WorldWide Drilling Resource

28 JUNE 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Through the Back Door! by Jim Kuebelbeck Dairy Farm Expansion Part 2 About a week later, Ben showed up ready to work. Dad had already marked a big circle on the grass where he wanted the well. When Dad went to get another shovel, I decided to ask Ben if he was going to get one of those water finders to tell him where to dig. “Naw,” he said, “We’re just gonna start digging.” “What if you don’t find any water?” I asked. “Then we’ll just go and dig somewhere else,” he replied. “What about that Father Elmer?” I wanted to know. “I already mentioned him to your dad, but your dad doesn’t want anything to do with him, so we’re just going to start digging,” he said. I noticed Ben seemed to be checking the time on his pocket watch every few minutes, probably to keep track of his working hours, but I figured my dad would probably keep track of that without his help. Dad was never one to waste time when there was work to do, so when he returned with a shovel, and Ben started to make small talk about the weather, the neighbors, and any other subject he could think of, I could sense my dad’s impatience growing by the minute. At the first lull in the conversation, Ben decided he’d better get a drink of “water” before he started digging. Going back to his truck, he retrieved what looked like a flat bottle from under the seat of his truck, and took a bunch of swallows. I remember thinking it was the brownest water I had ever seen! Finally, when it seemed Ben couldn’t delay any longer, a strange car turned into our long driveway. Even before it was possible to recognize anyone in the car, Ben said, “Why, it kinda looks like that old Father Elmer.” My dad glared at Ben and said something I could- n’t quite hear, but I knew it was a bad word! When Father Elmer got out of the car, I stood as far away from “God” as possible, but close enough to hear the conversa- tion that followed. Everyone said hello, then Father Elmer looked around and asked my dad what he was “up to”. I thought it was a foolish question because with all the shovels and buckets around, most anyone could tell what dad was “up to”. “Well Father,” my dad said rather sarcastically. “Looks something like we’re going to dig a well, doesn’t it?” “And just where do you plan to dig that well, Max?” Father Elmer asked. My dad simply pointed to the circle he had already marked on the grass. “Well Max,” Father Elmer replied, “How about if I take a quick look around here before you start?” There was littlemy dad could say. Father Elmer walked back to the car and returned with what he called his “dowsing rod”. (It sure looked like a Y-shaped willow branch to me, however, and I remember thinking at the time that if it had been a little heavier it would have made a good slingshot.) I couldn’t wait to seewhat was going to happen next, because it was obvious my father was particularly annoyed. Continued next month. The statements and comments in this article are my own and are based on information and references believed to be true and factual. If you have any questions or comments, please for- ward them to me in care of WWDR . Jim Jim Kuebelbeck may be contacted via e-mail at admin@worldwidedrillingresource.com