Collecting rain water to recycle for your plants, lawn, and gardens wasn't a story I expected to get from our trip to St. Paul for the Republican National Convention last week. But after four days of covering politics and protests, and a nerve-racking pre-dawn trip to the airport for a 6:30am flight, that's the story I walked into.

Seated in the middle of a three-seat row in the last row of the plane, I spent most of the flight reading the latest New Yorker and trying to ignore my discomfort. About 30 minutes before landing, the woman to my right asked if I'd been to St. Paul for the RNC, and if I was a protester. Yes to the first question; no to the second. So we started chatting about politics -- whether or not Sarah Palin will improve McCain's standing (she said yes) and does Obama have enough experience to be an effective president (she said no).

We may have disagreed, but it was a civil and pleasant conversation. She took my points to heart, and I tried to do the same.

A barrel that sells for over $1,100 new can be re-sold by Barrel Depot for just $89, and because they're high-quality oak, can be used for years. What's more, their rustic look will compliment a garden or yard rather than make people think you're running a meth lab on your front lawn.

We always had wine barrels in my yard as a kid, only we used them to plant flowers. This homegrown business provides the tools you'll need to reincarnate would-be garbage as something even more useful.

I told my travel companion I thought the barrels are a great idea, but living in Brooklyn I doubt I'd have much use for one. Not so: she says they plan introduce a line specifically for apartment buildings. Good. Now I just have to get a yard.