[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

[camjen1]

That's funny! I remember cleaning windows when all of a sudden I started to get stung by a swarm of bee's that were hiding in a piece of wood. I remember my neighbor coming out with 409 and spraying it all over me and in my face. Then I guess he figured that wasn't wise and got the hose. I'm terrified of bee's to this day. I'd rather do the finger pricks then get stung again!

[2high]

Hey, I'm holding a fundraiser for JDRF here in Aus... can I read that post??? Would u mind???

[drewgolden]

Originally Posted by 2high

Hey, I'm holding a fundraiser for JDRF here in Aus... can I read that post??? Would u mind???

Of course!

[sydneya]

I was vaccuming a heat duct in my bedroom. I didn't know there was a wasp nest in there. I got stung so many times I was nauseated for a couple weeks. I stay away from wasps now. I would much rather prick my finger or do insulin than even one wasp sting.

Very well put. I do appreciate your correlation. Very true, we adjust to what we need to adjust to. Just not wasps. At least honeybees give you honey.

[drewgolden]

Originally Posted by sydneya

I was vaccuming a heat duct in my bedroom. I didn't know there was a wasp nest in there. I got stung so many times I was nauseated for a couple weeks. I stay away from wasps now. I would much rather prick my finger or do insulin than even one wasp sting.

Very well put. I do appreciate your correlation. Very true, we adjust to what we need to adjust to. Just not wasps. At least honeybees give you honey.

Totally with you.

Hornets, wasps, I hate them.

HoneyBees - well, I love them. They work. They work hard, and they make something I personally love (and can not consume as much as I could) (honey) and they only sting when they figure they are under attack!

As an adult, with a Nikon D70, my personal love is to photograph "three banded italian honey bees" - they are in all respects beautiful. Oh, and if you get too close, the do sting!!!!

drew

[Funnygrl]

Just remember the more times you get stung by a bee, the more likely you are to become allergic. Yay epinepherine

[KickStart101]

Well, I'm glad that you are happy to walk with bees, Drew. I
on the other hand, have a BIG phobia about anything bigger
than a skeeter, that buzzes and stings.
Where we grew up, our backyard was next to a huge field and
forest. Admittedly, we had tons of fun out there. But it had it's
dangers. One day, my Brother, one of my Best Friends and I were
going to spend some time at one of our forts. My Brother jumped
on and over a stack of branches, then my Friend, then me. At
that point, me of course got attacked by a swarm of either hornets
or wasps(we know they weren't bees). I covered my face and ran
like ****...O.
I had 16 stings on me. I whined while Mom put some
white goop on the stings marks. Then my Brother, my Friend and I
went over to her place for popsicles.
Still to this day, I freak and run when I hear that distinct buzzing
sound. I happily take any finger picks, any injections over 1
sting, anyday. OUCH. Thanks.