A Rose, a Bee, and Reverie.

 

 

 

Honey Bee Musing

 

Often when I'm photographing flowers, I will come across beetles, bees or bugs of some kind or another.  That's fine.  I like all creatures great and small (I'm not overly fond of flies, mosquitoes or toads, if truth be told, though all have their part to play). 

 

Today, I was caught up in a photographic reverie, taking pics of my neighbours' stunning rose garden, when a particularly inquisitive honey bee performed a couple of comical fly-by inspections of the camera lens.   "Welcome, sweet, amusing creature!" I thought, charmed.

 

Then, he flew over the top of the camera, across my face and past my right ear to land on my right shoulder (bare, apart from the strap of my dress).  I like bees.  However, having been stung before, I must admit, this little fellow now had me a tad worried. 

 

I decided to play it cool... and let the bee sit on my shoulder for however long it wanted.  No argument from me.  The bee sat cleaning his antennae.  On my shoulder.  For ages (well... it was probably only about 10 seconds, but it seemed like ages).  Then, to my relief and subsequent delight, the bee flew off my shoulder and onto the rose I'd been photographing.  He leisurely explored the flower, cleaned his antennae again, then he flew away.  Sweet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All original text and photography copyright 2012, HL Millen

Happiness Grows

As I was watering my vegetable garden this morning, a glimpse of the bright red cherry tomatoes hanging plump on the vine and ready for picking, took me straight back to my childhood and the happiness I felt upon receiving my very first plant - a tomato. 


I was four, and given the tomato seedling as a gift by the owner of a garden nursery, who was apparently amazed by my fascination and love for plants.  His act of kindness, and that little seedling, filled me with a quiet joy.  I had been given my very own baby plant to take care of!  It would grow... and make tomatoes!  I was thrilled!  As soon as we got home I decided upon the perfect spot for my seedling - right outside the front door where everybody would be able to watch it grow.  Fortunately, it was a good spot.  My tomato plant got plenty of sun and plenty of tender loving care along with daily watering from me.  It thrived.  My happiness grew along with that tomato seedling.  I beamed with pride as it flourished and produced what I thought were the most beautiful tomatoes I had ever seen.


Today, as I fondly remember my first gardening experience, I am filled once again with quiet joy.  I'm sure the nursery owner knew he was planting a seed of happiness in me with that tomato seedling, and gently nurturing my love of plants, gardening and nature.  This happiness and love of gardening, I hope to pass on to my young daughter, her friends and neighbouring children who frequently visit... one way will be simply by sharing the gift of seedlings from my own garden, with them.

The tomatoes growing in my vegetable garden today, give me the same feelings of happiness as the first tomato plant I ever grew ~

 Text & photographs 
© HL Millen, Wild Honey Designs

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