Another thought provoking piece, Elizabeth. Your bees reminded me that I have long believed that our neighborhood ravens have been living around here longer than some of the humans.
I'm glad it got the gears turning, Teresa, and thanks for taking a few minutes with it. I suspect you're right about the ravens. From what I know of them, they are very site-faithful, and their lineages would likely keep coming back if the location is favorable. What a fabulous thing to consider!
Ah, the contradictions. I hate killing creatures that are just living their lives, but mice are disease-carrying and they chew through things you need, like the wires that make the AC work. Lovely essay, moving so gracefully from ants to moon to us. (And I always ask other Elizabeths this: have you found a nice way to tell people that you don’t want to be called Liz? I haven’t. )
As a Beth with no middle name, it’s easy for me. Simply that my name is ‘Beth’. I guess your equivalent is simply that your name is ‘Elizabeth’? (I love your timing with this query. I met another ‘Beth with no middle name’ yesterday. Neither of us had ever met another!)
Yeah, just trying to find something that doesn't sound starchy, you know? The most puzzling response to my introducing myself, which I get quite often, is 'What do you like to be called?' Ummmm....Your Serene Highness? That would work. Thanks for the hugs from Oz - I lived in Black Rock, Melbourne for a year when I was 8 (1963). Hugs from Connecticut :)
I've been known to say "Queen Elizabeth." But mostly I thank people for asking, because I'd rather that than assuming they should call me Liz (which happens so often)!
Elizabeth, I've been known to have earnest conversations with beings that have moved indoors. "You have so many places to choose from out there. There's no need for you to set up camp in here." And having once battled with mice living in the back of an oven--they were attracted to the warmth of the pilot light, and I do mean IN the back, not just behind--I can relate to why you'd feel the need to draw this particular line in the sand.
My Elizabeth is a story unto itself, because I started out in life as Betsy and many folks from "back home" still call me that. The last thing I need is another nickname, so yes, I tend to say something like, "Actually, stick with all the syllables, please. I prefer Elizabeth."
You have so many beautiful themes and I love every one and laughingly enjoyed every one... The dreaded stink bug does find its way into homes and has definitely found its way into my home as the warm weather has shown itself... It seems to cling to the window sills looking out at freedom hoping that I will be merciful... I would rather not be merciful because of this horrible odor that it emits when frightened... But maybe it smells a terrible odor when it sees a human being angry and becomes frightened... It's not a rare occasion that I will gently hold such a creature in a wadded Kleenex and carry it to my deck and drop it gently hoping it will find somewhere it belongs..... Oh my.... You are correct.... We human beings have literally stunk up God's gift.... Just hoping that a disappointed God doesn't have a box of Kleenex nearby.... Because we surely have become even more dreaded than the stink bug..
Thanks, Barry. Who knew you could weave a whole collection of insects, space travel, and a love song all into one essay? 😅
Stink bugs definitely emit their foul odor as a defense mechanism, and the cup-catch technique tends to be less likely to trigger it. For what that's worth.
The image of God with a box of Kleenex is one I'll not soon forget!
I occasionally have morning tea with a friend with Buddhist leanings. At a certain time of year, I’ll reach out and gently squish an ant that has wandered onto the table in hope of a sweet morsel. I rapidly recall that that sort of behaviour is not appreciated in his household. Oops!! Sigh…
What was that movie--Seven Years in Tibet, maybe--where the Buddhist workers stop construction on a building because they can't kill the worms? I keep trying, and failing. In the Buddhist tradition, maybe I'd have more chances to come back and get it right. Or to gain even greater respect by living in a different kind of body.
Fascinating info about the bees in the cemetary, thank you Elizabeth. Currently driving us a little nutty is the Northern Flicker woodpecker that pecks the metal chimney, creating a raquet and scaring our dog. This little one is tenacious. Prior woodpeckers would fly away if we made a loud noise but nothing will deter this dude, he is intent on establishing his territory. We don't want to block off the metal chimney because then they go for the house, creating a hole for the bats to nest and once we've got bats they are here to stay so we keep our woodpecker but can't say we love it!
Oh, gosh, I've been there! In our case, it was a defunct television antenna, so we were able to take it down. I understand that once they find a mate they calm down. Maybe you should get him a Tinder account! I wonder if a fake owl would help? Gosh, I hope it's short lived.
