If you’ve spent much time with me, and especially if you’ve had the chance to spend any time surveying my outdoor gear, you know that I’m a big fan of things that serve multiple purposes. In fact, I’ve often said that if a piece of gear can’t do AT LEAST 2 things, it’ll have a hard time earning its way into my pack. So it’s no surprise that I find myself pretty smitten with the lowly bucket. And while the 5-gallon manifestation is certainly a classic, I am drawn to its cousin nearly half that size. Why? For one, that size is just…well…handy. And the weight of it full of water (about the heaviest thing I carry in it) is about the max I wanna schlep around the homestead.
I was first introduced to the joys of this 1/2 pint wonder when I opened my first gourmet shop and one of the suppliers sent liquid product in these food-grade pails. They recycle, sure, but I always prefer UPcycle when possible. And once I figured out all of the things they were good for, my lifelong love affair commenced.
Case(s) in point: Just the other day, I used the same bucket for 4 different tasks. First, it was to hold the collection of sandbur (or sticker bur, if you prefer) grasses I had dug up from the yard. It may take me months or years, but I am determined to eradicate them and their little demon seeds. If for no other reason (and there are plenty of other reasons, trust me), 5 minutes of weed whacking and I look like I’m covered with miniature mines that take time…and considerable pain…to remove from my clothing. Texans are hearty people, and it’s no wonder…everything in the out-of-doors here is trying to hurt you.
Secondly, I noticed the recent storms had relieved the resident mesquite and oak trees of a few dead branches and deposited them underfoot. So, I grabbed my trusty bucket and made a turn or two around the property. Next, it was time to fill in a little sink hole. What do you think I used to fetch the dirt? Yup, you guessed it. And finally, that sage bush out front needed some extra liquid love, so I put my little friend to one of its primary uses. A small list of chores complete, and aided in every one by my baby bucket.
Nature has its beauty, as you and I well know and seek out at every opportunity, but there is also a beauty in the utility of simple tools to dispatch simple tasks. Speaking of which, I think some of the prickly pears have tunas ready to harvest. Now, where did I put my little bucket?