11/20/19
(Above: This is the broken waterline with the broken portion removed and awaiting a pressure coupling. Also, it’s a possible reference for future PVC pipe work in the area.)
Active Summary: After the beef pasture check (and mini-calf bottle-feeding) this morning, Padre and I returned to the main area of the farm whereupon we began the project of removing a large rotten post from the west entrance to our main feed barn. The top portion was removed with relative ease because it was all above ground and not connected to the lower portion which was subsequently all in the ground. We next set about loosening the subterranean stump from its hole. Padre helped me remove a bit of tile and muck, and then let me continue working as he set about procuring the ravenous bovines some feed.
The second portion of the morning ensued after I was wobbling the post around, heard a sharp crack, and then experienced a gout of frothing water. Apparently, the post was directly next to a brittle 60-years-old PVC water line*, and I had damaged it in my efforts to loosen the stubborn stump. Digging commenced whereupon I exposed a large portion of the water pipe for Padre and Wag to fix. I also dug out around the post stump so we could extricate it with the pave loader.
The morning ended with Padre and Wag fixing the water line and our lowering the new post into place.
(7:34 PM Update): Afternoon activities consisted of filling in the pipe / post hole with dirt, tending to cattle, and checking the beef herd. This was ensued by Electronic Digital Smoker shenanigans. I folded a window into the aluminum sheet metal from yesterday, but the Wifi signal from Jacobhouse still proved too weak to connect the appliance. Thus, after fiddling with the smoker for about 30 – 40 minutes, I carried it out to Jacobhouse with the help of Padre and set it up on the front deck. It is now functioning, and I presently have it cleaning**.
TIL: Today I learned about an interesting project in Mussomeli, Sicily. It is called Case 1 euro. The program is a part of the Italian Government’s latest efforts to revitalize rural areas, and it consists of selling people old houses for 1 euro under the condition that the buyers renovate the home at their own expense. Some houses take upwards of 100,000 euros to renovate (including contractors, materials, and etc.). Other homes take less than 10,000 euros. When my brother and I go to Sicily in January, I believe I’ll pay the town of Mussomeli a visit to get an idea of the city’s situation / culture.
Commentary: Even with all that happened with the waterline this morning, it feels like today has been a productive one. The whole shenanigan reaffirms the fact that there is very little to fear of failure. Almost all, if not all, problems can be remedied with effort and time, and even though events such as today’s broken water line are inconvenient, they – failures – are fine price to pay for progress.
Final Note: Tomorrow, I intend to procure a piece of Master Blend beef so I can test it out in the smoker. I also will determine what I’m going to do next in regard to transforming the freezer room into a better business-place.
*It was grey pipe, so I at first thought it to be conduit. Instead it was just incredibly old PVC pressure pipe.
** The high heat will clear away all residual chemicals from the manufacturing process.