Reflections for Year 1

An exquisite moonlit evening with stars twinkling overhead!

Exactly a year ago today on November 29, 2010, I closed on my homestead and started moving in! What an exciting day! It was a culmination of hard work and dreams coming true.

My first project as a new home owner included changing the lock. Interestingly enough, as I changed the lock and tested it, I accidentally locked myself inside because the new door handle jammed up against the old screen door. I was in a bit of a pickle! I had just bought a new home, but now found myself locked INSIDE! In true-to-life off-grid pioneering style, I escaped by removing the window and screen near the table. It took a fair amount of work on a cold November day in a chilly house using only my fingers because my tools were on the porch. I had my phone with me, but there was no WAY I was calling for help! I wouldn't ever live that down, LOL :D

All's well that ends well, because I survived that situation with my sense of humor and pride still intact...the most useful tools of life! It's been a wonderful year of discoveries...discoveries of life, myself and the world around me. Here are my reflections for year 1:

"You might think that such solitude what lead to introspection and soul searching. What I found was almost the reverse. I became so engrossed in the natural world around me that I almost seemed to lose my awareness of self. I certainly learned to be at peace with my own company.  It wasn't by learning to know myself better, it was by learning how to forget." ~ Neil Ansell

Neil Ansell lived off-grid for 5 years in Wales. At the end of his "Deep Country" video, he articulated so well something I’ve been feeling/experiencing at my homestead, but couldn't quite find the words to describe. I actually thought I might be doing something "wrong" because my writing has been reflective of my time spent outside and/or observing nature instead of deep ruminations of my soul/psyche.

This is the paradox I've discovered: As I "lose" myself in nature and see the interconnectedness of all things, I find myself! :)

Glowing night view of cottage porch/deck.

When I'm outside, I'm typically without a watch or phone/email. I eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm thirsty, go inside at dark (summer time!), sleep when I'm tired (usually dark time!), wake up with the dawn. I used to check my email constantly, but now it will dawn on me after coming in for the night that I haven't checked my email or messages in 4-6 hours. Honestly, a year ago, I couldn't imagine going 1 hour without checking my email. My priorities have definitely shifted. I believe it’s part of my job angst: time spent on "the job", is time spent away from home, nature, me...and I feel a bit resentful of it. I know it may seem bizarre to hear because when I'm working, I'm predominantly alone. So what's the difference between being home alone or working alone?

At home, even when I'm doing housework, projects or chores, its play...and it connects me to everything else around me! I'm not separated, I'm integral part of the world around me in a truly tangible way. I have no fear of losing my place, being evaluated on my performance. I'm in my element.

At "work", I feel disconnected, working to achieve someone's bottom line with the fear I will be thrown under the bus & terminated if need be to achieve a greater “bottom line”.

At work I’m dispensable; in nature, I’m indispensable.
At home I can simply BE; at work, I have to DO.
At work, I have mind in pieces; at home, I have peace of mind.

My life off the grid is still in its infancy, yet the longer I'm off the grid, the clearer my vision about "the system". It used to be that society worked WITH one another; now, for the most part, we work FOR someone else. When did we relinquish our freedom? I'm talking true freedom! Yes, America is the greatest country with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...but our country is in debt morally, spiritually, economically, etc. And society is reflected in similar debt. The further mankind gets away from nature and exploits natural resources, the farther removed he is from self/soul. Has mankind passed the point of no return?

Planet Earth is our ONLY home! All of our systems of air, water, food are intimately connected...everything is inter-connected and affects everything else. As I grow in awareness about my food, water, etc I travel farther and farther down the rabbit-hole.  I'm evaluating what I really truly need...anything else is waste, excess, etc. Society teaches us to be consumers. Nature demands us to be producers. First and foremost, I am a citizen of planet Earth. No government has the legal right (i.e. legislated by men/companies for greater profit, power and control) to infringe on my created/born right to exist, to eat, to breath, to drink, to shelter myself. Profiteering from the basic human needs is evil; inhibiting people the inherent right to life is inhumane; preventing the change of a corrupt system is insane.

The laws of nature make sense to me; the laws of society/corporations do not. Society feels like a hostile, artificial, unhealthy environment. Nature is authentic in existence and reflection. Nature is the “winding, twisting path called Living” in a Chris Heeter poem which leads to creating “Intricate designs” upon our souls of an everlasting treasure! In contrast, the predictable man-made straight roads lead to stress, discontent, blind obedience to a system instead of nurturing reliance and honoring her/his own soul.

