Thought - Swimming into bees

Swimming into bees

I started swimming more this year for several reasons, my recent knew surgery, the Arizona summer heat, and I'm retired - YAY!! I can't tell you how happy I am being retired. (more on that in another post).

Swimming obviously requires a pool, which I have in my backyard, almost a must in Phoenix when summer temps reach into the 110 plus regularly in July and August. 

Today, I started my swim as usual and as usual, the bees greeted me at the end of the pool where we have what they call the spa, a small, sort of hot tub pool with jets which we never use. Unfortunately, it's attracted the birds and bees (and not metaphorically), to drink the clean water that spills over into the main pool.

The birds I'm OK with since they fly away, and as long as they drink and don't poop. That's a losing battle though, as I have a fake owl, reflectors, and pinwheels that are supposed to deter the birds from landing and pooping.

The bees, on the other hand, don't like me too much. So I would say the feeling is mutual, but I have respect for bees as they make the most wonderful substance, honey, yum, and they are essential to crops, and as such our food we love to eat. 

I'm not allergic to bees, I was once stung on my tongue - another story, but I've been told allergies can develop over time. So, I'm leery of gettin stung again.

And especially getting stung while I'm swimming. 

So the bees, yes, they greeted me again. They are so deceptive, I see one bee when I get in and by the time I swim towards them 10 or more begin flying around that end. 

OK, bees, I see you. Just stay at your end and I'll turn around. We do this lap after lap. Hi Bees! Stay there, please. 

I'm still cautious, though they have yet to attack, I just see them through my goggles as I bob towards them. Each time I come up for breath, I look. Cautious, time to turn around.

And in my reverie of lap after lap, I think, as I usually do while swimming, or any time I exercise, what could I learn from this? 

That bees are persistent. That bees are good for the world, so don't be mad at them. That bees are ruining my swim to go the full length of my pool, boo bees! That bees make honey, yay bees! 

That it's always good to be cautious and live together in harmony. That my enemy, the bee, can sting me, or I can be cautious and avoid the sting. 

Oh, the metaphors are just popping in my brain. Enjoy coming up with your own. 

:)