn't great, but it will do for the moment. I released the pressure valve but that just flooded out through the vent pipe, so at least until the water lowers I will leave that alone. The sump pump was still in place. I checked the connections then brought a couple of my plate weights to tie the discharge hose onto, so as to keep the hose in place and then the nozzle in the sink. I had been letting the water fill the sump basin while doing this other. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Gah! I messed with the pump a bit. The float switch had been jammed. That got the pump to work, but what about flow. Another time up the stairs. What was that, the tenth time today? Nope. Not a drop. A bit of fiddling with this, that, and the other things, three more times up and down those stairs and still a big fat nothing.

I decided to check into sump pumps. Well, they go for $150, at the low end. I don't know if they come with hose though, none seem to indicate that. The hose I have is old. A bit of comparison shopping and I notice some possible problems. For one, most suggest that there be no extension cords. I'm not even sure if that is possible but I will check the next time I go. The other thing is the rise, with or without a direct plug-in, might be too much. The grate seemed to be clear. Before I get all snazzy and buy new, however, I want to make sure this sump pump won't work. If the problem is the initial head, perhaps putting the hose in a bucket, down there, to create flow, then taking up the flow to the sink? Well, in my world of theories it seems a possible fix.

A soda would be good though. Actually, something to eat would be really nice. I'm hungry, thirsty, and hot. Yeah, it's a scorcher out there. I'm doing fine, even being active. I suggested the heat wouldn't be a problem. Going from 75 as a recent and rare high at that to 95, and actually doing somewhere between better and great, is a good sign. I was pretty sure it would but you never know. Then again, I have a cold shower on the menu before going to town. I might not like the expense, but I do like having something to tinker with. I like more that I am able to tinker. Mom says, "Get both water heaters", by the way.

Finally, Mother. Between me calling when she sacked out, her calling while I was sleeping, me calling back to no answer, her calling me, me calling back seconds later but her being already in the middle of a huffy cleaning job... we finally talked today.  She is fine, of course.  She is busy as a bee, as usual. I forgot to ask about the weather. She is looking forward to visiting. I told her about the smoker/grill I am considering and she wants me to wait until she is here. Well... it's not like I want to, or can, buy it tomorrow. But I won't buy something I don't like. All-metal smokers can be fine, but they are fuel hogs, burn out relatively quickly, and need to be constantly checked/stoked. I'm just not a babysitter. The one I am considering can take one load of fuel and run eight, even twelve, hours, perhaps more. Once you set the temp, it does well. Still, I'll... listen.

I offered her the last three poems I wrote. Like flowers, they might be okay for a while, but what to do with them? Still... The title of the first, is 'By the One'.  I don't always put the titles in but this one was for her.  I gave her these right at the end.  She wanted to write them down.  Before her little female mind could wrap tears around them, I was... *poof*   I heard them in the background of her voice, coming through before she even knew they were sneaking up on her.  That quavering thing dames get right before they cry.  *laughs* She's gonna bawl like a baby!  Hehe.  At least it isn't because I broke a vase, threw a ball through a neighbors window, or got in another fight at school this time!

Hmm, a soda, I think. Maybe a handful of chips. Then to see if my bucket-carry technique will work. Later.