Let It Rain!

It rained a lot here this summer. And every time it came down, I cringed, knowing the rain barrel I'd picked up from our county extension service last spring was still sitting in the garage. Setting it up seemed daunting somehow... cleaning the gutters, cutting the downspout, cutting the necessary holes in the barrel, connecting all the parts correctly...

And then the rain stopped. Every day was sunny and hot and dry. So my worries shifted... had I missed my window? Would it rain again before my fall garden went in the ground? (Yes, I know I worry too much.) I sheepishly confessed my rain-barrel-guilt to my friend and garden mentor. To my surprise, she admitted she had four rain barrels sitting unconnected in her backyard. She too was overwhelmed by the project (although hers was a much more complicated set up, including connecting two barrels to a drip system for her vertical planters). We made a pact to help one another; and then more time passed...     

Finally, with some help from my hubby (OK, he did it all) my barrel was up and ready for rain. Now experts, we offered to help my friend connect her barrels the following weekend.

I couldn't help but wonder, as we worked in my friend's garden - my husband showing her how to operate a jigsaw, our kids playing together in the sunroom, me very helpfully taking photos for my blog (ahem) - I wondered why we don't do this kind of thing more often. Why don't we spend more time in our community of friends helping one another? It was so enjoyable to help someone who has helped me so much. It felt really good to give back.

When we left, my heart was full. And a few days later, after one good downpour, so was my rain barrel. I'm thinking now that I definitely need at least one more ... sorry honey!