The Buzz About Honey

     Yesterday we were having dinner at our friend Judy's house. Her sister Jodie and her husband Chet were also there. After dinner while we were having coffee, Jodie says to Judy, "He's getting the honey book!" Judy had warned him not to bring it out while we were there. Judy has diabetes and a few days before I had loaned her a copy, of the 'Sugar Busters', to read.
     I chuckled and said, "Poor Judy, first I hand you a book about the negatives of sugar consumption and here comes Chet with his copy of 'The Honey Revolution' expounding the benefits of honey.
     Macia and I were skeptical about what it might contain since we are hard core Sugar Busters believers. He offered it to us for our reading today. We accepted. Last night while listening on PBS to the Andrea Bocelli 'Concerto' in Central Park video, Marcia was reading portions of the honey book. I have to say that it made very good sense.  So we decided to try it out before going to bed.
     One of the uses we wanted to try was to take a tablespoon of pure RAW honey before going to bed. Chet said that one of the immediate results is that you have vivid colored dreams and wake up refreshed. Worth a try.
     We went to bed and during the night, I had one of the most brilliantly colored dreams I've ever had. You know me, I wouldn't say it if it weren't so. Not only that, sometime during the dream, I was aware of Marcia's presence in bed as well as the street noise. (We live right next to a busy street). How weird.
     When reveille came, I asked M. if she had dreamt during the night. She said that she hadn't. I told her about mine. We both agreed that we woke up feeling refreshed!
     Needless to say, we're pleased with our initial try. I'm including the cover pages of the book.

I was so impressed with the results of my dream that I think tonight, I'll chase the honey down with a Viagra pill and some Geritol, followed by a baby aspirin for the heart. I'm hoping to improve the dream! :)

 

The Honey Bucket

I promised you quite some time ago that I'd do a journal on "The Honey Bucket". Before I go into the creation of a honey bucket, I need to give you some history about its origin. You might say, "How is that pertinent to me?". Hopefully, you'll never need to use such a concraption! But, in case you ever find yourself in such a bind, (no pun intended) you might find this a lifesaver.

    

     When Marcia and I built our house in the early 70's, we hadn't installed our septic system with the proper amount of insulation.  We just didn't know. This was our first building project. Consequently, we had several sewer line freeze-ups. At first we used the traditional 5 gallon bucket with a pine sol solution. If you've ever used pine sol, you know that its vapors are potent. It does its job well. As time goes on, not only the sense of smell but also the visual get bewildered! 

     We dumped the bucket when it was deemed necessary by the overload of the aforementioned senses. This particular time, the honeydo request  from Marcia was challenged by me. I felt as though it were premature. I set out to do the chore in below freezing temperatures . The dumping area was about 60+ feet from the door, behind the greenhouse. The path through the snow was well worn and usually easily navigated.

     We had a significant snow storm which 'dumped' about two feet of snow. I felt no apprehension about reaching my target. I did feel major resentment at having to do this chore, NOW! As I stepped my way down the path through the new snow, I TRIPPED!  If I had my mouth as the little face to the left portrays, I would have had a mouthful! Within what seemed like seconds, I had lost my balance, fallen forward and in so doing I had thrust my arm into the bucket! It was being held in a slight upright position, pointing my way, by the new snow. I lost my grip on the handle and proceeded to head for the bottom of the bucket.

     I was then covered from the waist up, thanks to a principle called the "Tsunami" effect! I hope that helps you picture the situation.

     It was at that time that I turned my attention to finding a better mouse trapper. Or I should say, "house crapper"! At the time we were receiving a daily newspaper. I thought that I would recycle it and use it as a substitute for the pine sol. Much to my astonishment, it worked beautifully. The newspaper neutralizes the smell. Through the years we've had to use a honey bucket because we've had a few disasters. I'm always prepared. The initial picture used for introducing the journal is always at the ready stored in our basement.

     You don't have to live in Alaska to experience a disaster that would cause you to need a honeybucket.  While we're on the subject of disasters, the tank of your toilet probably holds about 5 gallons of potable water. Better to drink it than to flush it! I'm not really trying to treat this subject delicately, it is what it is.

 Now, the Honey Bucket.

  Let's unveil it.  

   and take its hat off.

See how well groomed it is with the paper collar accessorized by the plastic trash bag. Notice the flexibility of being at home in any room of the house. My, you wouldn't have to miss your favorite soaps on TV!

Now for the inner workings and their placement.

1. Place the plastic bag in the bucket and make sure to push the bottom of the bag fully against the bucket's bottom and fold the excess over the lip of the bucket. 

2. Place the newspaper around the inside, covering the areas to the front and rear of the toilet seat placement. Don't try to cover the whole bottom at this time. Just 2 or 3 inches along the bottom will suffice. Then go over the lip of the bucket as you see here.3.  Place a double sheet of crumpled newspaper in the bottom. Put the seat and lids back on. Voila!! Fini!

     And when you are 'fini' with your business, you use another crumpled double sheet of newspaper and cover your deposit. Press down and tuck the edges in. No smell, No unsightliness!

     One more little comment. Just use this primarily for #2s. Use a jar or can for urinating. That then can be put down the toilet or thrown outside.

     If you find yourself without a bucket. You can take the water out of the toilet bowl (don't drink that one) and treat the bowl as though it were a bucket. The bucket would be better for long term emergencies.

The other essential item is how to dispose of the bag of goodies. If you have trash pickup that will work. When we didn't have trash pickup during the winter I would simply place the bags in the greenhouse in a trash can and let them freeze until spring. Hopefully, you won't have to use your freezer!

I seriously hope you never have to be in a situation to have to improvise. But, if you are, you'll at least have a solution and be a lot happier than your neighbors!

Fini, H & M