The body-in-the-barrel is a well-established trope in modern police procedurals. And that kind of barrel, with an open flame, is what one saw for years in rural and sometimes not-so-rural areas. My bucket of water wasn't in view in the photo of my covered bin, but I always have a couple of tools handy (the water and a prod or tongs) to keep track of it should I need to extinguish it. I don't burn during dry or windy weather. It is stored in the greenhouse to avoid rust when not in use.

Charmion's dinner party sounds delightful, and what I find after a rush of cleaning before company comes is that I get to enjoy the totally clean house after they all leave.

It's still drizzling here. I'm about finished with that letter and will send it electronically this evening. Not everything goes via email; I have a box of daffodil bulbs to send to Janie tomorrow and a box of jelly for a friend in NY City. And I really do need to get more of these eBay items listed.