I was a pondering a pond said he...

Did you know that Tampa is the lightning capital of the Northern Hemisphere?

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We bought our house in December 1994. The first picture is how it looked once Jeff began clearing out some of the mess that was here. The next picture demonstrates the tropical paradise that it was becoming, in need of a pond. Not just a pond - but a pond with a waterfall. Being the kind of guy he is - he collected rocks. So many rocks (15 truck loads). He lifted most of these rocks by himself, he made a little dolly to carry them. It was quite an undertaking. And then he began to pile them, one upon another till he had a 8' high waterfall. We scoured flea markets and yard sales and bought a pump. He dug a large 8 shaped hole, put in PVC pipe, tested the pump and then couldn't decide if he should go with cement or liner. Like I said - that was 2 years ago. Last month we finally got our pond, and it was so simple and easy - now we have 2 - with a flowing stream connecting the two!

Two did I say - not really 2 but 5, because we have 3 holding - isolation ponds for the plant life we get from the local (privately owned with permission) retention ponds (did I say we, I'm sorry - Jeff gets. I can assure you of this one thing, you will NEVER see me, Karrel, in retention pond in Florida - coz guess what --- there are gators in them thar ponds! And not just any gator mind you (we are reminded of that warm and fuzzy little gator - the mascot of the University of Florida (go 'Noles!). Cute green guy wearing blue & orange). Well this here picture ain't a picture of him I tell you, this 14' fellow was recently done away with by those 2 guys posing there with him. Next month he will be featured on 5th Ave at Sachs as matching luggage. Now there are a lot of these big fellows around here and I do not want to end up being lunch (well maybe I would be dinner) for this handsome fellows kin. But Jeff, I guess he figures - What the hey! So we have water hyacinths and water lilies (our most beautiful), pickerel weed, and any more species (who shall be identified later) all for free, unless you consider risking your life to Big Boy here a cost of some sort. (Wonder what his jaw span was???)

So on we go, our pond is now beautiful - as is evidenced below. In order is the small pond against the fence which faces due east. The stream flows from the small pond to the waterfall and large pond which sits in the southeast corner of our lot. Our home faces west. So here goes guys (by the way we have fish in there too!) We also xeriscape our yard, follow me if you would like to know more about that wonderful form of gardening.