Let's make it better... my husband's motto

Our fish food (like most farm animal food) comes in big, 40 kg (80-ish lb) sacks. We transfer some it into small containers for ease of use. As a scoop, we use an old plastic measuring cup. It's perfect. When we throw the food into the ponds with just the right twist of the wrist, the pellets spread in an even splash, giving all the trout a chance to feed. We walk up and down the length of the pond to make sure none of the trout get missed. This system has worked well for us over the last two years.

This old, plastic measuring cup's handle cracked a few months ago and Kevin managed to tape it up. It didn't look pretty, but it felt solid and was usable. Yesterday, Kevin swung his arm back to create momentum and as his arm came forward, the handle remained in his hand while the cup portion flung off, into the pond.

Glob, glob, glob to the bottom.

I was in Santa Maria when he called to let me know. He asked me to pick up another plastic measuring cup while I was in town. I was happy to do that and figured I'd have no problem finding one. I looked in four stores that carry kitchen/cooking supplies and none of the stores sold measuring cups... not plastic ones, not glass ones... nothing. I ended up buying a small plastic, oval-shaped juice pitcher, thinking that might do the trick. Sometimes we just have to improvise.

I got home, showed Kevin my Plan B purchase and he looked at me, unconvinced, but open to give it a try. An hour later, when it was time to do our chores and feed the fish, Kevin wanted to be the first to try our new scooper. He filled the new, blue pitcher up and swung it like he would with the old one. The narrow, oval opening created a different type of thrust. Instead of spreading evenly across the pond, the food landed behind him all over the terrace floor. The pellets were everywhere... except in the pond! I laughed so hard... I'm still laughing as I write this. Kevin was not impressed with my Plan B option.

This morning, Kevin took matters into his own hands... he fixed our old measuring cup and it's better than ever! Check this out... my hubby is at it again! He rummaged through our bits and pieces to see what he could use. He found this bit of garden hose.


















And he attached it to the cup with rivets, like this...

---

The handle is sturdy and comfortable, too!

We come from a culture where if something breaks, we just go buy another one. Sometimes, fixing what you've got provides a better solution... having a handyman husband helps, too.

Thanks Kevin! My hero.