Thanks, Coco and Deborah, getting us altogether virtually for a coffee date. Raindrops aren’t falling on my head, they’re falling into glasses around here. Confused? Read on!
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you on our last get together I was telling you about all the vaccine appointment hoops I had to jump through. While my reaction to the vaccine wasn’t fun, it was relatively short. Since this time I knew it was coming, I also planned on some rest in the days after. I actually think that did me a lot of good, the aftereffects didn’t seem to linger on quite so long.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you about one of my newest projects: rainwater harvesting. Never heard of it? Well, it’s simply collecting rainwater. I made it really simple and just put out containers I already had. It also took almost 24 hours of some pretty heavy rain to fill four of these containers.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I used the rainwater I “harvested” to water my indoor plants — just a few of them (plants, that is). It used up almost all the rainwater I “harvested”.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I also found out that in CO it’s illegal to harvest rainwater. I didn’t know you could legislate something like that!
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
We are taking our first “trip” in 2+ years this weekend. Unfortunately it’s to finally bury my Dad (who passed away in January of 2020). My parents’ cemetery is on Long Island, which is a longish drive from here. I finally convinced Mr. Judy to rent an AirBnB.
I figured if we have to go to Long Island, I might as well get to be by the ocean!
Have you ever heard of rainwater harvesting?
Are you gearing up for any trips?
Also linking up with:
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I’ve never heard of rainwater harvesting, and I definitely didn’t know it was illegal in some places! Interesting! I hope your trips goes well. Sounds like you will make the best of a tough situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lisa. There’s never a good time for this sort of trip but definitely trying to make the best of it.
LikeLike
I’ve heard of it. I have way too many plants. I’m addicted to succulents and African violets and have so many.
Just got back from my big trip. I love the ocean. So enjoy. I grew up on LI so went frequently.
Next trip hopefully will be another girls race trip in Oct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had 2 sets of aunts & uncles who lived on LI (quite close to where we’ll be) & 1 grandfather too. So we spent lots & lots of time there. Lloyd’s never been & I haven’t been in decades.
I don’t think you can have too many plants!
LikeLike
Where on LI? Too bad the water will be too cold to go in. It stays that way until August. Lol.
You can have too many when you have to water and repot them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merrick (for sure, that’s where we’ll be near) & Jamaica, I think. I can still picture their apartment & house.
It’s why my parents have their plots down there. My Dad’s family & my brother are also buried there. Of course no one ever goes there, no one lives anywhere near there.
LikeLike
Merrick is near me. I had friends there. Often took the train from there. My grandma lived in Jamaica. Not nice there now. It’s where I work when I go to NYC.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our paths probably crossed at some point. All my relatives there moved away probably around the time (maybe a bit before) I went to college, but we were there frequently the entire time I was growing up. Almost always went on the 4th because that was my grandfather’s birthday. They’re all long gone now though.
LikeLike
I haven’t been back often since college either. Besides my mother (whom I have no contact with), everyone else is long gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s only since moving here that we were even remotely close to
LI.
LikeLike
My relatives are buried there somewhere. Montefiore cemetery I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not heard of rainwater harvesting interesting. Keep us posted on how that goes. I always thought you were not supposed to collect rainwater bc of mosquitoes? Who knows! Hope your weekend goes okay those are never easy even after 2 years. Thanks for linking up today
LikeLiked by 1 person
We bring it in after the containers are filled. So the water isn’t out there long. They make rain barrels — that I knew about! — to collect a lot of water.
Thanks, Deborah.
LikeLike
We actually have a rain barrel outside, that one of our downspouts drains into. We use it all the time during the summer for our outdoor plants and (small) salsa garden. I never thought of using that water for my indoor plants, though (duh LOL).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have heard of rain barrels! We don’t have one though. Definitely great for your garden! Nothing like rainwater to perk up plants!
LikeLike
Wait. Why in the world would rainwater harvesting be illegal? Who knew.
Sorry about the sad nature of your trip this weekend. I hope you get some enjoyment out of it in spite of the reason.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know , right? My assumption is the CO river waters so much of the west. I suppose it’s like a watering ban in a drought, but I didn’t actually look into it!
LikeLike
My aunt and uncle had a cistern that collected rainwater from the roof after it made its way into the gutters and then the downspouts. They used the collected rainwater to water their garden. I wonder why it’s illegal to do that in Colorado? Could it have something to do with reselling it? It seems like it would be a good thing to recycle it like you’re doing. Okay, I just noticed your comment back to Jenny – you may be on to something. I should ask my husband, he has a masters degree in civil engineering with a speciality in ground water (exciting, huh? LOL).
Sending hugs your way as you are finally able to bury your father.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Debbie. Curious to see what your husband says. I’m sure I could Google it but have other fish to fry right now.
LikeLike
Sorry to read you had some not-so-good after-effects from the vaccine. My oldest and middle sons had some bad side effects too. I felt fine for the first 36 hours, then felt just soooo tired! I also had a headache for about 12 hours. Now, I feel fine.
