I just read an article in the Columbus Dispatch which informs the public that the bee population has survived the winter thus far in Ohio. It seems that 85% have endured the cold temps this winter, (do we humans have numbers like that?) which translates to about 1 billion bees. And this is a good thing? I know bees are essential for pollinating crops, flowers, and the like. But the only thing I really appreciate about them is their honey, Honey. This "bee" bad news for me and my girls. That means the amount of time the girls will enjoy playing in the backyard this summer will be minimal....especially when the clover comes in. The bees absolutely love that stuff. I can see it now. We have had this conversation before. It goes like this:Setting: Inside the Hesterhouse...sometime in middle of June. Newness of summer break beginning to wear off. The "We have nothing to do" mentality already setting in.
Hestermomma: "You guys need to go outside. It is a beautiful day. Go out and enjoy it. No reason to be inside on a day like this."
Hestergirls: "We don't want to go outside. There are too many bees out there. Everywhere we go, we see bees."
Hestermomma: "Those bees don't care about you. They have too much to do. Mind your own business, and they'll mind theirs."
Hestergirls begrudgingly go outside. Few minutes later, crying ensues.
Hestermomma: with exasperation "What is wrong now?"
Hestergirls: "We were minding our own business and all of a sudden 'our business' became 'their business' and we got stung. Oooooooh, the agony."
Hestermomma feels like a candidate for "Worst Mother of the Year" and tries to make up for their stings with a trip to DQ. And with news like this about the bee population this year, looks like we will be seeing a lot of DQ this summer. Care to join me for a Dilly bar, anyone?