Wasps Galore

Wasps are flourishing this summer, or is it that more are attracted to me? When I sweat in 80 F weather there is water enough on my skin to entice them for a closer look. However, they do not taste. If there is contact at all it is to deposit a stinger. I began this morning with the intent to cut back the overhanging branches that brushed on my roof. Apparently wasps like the safety of the corrugated roofing on the shop. They popped out all along the edge. One zapped me on the right arm just above my elbow. I gritted my teeth and proceeded to work. Then I go up on the roof of the house. The young English walnut tree by the back porch had offending branches. They had to go. The Douglas fir over by Lorraine’s was also struggling over my roof for its share of the sun. What I could reach got cut off. The older English walnut tree overhanging the front porch was reaching a long way beyond the gutter. Those branches I could reach also found their way into my yard debris can. While I was on the edge of the roof I cleaned the dirt and needles out of the gutter. Cleaned out the back porch gutter, too. Good job. Finally I got back on the ground. Wrestling with an eight-foot ladder was tremendous exercise. The printed notice on the side warns that the weight on the ladder should not exceed 200 pounds. I think the ladder weighs 200 pounds. Boy it sure felt that heavy. I had to get it out of the shop, then around the building, under the clothesline, up the back steps. That’s where I got up on the house roof. OK so back goes the ladder into the big door on the east side of the shop. Remember the full 4 x 8 sheets of ply wood on each side of the building that opened so Ron could run a long piece of lumber through his table saw? Well I store the ladders there – out of the way so to speak. The wimpy little six footer leans on the eight footer so it has to be lifted out first. Wow. Imagine what it takes just to do some simple yard work. I would be completely pleased if not for one last sting on the end of my nose. I grit my teeth behind my stiff upper lip and carry on.
Naomi Sherer