I am going to begin by sharing with you, this is one of my favorite memories. If you are of a certain age, I think you will probably remember these contraptions that were sold in stores to dispense insect repellent. I know. How could this possibly be a fond childhood memory you ask. Well, my Grandpa could make a memory from just about anything. You’ll just have to read to believe.

Pests

Throughout history, insects have represented both good and bad, everything from rebirth and harmony; to death and omens of evil. While the cicada is sometimes considered a symbol of hard work and rebirth with its long life span, it is probably most recognized for providing the soundtrack for summer evenings.

Conversely, the mosquito falls squarely in the latter camp with the never-ending torment they inflict on summer evenings.

The Mosquito Memory

I have memories of a summer bedtime ritual at my grandparent’s home that centered around the dreaded mosquito. After everyone was tucked into bed for a good night’s rest, my Grandpa would get out the Hot Shot spray pump to spray for mosquitoes before we went to sleep. Usually, as soon as we got in bed, he would come in the room and get the sprayer primed to mist the air until the room was a haze of insect repellent. But, while the fog set-in, my aunt would start squealing for him to stop as the room was full of mist and laughter in equal measure.

Looking back, I’m sure it was a DDT fog we were breathing. Those “skeeters” didn’t stand a chance.

The Sprayer

Much like that misty fog Grandpa dispersed, many of my childhood memories have dissipated with time. However, I still fondly remember those summer nights when I hear the cicadas start their chorus. If I really try, I can faintly hear the laughter and the hiss of the sprayer from decades ago.

Since this was a memory I revisit often, I was on the hunt for one of those sprayer gizmos to tell the story in images. When I shared the story with my Uncle, he remembered having one of the sprayers, which, very possibly, belonged to his Dad, my Grandpa. He graciously loaned the sprayer to me so I could capture this memory in images.

I am grateful to have this memory preserved in print, and the possibility that the subject may even be Grandpa’s sprayer makes it all the more meaningful.

Do you remember these sprayers? If so, leave a comment and let me know.

If you would like to view these images in a larger format, click on the image. Alternatively, these images are part of the Grandpa’s Glass series (HERE).