Then what do mayflowers bring?
HEAT! Yes, HEAT. Right now it is 103° degrees (97° in the shade). Spring had come and gone.
Yesterday, it was time to take off the canvas cover to the swamp cooler. Used the leafblower to blow out the dust and debris before turning it on. Didn't want all of that stuff blowing into the house. Before winter set in and after the final days of warm weather had passed, the cooler was drained, unplugged, and the fanbelt removed.
Well, to my dismay, I couldn't find the drain plug so I had to go to the hardware store. I found two that would work and came back home. Much to my dismay, the damn things didn't fit. So, off I went back to the hardware store.
I ask the guy, "Hey, I have a one-inch drain, it says here '1-inch' but the damn is '1-1/2"' in diameter. I have a plug here that is 3/4 inch and it lists '1-inch.' What's wrong with this picture?"
Anyhow, I got the plug I wanted.
Turned the water on. No leaks.
Got back up on the ladder to hook up the pump. All plugged in. All systems ready to go. I tell my wife, "Flick the switch!"
Voila!
"IT'S ALIVE!!!"
But wait! My wife tells me the cooler is still blowing hot air.
WHAT?
I go back outside and up the ladder. The "whatchmahcallits" (cooler pads) are still bone dry. I disconnect the hose from the pump. No water coming out (yes, it is still in the water). Frozen pump.
The pump had been sitting dry over the course of these months. I took the pump out and put it in a plastic coffee can with water and CLR and let it sit overnight.
So, here we are Saturday night. The house is hot, but thankfully there is a good breeze. A warm breeze, but it is a relief.
This morning I plugged in the pump. Nothing. It's purring like a kitten, but it ain't working.
Back to the hardware store. They only had one pump and it was the WRONG kind!
Damnit.
I have to drive into Oakhurst True Value. They had a great selection. But which one?
"Eeny meeny miney moe. Catch a pump by its hose outlet."
Out of the four I picked the third biggest. What the hell, it can't hurt.
Drive back home. I turn on the water to fill up the reservoir. I climb up the ladder to install the pump.
Uh oh.
The hose is just a bit too short, but I feel it can still work. If it works its way loose we will know when nothing but hot air is pumped throughout the house.
I go into the house to turn it on.
IT'S ALIVE!
All systems are go. The cooler pads are getting soaked. I race back inside to feel the fruits of my labor.
Ah.................................................
Cool moist air...
Everybody happy.
