Bee Stings And Sleuths

A day with family couldn't be any nicer.  It started off with a little face coming into my room just after six a.m.

"Hello, Nana."

"Hi, sweetie."

"Can I get in?"

"Sure.  Need help getting up?"

Never ask a three year old if they need help.  He ambled his way up, right foot on the end table, left on the bed rails.  He wanted MY side.  He got MY side.

Later we enjoyed a family barbeque. While  I was helping a nineteen month old up a jungle gym set when it happened.  Instant pain.  Two places - wrist and thigh.  Same time.  But I had a job to do.  Ensure this little tyke met his buddy on the platform.  He did.

A quick trip inside the house, I applied baking soda to the afflicted area. This non-smoking crowd definitely wouldn't have cigarette butts, which take out the sting. It's an old fashioned natural remedy.  Find a  used cigarette butt, remove the tobacco, mix it with saliva. Apply it to the sting like a poultice.  As it dries, it draws out the venom from the bee.  It won't swell up as much.  Baking soda helped a lot.

Then one of my buddies said it.

"You took one for the team."

"Yellow jackets.  They even sprayed for them the other day," I said.

"Well, the good news the tyke made it to the platform. His Dad took over."

My three year old grandson and his little friend, a four year old, the inspector general,also met on the platform. They are on a scavenger hunt, looking for clues.  Plastic bag in tow, just in case. My grandson is an awe.

"I like him," my grandson said.

A proud moment.   And surrogate big brother with a huge imagination who is showing his new friend the ropes. His Nana stands near, caked in baking soda.

The hunt continues.