Well Brian is just full of surprises. First I heard it was a Rattler. I'd asked what took so long. He said he had to hunt down and kill a snake. During the wait, I got a little thirsty, and went back to the Durango to get my Dr. Pepper. I had just taken a good swig of it when all of a sudden this peoce of comb comes slipping through the vent hole. I don't know what possed Brian to think that I had any hold on it. But he let it go and it flopped down on the ground.
The bee suit and veil zip together in such a way where you can unzip both ends of the zipper and let it hang down your back, helmet and all. So there I was with a Dr. Pepper in my hands, and bees that were PO'ed. Notice I put that in capitol letters. Ever had one of those times where everything seems to go in slow motion? Or is it the adrenilin making your brain run fast? These bees lifted off of the comb and I little dark cloud was hanging by the vent hole. I was fine until I sat down my drink and reached back for the veil. I guess my movement caught their attention. In that slow motion the cloud started in my direction. My zipper got caught in my hair. I have long hair just past the shoulders. I stood and started running in the opposite direction. With now where else to go, I just ran around the house. Good thing there were no fences. I'd got the veil over my head and the helmet situated about the time I came back around the back side of the house. Another piece of comb was sticking out of the vent. I hollored "WAIT" , but plop went the comb full of bees. As I had not ever looked back I didn't know if the other group was still after me or not. Turned out some were right on top of me as I doubled back headed for the durango. I bailed into the back, glad we'd left the hatch open, and shut it behind me. Managed to get the zipper zipped and the gloves on and get popped by a bee on the back of the neck. She got in the veil before I got it zipped.
Went back to the vent and a third piece was lying on the ground. I finally figure out Brian couldn't hear me because of the buzzing. Man there were a lot of bees. I think some of the viciousness had to do with the weather. It was over cast skys looking like it could rain just any minute.
I started to place the brood in the frames with rubber bands. I hope I got them in there right side up. The bees started setteling down and covering the brood. I don't remember exactly where I was in the procedure when I heard a noise behind me. It was Brian. Now I really don't know Brian all that well. This is after all the second time we'd seen each other. And I really don't know what his temperment is, so when I saw the look that was on his face, I figured it was best to not say much of anything at all until there was time to calm down. So I acted as though everything went just fine.
We got the stuff loaded into the Durango and headed for the house. I think Brian has an on/off switch. We hadn't hardly left the house when I looked over and he was asleep. And man does he sleep.
About half way home I noticed some bees on the back window. I pulled over and noticed that the top of the hive that had been held down with staples had been jarred loose. The jarring was when some idiot in Brownfield pulled right out in front of me. I swerved and bounced off a curb. I'm sure I called the guy some names he may have deserved.
I try to stay in a good mood but this was getting to me as I had to carefully get the hive out of the back and go searching for where he put the stapler. I mentioned he was loaded for bear right. I don't think the DEA would have found this thing in a drug raid. I was ready to just drive off and leave the bees there. Then A thought hit me. Maybe it's in his pocket.
I am a fairly skinny guy and stand about 5' 7". Not sure how tall Brian is but has to be over six feet tall. His head almost touches the ceiling in the Darango. And I would call him a stocky fellow. Not fat, but he has some meat on him. So anyway. I go to the passenger door, I hate waking people up. Always been one of my things. So I open the door. Not knowing he had his elbow perched on it, and he started leaning out. Told you he slept heavey. I some how managed to push him back in and yes there was the staple gun sticking out his pocket. So stapled the box, loaded it, and back on the road.
I was at my house putting his stuff into his pick up when he finally woke up. He looked around as if he were lost for a moment, then looked at his watch and said some thing about going to be late. The rest of the stuff was trasfered to his Pick up and he was gone in such a fashion that would make a west texas wirl wind jeolous.
Then I came in the house and worked myself back into my good nature. I figured he would call when he finally got home last night. I have not talked to him yet about this trip.
I'm glad it wasn't boring for him. :twisted: