It all started when Brian and I were both stung in the barn in one week. Upon closer observation it was determined there was a large colony of ‘something’ living in our loft. Our first guess was bees because of a stinger left behind by Brian’s attacker. After consulting with a friend it was guessed they were not bees but yellow jackets – a type of wasp that also leaves behind a stinger and are much more aggressive than bees. The barn loft was too close for our comfort so it was decided these visitors had to go for the safety of everything else in the barn – including us!
A bee keeping friend tipped us off that soapy water killed them just as effectively as a commercial spray, so we filled two pump sprayers and waited for dark. We had just been given a bee suit and a neighbor let us borrow another one. Unsure of how the suit would work with something other than bees, we donned thick protective clothing under the suits as well – I wore ski pants and jacket – we were taking no chances!
A peek into their hole showed everyone at home and resting, though they started crawling around due to our lights. We knew once disturbed, the battle would be on! Brian started by sloshing several cups of soapy water up the siding that housed their nest. The first wave of guards angrily buzzed out and for several tense minutes we felt them hit our suits and wondered if our protection would be enough.
I kept a steady spray going while trying to keep a steady nerve at the constant onslaught of the yellow jackets. I felt imaginary pinpricks all over my body but it was probably just the sweat produced by my ski suit. No stings – so far, so good.
As our trust in the suits built confidence, we opened the hive and moved around with our sprayers for about 30 minutes, killing several hundred. Finally there were only a few flying around and we called it a night. We each only suffered one sting – mine as one found a hole I didn’t know about and crawled up into my mask, stinging my jaw. The other flew out of our clothes after we had stripped off all our protective gear inside and stung Brian on the shoulder. We carefully avoided the barn the next day or two, doing chores under cover of dark.
Two mornings later, in the cool of early dawn we suited up again and killed another 30-40 who had regathered near the ruined nesting sight.
We pulled the sodden nest out of the loft – at least what was left. The original nest was about 18 inches long and at least three tiers deep.
A closer look.
Stuff pulled from the loft in order to make sure we got everything. Now all that is left is the clean up! We are especially glad we just used soapy water instead of poison because our chickens helpfully ate every single yellow jacket and the nest! We felt very accomplished in our removal and are much relieved to walk around the barn without the fear of getting stung!
The kids needed to be active and the weather was hot but somehow water play was “boring.” So Mom decided to put a little excitement back into the slip n slide!
Enter the “slide n slide!”
This proved to be just the excitement needed!
Getting a drink
Flora and Iris warm up in the sun.
Dad comes out to play and things get turned up a notch.
Enter the triple slide!
A little more speed and you catch some air at the end!
When bed time rolled around there was no protest – mission accomplished!
After more than a month off from having the baby, we needed to turn our attention back to the garden again. Time to harvest corn, till, pull some weeds and make ready new sections for next year.
After listening to a radio drama about a little boy who enlisted in God’s army and took orders from the Captain’s book (Bible), we decided to try the same thing. The morning of our harvest we read in Proverbs about honoring God with your first fruits and then your barns will be filled to overflowing. I asked the kids how we might honor God with our corn harvest. They suggested giving the first ones away to God, and we discussed which friend might be the lucky recipient.
That evening we pulled the ears and the kids had a grand shucking party while Daddy tilled and I pulled up the stalks. I set aside several good ears to give away. As we were working, the package truck drove by on his way to deliver to a neighbor. My Dad worked for FedEx for a time and I had the privilege of helping him sometimes. I have a great sympathy for these hard workers and knew this truck was out late at the end of a long day.
Iris enjoys some of the first fruits.
The idea popped in my head that the driver might enjoy some garden produce and maybe we could brighten his work day. I felt a little shy to hand something out to a complete stranger and wondered if he would even like corn, but like the boy in the story, I knew I had to obey my orders. I told the kids what we would do and then went to the end of the driveway to meet the truck as it came past.
The truck stopped and the driver was delighted to receive the corn and a cucumber. He thanked me several times and then stopped me as I backed away from the truck. He asked how many kids, then pulled out his cooler and handed me the rest of his cold drinks he had packed for the day! I thanked him and he drove off, leaving an ecstatic bunch of kids behind him! What a neat way for God to illustrate His Word and the reward of following His orders for the day.
I thought our readers might like a little background on our baby’s name.
Skye Kristine Cahill
The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1
The sky is always changing. Whether regular blue, a moonlit night, a beautiful sunset or a gathering storm, each phase shows the glory and might of the Creator, God. Our prayer for Skye as she grows and changes, is that the sunny days and the life storms would also bring glory to the One who created her and loves her.
Kristine is a new friend on the horizon of our life. Her family and ours have been put together with beautiful timing. She has blessed Amy with friendship, help, encouragement and love all through this pregnancy and played a crucial role in the birth of this child.
Happy mother with her little girl.
The growing clan. The kids enjoy their new sister, giving her a cuddle and exclaiming how she is so adorable!
