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zenpond has just started to wake up from winter. john started the 10' waterfall on February 27. On February 28, the beautiful pair of Mallard ducks returned to zenpond. The daytime temperature has been in the 60's and 70's for the last week. All of this is occurring about a month early. Global warming does seem to changing the climate in Overland Park, KS. This, and the fact that the Sprint Corporation has built their World Headquarters just 3 miles away, has caused property values around zenpond to soar. California, eat your heart out!
john found the source of a water leak in the large pond that had dropped the water level about 10 inches. One of the main ball valves that shuts off the water in a 2 inch flexible hose had cracked from the expanding ice inside over the winter. john replaced it and refilled the upper 10 inches of water in zenpond.
The Tuckmeister has really been enjoying the open windows and warm sunlight. He watches the sparrows start to build their nest under the eves of the sheltered deck while "yammering" at them.
john thinks that he will be able to resume construction of the pump house during the first week in March. It is a 6' X 10' structure about 6' tall. It will house the 3 Sequence 1000 pumps that produce about 10,000 gallons per hour over the waterfall and be a home for the garden tools, etc.
After finishing the pump house, john plans to start the filtration system this Spring.
john hasn't taken many pictures during February. He admits to just sitting by the fire reading books and drinking wine. Maybe a picture or two will show up on this page before March is out.
March 6, 00 - What a beautiful weekend!!! Upper 70's. john cleaned out the small pond, got the 5' waterfall running and started the fish fountain again. john saw the first group of daffodils in full bloom this morning.
To find the newest pages to zenpond, go to Visitors and then click on "Gary".
March 20, 00 - john just purchased another Sequence 1000, 1/4 hp pump for the 5' waterfall. The 1/6 hp pump wasn't producing enough flow over the falls. He also purchased a 1/2 hp waste pump for removing sludge from settling tanks, etc. In addition, he is purchasing a 7' dia. x 5' deep polyethylene open top tank for a settling tank for the large pond. He isn't too sure how he will get that large an object over a 7' fence and into the backyard.
Everything is in bloom now, but frost has nipped some buds. Yesterday morning early, the tuckmeister was nervously running from window to window. john got up to see what was worrying him so much. Giant snow flakes were lazily drifting down and covering the yard. Later john went out and brought in some snow for tuck to check out. That seemed to satisfy tuck's curiosity.
Here a picture of tuck watching his favorite animal show on television. The light in the background is from a stained glass window shining on furniture.
