[drewgolden]

So, I have been a fan of bees.

When I grew up, my older brother was a beekeeper. It was cool. There were cool beekeeper outfits you wore (called BeeSuits) and you would go out and "smoke" the bees into a calm state before you ripped their hive apart, and just the whole interaction between bee and life was facinating.

So growing up, I got stung. Alot.

But you learn, getting stung is a bigger deal for the bee than it is for you. A worker honeybee gives up his life for that sting. That's some powerful stuff right there. He's defending something, and is willing to die for it. They know the result of the sting. Well, the workers at least. Drones are worthless and even thought their stinger is not serrated (does not stay in you, does not kill them) they are too lazy to use it. Never had a drone try.

The first couple of times, well, they were big events. But after a while, it became something you lived with. I knew, donning the bee suit, no matter how hard I tied my leg straps and tied my head net, there would be a few bees that would get in *and* sting the **** out of me.

Nature is a funny thing.

Bee stings hurt. At first, yes. It's an oh-$hit moment!

But after a while, the venom in the sting kills the pain. After five years of beekeeping, I would comfortably walk up to the hives and check the openings without the need of a suit. And each visit would result in a few stings, but it was something we all got used to.

And that is sort of like diabetes. Wow. Finger pricks more than 5 times a day - *AND° needle shots more than 5 times a day!!!!! That makes the whole bee thing look like a walk in the park!

Eventually I grew up and moved away, and my mom sold the house in the country. The bees are now someone else's problem.

And despite the stings, I miss the bees.

drew