Get him a Tinder account🤣 We’ve used the owl and predator cries, cranking ACDC up our chimney. He observes and carries on - I guess a good lesson for us to do the same.
I am a first year beekeeper. One of my colonies just arrived and I am picking up 2 more this weekend! This piece resonated with me and I also just gave Sam a follow. Thank you for this - I really loved it!
Woah, how cool is that!? Your own bees! I hope they love their new digs. It's a bit of a learning curve, but from what I gather watching others, so rewarding.
Thanks for following Sam. He's so knowledgeable, and also a lot of fun! If you happen to be on Instagram, you might appreciate the Bee Lab's account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B1F2bZq16E
I’m very glad to see that you make it easy for “readers” to listen to your pieces. I always prefer to listen rather than read as my eyes are failing. I often listen to the computer (AI?) voices available on most Substack pieces (and also on many other platforms). But I’m especially appreciative of authors/writers reading in their own voice. Your voice… incidentally… is my favorite. Thank you 🙏🏽 I appreciate you!
Oh my gosh, what a keeper comment this is! Maybe you could intuit how hard it is to know if the effort of doing the audio is worth it. And you just shone the brightest light ever on that dark spot. Thank you!
Like you, I listen to a lot of what I take in here and elsewhere. The AI voices are pretty funny sometimes, and not the least bit concerned about mispronouncing things. 😅
I appreciate you, too, Sodak, and am truly honored by your words today.
I love getting everyone’s perspective from different places so that we can see that we are not the center of the universe nor the center of the world, but many many creatures contribute so profusely to our well-being and their own well-being. The interactions are in infinite.
You are so right, Jill. Infinite and precious. And I have to say that some days it feels like perspective is a dying art. I'm always happy to be in the company of humans who seem to understand that we're not doing this whole life on earth thing by ourselves. It's good to see you here.
Oof, who knows? Suffice to say there are more questions than answers between us. It makes me even more appreciative of the other neighbors with whom we have more normal relationships. So sad.
We are currently beset by gnats. It's gross. They have no decorum. They fly into my eyes, my nose, my ears. There was a lot of rain and I guess a consequent bloom. You know I'm vegan. I don't want to kill anything (or anyone). But we have put out traps because one or a few bugs I will always take the time to relocate, but an infestation...nope. That is untenable. And yes, that makes me the main character, but I see it as akin to a horse smacking bugs with her tail. It's still disturbing. It will always be disturbing. : (
I'm not sure I knew you were vegan, Wendy. You surely know I'm not and perhaps, because I've mentioned it before, that when I really sit with the feelings around what that means about me and whatever it is that had to die at my expense, I don't want to NOT find it disturbing. I don't want to ever get to a place where I'm not conscious of what my choices mean for someone or something else. It's no good living in a state of perpetual regret or guilt, but sensitivity goes a long way, I think. I hope.
A gnat infestation sounds really frustrating. We're told they don't have the brain capacity, but I sometimes wonder if the gnats (or the ants, or the bees) feel the same about us. How could they not? So appreciate thinking and feeling with you, my friend!
I appreciate anyone who considers the issue of our relationship to other lives with compassion. And I know that you do. The gnats! I’m certain all living beings have intelligence. (Including plants.) I see immense intelligence in bees and ants. And spiders! Look how creative they are! The gnats seem really dumb, though. Who sees a giant and thinks it’d be fun to fly up their noses? It doesn’t preclude the right to live (being dumb) but damn—please get off me!
Happy belated Earth Day. This is a wonderful story about the cemetery bees, and it's beautifully then connected to the Earth photos and a timeline way beyond our own. Another great post, Elizabeth! Sorry though about the bigger ants joining the others this year.
Thanks, Amy. I sure hope the newfound celebrity doesn't jeopardize those cemetery bees. The carpenter ants are easier to catch, but since they are attracted to damp/rotting wood, they are more disconcerting than their smaller cousins. Here's hoping there was just the one busload on their version of a Disney excursion!
Brilliant. Your thoughts are hitting me at a time when I’ve been reflecting on how few times I have felt as if I am doing what I am best at. What does it mean to feel NOT like a bee?
This thought has also crossed my mind: if I look for evidence of some kind of superordinate intelligence that is behind all Being, I think of nature. I don’t think of humanity. Everything fits together in a beautiful ecosystem — except us. It seems.
