Retired but Not Tired
Retirement is supposed to be all about naps and newspapers, right? Well, not in my corner of the Caribbean. Over here, it’s DIY projects, dirt under the nails, and learning things I probably should’ve Googled before picking up a power drill. But hey, I’m living unclogged, baby!
From Stateside Love to Rainwater Gold
If you’re from the Caribbean, you know the magic of a food barrel. Shipped with love (and maybe a little packing tape rage) from family and friends in the US, these food-grade barrels are like blue plastic treasure chests. Rice, canned goods, cereal, snacks, Irish Spring soap, Dial soap, detergent, body wash, toothpaste (Colgate and Crest), barbecue sauce (original, garlic, brown sugar and honey flavor) tomato sauce, candy, candy and more candy. Ok, you get the picture. 😉
But when the goodies are gone, what do you do with a giant, empty barrel? Most folks toss them in a corner and promise to “use them later” or use them as giant garbage bins. Well, I said to myself: Not this time around. Not today.
I Came, I Drilled, I Stored
Armed with enthusiasm, and a drill (not the cordless type – mine is cheap and has a cord), I decided to turn one of those empty barrels into a rainwater storage tank. Because let’s be real, when you’re trying to keep herbs, tea bushes, and marigolds alive under the Caribbean sun, every drop of rain counts.
I installed a spigot, connected a pipe, and created my rain barrel. This was no “just screw it in and go” situation. No ma’am. I had to insert a washer inside the barrel to stop the leak and that meant crawling inside.
Now, let me paint you a picture: me, sneakers, sweat-pants and turban; covered from head to toe, trying to crawl into a blue plastic drum like I’m auditioning for Cirque du Soleil: Backyard Edition.
As I wedged myself into the barrel, drill in hand, all I could think was, this feels suspiciously like that MRI experience that I had a few years back. Except this time, no one was telling me to stay still and that everything will be alright. Which is good, because I was definitely muttering a few choice words while trying to screw in that washer at just the right angle.
MRI? No. This was more like a D-I-Y-M-R-I. 😂
She’s Got Personality (And Patterns)
Once the technical bits were done, it was time for the fun part. A paint job! I gave my new water barrel a fresh coat of paint (colour block if you please!) as if I wanted the barrel to scream “Yes, I collect rainwater, but I do it fabulously.”
She’s not just functional, she’s FABULOUS.
Update: The good news? A few days later the rains showed up and my barrel overflowed. The not-so-good news? I got a little too thrifty and used the wrong kind of paint (leftovers from another project), and the rain promptly washed it away. So now she’s back to her plain, boring blue self. But don’t worry, this Cinderella’s getting a proper paint job soon. Next stop: the paint shop!
Bonus Water, Baby!
Now I’ve got extra water on hand to keep my garden hydrated. My herbs? Thriving. My tea bushes? Blushing. My flowers? Doing the botanical version of Beyoncé’s hair flip.
Rainwater storage and a new conversation piece in the yard? That’s what I call a win-win.
Living Unclogged, One Barrel at a Time
So, here’s to retired life, where the schedule is yours, the projects are plentiful, and the adventures are just one barrel away. Who knew that crawling into a food-grade drum would leave me feeling like a genius… and mildly claustrophobic?
I’ll catch you next time because I’ve got another empty barrel calling my name. And yes, I will be painting that one too.
