We went to the farm yesterday to mow. We loaded up the push mower and the weed eater and left around 1:00. At this time of year, with the temps so much cooler, it takes a long time for the morning dew to burn off. It’s even worse at the farm because that little holler doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight. So, even at 2-3:00, the grass is pretty damp.

“Beans” mowed while we were gone. Yes, it’s their farm now, but…we kinda barter a little. They let us stay whenever we want and we mow the yard in exchange. It’s totally a win-win for both of us. Anyway, we pulled up the driveway and I immediately remembered the keys for the house were hanging on a hook at home. Dang! Mr. FixIt decided to go ahead and mow the ditch out front. Then, while he was running the weed eater, I push mowed the front yard. It was a beautiful day, it wasn’t too hot, and it was good exercise. Mr. FixIt mowed the backyard then I finished the driveway.

We sat on the front porch, admiring our handiwork and listening to the birds. I have no idea why, but I was watching some bees buzzing around and thought of the Asian hornet that was discovered in Washington state last year. The one they call the “Murder Hornet”, which…not surprisingly…seems to be a bit of a sensationalized name given this monstrous bee by the media. What a surprise, right? Around 5:00, Beans showed up and we had a nice visit. She told us about the last time their son was there for a visit. He was back up on the hill doing some mowing and mowed over a nest of bees in the ground. They stung him and he ran off, leaving the mower where it sat, and headed back to the house. When they returned the next day to get the mower, the bees detected the pheromones from the stings the day before and attacked him again. That time he got pretty sick but not enough to go to the hospital.

Multiple bees stings can be dangerous…especially on consecutive days. The bee’s venom builds up in your blood stream and…even though you don’t have an allergy to bee stings…you can have a serious reaction. As she was telling us this story, I grabbed my XL drink cup and took a swig. Ugh…warm, flat soda. I poured it into the flower bed and happened to look down by Beans’ feet. I saw something squirming in the grass and when I looked down, it was the biggest, angriest looking bee I have ever seen. Normally, my first response would have been to step on it but, having just thought of the big hornets in the Pacific Northwest…and just emptied my drink cup…I bent down and scooped that bee up in a hurry and popped the lid on the cup.

Now what to do? I wanted to be absolutely positive that bee wasn’t going to get out of that cup, so I found a grocery bag in my truck and gingerly set the cup inside and tied it closed. I have no idea what kind of bee it is, but I’m going to town today, so I’ll drop it off at the Natural Resources office and see if they can identify it. I really don’t think it’s a “murder hornet”…but I would like to know what kind of bee it is.

We headed home and as I pulled into the driveway, the cat was sitting staring into the field. She came running to us and out of the corner of my eye, I saw something scurry through the grass. I went to look closer and there was a little meadow vole. I’d never really seen one up close. I was really surprised when this little thing stood up and I swear he was going to come after me. It actually kinda worried me a little. I don’t know what their natural defensive behavior is, but I also know animals with rabies can be aggressive. This little guy was obviously not sick. I think he’d just been man…er, I mean CAT-handled…and he was over it. I let him scurry off as Mr. FixIt put the cat up for the night. That was enough hunting for one day!

To top off my day, I got a note from the West Virginia Tourism Board asking if they can use another one of my photos for marketing. That’s the second time that’s happened. I have to admit…that made me feel good!

Land’s sakes…it’s OCTOBER!

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“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”

Psalm 145:5 ESV