stinger shock
“Drama Queen.” Fibers of exasperation weave themselves into Urania’s posture.
“Good guhhhhrrr-lll!” Thalia’s pitch encourages Hen to step from asphalt to lawn. “You got this! C’mon… c’mon.”
Calliope reaches out a hand to stroke Henny’s head and is not surprised when the fourleg flanks — avoiding touch. “Let’s not encourage or condemn. What I think she needs is… time and space to sort the experience for herself.”
Even in stillness , there is movement. Sometimes it takes time for the molecules of change to shift form. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, transformation is taking place.
~ Unknown
Self-awareness makes situational awareness possible.
~ Loveletterist
A note from Loveletterist:
Henny stepped on a nest of ground bees. I'm aware she was stung at least twice. She's a sensitive girl and this really threw her for a loop. Fifteen hours later she's still... skittish. We did give her an antihistamine after the incident... then pretty much let her be when she made it clear she was uninterested in comforting. She curled up in a corner of the basement on the cement floor. 🤷🏻♀️
This morning she got a trip to the dog park and a swim in the park pond.
She's coming around... in her own way and time.
Your art so reminded me of my honey bee learning lesson around age 4.
Mom always hung out laundry in fair weather. As I was not in school yet, she’d have me tag along to the clothesline. She’d place a blanket on the lawn near her watchful eye. One day the spot was close to a patch of clover, and behold, laden with honeybees! It seemed necessary to pick them up for a closer look.
You’re right! The bees expressed their disinterest immediately. Sobbing from that experience, mom stopped, examined my hand, and then got tweezers to get the stinger. She asked how that happened and I said I was looking at the bees.
Hard headed as you well know, I had to try again. Yup! Repeat performance. After pulling out the second stinger, the questions became more focussed. I stated my intent: “I want them to be my friend.”
Now I can appreciate the meaning of,
“Never smile at a crocodile
No you can’t get friendly with a crocodile
Don’t be taken in by his friendly grin
He’s imagining how well you’ll fit inside his skin.
Ground bees? Ditto.