Following Up

Prison was good today. This is the second month that one of the guards has brought me iced tea during lunch. I see the women get the same lunch every Sunday, and it's nothing this health nut would choose, but the tea . . . is GOOD. And appreciated.

The muslum lady was still in the cell where they brought her last month after the fight. She stayed on her bunk for Bible study, but she did participate, reading along in a piece of a Bible she had inherited from another inmate and answering questions. It was a nice change.

There's not much that surprises me inside anymore, so when we finished and the guards let everyone out for a smoke break she met me at the door of her cell and gave me a hug. It was very obvious she'd softened up quite a bit since last time we met. Knowing she was Turkish I asked how many languages she spoke. The answer came tumbling out - it was like recognizing she had something different, something special opened a door of communication. She spoke five languages including her native tongue and English. Turns out she was a linguistics major at a prestigious university.

"How . . . . ?" I hardly ever ask, but this was one time I had to. The story she told me was very sad, and if it is true the way she told me she shouldn't be there. There's also the part where she's considered an outcast by her faith and her family. It hurt. I could see it in her eyes. I couldn't help but wonder if the difference between her faith that basically wanted to see her dead and all the stories about Jesus caring for broken women were getting through.

I don't know, but the second hug I got from her more than made up for the February incident. We cried together and had prayer. I continue to pray for her and ask that any other Christians who find their way here do as well.

And oh yes . . she asked for a whole Bible!

Spring Swarm Tutorial

It's spring here in the south and the bees have started swarming. I caught two swarms within walking distance of my office yesterday. Many people go their entire lives without seeing this awesome phenomenon of nature. Unfortunately many who do are ignorant about what they are witnessing and make unwise decisions when this happens. Honeybees provide a valuable service to humanity by pollinating 80% of our food supply. Bees are now threatened which means it's up to us to go above and beyond to protect them. Many times people will call a pest control service to destroy a honeybee swarm out of fear or ignorance. That's why I write - to dispel fear and educate.

First of all - DO NOT PANIC! A clump of bees on a tree limb, post or flat surface will not stay there permanently. Bees will wait in a clump for scouts to find a suitable new home for them. Unfortunately it sometimes winds up being in the walls of a building where the bees are eventually exterminated. This is why the next thing is important: CALL A BEEKEEPER. A beekeeper will put them in a hive designed especially for them and will take care of them.

If you do not know of a beekeeper in your area you may contact your local law enforcement who may know of one and also your local extension office. Many areas have beekeeper organizations that may be found on the internet.

In the meantime, enjoy the show. I don't advise that you get close to them, especially if you're allergic, but they are fascinating to watch. A queen bee whose pheromone is the unifying factor in the clump is somewhere down in there and every bee is tuned to her. When they reach their new home they'll build comb, the queen will lay hundreds of eggs and they'll continue just as they've done for hundreds of years. Your part in this is to make sure the new home is one where they'll be tended and cared for.