I received a large number of requests to share information. These emails from two very helpful neighbors (thank you!) summarize the replies received. 1. Try rainbarrelsource.com/ O rodered one that is working well at my home. I keep the spigot open to two soaker hoses. They have various sizes and shapes. 2. we have one that was installed for us by nine mile run watershed association: ninemilerun.org I believe it was 200 dollars, and is something like 166 gallons? but you'd be surprised how often it can't hold all the rain! they will come to your house and do a site assessment, and determine a few things first, and then bring the rain barrel and install it for you--so it's a great deal. plus, the barrels are made in pennsylvania and NMRWA is a great non-profit so all your monies would stay local. there are also much smaller barrels available at whole foods, and there were some at construction junction a few weeks back, but you would need to install them yourself. you can also build your own, if you go to penn mac and ask for a food grade barrel used for olive oil, but then you will need to get all the other parts from a plumbing supply store or home depot, and find some instructions. so i highly reccomend the NMRWA barrels :) Joan Soulliere Farragute Street