Gary the Sump Pumping Robot continues to do his job at our house. No seepage has occurred as of yet, despite the miserable rain-logged spring (and now summer!) we have been trudging through.

We were forecast to get around 3 inches of rain last Friday, but ended up getting only about a third of an inch.

However, the wind was freaking strong that night. Recent rains have also added up a bit, at least with regards to the Salt Creek trail that I like riding on.

Here is a small report about nature’s recent attacks on the trail my bike calls home.

A tree fell over the trail. I could not ride under it — I had to get off and walk my bike under it. I am not Fonzie.

Another section of the trail is underwater.

I reached this part of the trail at the same time as an elderly woman. She turned around. I said to her (for some reason), “I’m going to try and ride through it.” I made it a ways forward and soon found myself sloshing in about ten or eleven inches of water. My footsies got all wet, so I turned around and headed back.

I am not Fonzie.

I got home verrrry late last night from the Cubs game. The game ended early due to some torrential downpours in the eighth inning. After several beers and a tequila shot at a neighborhood drinking establishment, I took two train rides and a long walk back home.

After I finally arrived, I peeked out the window and saw standing water right next to our back door. I turned on the basement light at the top of the stairs to see if I could see any water trickling about, and happily didn’t notice any. I wasn’t about to go down there and start dealing with any seepage in my tired, drunken state.

The next day I am happy to report none of the water that was pooled outside made it onto our basement floor.

Good going, Gary!

UPDATE:

Perhaps the services of Gary will not be needed today.

Yeah, our sump looks like a cheerful-yet-ineffectual robot. I think I’ll call him Gary.

Hi folks,

It’s been pretty crazy goings-on at the Splotchy house.

We’ve been getting ready for the sump pumpening of our basement, and we’re taking a family vacation tomorrow that we have just started to prepare for, and that’s just half the stuff I can tell you about.

So, this blog will be a little light for the remainder of this week.

However, fear not — I have an idea to keep you entertained here in my absence. Check back later today.

Me: Come over here. I can’t move now. I can’t move. You just killed me.