a true tale (perhaps)

confession's as good for my soul as many insist it is (or should be), but ... I do have a special affinity (liking) for bumblebees. Perhaps it's 'cause I'm sort of a bumbling bee myself from time to time. I taught one of my nieces (when she was approx. ten or so) how a wild bumblebee can be stroked/petted with the softest of index-finger touches. Best time, I think, it can be done's when the bee's very much preoccupied with nectar-gathering at a blossom. The bristles felt remind me always of those bristly fat little caterpillars that adopt a fetal position when bothered; and I love their particular orange-on-black/black-on-orange stripes that're as bold, really, as the colors of a bumblebee. Chuck