Friday, February 5, 2010

Wednesday Was a Day of All Days!

First of all, the hyacinth bulbs.
(I sure hope they bloom, after all this publicity!)


Secondly, a young friend of mine and I went shopping.
He purchased a double shepherd's hook, a thistle seed birdfeeder,
thistle seed, a suet holder and suet cakes.

Enter "Shady" with a drill and drill bit!
"What?" you ask?
Don't forget folks! It's still Winter here in Iowa...
The ground is frozen solid! In order to put anything into the ground,
one must be resourceful... hence, the drill. :-)


That's the best I could do for now. My drill bit wasn't long enough...
but it's standing, and it's holding the bird food!
(albeit crookedly!) ha.

Yes, there's more! Please know that I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself! :-)

Lastly, I picked up a friend and we drove about an hour's drive north to a small town where I'd seen 55 gallon plastic (formerly holders-of-food) barrels for sale. We loaded 6 of them into Mr. Shady's pickup truck, and headed back home. My friend took one, and I gave another to a friend who'd requested one. The other four are in my screened in porch - just waiting for Spring, and the operation Mr. Shady will perform, to turn them into bona fide water collection barrels!

Yes, my friends!

We are one step closer to my long-time desire of owning and operating water-collection barrels. They will collect the water from the downspouts on either side of the back of the house. They will also have an overflow that will take momentary excess back into the current "r-outing" system. I hope to have two of the barrels connected to each other before the overflow operates. No matter what happens... it will be Good!


I pasted Jan's (Thanks for 2Day) theme logo here, because she's hosting a "Mother Earth Give-away." I posted a couple of days ago. My future rainbarrels were a part of that post.

Why don't you give her a visit? Click on her name, above, for all the details!

21 comments:

Rosemary said...

Shady your excitement is contagious, gave me a smile seeing the drill. Looking forward to the next part of the rain barrel saga.

Dave@TheHomeGarden said...

Love the rain barrel idea! I've seen ads on Craigslist for them from time to time. Usually too far away to be convenient!

bobbie said...

I do envy you those rain barrels!

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Very Exciting post! Great use of a drill. :)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Rosemary! :-) Later on "the saga." ha.

Dave, Keep checking. I'd thought that, too. We literally "stumbled" upon them a few months ago. My son had found a source in Michigan a few years ago... and I just kept hoping! :-)

Bobbie, Wish I could send you a few.

Rebecca, Thanks! ;-) Love that drill! ha.

Unknown said...

I have been wanting to make rain barrels forever! Nice find.

Shady Gardener said...

Michelle, Keep looking!! :-)

Noelle Johnson said...

What a find! I am so glad you were able to get 4 water collection barrels. It is interesting to see you drill into the soil - ours doesn't freeze, but I love seeing how people live and garden in different climates.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Such a handy gardener! The idea of using a drill to tackle the frozen turf never would have occurred to me. I'd like to follow your lead. I need rain barrels!

troutbirder said...

Shady I stand in AWE at your enthusiasm for garden projects. Clearly what I need to keep up is a truckload of Geritol. :)

Shady Gardener said...

Noelle, I'm sure YOU could use the barrels in AZ! ha! Just call me determined to solve the quest of putting up birdfeeders in the Winter! :-)

Hi Kate, Any large kitchens in your locale? Such as a University? Or a Food Factory of some sort?

Oh, troutbirder! You make me laugh! I can get all the enthusiasm mustered, but I cannot accomplish everything by myself. THIS is where Mr. Shady is going to have to step in. :-)

Anonymous said...

That drill trick was very resourceful. I am glad our soil hasn't frozen that much yet. And congrats on the rain barrels. We set up 3 a couple of years ago and we love them.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Chad and Brandy! Frozen soil - such is Winter in Iowa. :-) Are your rain barrels set up individually or do you have any connected?

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love that you were out there with a drill to put the bird feeders up! :)
I'm interested to see how Mr. Shady turns those into rain barrels. That is a project we've been wanting to try.

Hortist said...

Wow what an adventurous day you had, great. I love your hyacinth bulb also. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day :)

ShySongbird said...

It looks like you will have some very nice Hyacinths before too long and I'm sure the scent will be heavenly!

The drill made me laugh, you were very resourceful, I'm sure the birds will appreciate it :)

I thoroughly enjoyed your 'Spring Rainbow' post, how lovely to see so many beautiful and colourful blooms, a nice reminder of better days to come. Your garden must have been beautiful last year!

I also enjoyed the C. S. Lewis quote.

Gail said...

I would never even think of a drill, but what a great idea! You are clever and so is Mr Shady....turning those barrels into rain barrels! Won't you feel good this summer when the droughts hit and you'll have stored water! gail

Chloe m said...

What we do for our little feathered friens! I am sure the little birds don't even notice it is crooked.
You are a clever lady! I think it is fabulous that you are repurposing those barrels. I have two illegal rainbarrels. They are not allowed in Colorado. I wonder what genius thought that up?
Rosey

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Catherine, My son has done this, too. If Mr. Shady has any questions, I know he can get some help! ;-) I hope you are able to find some barrels.

Hello, Hortist. Thank you for visiting. I HOPE the hyacinth bulbs flower!! A "watched pot?" ;-)

Shy Songbird, Thank you for your visit, as well. I appreciate your nice comments. :-) Have a great weekend!

Hi Gail, The Idea of rain barrels appeals not only to my thrifty nature, but also to my desire to capture Nature's Best for the flora! :-)

Hi Rosey! After having typed the statement above, how could (or why would) a rain barrel be illegal?? Have a great weekend!

joey said...

Very impressed with your ingenuity, Shady! For all your good works, may you be blessed with beautiful hyacinths :)

Shady Gardener said...

Thank you Joey - you are indeed a moral booster and a great supporter! :-)