manufactured anymore or sold locally or anywhere for that matter. The manufacturer is giving us the run-around of course and so was the place of purchase. The manufacture was sending us parts that were not what we told them we needed. Did they listen. NOPE... I now have enough pieces to almost build a sail boat, but not the right piece.

If you decide to update your fixture please make sure you have all the info about the stem. I know it seems like a simple project but is anything ever that simple, of course not. The people who installed the new water hardware neglected to tell us that it was not a famous system anymore. Also they didn't leave an opening to replace all the hardware in case we needed to. Now

look, I am not a plumber so we took the broken stem piece to all the popular and antique hardware stores in East Tennessee. Shoot fire, they had never seen such an item, simply put they couldn't get anything like that. Oh Geeza peas, now we were concerned about what really to do... we had spent a month trying to find a simple part and no one seemed to have any intelligent solutions for of course they were wanting us to breakdown and buy a whole new unit.  I am not about to let a little handle control me and my shower. I finally decided that the most sane thing to do was to find a person who would remember what plumbing is. After calling several who were rude and non impressed about our urgency I was about to give up. Then I found a business in the yellow pages called " Colloms, Clyde & Sons located on Freewill Rd." Now I don't think anyone else can compare to the courtesy and kindness Clyde Colloms showed us. His very words were "we'll do everything we can to help you get what you need." Now that is what you call service. We met with him the next morning with broken stem in hand. He looked at it and  said, "no I don't have one but I bet I can get you one." Clyde made one phone call and had us two parts set aside to pick up. What a nice gentleman.

The parts were exactly what was needed. Geeze, a simple task in a matter of seconds and a plumbing issue solved. I wish those other hardware-ish type places were so brilliant. I want to take this moment to tell Clyde Collom what a fantastic company he has that will indeed go out of their way to extend the hand of courtesy to all those who need the work done at a moment's notice. Thanks Clyde, you are a King amongst those who will never reach the great throne of knowledge and understanding. Now that is what the holidays are about.

TIP TOE THROUGH THE  WATER  LILIES

I know all of you expect some silliness from me so I will indulge you with this crazy little incident. I have

these wonderful magic water lilies. They bloom a beautiful purple. (What other color would they be?) I mean I put two at each end of  the pond and they multiplied overnight beyond what I have ever seen. I decided I needed to free up some space in the pond so I went and gathered several and placed them into a small pool to allow for them to continue their growth. I gathered a second group and moved them as well.  As I went back for the third load I decided perhaps I could carry them with no problem, yeah right (I should have had a bucket). As I walked next to the ponds edge some fired up little Fairies and Sprites and probably a Gnome or two decided to yank my feet  right out from under me. SPLISH Splash I was takin' a bath right in that ole pond. Now had it been my choice I could have worn my bathing suit. I heard a snap, crackle & pop, I found myself dazed and confused at what had happened. I was half in the pond and half out. I never even knew I was wet. Much less what that bullfrog was saying to me sitting on my chest croaking up a storm. The cats were sitting in awe full of secret cat laughter of this human who so gallantly put on a circus act for all of nature to see.

You could hear my husband chuckling in the yard waiting to see if I responded with an "I am OK." I actually made a ugh sound and then he chuckled even more. I let out another ugh and he delayed the reaction by five seconds then he burst out with all the laughter he'd held inside. Of course he came and pulled me up. I was not hurt just a little bruised and scratched. I could only laugh at the sight it must have given to all who could have seen it

In summing this quick article up, I have to say that if you had a waterfall that needed redirection God would divert it in a new path, kind of like a plumber who wasn't worried about making a dollar but was more concerned about fixing our problem. If you are going to have magic in your pond, make sure you remember that the Fairy's, Sprites, & Gnomes rule there and never ever turn your back on them for they will surely play a prank on you. So with that I will wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and the best of New Years to come.
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