A Bee C

This morning at the breakfast table our 4 year old started spewing facts about bees.  Only the females sting.  Bees aren't born with legs because they're "like a caterpillar" (larva as later research determined).  The "girls" (worker bees) do all the work.

"That's NOT true!" insisted our son, insensitively (and without any clue).

"Is it true?" asked one of the girls we have taken care of over the summer holidays.

We did some research and sure enough...these facts were all verified.

"How did you know all of that?" I asked her, still in awe.

"Oh," she said casually (which would have been perfected only if there had been a surly tweenie attitude and hair flip involved), "my teacher told us about them.  She read from some book one time."

Oddly enough, around noon while I was preparing lunch and the kids mucked about on the trampoline I heard an urgent calling of my name.

"Bee!"  They shrieked in unison as I came on to the porch.  "Bee sting!"

Frozen in  a rigid pose the 6 year old was on the trampoline, beyond my reach, and sobbing.  Her fist was clenched and she was paralyzed with fear.

"Where did it sting you?" I repeated as I tried to get closer.  "Where?"

"My hand!  My HAND!"  She remained solid in her stance.

"Open it!"  I demanded several times and finally she did.  So terrified and debilitated she had shut her fist and was clenching the bee in her palm.  Immediately it buzzed about angrily pursuing her as I pulled her from the trampoline.

Throughout the afternoon as I thought about that situation I continued to be amazed and surprised about how fear paralysis invades us, and how it can actually occasionally cause more harm in the long run.  Felt deeply philosophical...until yet another "Mommy!" was shouted and thoughtless, mindless World of Mommy went on...

If you ever have the misfortune of a bee sting be sure to try the following: 
We applied the natural remedy shared by our minister: pick some plantain (a common "weed" found in most lawns and ditches), mangle it a bit with your nails (or chew it in your mouth for a moment), spit on it and then apply it to the sting (once the stinger has been removed).  Incredible.  Life carries on....

Some other natural remedies as suggested by learningherbs.com:

Baking soda: mix the baking soda with vinegar and apply the thick paste to the wound.

Onions: Lay a fresh slice of onion on the sting.

Apple Cider Vinegar: The raw kind. If bitten or stung, dab apple cider vinegar as soon as possible on the bite to draw out any poison and to prevent swelling. Thyme and rosemary infused in the vinegar are especially effective.