Water woes and other things

We've arrived at that time of year -when the water level in our spring goes down to a dangerously low point. This summer we were lulled into thinking we would be OK because we have had a lot of rain. But Friday, while Katie, Savanna and Brendon were here, the kitchen faucet started making strange whistling noises - air in the pipes. Bad sign! I immediately went to the spring, took off the cover and looked in. Worst fears realized! The water level was a bit below the intake pipe. Usually we would be on top of this and would have discovered the level was low before it got that low. But not this year. I immediately turned off the pump. I don't know yet if the pump has been damaged -water lubricates the pump; pumping air is bad. But maybe we caught it in time.We'll find out when the water level goes up and we can turn on the pump again. Meanwhile, we haul water. We went out after KS&B left because we had a lot of dishes to do. We got two 2 1/2 gallon spring water-jugs, with a spigot, at the store (for drinking), and filled various tubs and buckets with water (for washing) at the Dummerston Church - our go-to place when this happens. Thank you DCC!

But we had a nice supper with KS&B before all that happened. Meat loaf, potato salad, Cole slaw, and a yummy apple pie a la mode (or cheddar cheese) for dessert. It was a beautiful evening on the deck (though  it was chilly enough to put on sweaters. That may be our last company for a while because company = using water. We'll see.

Katie, Savanna and Brendon (who is getting tall!)

Cutting the apple pie

One evidence of a wet summer is our mushroom crop. Here is one I pulled up today:

Mushroom of uncertain variety

Top view

Last night (Saturday) we played Scrabble after supper. For once, I drew good tiles (though at one point I had AAAEI plus two 1-point consonants on my tray). E.g., I drew Q, Z, J and X and was able to double or even triple their value in play. Ellen did well with what she had, often getting 15-20 points just out of playing 2-3 1-point tiles (by using points already on the board). But I won with a total of over 350 points. (Ellen had c. 260). This is rare!

Our completed Scrabble board

Ellen's garden looks great - but, sadly, no more watering, I'm afraid. 

At its peak, I suspect.

The Guilford Church Christmas Bazaar will be held online this year. Instead of tables loaded with items at the church, there will be an online catalog. So Ellen has  been taking pictures of ornaments she has already made:

Little baskets

Felted pumpkins

Felted pears

Felted acorns

And there will be cookie platters like this one:

Aren't they all beautiful!?