Thar She Flows

Once again the pond is operational.

I have been away for 8 days and upon my return to Red Tail Ridge I found a large box on the front step and sure enough the rejuvenated and reworked pond pump was inside. I couldn't wait to get things flowing again so I re-installed the pump into the pump pit.

Of course nothing is done without a little angst and just to make sure I was alive and kick'n I managed to turn on the pump prior to closing a valve so I was bathed in pond water... cold, cold pond water.  I am happy to report that I didn't get wet from my knees down.

I checked the pump pit after dinner and did not detect any signs of leakage.  With about 3 hours of operation under my belt the pump is working perfectly.  I certainly hope I don't have to retract the "working perfectly" part of that statement.

I have noticed the mice seem to think the pump pit is their very own lodge to idle away the long winter nights.  The mice would not be so bad if they didn't crap all over the place. One would think that snake I saw earlier in the pump pit would keep the mice away but it isn't obvious.  I suppose the snake is already sleeping away for the duration of the cold months.

I've resorted to excessive force in regard to the mice in the form of poison. I hope there isn't any collateral damage to other creatures.  On the positive side I haven't put out the sticky stuff that the mice walk on and can't walk off... seems like a terrible way to go.

I'll be watching the pump pit and it's occupants and report anything interesting.

Whoohoo!