Awhile back I was the proud recipient of an allegedly leaky coffee carafe. Since I have a penchant for collecting and saving uh...."objet d'art"(sp?) aka: junk, I guess it was figured I could make some whimsical use out of it for the garden.

Well, it stood for the entire month at the foot of my garden bench. Every time I took a break from digging in the dirt, I'd sit on that bench and stare at that carafe. Wondering to what "crafty use" I could apply it.

On this particular day, it was, oh, bout 95˚ with humidity to match. To say that the sweat was dripping so much into my eyes, I could hardly see...would be an understatement. Even resting on the bench, under the shade of an umberella, wasn't bringing about any relief.

Then my foot accidentally kicked the carafe, and I could feel that it was full of water. Hey, I thought this thing had a leak? Opening it, I found it filled to the brim with rainwater that must have filtered in through the spout. Now, I wasn't going to drink it, as a number of little insects had decided to take a swim in there. But.........

I poured out handfuls of the warm-ish (but refreshing) water on my arms. My legs. Washed my face in it. When a slight breeze did kick in...well, it was heaven!!

Many's the time on an equally hot day, I've taken water from the spigot to cool off. Now, I'm on well water. Suffice to say, anyone who's doused themselves in water from a spigot that draws it from a deep well, knows the real meaning of cold water!!!:O It's almost not worth using it, for the shock it gives to a hot body. But, this water was tepid. Slightly warmed by having set in the sun for so long.

So, serendipitously, I found a use for my supposedly "leaky" carafe. It's my "garden lifesaver". If we don't get rain, I make sure it gets filled with water so it can be there for me the next time I need a refresher.

Thanks, Buffalogal!:x

gardenz

Gardenz!
I can't believe I missed this post!! Wait till I tell my mom that the carafe doesn't leak afterall...gads, she'll probably want it back!!! (My grandma...mom's mom...was the QUEEN of wanting things back! She was forever giving us things, and then 2 months later, after we had fixed it up and painted it and she saw how nice it looked, she'd say "I wish I wouldn't have given that away!)

I'm glad you have found a useful purpose for your little 'garden gem'! But what ARE you calling it? A 'refreshing carafe' or a 'bug bath'???

I knew if anyone could find a use for that thing, it would be you! Guess I'll go searching the garage sales and see what ELSE I can find for you (tee hee!).

You could market that, maybe call it "Sweat in a Can".

"Mellifluous Moisture"?

"Hydration Heaven"?

"Kwik-Kool"?