Light Lens: Oh well

by T. Touris –

We have a pond that is very finicky about the water it wants to hold. We’ve experimented with many things to convince it to allow water to set up permanent residence. I thought some nice cool well water would be just the thing to overcome its clear aversion to H2O.

I surmised that the water from a nearby seasonal creek was diving below to a vast underground reservoir that was just waiting to feed our crater with the mud puddle at the bottom. All I needed to do was drive a screened metal well point down a few feet and water would burst forth and expand the living space of the overcrowded fish population.  Bass and bluegills do not take kindly to being treated like sardines. But how would one go about unlocking this underground liquid treasure chest?

The Internet to the rescue! After streaming countless YouTube videos showing people poking holes into the earth and reaping many gallons of water, I decided to take action. Procuring PVC pipe, a well tip, various fittings and a pump I was ready to rock and roll! This turned to be more pulling and turning; for many hours; emitting enough sweat to fill the pond several time over.

Finally, Oil!!! Not really, water, and no, not a gusher. But, my test string dropped down and came out wet! I hooked up the pump and a glorious stream; okay a trickle, of water sprang forth. Nevertheless, the sight of the mud puddle slowly forming around my feet was a thrill. But, quicker than the water soaked into my boots, the realization that this pathetic flow would never fill the pond sunk into my brain.

We ran the pump for a while, finally unplugging it after receiving an electric bill fifty dollars higher than normal. From the very small pond far below the top bank, the angry fish glared at me over promises un-kept.

Oh well. I’ll keep on pondering things before wading into another ill-advised experiment.