Overall we aren’t taught or encourage to follow our bliss, blow our trumpet, or shine our brilliance. We are homogenized by a society which tries to manufacture the illusion of permanence and security, despite the fact that everything is changing all the time. Nature is ever changing, in seasons and landscape, riverbanks and shorelines attest to the subtle changes over time. I love living intimately with the land, the seasons, the weather. I enjoy the rhythm, the challenge, the peace, the beauty. I appreciate the fragility and impermanence, the reminder that everything in life changes.

In October 2010, while I helped to build a Yurt, Jayne (the 73 year old owner of the Eco Learning Center) shared the wisdom of the yurt in reminding us of the temporal quality of life, that nothing is created or born to last forever. This temporal quality imparts a sense of wonder and appreciation for life. For nearly 30 years, since she has lived off the grid and inhabited buildings that are a little bit more than tents and huts, she can attest to the intimate connection to the earth, to the world in a way that is more profound than living in a traditional "permanent" structure. I believe this is why people are attracted to camping/tenting…the reconnecting to the earth rhythm, the reminder of the temporal that transcends everyday life. The reminder that the sense of "permanent" is just an illusion. I believe, this ties in with Robert Burney's teachings…it's the unlearning the lies we've been taught, grieving, healing and re-learning Truth as it applies in our life and to the world around us.

As Jayne shared with us her perspective and wisdom, I was reminded of the huge cathedrals (and other buildings) which have been built over the years with the intent to last "forever". I laughed to think of mankind's arrogance to think he could actually build something that would last forever, when in fact NOTHING does!

Further, I thought about the paradox of western religion, through building these cathedrals, attempting to "last forever". When in fact, shouldn't they be the ones to embrace, "this world is not our home, we're just passing through"? So in a way, does this mean that western religion's drive to build something to last forever seems to be a futile attempt at becoming immortal in way that he truly doesn't believe as the Bible that he reads teaches? Or speak of their lack of “faith” in their own tenets? Hmmm.

Outhouse pathway illuminated with solar lights.

The corollary of this is that those who are more closely connected to earth, seem to embrace the knowledge of how fleeting and precious life is. Hence "tree huggers" honor the planet, while western civilization/corporate America pillages and destroys the planet. To western civilization, nature is nothing more than property, something to dominated, used, manipulated, paved over, hidden, destroyed, subdued, exploited and "civilized". It's as though western civilization has a love-hate with itself, because in actuality, it is trying to subdue and civilize itself without realizing, there is NOTHING to subdue! All it has to do is live in harmony with all things. If one cannot live in harmony, then one tries to change, control or destroy others who are an affront to his own failure to just BE. It's the "crab in the basket" mentality to the nth degree.

I had no idea how much my life would change with living off the grid. Paradoxically, it’s nothing external (the “how” of life), but the “why” and “what” of life...it's realizing what's truly important in life and knowing that I have a treasure beyond measure that no one can steal. I have peace of mind, contentment of soul and freedom of being. Maybe I didn't need to move/live off the grid to learn and realize those gifts. I love the simplicity of my life, the rhythm of nature and being attuned to the changing of the seasons.

I have felt the most home in the past year, than I have in the previous 45 years combined. Maybe I am finally following my soul's leading and it has nothing to do with living off the grid. Then again, I recall Jayne warning me gently that my life will forever be changed by living off the grid…that there’s no going back. Not that I even want to go back. My soul has led me here...has led me home. I know that no matter the roof over my head, I have true peace and harmony like never before.

Here's to continued off-grid adventures wherever they may lead!

Statistics for Year 1

I enjoy observing nature in all her glory and recording moments in time. Here's my observations for year 1 at my homestead. These statistics aren't meant to be an exhaustive because I'm sure I didn't see/hear all that there is to see/hear! My intention was to become familiar with my property, getting to know as a friend, so as the years go by, my relationship deepens with understanding, knowledge and respect.

