This is the third Plein Aire painting in the series. It is of an historic pump house located at the Sahuaro Ranch Park. I love history and am drawn to old things like this. This pump house is a replica of pump houses like it which were built and installed in the early 1900s. Their need arose ironically because in the hot parched desert terrain of "The Valley Of The Sun" the water table had risen to the point the sedimentary salts and other minerals were harming crops. OK, wait a minute... there was too much ground water in the valley? - That's right. A small but important company called "Salt River Project" (today's SRP) began building and installing pump houses near canals and irrigation channels for the purpose of pumping deeper fresh ground water and thereby mitigating the damage. I see an analogy here in recovery. When we tap into the deep well of spiritual growth, we find fresh water that is good for living. "Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from Him who has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of His Spirit into us." - Alcoholics Anonymous page 85. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." - John 7:37-38. All of that from a painting of a historic pump house.
When you enjoy your hot cup of coffee or tea in your "Pump House" mug and meditate on the goodness of God be encouraged knowing that you are pumping the fresh waters of His infinite love and mercy into your life. When Jesus said "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8) He wasn't talking about material things He was talking about spiritual things. When you finish your morning cup be glad to know this mug is dishwasher safe.
