10/7/99 4:19 AM Inches: 8.3 REGULAR BC-NEAANNENAN 10-07 0350

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1999

A little help from Nan's brother-in-law

By Anne B. Adams and

Nancy Nash-Cummings

DEAR ANNE AND NAN: On a recent Sunday night, the well at our house went dry. Our barn well was still functioning. We ran a hose from the barn to the house, but couldn't attach it because each hose had a male end. We had the water but were stuck. No stores were open, and we couldn't get a plumber until the next morning. Any suggestions as to how we might have solved this? - R.O.C., Storrs, Conn.

DEAR R.O.C.: Your letter arrived when Nan's brother-in-law, Craig Tharp, was visiting from Battle Ground, Wash. Craig answered your question in a flash: If you have a washer, the answer is in your laundry room. A washing-machine hose, which has two female ends, would allow you to hook up your two males.

DEAR ANNE AND NAN: I want to try crystallizing weeds with alum, but I can't find any. Do you have a source? - K. LOSS, Fairfield, Ill.

DEAR K.: You bet! Both powdered and lump alum are available from Champion's Pharmacy in Memphis, Tenn. Both cost $4.99 for 4 ounces plus $3.25 for shipping and handling. To order, call (800) 936-6662 or write to Champions at 2369 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38106. You can also visit their Web site at: www.theherbalman.com

FEEDBACK: RUBBER OVERSHOES WORN OVER GOOD SHOES - Heidi Horstmann of Hoffman Estates, Ill., found some of these that were much cheaper than the ones we found. Heidi discovered the boot, which she describes as ''a cloudy white-ish plastic, with a fold-over and button closure'' at Wal-Mart. They cost between $10-$15, far less than the $39.95 boots we located.

STUMPED: ANSWERING MACHINE TAPES WITH CELEBRITIES ANSWERING - Nancy K. of Kokomo, Ind., says she saw these tapes a few years ago but can't find them now. Neither can we!

Write to ''Ask Anne & Nan'' at P.O. Box 240, Hartland, VT 05048. Questions of general interest will appear in the column. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.