Neither of which I understand, but both of which I have learned to combat. First. I have to share with you something that has changed my life, and I have been changed for the good.
Gnats are a common problem in any home, but especially the homes that hoard farmer's market produce for longer than than its life span. Buy less you say? I think not! Summer will over before you know it. You at least gotta keep it around even if you can't eat it fast enough...This is the false logic that keeps these pesky intruders fat and happy and PHEW if I can keep up with them.
I have found a way though. Pinterest occasionally doesn't totally fail me, and this is one of those times. The key to all good things in life is vinegar - any type, but for this problem, apple cider vinegar does the trick.
Mix about 1/4 of a cup of apple cider vinegar with ~ 4 squeezes from your go-to dish washing detergent (we use the cheap stuff - Safeway brand lemon flavor...flavor? scent...). Cover tightly with aluminum foil, poke 5 or so little-bit-bigger-than-a-gnat size holes in the foil, and leave in a gnat-frequented place on your counter. We leave ours for up to 3 weeks, and it captures those little suckers like a Venus flytrap. The idea is that the vinegar attracts the gnats, and they get stuck and die in the detergent. We have since caught all of our gnats, and the problem is diminished.
Art museums. There is nothing wrong with them. Except if you don't have the patience or sophistication to appreciate all that they offer. I went to the National Gallery with Philip on Wednesday, and although there are many fascinating exhibits (and I admit we've still only made it through the west side in our two visits), it taps into this guilt complex where I feel obligated to view every single piece, read all the little plaques below each painting, and have an emotional reaction. Philip says walking through galleries with me is like going with a 6 year old. I'm always onto the next room and painting, and so he insists on holding my hand. And asking me questions like "can you find your favorite painting that you would put in your house someday?" or "I bet you can't find the oldest dated piece"...he's going to be a really good dad.
In order to combat art galleries, I've found that the most helpful thing is a chocolate bar happy hour (like the one we visited: Co Co. Sala) immediately after. Philip decided that in the heat and due to the timeliness of a certain monthly event, Co Co. Sala would be a most appropriate remedy. It was. I highly recommend it, especially the Onyx, a dark chocolate mousse with vanilla creme brulee, salted caramel, and crispy chocolate pearls all layered on top of a brownie; as well as the Fetish, a delicious cocktail consisting of fresh strawberries, chocolate-infused vodka, strawberry foam, and a chocolate dipped berry. It was just as delicious as I've imagined every time I pass it on the F St. And perfect for any weary, hormonal female.
Philip, Mina, and I are off on a camping adventure with friends this weekend to Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park. We shall have many stories upon our return.
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