March 9, 2015
We were told three days ago that the water will not run in our taps until the end of April. I feel relief. It’s good to know – that we are directly linked to the spring thaw, that we need to build the gathering and conservation of water into our daily routine, that we will forego the use of our washing machine and our bathtub & shower for seven more weeks.
everyone on our little street is in the same predicament…
30 litres of water does two sinks-full of dishes, makes a kettle of coffee, flushes a toilet four times, waters the plants, fills five large glasses at lunch and cleans the kitchen.
15 litres a day on schooldays, 30 to 45 litres / day on weekends. We fill these up at the Recreation centre, which is about seven blocks away
The value of water is now firmly established, and conservation methods improve daily. As the days go by we learn the value of other things often taken for granted.
Offers for sleepovers have come pouring in (couldn’t resist), which has been heartwarming for us. Strangers help me carry the 15 litre jugs to my car from the Rec. Centre hose, and offers of laundry facilities, beds, showers, bathtubs, meals, ready-made food (to conserve on dish-washing) are gratefully accepted and welcomed by us. We learn to write our household chores into visits with friends, showers into dinner invitations…
Wine bottles full of spare water for little tasks & needs in the kitchen window
There’s also something satisfying about boiling water on the stove and doing one’s own dishes in one’s own sink. I stood at the sink in my housecoat and the pure pleasure of warm soapy water on my hands and felt – good. A spring bird sang outside in the sun, which was melting the snow into drip music…
All of this white will turn to green, in a very short time.
I value the warmth and generosity of our friends, this deeply compassionate community I live in, the inevitable passage of time, and simple things that feel good.
Spring comes, as promised.