I guess a blessing and a curse in being human is that we have so many choices. That we are also prone to comparison can also have both a positive and negative side. And finally, there's the whole 'gotta make a living' piece that other creatures don't pursue in the same way, or with the same kinds of currency. All that to say, #itscomplicated
I agree that nature is the best role model for intelligent design. Maybe we're nature's AI. 🤪
Thanks for reading, Stew. Hope the new place is coming together.
I hear you. I keep wishing the boundary felt that simple, but I can’t stop asking where that line comes from or who it really belongs to. Apparently I’m not built for clean answers here. Good thing I have a whole community of careful readers who are willing to put up with me! Thanks, June.
Wow- it’s been awhile since I popped in to comment- and scrolling through to get to the bottom of the queue I confess to a territorial moment 😂😂😂
‘Who are all of these people commenting ????’ It passed quickly and was replaced with a wave if admiration, pride and excitement ❤️
On my drive to work today I laughed aloud a half dozen times at your humble witty insertions and the brilliant observations of those we share our space with -
I often wish , more so in recent years, that we could claim our impact to be mire beneficial than not.
There are many trying to do right.
As always, your perspective supports those efforts- and bolsters your readers.
Keep it up- what you share matters.
P.s. I also enjoy your audio- thanks for the extra effort
Ha! Allow me to introduce you to some amazing folks! We didn't raise our kids together like the two of us, but there's still a pretty nifty bond in many cases. I'm thrilled to know you're enjoying the audio. As for wishing we could claim our impact to be more beneficial, I share that wish. But I don’t think we get there through consumer choice alone. The options available to individuals are still too limited to drive global-scale change without stronger corporate and systemic shifts.
What a delight to see you in the comments today, Kate. Thank you, my friend.
Another thought provoking piece, Elizabeth. Your bees reminded me that I have long believed that our neighborhood ravens have been living around here longer than some of the humans.
I'm glad it got the gears turning, Teresa, and thanks for taking a few minutes with it. I suspect you're right about the ravens. From what I know of them, they are very site-faithful, and their lineages would likely keep coming back if the location is favorable. What a fabulous thing to consider!
A beauty. Restacking.
Thank you, Rona. Your support is an honor.
Ah, the contradictions. I hate killing creatures that are just living their lives, but mice are disease-carrying and they chew through things you need, like the wires that make the AC work. Lovely essay, moving so gracefully from ants to moon to us. (And I always ask other Elizabeths this: have you found a nice way to tell people that you don’t want to be called Liz? I haven’t. )
As a Beth with no middle name, it’s easy for me. Simply that my name is ‘Beth’. I guess your equivalent is simply that your name is ‘Elizabeth’? (I love your timing with this query. I met another ‘Beth with no middle name’ yesterday. Neither of us had ever met another!)
Hugs from afar. 🤗🤗
Yeah, just trying to find something that doesn't sound starchy, you know? The most puzzling response to my introducing myself, which I get quite often, is 'What do you like to be called?' Ummmm....Your Serene Highness? That would work. Thanks for the hugs from Oz - I lived in Black Rock, Melbourne for a year when I was 8 (1963). Hugs from Connecticut :)
I've been known to say "Queen Elizabeth." But mostly I thank people for asking, because I'd rather that than assuming they should call me Liz (which happens so often)!
Such a small world! Love it.
Glad you found a name twin, Beth! What do you do on forms that ask for a middle name or initial? Can you just leave them blank?
Yes,the middle name field is always optional thankfully.
Elizabeth, I've been known to have earnest conversations with beings that have moved indoors. "You have so many places to choose from out there. There's no need for you to set up camp in here." And having once battled with mice living in the back of an oven--they were attracted to the warmth of the pilot light, and I do mean IN the back, not just behind--I can relate to why you'd feel the need to draw this particular line in the sand.
My Elizabeth is a story unto itself, because I started out in life as Betsy and many folks from "back home" still call me that. The last thing I need is another nickname, so yes, I tend to say something like, "Actually, stick with all the syllables, please. I prefer Elizabeth."
I have apologized to ants.
💗
You have so many beautiful themes and I love every one and laughingly enjoyed every one... The dreaded stink bug does find its way into homes and has definitely found its way into my home as the warm weather has shown itself... It seems to cling to the window sills looking out at freedom hoping that I will be merciful... I would rather not be merciful because of this horrible odor that it emits when frightened... But maybe it smells a terrible odor when it sees a human being angry and becomes frightened... It's not a rare occasion that I will gently hold such a creature in a wadded Kleenex and carry it to my deck and drop it gently hoping it will find somewhere it belongs..... Oh my.... You are correct.... We human beings have literally stunk up God's gift.... Just hoping that a disappointed God doesn't have a box of Kleenex nearby.... Because we surely have become even more dreaded than the stink bug..
