July 19th, 2017

Very hot. At my sunset water check last night, I shockingly observed the pipeline had lost most of its pressure. For days in extreme heat, our water system has worked almost flawlessly. The following words capture the 24 hours that followed:
 
Panic: Yes, nothing best describes the feeling that watering 350 cow pairs might now be a big problem;
 
Response; Contact Ryan and begin trouble shooting the cause (line break, pit plugged, air lock). I could not find or contact Ryan by phone. Later learned he had checked water before my last check and the pressure was fine, so he went to visit the Adolphs’, and overlooked that his cell phone was dead.
 
Vulnerable: The water guy was not to be found, so the initial response was on me.
 
Act: Turn Ryan’s well on (usually turned off at night so he can do water chores at home). I checked the pit. It was full. Closed line off to the east-possible cause of air in line. I walked the line with a flashlight-no leaks. Dry lightning cell passes over during this whole process. Last chore for the night was driving through ranch to check for possible firs
 
Assess: Tank fills up and line pressures with Ryan’s home well. No fires. Good until morning.
 
Remorse: What Ryan felt next morning when he realized what all came down while he was at the Adolph’s.
 
Calm and confident: For a moment crises averted, and clear affirmation of everyone’s commitment to figure out next steps.