Miracles of modern science: my freezer, and Damp-Rid

Several nights ago, I was cleaning out my freezer and found a pack of something in the far back.  It was literally a one pound chunk of snow. 

I was going to throw it out, then got the bright idea of placing it in the refrigerator (on the bottom shelf, on a couple paper towels) and letting it thaw. 

It sat there for a few days before I could see what it was.  By the fourth day it appeared to have defrosted completely and looked like I’d just picked it up from the store.

It had a “Sell By” date of April 21.  I didn’t think that was too bad, April 21 was only 5 months ago.

Then I realized 21 was the day AND year.

When I googled “can I eat sausage that’s been in the freezer over 2 years” I got all kinds of responses.  So I contacted my friend Diana and asked her what she thought.

Diana has this thing about only eating healthy foods (her idea of dessert is ‘zucchini cobbler’, I kid you not) so I was surprised when she said to go for it.  That was all I needed to hear!

I cooked it up, enjoyed it on a potato roll with some roasted red peppers, green beans and white cheddar macaroni.  It was delicious!   By the way, that pasta had a “Best By” date of June 2021 and it was fine too.  And yes I do like a lot of black pepper on my macaroni.

I think it’s amazing how that sausage tasted so fresh after 2 1/2 years in the freezer though.  My friend Geri at the senior center told me I was going to get mad sow disease.  When I said I didn’t think that was a thing, she said “let’s hope not for your sake.”

Part 2: Creating water out of thin air: it’s amazing but true

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always noticed a slight mildew smell in the air when I entered my apartment during the summer months.  It wasn’t bothersome, it only took 5-10 seconds for my nose to adjust to it. 

But this past summer I was talking to maintenance and asked if other tenants ever complained of a mildew smell.  They said yes and there was nothing they could do about it.  Our antique AC system consists of a fan (in our bathroom ceilings) that blows over a set of cold water pipes in the summer, giving us cool air.  That’s why we have drip-pans in our ceilings, for the condensation.

As our bathrooms have drop ceilings (with removable tiles), I got some of these “Damp-Rid Hanger Bags”.  A white paper bag with crystals supposedly absorbs moisture in the air and fills a transparent water sack attached below. 

The box says it can take several days before you see droplets form, and up to two months to collect enough water in the attached bag.

I hung one in the rafters in my bathroom ceiling, this is what it collected in 12 DAYS.

Believe me, this bag is heavier than you think—it’s holding 3/4 pound of water!  In less than 2 weeks time!  How did it do that?  I’m amazed.  And best of all, that faint mildew smell is gone.

Anyway… I know these 2 things weren’t exactly blog-worthy, but it was either this or a heated discussion I got into Sunday afternoon with some friends over a certain former president and I’m sure you don’t want to hear about THAT.  Take care and talk to you soon.