Thanks, Barry. Who knew you could weave a whole collection of insects, space travel, and a love song all into one essay? 😅
Stink bugs definitely emit their foul odor as a defense mechanism, and the cup-catch technique tends to be less likely to trigger it. For what that's worth.
The image of God with a box of Kleenex is one I'll not soon forget!
Agreed!!!
I occasionally have morning tea with a friend with Buddhist leanings. At a certain time of year, I’ll reach out and gently squish an ant that has wandered onto the table in hope of a sweet morsel. I rapidly recall that that sort of behaviour is not appreciated in his household. Oops!! Sigh…
What was that movie--Seven Years in Tibet, maybe--where the Buddhist workers stop construction on a building because they can't kill the worms? I keep trying, and failing. In the Buddhist tradition, maybe I'd have more chances to come back and get it right. Or to gain even greater respect by living in a different kind of body.
Thanks for sharing this sweet anecdote, Beth.
Fascinating info about the bees in the cemetary, thank you Elizabeth. Currently driving us a little nutty is the Northern Flicker woodpecker that pecks the metal chimney, creating a raquet and scaring our dog. This little one is tenacious. Prior woodpeckers would fly away if we made a loud noise but nothing will deter this dude, he is intent on establishing his territory. We don't want to block off the metal chimney because then they go for the house, creating a hole for the bats to nest and once we've got bats they are here to stay so we keep our woodpecker but can't say we love it!
Oh, gosh, I've been there! In our case, it was a defunct television antenna, so we were able to take it down. I understand that once they find a mate they calm down. Maybe you should get him a Tinder account! I wonder if a fake owl would help? Gosh, I hope it's short lived.
Thanks for joining the conversation, Donna.
Get him a Tinder account🤣 We’ve used the owl and predator cries, cranking ACDC up our chimney. He observes and carries on - I guess a good lesson for us to do the same.
I am a first year beekeeper. One of my colonies just arrived and I am picking up 2 more this weekend! This piece resonated with me and I also just gave Sam a follow. Thank you for this - I really loved it!
Woah, how cool is that!? Your own bees! I hope they love their new digs. It's a bit of a learning curve, but from what I gather watching others, so rewarding.
Thanks for following Sam. He's so knowledgeable, and also a lot of fun! If you happen to be on Instagram, you might appreciate the Bee Lab's account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B1F2bZq16E
Thanks, Kodie, Good to have you here.
I’m very glad to see that you make it easy for “readers” to listen to your pieces. I always prefer to listen rather than read as my eyes are failing. I often listen to the computer (AI?) voices available on most Substack pieces (and also on many other platforms). But I’m especially appreciative of authors/writers reading in their own voice. Your voice… incidentally… is my favorite. Thank you 🙏🏽 I appreciate you!
Oh my gosh, what a keeper comment this is! Maybe you could intuit how hard it is to know if the effort of doing the audio is worth it. And you just shone the brightest light ever on that dark spot. Thank you!
Like you, I listen to a lot of what I take in here and elsewhere. The AI voices are pretty funny sometimes, and not the least bit concerned about mispronouncing things. 😅
I appreciate you, too, Sodak, and am truly honored by your words today.
I love getting everyone’s perspective from different places so that we can see that we are not the center of the universe nor the center of the world, but many many creatures contribute so profusely to our well-being and their own well-being. The interactions are in infinite.
You are so right, Jill. Infinite and precious. And I have to say that some days it feels like perspective is a dying art. I'm always happy to be in the company of humans who seem to understand that we're not doing this whole life on earth thing by ourselves. It's good to see you here.
I am more than happy to be here and contribute whatever I can
Does your neighbour not know that there are apiarists who will come and move whole nests in order to protect the species and give the homeowner peace?
Oof, who knows? Suffice to say there are more questions than answers between us. It makes me even more appreciative of the other neighbors with whom we have more normal relationships. So sad.
