Non-fragrant flowers are like shallow people. They may be beautiful, but have no substance, no personality.
The smelling ones are my loves. I don't even care what they look like, and you'll see from this photo, they aren't flashy or spectacular. But they are my absolute favorite.
When I walk out the front door I can immediately smell the sweet orange and lemon trees which are covered in blossoms and bees. I can hear the BUZZZZZZZ of thousands of bees from several paces away. I have to be careful when I want to smell up close to not disturb them. I sat on a bee in the grass this summer and wow, that hurt. Yes, a bee sting on my ass. Classy. Hey, I was hugely pregnant and couldn't even see my own two feet. Sorry bee.
The lavender and jasmine are also covered in bees and it has taken quite a bit of careful training to teach my son to check for bees before picking, smelling or otherwise diving into the plants since these are at his level. I say "careful" because I don't want him to be terrified of bees, I just want him to be aware of them and stay out of their way. I've seen too many kids (and adults!) unable to enjoy the outdoors just because there are bees in the flowers. They run, screaming when a bee buzzes by. I hate this. It makes them more likely to freak the bee out and get stung. Bees aren't out to get anyone. Well, except for those people who slather themselves in smelly products. Then it's their own fault for tricking the world into thinking that they are a flower.
Maybe this is a city mouse/country mouse thing. It never occured to me to be afraid of them as a child, they were just part of the farm and they were everywhere. I love bees! We gotta take care of them and a lot of folks are concerned about them. Even my own parents in rural Minnesota bought gear to set up their own colony. Someday I'd like to try my hand at beekeeping. My own source of beeswax and honey? That would be a dream. For now, I welcome them to our yard, knowing that the work they do now ensures yummy stuff later. So important.
Anyone have any bee stories? Have you ever tasted honeycomb right from the hive? Were you a bee for Halloween as a child? (It is okay to just admit it if you are a runner/screamer, I'll still like you, I promise)
