Many, many moons ago, I saw a monkey dangling from the towel bar in the bathroom.  “Z, don’t play on that.  It’s not a jungle gym,” I commented.  The monkey retreated and I walked away.  Two minutes later I hear a crash and a crack.  I was relieved to find that the monkey was safe from damage, but a little annoyed that the towel bar supports were not.  On of the porcelain supports was cracked beyond repair.  Thus, began my search for a replacement.  Of course, I am looking for a VERY specific piece of hardware…  The screws are a specific distance apart and drilled into tile.  I don’t want a new configuration.  After several weeks of trips to Home Depot, calling various places and chatting with friends about solutions to this issue which I might find agreeable, I notice something very simple.  My toilet paper is supported by the very same pieces of hardware.  Brilliant!  I can take one of these supports and put that in place for the towel bar.  Of course, this means, my toilet paper wanders around the bathroom for a bit, but it’s better than finding wet towels on the carpet…

Now, the problem of the porcelain support is put on a back burner in a dark corner of my mind.  The toilet paper can be found on the remaining support, the back of the toilet, the top of the litter box hood, the edge of the tub… Then, a few weeks ago, I repaint my bathroom.  In the process, I find *shock* a replacement for the support!  What a treasure!  I put it in place!  I now have two supports for a toilet paper roll!  Only now I have a new problem: I don’t have the little springy bar to put in between anymore.  I’ve tried Home Depot, WalMart and Dollar General.  I can buy a new set (from which I would then throw away the supports), but I can’t buy the springy bar!

I’m keeping my eyes open for a toilet paper roll springy bar… What are they really called, anyway?  Does anybody have any other suggestions as to where I can find a replacement?