WEATHER OBSERVATIONS (1/7/2011 - 10/31/2011)

Weather Stats

At the beginning of the New Year, I installed an Ambient WS-1080 wireless weather station. This weather station rocks! Initially I wanted just a anemometer to study wind speed for future wind-generator, but I anted up a few more dollars for the whole weather enchilada! It accurately and faithfully measures windspeed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature and humidity (inside and outside), barometric pressure, dewpoint and windchill. It records/logs over 4,000 data points and interfaces via USB to my computer for downloading capability. A data geeks best friend :) 

Here's observations of the weather. It will be interesting to do a comparison over the years to see how it changes:

Highest outdoor temperature: 92.3°F on 6/7/2011

Lowest outdoor temperature: -4.4° on 2/10/2011

Lowest wind-chill factor: -9.8° on 2/8/2011

Average outdoor temperature: 49.8°

Highest indoor temperature: 105.1° 2/5/2011 (sauna was fired up)

Lowest indoor temperature: 31.8° on 10/30/2011

Average indoor temperature: 70.7°

Highest indoor humidity: 89% on 8/24/2011

Highest outdoor humidity: 99% on multiple days (raining)

Cumulative rainfall: 19.7" as of 10/31/2011

Highest rainfall in 1-hour period: 1.89" on 4/25/2011

Highest rainfall in 24-hour period: 1.89" on 4/25/2011

Highest rainfall in week: 3.54" week of April 25-May1, 2011

Highest rainfall in month period: 5.57" May 2011

Cumulative snowfall: 130"

Snowfall in 24-hour period: 21"

Highest wind gust: 32.7 MPH on 2/3/2011

Average wind speed: 1.42 MPH 

FLORA & FAUNA OBSERVATIONS

Interestingly enough, despite living on the banks of a woodland lake, I saw only a few mosquitoes, no ticks and only a few house flies. I attribute the lack of mosquitoes to the huge population of beautiful Damselflies and Dragonflies who grace this property. As for no ticks, I'm thankful for that!! I attribute no flies to the nearly constant breeze that blew through my cottage and property.

When I started moving in on November 29, 2010, the cottage had been vacant for over a year. Since I figured it'd be filled with mice, I set many traps throughout the cottage, but caught only 3! :)

Additional to these amazing things is the fact that there is NO Poison Ivy on my property!! This is another welcomed phenomena! I've heard that Poison Ivy seems to be prolific in areas where the soil has been disturbed/stripped. Since there are several wildflowers on my property which only grow in undisturbed soils, this makes sense as to why no Poison Ivy is here. May the soil continue to be undisturbed!

Here's observations of my "woodland neighbors":

Animals

Pretty Doe - June 19, 2011

Bats

Chipmunk

Coyote (sound)

Deer (sound, sight & tracks)

Flying Squirrel (sight & sound)

Fox (sight & tracks)

Porcupine (sight & tracks)

Rabbit (sight & tracks)

Raccoon (sight & tracks)

Turtles (sight & tracks)

Skunk (sight & tracks)

Birds

Cooper's Hawk - April 2, 2011

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl (sight & sound)

Canada Geese (sight & sound)

Cedar-Waxwing

Chickadee (sight & sound)

Cooper's Hawk (sight & sound)

Crow (sight & sound)

Downy Woodpecker (sight & sound)

Hermit Thrush (sight & sound)

Hummingbird (sight & sound)

Great Blue Heron
Mallard Ducks

Meadowlark (sight & sound)

Pileated Woodpecker (sight & sound)

Quail

Raven (sight & sound)

Red-tailed Hawk (sight & sound)

Red-winged Blackbird (sight & sound)

Robin

Sand-hill Crane (sight & sound)

Spruce Grouse (sight & sound)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Insects & Other Creepy Crawlies

Eastern Newt - July 22, 2011

Dragonflies

Damselflies

Chorus Frogs (sounds)

Crickets

Eastern Newt

Fireflies

Gardner Snake

Grasshoppers

Honey Bees

Ichneumon Wasp

Spring Peepers (sounds)

Toads

Tree Frogs (sounds)

Wasps

Wolf Spider

Worms

Cheery Trilliums - May 18, 2011

Wildflowers
Columbine

Dutchman Breeches

Foam Flower

Hepatica

Miterwort

Mullein

Squirrel Corn

Spring Beauty

Trillium

Violets

Yellow Trout Lily

Sweet Blackberries - August 18, 2011

Plants
Blackberries

Chicory

Fern

Half-Morel Mushrooms

Leeks

Moss

Shelf Fungus

Wild Strawberries

Trees

Ash

Blue Spruce

Choke Cherry

Maple

Oak

Poplar

Wild Strawberry

White Birch

White Pine

A Year Later!

