Reflect on this . . .

Hubby and I went out for hot wings and cold beer the other night.  When we got to our favorite bar we noticed something unusual . . . bags of what looked like water hanging from the eaves.


I assumed they were some sort of ward to keep gnomes from invading and wreaking havoc in the establishment.  Lord knows I've had my own issues with the little fellas (still do from time to time).  But just to confirm, when the waitress came to our table to take our order I inquired about them.


No, it wasn't about gnomes . . . or any other mystical creature, for that matter.  It was, however, a ward of a different kind.  Those bags full of water were there to detract bugs.  Really??


Okay . . . so I had to look into this repellent technique because I've never heard of such a thing.



Apparantly this is a method employed in the south and . . . even further south than that . . .  in South America.


Basically, you fill a strong clear plastic bag with clean water and hang it in direct sunlight wherever there is a flying bug problem.  The theory is that the water will refract and reflect the light.  It works kind of like a warning beacon to bugs who perceive the reflected light as movement and avoid it to evade a possible collision.


Some say to make the water bag even more effective put a very shiny penny in the bag . . . the shinier the betterer . . . put little pieces of shiny foil in the water.  This will increase the light infraction and thusly . . . supposedly . . . be more effective.


There are companies that actually attempt to market and sell these things . . . like finding ziplock bags and filling them with water is so complicated.


I also read the US military uses water bags for the purposes of keeping the bugs away.  My biggest concern about this is . . . are they making them or are they contracting out for somebody else to make them.  You’ve heard all the stories about how the military was buying toilet seats for $600, and $17 bolts?  Enough said.  


Anyhoo . . . I supposed it’s worth a try.  I mean . . . you know the kind of stuff flies like to hang out in and on.  Do you really want their nasty little feet touching you or your food?  Ugh . . . no way!


Then again, I doubt they would be useful against mosquitoes. Those flying parasites are out for blood . . . your blood . . . and I don’t think they’d easily be deterred by a bag of water.  Even if it does have shiny bits floating around in it.


And that’s all she wrote . . . 

Bacon Potato Salad

Everything is better with bacon . . . everything.

6 To 8 Medium Potatoes 

1/2 Pound Bacon, Cooked And Crumbled 

2 Celery Ribs, Finely Chopped

3 Hard Boiled Eggs, Chopped

3/4 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Pepper

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise 

1/2 Cup Sour Cream 

Cook potatoes in boiling water for 30 minutes or until tender. Drain and let cool slightly. Peel and cut into 1-inch cubes.


Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add bacon, celery, eggs, salt and pepper. Stir together mayonnaise and sour cream until blended. Pour over potato mixture, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.