It’s been more than a week since I’ve posted here, and in that time, J and I have driven to the Midwest and back, visiting his family in Pittsburgh and my family in Ohio. Last night while I was taking the dogs out, one of the hornets in the nest near our dog-pen stung me, as if she’d forgotten who I was. While I gently shook her from my shirt-sleeve, I heard a screech owl wailing from one of our backyard pine trees: welcome home.
Today’s photo of a late-blooming pokeweed is one I shot this time last year.
Aug 16, 2012 at 5:35 pm
This is lovely. Quite perfect.
Aug 17, 2012 at 1:59 am
I admire your restraint in not slapping that hornet — something I think I might have done instinctively!
Aug 17, 2012 at 10:47 am
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Anita.
Steve, I was unhooking one of the dogs from his leash when the hornet stung, so I didn’t have a free hand for slapping. I was also concentrating on not letting the dog get loose, so that helped me keep a level head.
Aug 17, 2012 at 6:31 pm
You must be so glad to e back home – even a hornet sting is welcome! Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer – school must be starting soon.
Sep 14, 2012 at 10:18 am
[...] agreement: “We’ll let you live in our backyard rent-free as long as you don’t sting us.” When one hornet stung me in mid-August, I overlooked this as anomalous: any insect can have a bad day. But now, our [...]