Hard to believe it was year ago today, that I was house hunting and found my homestead. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday. In other ways, it seems I've lived here for a decade...in a good way! It's been a grand adventure, each day a learning experience. After a year, I can honestly say I don't miss any modern convenience. Living off the grid is "harder", only insofar as the rhythm is different without "modern conveniences". Nothing is instantaneous (water, heat, cooling, power)...I get out of my system what I put into it. I appreciate the awareness to every function of my life that living off the grid brings. I don't take anything for granted! Living off the grid still feels like being at camp or having a tree fort 24/7 :) Here's to many more days and to adventures wherever they may lead!

I've made many improvements in the past year including:

• Installed oil lamps
• Installed a woodstove & chimney
• Tuned the water pump
• Built shelves in bedroom
• Built shelves in porch
• Built shelves in back wash room
• Installed battery motion detector porch lights
• Cleared old wood and junk
• Created a yard
• Installed solar lights around the perimeter
• Installed a window in the back wash room
• Created and manicured 3 moss gardens
• Repaired 3 windows
• Repaired screen door
• Installed rain barrels
• Converted outhouse to composting toilet (almost done!)
• Cut and cleared trails
• Reconfigured loft staircase for ease of use
• Installed clothes line
• Created "suicide cord" for using Jeep as power-generator
• Installed storm windows on the porch
• Installed cell phone repeater
• Installed a cat door
• Installed a dog door
• Set up a propane stove
• Repaired and set up a propane refrigerator
• Installed storm window in outhouse

Next year's project list:

• Re-shingle roof
• Insulate
• Establish solar/wind/steam power
• Tile porch/kitchen
• Install gray water drains
• Stone work on hearth

What a difference a year makes! :)

Lessons in Wood

It's springtime, so that means it's time start putting up wood for next winter! Since I bought my cottage in November, I didn't have time to put up wood and had to piecemeal it throughout the winter. Not the best way let me tell you! But it's been a good adventure, I learned a lot! I'm excited to know that the work I'm doing now will pay off big time and allow me to relax and enjoy next winter! Come take a look at what I've learned :)

This is my wood for next winter! I struck a great deal with my wood guy, Steve. This year I used 12 cords from Dec 7 to present. Most of my heat was lost due to no insulation in my cottage. One of my summer projects is to insulate. As such, I'm calculating using 12 cords, but will have 15 cords in stock. 

A close up of this beautiful wood! Ah, beauty is not simply in the eye of the beholder because not all wood is created equal! More on that concept later.

My faithful 5'x8' trailer, makes wood hauling easy.

The trailer is essentially the same size as the bed of a full-sized pick-up truck. Fully loaded, it holds 1.5 cords of wood. Here is one cord.

A cord of wood stacked on my porch, out of the elements and readily available. Notice the "wood gauge" along the left....

....a closer look at the gauge.

After burning wood for about a month, I calculated how much I use in a day (give or take). I created this wood gauge to help me determine enough wood for an upcoming storm, etc. The gauge is conservative. So where it says 8 days, it's actually closer to 10 days.

As I mentioned earlier, not all wood is created equal. This is wood from my first wood guy (after various problems with 3 different loads of wood, I found a new wood guy).

As you can see from this photo, this wood is of unequal lengths (9-22"). Additionally, the wood was not seasoned properly so my stove was not able to burn efficiently. 

Non-efficient burns not only creates inconsistent heat, but more importantly non-efficient burning of poorly seasoned wood creates creosote build-up in the chimney. Creosote is created when wood smoke condenses and "congeals" into tar on the inside of a chimney. If creosote builds up too much, it can cause chimney fire. 

Part of my daily routine of the stove included "hot burning" the stove every time I stoked the stove. And nearly every day, I heard creosote "rain down" through the chimney giving me an audible "all clear" signal. Hearing the creosote rain is a little spooky the first couple times you hear it, but once you get the hang of it, it's like anything else you learn: get better with experience and practice.

Notice the difference in THIS wood!! Steve's wood is seasoned well with only about 15-20% moisture content. Steve's approach to wood cutting and splitting is like an artisan...and his attention to detail creates quality firewood AND quality heat!

Additionally, his wood is almost exactly 16" right on the mark. Having consistent length allows for tight stoking of stove and thereby provides, long, consistent and hotter "burns". Most importantly of well seasoned wood, it will create nearly zero smoke...nearly zero smoke, means nearly zero creosote!

My previous wood provided only about 6-8hrs per burn. With Steve's wood, I achieved 8-10hrs consistently AND achieved 12hr burns twice!! Quality wood brings peace of mind with safer, hotter and more consistent burns. 

Until I switched wood, I was not able to sleep more than 6 hours a night. Thanks to quality wood, I was able to sleep 8 hours!!! As I said: all wood is not created equal!

This weekend, I cleared out old decayed wood that the previous owner had stacked over the years on the left of the outhouse. Most of the wood was poplar, which isn't good wood to burn in stoves even when it's not decayed. But it is terrific wood for campfires! So I used my sled and dragged 3 cords of rotted wood to the campfire ring. What a chore to drag a loaded sled when there is no snow! 

Here's three of 15 racks I'm building to holding a cord of wood each. I will tarp to protect from rain and weather.

I wished I had taken a "before" picture because this area looks SO much cleaner!

A close-up of one of the cords. The racks are composed of 8' length of 2"x4" screwed into uprights of 4' length of 2"x3". Each rack has a pair of supports. Along the top is a length of fence wire nailed to the uprights. As the wood is stacked in the rack, the weight creates tension on the wire and pressure holds the rack tight. Genius design by Steve! And cheap :)

The start of my "Wood Bank Account": 3 cords tucked in safe and sound for the season!

More wood to put up later...more to share too. Here's to adventures, wherever they may lead!

Stepping Off the Reservation

"When you step off the reservation, you’re on your own. There’s no script to follow. Nobody to tell you where to go, what to do, or even what to strive for. All there is, is a vastness stretching out to the horizon. Somewhere out there, beyond the hazy horizon, your future awaits. It waits for no one, but you. You don’t know where it is, nor what’s there. But you approach it, one step at a time. One step. At a time." ~ Ryo Chijiiwa

Ryo is a fellow techno-geek off-gridder :) and this quote is from his blog Laptop and A Rifle.  His latest entry, "Home Again" describes his reaction to the re-entry into civilization. I can definitely identify with his reaction...

Yesterday and today, I helped a carpenter friend with a bathroom remodel project. While we were onsite, the home-owner was watching TV. Even though the volume was at a moderate level, it sounded SO loud! Although it's only been 4 months since I've watched TV, my body felt like it was being assaulted...like being inundated with something toxic or something. I can't quite put my finger on it, other than paralleling it to how a body feels after cleansing itself from junk food and once exposed to junk food again, goes into spasms. I'm amazed that it only took "a little TV exposure" and my body had such an adverse reaction!

The other noteworthy thing was how truly ridiculous the TV sounded! The actual "conversation" of the program sounded artificial, stilted, disconnected and devoid of emotion. It was a comedy show and there was laughter (a laugh track), but there was no emotion. It was quite chilling to listen. Like looking at the soul-less eyes of a stuffed animal trophy...

Although this was 2011, the commercials sounded as hokey as the commercials from the 50's and 60's. Do you remember seeing the ones? The ones where the actors over-dramatized the benefits of the product like it's a cure-all for everything. The over-the-top enthusiasm that if you buy their product, you'll be happy, successful, etc.

I had an inkling of the effects of TV and subsequent consumer-indoctrination on my psyche, but until I actually stepped away from "civilization" I had no idea of how significant and substantial the effects of TV. I'm reminded of a scene in the book "Fahrenheit 451" where Mildred is more emotionally invested to "the family" (her name for TV) than to her actual husband.

I enjoy "stepping off the reservation"...more than that, I enjoy defining and creating my life according to my own sense of adventure, writing my script based upon the leading of my soul...

I have more to share about the effects of and reactions to "civilization", but this is all for now...

Hand Water Pump Meditation

My only source of water is a 55' foot well which was drilled in June of 2000. The well head is connected to a Baker Hand Pump, model 11HD. If "Baker" isn't working properly, I don't receive water. So it goes without saying, that I pay very keen attention to Baker and don't take my water needs for granted!

For example, I've counted how many strokes it takes for water to rise and pour. It takes between 15-18 strokes depending upon how cold it is. On the first day I used the pump to draw water for my water test sample, I counted the strokes because:
#1 - I was curious
#2 - There really isn't anything else to do while your arms are pumping away!
#3 - I figured knowing such information would be useful in the future.

