In my family’s quest to be more eco-friendly, we’ve made a few sacrifices (good-bye salon hair care products, hello Burt’s Bees). We’ve had to make some not-so-popular choices with the kids as well. This time, we had to decide if they would get to use the blow-up pool this year. Okay, it’s made of plastic, but since it was given to us, that’s re-using it rather than having it go to a landfill-Point #1 for the pool. But what about all the water use? So, we decided that as long as the water was reclaimed and used throughout the yard, we’d give it a go. The kids played in it for a couple days and had a lot of fun-Point #2 for the pool. Then it was time to empty it and clean it out before the lawn became completely scorched. Kids at school and empty watering cans in hand, away I go to complete this simple task…
On trip numbers 1-5 back and forth from pool to plant, I’m thinking, “This is great- I’m doing my part to conserve water.” Trip numbers 6-8 hit the plants in the far back corner of the yard- plants that don’t always get enough water- good for me. Trip #9 I start getting a little thirsty and wonder how much longer this is going to take. Trips 10-14 I’m hoping these plants really appreciate all this effort, as the sweat pours down my armpits and soaks my shirt. If anyone sees me, I can tell them I spilled some water (On your armpits? Yeah, right…). By the time I get back to the pool to fill up for Trip # 15, and the pool is about half empty, I’m wondering where I’m going to put the rest of this water??? I’m sure as heck not walking all the way to the front yard! I’ve already abandoned waiting for the water to come out the spout of the watering can in favor of the “dump it out the top as quickly as possible” method. On about Trip # 20 (I’ve lost count by now) I start trying to remember which plants have been watered already and which have been drowned. Finally, the pool reaches a level where the watering cans can no longer be filled (don’t talk to me about pulling up one side so the other will fill!). So I gracefully dump the remaining water on the grass (you’re welcome, grass). Then, I realize the pool is covered in mud & grass (#!%*). Out comes the hose- but that’s wasting more water, isn’t it? So I haul the pool to another part of the lawn which is looking pretty dry (smart thinking!) and hose down the pool. Drape the pool over the swing set, and we’re all done.
So, was it worth the effort? Well, the kids had fun, the plants are (mostly) happy-especially the tomatoes and cucumbers- I lost a couple pounds (water weight- go figure!), and all the water got reused. So I’d have to say it was a worthwhile endeavor. I’m feeling pretty “Green” right now. Boy, could I use a shower…