Why it whined

The pool pump has been making a strange noise for a while, but when it switched on this morning, it was more of a wail.

I called Chris, our pool guy. His bad news: His business is in danger of folding. His good news: With no work, he could send Chip right over.

Chip thought maybe we could have the seals repacked -- until he pulled it apart, and found it full of what looks like day-old oatmeal. Seems the seal had gone blooey, and saltwater is not kind to bearings.

He went around the corner for a new pump, and it only took about 200 oaths about corroded bolts to get the whole thing back in order. Well, that and a few hundred bucks.