Ever since then, I've religiously counted EVERY time I use the pump. The stroke count gives me much needed information about the status and health of my water supply and reminds me daily not to take it for granted. My water pump stroke count meditation gets me into the "zone" while awaiting water's arrival...and then when I hear water percolating through the pipe, I feel like a giddy kid on Christmas morning!! It's here!!!

**
AN ASIDE: Okay, it may seem over the top, but I have this experience every time I receive water. Conversely, when I use "modern water", I feel disconnected with such impersonal and strange water coming out of the faucet...I don't know where it came from, I don't know who helped bring it to me. By the way, what is YOUR experience and relationship with water? Do you think about where your water comes from?
**

I use 2 different sized buckets for hauling water. One bucket is 1.5 gallons and takes 18 strokes to fill. The larger bucket is 2.5 gallons and takes 28 strokes to fill. Some family members and friends have laughed that I count and know the stroke numbers. But knowing my stroke counts has helped me TWICE so far! (In this current blog entry I'm only addressing pump strokes; next time, I will blog about water usage)

On January 29, I pumped water on a relatively mild 30° day. We had received about 6" of snow overnight, but otherwise mild day. As I started pumping and counting, I fell into my meditation. When I arrived at stroke 12, I realized something was definitely amiss. Instead of getting easier to pump (as the leather washer which provides the suction, swelled with water), it was getting harder!!! I mean REALLY hard, like I was trying to draw concrete!! Immediately, I stopped pumping and heard water escaping back down the pipe. This was a good sign and told me the pump itself was working. But for some reason water was not coming out of the spout.

My instinct told me that something was plugged. I grabbed a 9/16" wrench from my toolbox and removed the 2 bolts holding the spout to the base assembly. I figured I'd start at the most easy to remove piece of the puzzle. I held the heavy spout in my hands and created a tight seal with my face and blew into it like a small-mouthed trumpet player! I couldn't blow at all because quite obviously the spout was plugged shut! Since the most likely culprit was ice, I took the spout into the house and put a pan of water on the wood-stove to heat. About 10 minutes later, I had hot water and a cleared water spout!! I was thrilled to discover it was such a simple thing and made a mental note to myself. I was quite shocked that it had frozen on a such a mild day because temperatures reached -25° just a week prior and I happily pumped water without a problem. I shrugged it off to being a mysterious combination of moisture, humidity, temperature and moon phase! :)

This past Thursday, as I pumped water and counted bucket strokes, my large bucket stroke count reached 32 but the bucket was only 3/4 full! This reality snapped out of my meditation and I assessed the situation. Looking at the bigger picture, I discovered a small stream of water flowing past the top packing nut. It shouldn't be doing that, so I stopped pumping immediately! I didn't know why or how it was happening, but I knew it wasn't good!!

Again, I started with the easiest piece of the puzzle and using my trusty 9/16" wrench, removed the water spout. I then pumped up water and was relieved to see water pouring out of the base assembly but not leaking past the packing nut. This meant that something was amiss in the spout. This time, I took a much better look at the spout and discovered it was actually comprised of 2 pieces: The spout itself and a collar. I was able to screw off the collar by tapping it with a hammer. Just inside the collar, I discovered a large strainer, a fine screen and gasket. The screen was completely plugged with sand and mineral debris. THIS had to be the reason! I dissembled the entire spout and used an old toothbrush and CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover to break up rust and mineral deposits in the screen until it was shiny new! I reassembled the spout and took the old gasket to the hardware store. The gasket was shot, so I knew this was a good time to replace it.

This morning, on a frigid 15° day, I reattached the water spout to Baker, along with the new gasket. I grabbed hold of the handle and breathed a sigh of thanksgiving for the Gift of Water. As my stroke count reached 15, water came rushing out of the spout with MUCH greater water pressure than I had ever seen in my three months using it!! I was ecstatic :)

As I reflect today:
(1)  When things go "wrong", there is always a reason.
(2)  When things do go "wrong", be sure to investigate fully in order to see the full picture. Had I spent a bit more time on the water spout on January 29, I probably wouldn't have had a problem on Thursday.
(3)  Usually the simplest solution is the best.
(3)  Even the smallest things add up to big things!
(4)  Knowing such "trivial" information is helpful.
(5)  Don't take anything for granted.