I love your idea of harvesting rainwater to water plants. We have a water softener and I worry that the salt from the softener accumulates in my plants. I am going to try it this summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was really tired for several days after too. I think not running & taking it easy helped me bounce back better, this time. I really don’t want to have to do a booster shot. 😔
It’s easier to collect more water with something wider & shallower apparent. We had an old rectangular Pyrex container with no lid — Mr. Judy suggested that & he was right.
LikeLike
Good thing I’m not collecting rainwater–God knows how long it would take to catch enough for my plants. We’ve had little to no rain lately and are in a drought.
Enjoy your trip to LI, even though it’s not for the best of circumstances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve had a LOT of rain. Does make the waterfalls look pretty though.
LikeLike
I had not heard of rainwater harvesting or that it is illegal in CO — they have serious water laws out west.
I hope your Dad’s service goes well and that you like your Air BnB place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Coco & Happy Mother’s Day! I know the west really struggles with water; southwest too. Which is why I’ve begun to think we should stay east, just not up here!
LikeLike
Wow, I had no idea about rainwater harvesting. Illegal? Another wow from me. Have a good trip in Long Island even though it is for a sad occasion. Hugs to you and your family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Zenaida. I’d never heard of all that either, I was just looking for easy ways to collect rainwater!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you have safe travels. My wishes are with you and your family.
People have rain barrels here that they use to collect rain and reuse it. I love the idea, but more water = more mosquitos or snakes or all sorts of stuff I don’t want to handle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jenn & Happy Mother’s Day to you!
The way I’m doing it it’s not just sitting out there long — although I might not be able to do it when it’s warmer. Definitely not in Winter. 🤣
LikeLike
That’s awesome about the rainwater harvesting! I’d love to do that here but it barely rained at all — I think I may start collecting the water from when my shower is heating up to water plants (after it cools). I wonder why it’s illegal to harvest it in CO? How does it affect anyone?!
Sending lots of love and virtual hugs. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Farrah.
We have plenty of rain this Spring, my lilac bush seems to be digging it. Last year it didn’t bloom well but much better this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah my friend Bradford started one of the first rainwater harvesting companies in Portland, back in the late 90’s / early 2000’s! I thought it was the best idea ever! And now that you mention it, it rained so much this week, we could have used some of that rainwater for plants and such!
Even though you have to bury your dad, I do hope that the braak will do you some good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Renee. So cool to know someone who started with rainwater harvesting back then!
LikeLike
Wow, I didn’t know that it was illegal to harvest rainwater in CO – that seems like such an odd rule!
Wishing you safe travels on your journey to Long Island. I know that the trip is not for a happy occassion – my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kim. Hoping maybe a real mini vacation sometime this summer.
LikeLike
How in the world do you legislate rainwater harvesting? And, why? How odd.
I hope your trip goes as smoothly as possible – never easy, even with some time passing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle.
LikeLike
I wish it rained enough to harvest rain water. I’m pretty sure you’re right about the CO law and it being due to providing the west with water and the drought. It’s hard for people in the rest of the country to understand because they get so much rain.
I hope you are able to make the best of your trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, we get a ton of rain and some of that is snow, of course. I also lived in TX, though, so I’m familiar with droughts, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just asked my husband about that law. He says it’s because “they” want them (people from CO) to pay for the state’s water. But not sure if and how they enforce it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting! thanks for letting us know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Growing up my best friend had a rain barrel in her yard. Who knew it was illegal in CO? That said, we’ve been so incredibly dry here this entire year so far, I wouldn’t be able to harvest any water. Enjoy your time away, even if it is for a funeral. SIgh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there are more trips to LI in our future. The unveiling, and I think this will give my mom closure — but we’ll see.
We have not been dry. Which is why the waterfalls are all so full! We have also not been as warm as you guys, so I guess it’s a mixed blessing.
LikeLike
My original thought was that you might have had a leak in the house, LOL! Rainwater harvesting is cool! We have a rain barrel that we were able to get from the city and we use that for gardening. I definitely don’t get how it could be illegal!
We are going to Vermont in June and staying in an Airbnb, and we are looking forward to the trip! Thankfully I think Vermont has taken COVID seriously so hopefully things won’t be too crazy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are going to the Lake Placid region in July. We were able to either have food delivered (once, because we’d just arrived & I was really tired + it was raining) or eat outside. It worked out well.
Where in VT are you going? We lived there when we were first married. They used to say there were more cows than people!
LikeLike
I’m more familiar with rainwater harvesting from time overseas, but I know some folks who do it here. Hugs ahead of this trip – belated since I’m forever behind. Hope trip was uneventful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cari. The trip was uneventful but lots of traffic getting onto the island, while raining, lots of stop & go. It was a long trip. Much easier coming back — of course, I wasn’t driving then!
LikeLike