We are currently beset by gnats. It's gross. They have no decorum. They fly into my eyes, my nose, my ears. There was a lot of rain and I guess a consequent bloom. You know I'm vegan. I don't want to kill anything (or anyone). But we have put out traps because one or a few bugs I will always take the time to relocate, but an infestation...nope. That is untenable. And yes, that makes me the main character, but I see it as akin to a horse smacking bugs with her tail. It's still disturbing. It will always be disturbing. : (
I'm not sure I knew you were vegan, Wendy. You surely know I'm not and perhaps, because I've mentioned it before, that when I really sit with the feelings around what that means about me and whatever it is that had to die at my expense, I don't want to NOT find it disturbing. I don't want to ever get to a place where I'm not conscious of what my choices mean for someone or something else. It's no good living in a state of perpetual regret or guilt, but sensitivity goes a long way, I think. I hope.
A gnat infestation sounds really frustrating. We're told they don't have the brain capacity, but I sometimes wonder if the gnats (or the ants, or the bees) feel the same about us. How could they not? So appreciate thinking and feeling with you, my friend!
I appreciate anyone who considers the issue of our relationship to other lives with compassion. And I know that you do. The gnats! I’m certain all living beings have intelligence. (Including plants.) I see immense intelligence in bees and ants. And spiders! Look how creative they are! The gnats seem really dumb, though. Who sees a giant and thinks it’d be fun to fly up their noses? It doesn’t preclude the right to live (being dumb) but damn—please get off me!
😤 Puh-lease!!
(On the other hand, I've never toured the inside of anything's nose nor been a gnat. Maybe it's a perfect hidey hole? Hahah!)
“Hey look! A cave! Let’s go spelunking!” 😫
Thank you for this tribute to our beautiful planet and the reminder to care for it as best we can.
Grateful to you for reading and commenting, Linda. And for the restack!
Happy belated Earth Day. This is a wonderful story about the cemetery bees, and it's beautifully then connected to the Earth photos and a timeline way beyond our own. Another great post, Elizabeth! Sorry though about the bigger ants joining the others this year.
Thanks, Amy. I sure hope the newfound celebrity doesn't jeopardize those cemetery bees. The carpenter ants are easier to catch, but since they are attracted to damp/rotting wood, they are more disconcerting than their smaller cousins. Here's hoping there was just the one busload on their version of a Disney excursion!
Brilliant. Your thoughts are hitting me at a time when I’ve been reflecting on how few times I have felt as if I am doing what I am best at. What does it mean to feel NOT like a bee?
This thought has also crossed my mind: if I look for evidence of some kind of superordinate intelligence that is behind all Being, I think of nature. I don’t think of humanity. Everything fits together in a beautiful ecosystem — except us. It seems.
Great nod to Sam Droege.
I guess a blessing and a curse in being human is that we have so many choices. That we are also prone to comparison can also have both a positive and negative side. And finally, there's the whole 'gotta make a living' piece that other creatures don't pursue in the same way, or with the same kinds of currency. All that to say, #itscomplicated
I agree that nature is the best role model for intelligent design. Maybe we're nature's AI. 🤪
Thanks for reading, Stew. Hope the new place is coming together.
I draw the line at anything inside that should be outside.
I hear you. I keep wishing the boundary felt that simple, but I can’t stop asking where that line comes from or who it really belongs to. Apparently I’m not built for clean answers here. Good thing I have a whole community of careful readers who are willing to put up with me! Thanks, June.
Wow- it’s been awhile since I popped in to comment- and scrolling through to get to the bottom of the queue I confess to a territorial moment 😂😂😂
‘Who are all of these people commenting ????’ It passed quickly and was replaced with a wave if admiration, pride and excitement ❤️
On my drive to work today I laughed aloud a half dozen times at your humble witty insertions and the brilliant observations of those we share our space with -
I often wish , more so in recent years, that we could claim our impact to be mire beneficial than not.
There are many trying to do right.
As always, your perspective supports those efforts- and bolsters your readers.
Keep it up- what you share matters.
P.s. I also enjoy your audio- thanks for the extra effort
Ha! Allow me to introduce you to some amazing folks! We didn't raise our kids together like the two of us, but there's still a pretty nifty bond in many cases. I'm thrilled to know you're enjoying the audio. As for wishing we could claim our impact to be more beneficial, I share that wish. But I don’t think we get there through consumer choice alone. The options available to individuals are still too limited to drive global-scale change without stronger corporate and systemic shifts.
What a delight to see you in the comments today, Kate. Thank you, my friend.