Unbitten

LIAM AND BUG ZAPPER ON BENCH

Last week's blog brought a lot of empathetic responses and usable suggestions. The two I thought I would be able to effectuate immediately were the Stinger bug zapper and the fire pit. I know. The fire pit does not sound negotiable with Paul's antipathy to flames. And it isn't. I worked with what I had at home to create an inoffensive one. The fire pit is my own version. A large citronella candle in my mosaic bird bath.  The bird bath rendered unusable because standing water draws insects.  So it has a new purpose, anchoring my lime green bug bucket forming an above ground pit

THE HOMEMADE FIRE PIT TOP RIGHT

ensuring a racing leaping Liam will not easily dislodge it as he would a free standing candle. After our return from dinner Friday night I searched online for the bug zapper. Sold out. I would have to travel to a store and physically purchase one. Our Saturday plans precluded securing one until Sunday. We are home by early evening and Liam and I want to sit out. I decide to do battle without the zapper but with fire and attire.
Timeline
Saturday June 15, 2013 about 6:30PM
I set up.  I go out early evening because that is happy hour. The day is winding down, the mowing is over as are outdoor house projects. The sounds are more muted. Also a more deserving of rest feeling exists after the day's events. Who else goes out early evening? The biting bugs led by the mosquitoes.
Equipment set up.  My fire pit, bracelets on wrists and ankles anchoring long pants, socks, long sleeves
wine, Kindle, devices, Liam
I read, play, listen, watch, think. I do not itch, scratch, swat, wave, or hide. In my boldness. I do some yoga poses. Hope Google earth is not filming.

Total time outside 2 hours...
NO bites
unbitten

Sunday June 16, 2013  12:10PM
Today we head out to Home Depot.to secure the Stinger Bug Zapper. Though my weapons have worked the night before I know I need more as Sunday is a big battle of the bug day. They just like Sundays. More people must be out and they know it. Home Depot's online zapper inventory claims to have 11. We find only one and it is misplaced with the bigger zappers. The empty shelf attesting to its popularity. Must be a trendy Father's Day gift. At home I charge it, educate myself in its use and wait for the green light indicating it is fully charged. The green light pops on more quickly than predicted. It is charged and we are ready for our charge! 
7:05PM
All equipment and attire the same as Saturday. I place the zapper close. All systems go. I feel a bit of anxiety. I also think I have a bite. Oh no! Through my pants or up my pants the blood sucker got me. Might have been while I was setting up. Okay. This is war. We sit. I see the insects circling. Liam hears them as he strolls by the zapper.The zapper is quiet... a soundless killer. In the dimming light I hear what sounds like popping corn.. first just a few pops... it is the zapper zapping and not quietly. Then I see sparks. New night sounds! The fire crackling and the zapper popping. I don't mind. I thought I might. But that one bite did it. Let the death toll rise! Liam and I are riveted by the zapper action sizzle and flashes of light. We eventually have to go in.


Total time outside 2 hours 15 minutes...
One bite
Almost unbitten
Death toll 27
I waited to check until the next day
There is a little drawer

No retreat,
No surrender.
Going out will require an effort. We are up for it.

LIAM LOOKING FOR LURKING BUGS

Woof, Woof