bzzzzz bzzzzz

 I know, I know.   I am posting too much.

My house has a big metal shed about 20 x 40 or so.  I don't know.  We keep a bunch of junk in it WHICH  I am always planning to sort through.  Been going to do that for about 4 years.

Behind the big shed I have a smaller storage shed which holds my mower and other garden stuff.  I keep the Christmas stuff out there.  Nobody wants to steal that stuff.

So these are located on the west side of my property - about 6 to 7 feet from the 6' wood fence.  We keep this blocked off from the dogs mainly to protect the neighbors from the bark fest.  

Normally, I might mow this area about once every week or so.  Normally.  Well, it has been over a month since it was mowed.  Part of it is about 2 ft tall.  Good grass - few tall weeds - 

Today, I mowed the yard.  It is Tuesday.  The yard needed it - To start, I moved the barricade  and drove the mower down through that strip of land.    All of a sudden there was this big ole honkin' black and gold bumblebee.  25 ft along I made the U turn to go back over the area.  

WOW!!  The whole area beside the little shed was covered with flying bees.  Easily there were 100 bees flying around.  One bee found me and zoomed over my head.  I shooed it away.  I was stuck behind the sheds.  There was only one way out of the area at that time - right through the middle of those swarming bees - big bees - big fluffy vicious bees.

My daughter is home today.  I finally got through to her with my cell and explained the problem just as she rounded the edge of the shed and quickly backed up.  Yes, she found the key to the fence gate - I was able to drive out another way & the bees were still swarming.

Didja know that certain bumblebees nest in the ground?  The whole hive is below ground with an entrance hole.  They don't do the honey thing.  Every year they'll move to a new location.  There is a bee keeper who will come collect the bees with a sorta vacuum cleaner that doesn't kill - then, he digs up the big nest and relocates the bees to another area.   We read that on Google.

So, I mowed the entire yard - no problem other than heat.  I parked my mower back into the shed and was attempting to close the door when some bees found me.  I ran  into the house but not until I was stung behind my left ear and on the underside of my right forearm.  Those stings hurt and grow in pain as time passes.  

As quickly as possible, I took a Benadryl and sat down in my big chair to wait for the pain to diminish.  I learned a couple of things today.   First of all, keep all the grass mowed down and look for the bees in the grass.  2nd if you rile up a nest, leave the area and don't return for a few hours.   3rd carry a machine gun when you do decide to return.  I understand that a water hose will knock them down for a while.

Now, I have to decide.  Do I mow that part of the yard anytime soon?  Do I call someone to relocate the bees.  How much money am I willing to spend to protect these bees from my can of poison spray.

There must be other questions.   Moving on.  I am well now.  I do not have an allergy to bee stings at this time.  Y'all take care out there even when you think you are doing a safe activity.   Wear a mask, hoodie, long pants, gloves, etc.

I need a vacation from retirement.             G'night.   M3