The Bottom Line Bathtubs. They're not just for bathing anymore.

Bathtubs are not just for washing in. In a storm (when you lack a storm cellar) these can be the safest place in the house to hide out.

Bathtubs are also good for keeping fish fresh. Fish can be kept alive in a bathtub for several days before you fix them. If you can't afford a koi pond, perhaps this is something you might consider.

Bathtubs can be useful for teaching science. Does your bathtub drain clockwise or counterclockwise. If you travel to the opposite side of the equator with your children, take your bathtub with you. You can demonstrate to them that water goes down the drain in the opposite direction even though the bathtub itself hasn't changed.

If you are willing to travel with your bathtub, you can take it to Nainamo British Columbia in Canada. Every year since 1967 they have had a bathtub race. Does your bathtub have what it takes? Check out the details at http://bathtub.island.net .

I had a friend who never used the bathtub in the back of her house. She covered it with a padded coredoor. She added lots of curtains and made a little get away. Under the door was plenty of storage. She kept the separate shower in the bathroom there in case she ever needed one.

As any fraternity boy can tell you, a bathtub is good to fill with ice when you need another place to chill drinks.

If you use a washtub/washbasin as your bathtub as some friends of mine do out in the woods when they're at their family cabin, you can also put a piece of wood on top of the basin and it makes a rustic dining-room table.

If you have a bathtub sitting in your yard, it is a good place to grow a garden. First off, it has a drainage hole already in the bottom. Secondly, it is nice and deep but because it is mostly enclosed plants that tend to wander may stay put in here. I had friends who used a raised bathtub in the backyard for an herb garden to prevent the mint "from taking over everything."

Finally, my personal favorite use of a bathtub is to make gin. This actually works best with an old washbasin as it is hard to get all the liquor out of the bathtub if the thing is set in the floor. Clean the tub well and rinse out all cleaning residue. Make sure the drain is plugged. Dump in a load of juniper berries and other spices or fruits. (I like angelica, lemon zest, licorice, anise, bergamot, mint, and often anything else that sounds good that happens to be hanging around the house that day.) Pour over "neutral spirits." Since I don't "brew" my own moonshine, I have resorted to a neighbour's "hootch" or incredibly cheap vodka that no one could stand to drink. Let it steep like a tea till you're happy with the flavor or until you are passed out from taste-testing.

I also like to use bathtubs for bathing in occasionally.

Way Kewl UK

Happy Holidays You!!