Well, it happened and, perhaps, was inevitable. I bought a rain gauge. I was already gardening, birdwatching, seeing a cardiologist, and telling stories of the good old days, so I might as well surrender to middle age and start measuring the rainfall on my own to confirm the weather app on my iPhone is correct. I mean, how am I to truly be an informed, well-rounded person if I don’t know that sort of thing? Of course, inexpensive plastic rain gauges can be found in abundance, but I wanted a classy rain gauge.
I did quite a bit of searching and settled on this metal rain gauge stand topped off with a quail. It holds a glass test-tube-style rain gauge that rests in a metal ring.
When I pointed out the new garden accessory acquisition to my mom, she mentioned I should take the glass tube in for the winter so the water wouldn’t freeze and break the tube. I’ve added it to my gardening notebook where I’m keeping a list of chores to do before winter sets in.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been very much rain to measure in my new rain gauge since I got it! We did get measurable rain last week and 3/4 of an inch yesterday, which was welcomed. Everyone’s grass is browning and hasn’t needed to be cut in several weeks. I’ve been watering each morning so the hydrangeas and other bushes I planted this spring stay hydrated and happy through the hot weather and stretches with little or no rain.
But now, with my cute rain gauge, I know exactly how much all of the plants are getting!
Here are some other classy rain gauges I found…
Clockwise from top left: butterfly | cuddly bunnies | bird and spiral | acorn finials | brass & glass | copper hummingbird | gauge & thermometer | quail on a perch
PS – If you see that I’m mounting a doppler on my roof, send intervention.
12 Responses
Your mother is right. I had a darling squirrel rain gauge and left it out over the winter and the glass vial broke. Could not get a replacement so there went the cute rain gauge.
Mother knows best.
What a lovely rain gauge. This would be a wonderful birthday gift for husband/ sugar daddy. The name of our private lane includes the word”quail”, so it is quite fitting. Your comment about the possibility of adding doppler radar to your roof is too funny!
Oh, thanks for giving me a great chuckle at your opening paragraph! There’s nothing “elderly” about rain gauges, they are scientific local meteorology at its finest! Glad you found a nice one and yes, take it in for the winter.
As usual you have a great eye for beauty. This is a must have.
Hahahaaaaa…..you are funny! I think that is the cutest rain guage I’ve ever seen! I say embrace this season of life….40s is still young….and get what you love! I agree though about no dopplers on the roof…a cupola….YES….doppler….NO! Thanks for the laugh. 🙂
I would love one of those wonderful rain gauges but since we only use ours in the winter months it really wouldn’t work. No summer rains. Maybe someone has a cute one with a plastic tube for winters.
Welcome to the club! That last sentence made me laugh out loud! I have been reading your blog since the boys were little and you were in the PA house. I have always loved your charming and witty personality. Everything gets better with age. 😊
I learned my lesson a couple of years ago about bringing in a rain gauge so water doesnt freeze in it and break.
At the very least, check the gauge and dump the water out right away. Where i live it doesnt rain in the summer so my gauge is only useful in the winter.
By the way, my rain gauge had the widemouth design of the kakalou from walmart. I found a website that has replacement glass tubes for it.
That website is :
ironaccents.com if i am allowed to say that on your blog site….
dianeh;)
Ah…sweet. Now I am ashamed of my hi-tech tuna fish can rain gauge.
My family has owned a construction business for almost 50 years. We’ve always had rain gauges. My husband considered it a necessity! After he passed, I can’t get out of the habit. 😊
Marion, I have had 3 plastic rain gauges in my garden for years to measure rainfall under 2 giant oaks & out in the open. I write the amount of rainfall on my calendar so I can keep up with the amount at my home. I have a large petennial/shrub garden. I love your sense of humor!